Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Hunger Games.

Title/Author: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Genre: YA/Urban Fantasy/Dystopian.

Publisher:  Scholastic Press.

Source: Purchased at Borders.

Favorite character: Katniss Everdeen.

Favorite quote:

All in all: I’m on the bandwagon. I loved it!

Synopsis:  In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love. -Goodreads.com

Please note this review has many spoilers!

What I didn’t like/reservations: Peeta said he had a crush on Kat. Then everyone else said he was in love and even he didn’t correct them. Is a crush the same thing as being in love?

What I liked: I have to admit that when I hear so much hype about a book, I become dubious. However, Hunger Games had me riveted and I did not want to put it down. The society and world that Collins describes is easy for me to believe and envision. I felt as if I was watching the Reaping Ceremony from the crowd and that I was right by Kat’s side in the Arena. Nothing was convoluted. The story and the events were clear, well thought out and compelling. It was tense right up to the end. This was reality television gone deadly, but although sometimes harsh and gritty, I didn’t find it gory.

I loved Kat because she is relatable and an interesting blend of pragmatic and sensitive. She is determined, tenacious and clever. She is a survivor, which is imperative in the world in which she lives. The detail of how she hunts and gathers in the woods of her District to provide for her family played well into the plot and further illustrated that she was a promising contender without being unrealistic.

The characters were diverse, interesting and convincing as were Kat’s relationships with all of them. Kat shows she loves her younger sister Prim by taking her place in the Hunger Games without hesitation or reservation. Her relationship with her mother is complicated because although Kat loves her, she doesn’t trust her because of her despondence and neglect after their father died. I loved Kat’s stylist team and the way they cared about each other. Kat shows her conscience when she comes across a girl from her past.  I absolutely loved, loved, loved Rue and their relationship. The final scene between them was very touching.

Her feelings for Peeta were complex. She did care for him as she attests to at the end when they are both the last ones left in the arena. Her feelings are very strong. She not only cared for him as a boy, but as a person and friend.  I think she would have done the same thing with Rue as well.  I have to give her a break for being confused. She is in a life and death situation where she not only has to survive, but she actually has to kill people. On top of that she is supposed to think about romance? How does someone deal with all that? I don’t blame her for her confusion.

I am left still thinking about this book and the excellent plot. I can’t get it out of my mind. I hear it's going to be made into a movie.  I hope it lives up to the expectations that many have.  Check out Youtube for some fun fan trailers!

5 out of 5 stars.


9 comments:

Angelique said...

This book was really amazing. You know, lots of times I find that after a couple of months or so I kinda forget what happened or who the characters were in the books I read. Not so with The Hunger Games. Katniss and all the rest, as well as the story, are permanently etched in my mind.

Smash Attack Ash said...

This book was truly superb. Catching Fire is equally awesome, and then...there's Mockingjay. The roller coaster of emotions and actions does not let up until there very end. Hang on tight!

Midnyte Reader said...

@Ang-I agree with you. I felt like I was seeing a vivid picture.

@Smash-I just got Catching Fire from the library today. Looking forward to finding out what happens.

Brenda said...

Hunger Games is one of my favorites. I think the series gets better as it goes on.

Jenny said...

I love this book so much, it will always be my favorite out of the 3. I'll never forget Peeta's interview where he says "she's here with me", I about died when I read that and it's been over a year since I have and I still remember it clear as day. So glad you enjoyed it as well, can't wait to see what you think of the others!

Unknown said...

Awesome review! I LOVE this trilogy!!! so great!

Diana said...

I Loved the hunger games. I just recently finished book 2; catching fire, and although it was good, my favorite continues to be the first one :) thanks for sharing!

Diana

Jaime Anderson said...

I just started this one and I can't wait to get into it. It seems like it would be an odd combination of Jackson's "The Lottery" and Lowry's The Giver.

xjd7410@gmail.com said...
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