The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hunger Games
Book Review: A Savagely Beautiful, Post-Apocalyptic Masterpiece for All Ages
Summary: 5 Stars
Book Review: A Teenager's Review
Summary: 2 Stars
It took me a year and a half to finish this book. I picked it up on a flight to Japan and read almost all the way through it, but stopped before reaching the end (I finally finished it about a month ago). It wasn't the gore that made me put the book down, but the dull and plagiarized storyline. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I too am a huge fan of Koushun Takami's "Battle Royale," and I love the idea of corrupt governments initiating a fight-to-the-death match between children. Collins could have done so much with the storyline, but her book was a flop.
First of all (and most disappointing), was the cheesy romance. It did not fit the theme of the book at all. This was supposed to be a story about pitting children against children until one was left standing. In a book like that, there is no room for corny proclamations of love. It was utterly ridiculous, too overdone and ultimately took away from the storyline.
Another deal breaker for me was that almost half of the story took place outside of the arena. Some of it was interesting but mostly it was a bland description of training and a cheesy scene where the couples prance around in costumes.
Because "The Hunger Games" was partially entertaining, and I do admit to enjoying the twist at the end, I'd recommend it to a friend. Although, before people begin to praise Collins as "THE NEXT J.K. ROWLING," or something, they should check out "Battle Royale" to read a true fight-to-the-death masterpiece.
Book Review: A Thought Provoking Read
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed The Hunger Games from beginning to end. There were a million different ways that this book could have gone, and I was never sure which path would be chosen. Collins's writing was gripping and her characters complex; the main character, Katniss, does some things that could not be looked at a honorable, but could anyone say they would not act in such a way if they were put in her situation?
The Hunger Games explores violence and its effects on people's lives. Throughout the book I was in shock that a country would allow such cruel things as those that happen to Panem's citizens to occur. Once I sat back and thought it over some, I realized that maybe these events were not as far fetched as one would hope.
This book set me thinking, and I was very impressed up until the last page when I saw that the book's ending was a cliffhanger. This struck me as an obnoxious way to end it since it basically forces everyone to read the next book to get any resolution. However, as long as the reader is prepared to read the sequel, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a thought provoking, action packed book where the tension never runs out.
Book Review: A Unique twist on modern Literature
Summary: 5 Stars
Suzanne Collins will blow your mind with this fantastic read. The main plot is about a girl named Katniss Everdeen. When her sister's name is picked for the 74th annual Hunger Games, Katniss knows that her sister is too weak to compete. Katniss is forced to join a competition where you fight to stay alive in an arena with the most extreme living conditions. They must live for several weeks without any resources. The last person left alive wins. Will Katniss rise to the expectations from District Twelve or will she fall under the standards and lose her life to the deadliest place throughout all of the districts? Suzanne Collins wrote an award winning novel that deserves more appraisal then it has received. If you are interested in a GREAT read and very interesting book, The Hunger Games is a great thriller and adrenaline rush.
~CB~
Book Review: A VERY GOOD START TO A PROMISING SERIES
Summary: 4 Stars
I like young adult books. I've always preferred story and character to fancy wordplay and ambiguous symbolism, so books like the Harry Potter series can be the perfect fit. When my friend recommended The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, though, I was a bit nervous due to her love for The Twilight Series. We share very similar tastes except for that large exception. I read some reviews, did my usual research, and decided to give the book a chance.
I'm very glad I did. The Hunger Games is a satisfying start to what promises to be an exciting series. Is it a surefire classic? Not quite, but it certainly is memorable. The novel's premise isn't new: the protagonist is thrust into a life or death reality show/event set by a corrupt government. Being a big Stephen King fan, I've explored this territory before with The Running Man. In this case, it's Katniss Everdeen, a teenage civilian in the poorest district of the nation, and the Hunger Games is the show. In order to survive, she must outwit and kill twenty-three other teenagers. The crux of this book becomes surviving all of the brutality while at the same time retaining one's humanity. Not your typical young adult fare.
That's really what separates The Hunger Games from everything else - tone. The are multiple deaths, self-sacrifice, and mutilations in the book, ensuring that readers under the age of thirteen shouldn't tackle this novel. Some may consider the gruesome parts unnecessary, I see it as Collins respecting her readership. Young adults don't need to be coddled, they can stomach morbid details, as well as deal with heavier themes. Katniss questions the morality of her government, her peers, and herself, and so should the readers.
One minor complaint I have is that everything seems to fall into the lap of Katniss when she desperately needs help. I mean, things literally appear out of thin air to aid her. Sure, there's a logical explanation for this - contestants each have sponsors who can send them gifts during the Game - but it made things too predictable. Every time Katniss found herself in a sticky situation, I would think to myself "don't worry, help is certainly just around the corner". It would've been nice, and more realistic, if she had had ongoing issues that forced her to adapt and evolve rather than simply wait.
Still, I found the book's ending to be excellent, and I can't wait to start its sequel, Catching Fire. It feels as if the story is just about to open up. It's also worth mentioning that Collins writes excellent characters. Katniss is one of the absolute best and most believable female protagonists that I've ever read. Collins partly achieves this through the use of the first-person point-of-view, a perspective I'm not normally a fan of, and she pulls it off excellently.
The Hunger Games is a fast-paced thriller that never really lets up. And just enough information is given about the history of the nation, the Capitol, and the Games to make you hunger for more. If Catching the Fire and Mockingjay (the third book in the trilogy) deliver on everything promised in The Hunger Games, then the series could very well end up being a classic.