Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Book Information:

·         Title: The Hunger Games

·         Author: Suzanne Collins

·         Cover Artist: Tim O'Brien

·         Published: 2008 (book 1)

·         Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

·         Pages: 374

·         Genre:  Young Adult/Science Fiction

·         My Genre Category: Young Adult/Dystopian

Summary (Courtesy of Goodreads)

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 Primrose, 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

* Some spoilers in general about the book will be noted ahead of time*

My Review

General Comments

Because there is movie coming out in March, I thought I would review this book now.

Normally, this is not my style of book. I like happy endings and moments in books. This does not mean that there are no nice moments in Hunger Games, but happiness is not a key factor in this book. When discussing the Hunger Games with friends, I had a slight struggle coming up with the right description for the book. Maybe it was because I'm not used to reading this kind of genre? For whatever reason, the closest description that I could come up with is a "dystopian" and survival book. No, not surviving the end of the world—surviving life in Panem. I rented this book from Amazon Prime on my Kindle. I just finished book two, and will complete the series next month when I rent the last one. This review is for book one only.

Characters

Hunger Games mainly focuses on Katniss. Other main characters that we learn more about is Peeta (the other contender from District 12), and Haymitch. Because of the life that Katniss leads (even prior to the Game) makes the readers wonder how Panem got be the way it was. No wonder she has issues with feeling such as love (except for the kind that she feels towards her sister).

**Possible spoilers below**

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Her best friend, Gale, is hardly in the book although she thinks of him throughout. I don't think there was enough depth to their relationship to make me believe that she would have ended up with him if she did not go into the Games. I admit that it could have happened. Therefore, I didn't feel too betrayed in the middle and end of the book with what happened with Peeta.  In other words, I don't feel a strong love triangle here—just a confused girl in bad world.

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**End of possible spoilers**

Peeta seems like a nice boy and fairly transparent. Haymitch has his moments. He has a few more layers than Peeta. As a final note, I must mention that I did like Cinna (the stylist). He seemed like a genuinely good guy.

Plot

The plot is straightforward in that you know that Katniss will be entering this Game with competitors from the other districts. It is about survival and not only in the Game but in Panem life. There is starvation and inequality in the country as well as those who enter the games. Any acts of rebellion are out of the question unless you want to be killed and/or your family. It shows sacrifice, perseverance, cunningness, instincts, and consequences. Considering there are two books that follow this one, the reader knows that Katniss will make it to the next ones, but you are not sure how she will do that. Does she kill her fellow opponents? What about those that she "owes" or has an alliance with? There are surprises despite the straightforward plot.

Writing Style

Because you are reading through Katniss's point of view, you are restricted to her thoughts and actions, relying on others filling you in when something happens elsewhere. The style is written for young adults and provides an easy read. The author also likes to take the reader back through flashbacks to help explain things.

Thinking about reading the book?

This book might not be for everyone. It's not the type of book that I would say "I love the story in this book!" because it is a constant struggle for the protagonist. The setting is one I would never wish to be put in. However, it is a story that denotes overcoming obstacles and surviving in a harsh world. If you like slightly futuristic, science fiction, survival, and dystopian stories this book would be for you.