The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hunger Games
Book Review: A Pleasant Surprise
Summary: 4 Stars
I don't remember where I read a recommendation for this book, and when I picked it up from my library's hold shelf, I was amazed. A Young Adult fantasy? Why did I order this?
What a pleasant surprise! The story is witty, fast moving, with likable characters, suspense, and unexpected plot turns at every point. I've read many action/suspense books and thought I had it all mapped out, but was wrong, or at least mostly. My only complaint is the fairly standard teenage-girl narrative voice, which is inappropriate for the setting and plot, and the promise of a sequel. That seems obligatory, aimed at the kind of reader who expects all problems to have a solution. They don't; I would have preferred the story to stop here.
Still, a very entertaining, even moving and thought-provoking book.
Book Review: A Quick and Engaging Read
Summary: 4 Stars
I was a little discouraged when the book arrived and I discovered it was "Young Adult Fiction." I'm forty-nine, after all.
What does Young Adult Fiction (YAF) even mean? I guess it is an ambiguous distinction (like "country music") - books for, let's say, teenagers that would definitely feature teenage characters and situations. When I think about it a lot of my favorite books are YAF - many of Robert Heinlein's mid-period works, which I love. *Citizen of the Galaxy* comes to mind. I would expect that there would not be much sex, but there is certainly a lot of violence in this book.
The novel is set in the future, in a North America that is ruled by a trendy capitol, and has twelve poorer districts (that seem like small villages) that are required to send two teenage "tributes" to the capitol each year in the fashion of the Athenian tributes to the Cretan Minotaur.
It seems to me that the author must have been watching one of those "voted off the island" reality shows when she had the idea for this book because this is basically *Survivor* for keeps. In the book, the Hunger Games is a popular television show and the entire nation watches it.
The book was engaging and a quick read. The narrator must use what skills she has and her cunning to survive the game. In some ways I felt like I wasn't quite reading a final draft. About 2/3 of the way through the book there was an "unprecedented" rule change made in the Hunger Games that was clearly an afterthought by the author that demonstrates that she didn't have a clear vision of where the story was going when she started. Details such as where all the cameras were and where the little parachutes come from are skipped. The concept was, more or less, "they are on a television show - that's all you need to know."
As I said this is an engaging and quick read. Right now I'm trying to figure out which teenage niece or nephew I want to give it to. Recommended.
Book Review: A Real Page Turner
Summary: 5 Stars
This book will keep you turning the pages to see what will happen to Katniss, our narrator, as she competes in the ultimate reality show, a competition to the death pitting teenagers from across the country against one another. Katniss has to not only learn to embrace her bloothirsty nature, but also her compassionate one.Book Review: A Real Page Turner
Summary: 4 Stars
I loved this book ... A real page-turner. Great plot and story (somewhere a cross between Lord of the Flies, the TV show Survivor, and the movie The Running Man - with Romeo and Juliet thrown in for good measure). The writing isn't fantastic, but the characters are incredibly likeable, and like I said, the plot pace makes up for it.
This was a solid 4.5 stars for me. She had me up to the end, which was a bit frustrating. Not sure where the story is heading from here, so I will definitely be reading Book 2. I can see why it has won some awards. Strong story and great characters. Recommended.
Book Review: A Real Page-Turner
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is shocking, intriguing and different. It's a good book that keeps you interested. There's a point to everything, everyone at all points. Never a dull moment. Great read :)