The Hunger Games

This book was a quick, fun read that brought some interesting human reactions to light. I think this is the first time I've read a story in which human nature was reduced to its most basic form, namely the will to survive. Some of the characters were reduced to animals during the course of the story, while others struggled to maintain their humanity. I enjoyed exploring the theme and seeing how...more

This book was a quick, fun read that brought some interesting human reactions to light. I think this is the first time I've read a story in which human nature was reduced to its most basic form, namely the will to survive. Some of the characters were reduced to animals during the course of the story, while others struggled to maintain their humanity. I enjoyed exploring the theme and seeing how different segments of this universe from the main characters, the other tribute children, to entire district communities, had their own way of dealing with the question of what life and freedom are worth. The narration had just the right amount of gruesome -- I didn't need skip sections to keep my dinner down, but I still felt right there in the thick of it with Katniss and Peeta. I found Katniss to be a pretty easy character, but Peeta -- despite all his likability -- fell behind in terms of character development. I wanted to know more about him than just he's amiable and a hopeless romantic. All in all, a good summer or weekend read when you're looking for action, romance, and moral dilemmas.   hide

Hunger Games, book 1. Katniss' story grabbed me by the throat on the first page and kept me entranced even after I turned the last page. Set in a not-so-distant future where the United States has collapsed and been replaced by Panem, a country ruled by the wealthy Capitol. Twelve Districts surround the Capitol. The people of the Districts starve while they send all the products of their work...more

Hunger Games, book 1. Katniss' story grabbed me by the throat on the first page and kept me entranced even after I turned the last page. Set in a not-so-distant future where the United States has collapsed and been replaced by Panem, a country ruled by the wealthy Capitol. Twelve Districts surround the Capitol. The people of the Districts starve while they send all the products of their work to the pampered inhabitants of the Capitol. Every year, as punishment for a past uprising, each District is forced to send two children, a boy and a girl, to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are brutal (and televised). Katniss volunteers to take her sister's place after shy and retiring Prim is chosen for the game. Katniss' struggle for survival is graphic and brutal. And you won't believe how far the Capitol and the Gamemakers are willing to go to keep viewers riveted. You may want to look away, but you won't be able to stop turning pages. Exciting and thought-provoking. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!   hide

For a number of years, books or movies like The Running Man have presented a future in which television features real people put into dangerous situations by the authorities for the amusement of the rest of us. Shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race were real-life versions partly inspired by these fictional shows, albeit with less violence.

It was interesting to read a story...more

For a number of years, books or movies like The Running Man have presented a future in which television features real people put into dangerous situations by the authorities for the amusement of the rest of us. Shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race were real-life versions partly inspired by these fictional shows, albeit with less violence.

It was interesting to read a story about one of these television dystopia futures in the post Survivor world. That is, the concept of a television competition between real people is a part of our culture.

The Hunger Games takes place in North America (now called Panem) in some future time in which Denver (Denver!?) controls everything. They don't call it Denver, but it must be. This is a city that has been abused in fiction for so long and now it's taking its sweet mile-high revenge. (Remember the 1999 television movie Atomic Train where a runaway train is heading to Denver? Not only is the city about to be destroyed because no one can figure out how to stop a train heading uphill, but the only person who seems able to prevent it is Rob Lowe. Yes, Rob Lowe. (Jack Bauer was busy that day.) That's the kind of impussance that takes many years of high-priced therapy to overcome.)

Anyway, our 16-year-old hero is selected in a lottery system to take part in a last-person-standing Thunderdome-like killing competition for the amusement of the masses and to remind everyone who's their daddy.

Go forth and read The Hunger Games.   hide

One of the best middle grade books I have read this year! I put off starting this one because the plot just didn't sound like something I'd be interested in, but once I got into the first couple of pages, I honestly couldn't put it down. Now I can't wait for the sequel that's due out any day now. The story is pure science fiction, and I mean that in the best possible way....more

One of the best middle grade books I have read this year! I put off starting this one because the plot just didn't sound like something I'd be interested in, but once I got into the first couple of pages, I honestly couldn't put it down. Now I can't wait for the sequel that's due out any day now. The story is pure science fiction, and I mean that in the best possible way. The classics of this genre always focus on the human element, emotional conflicts, etc. Ms. Collins follows these rules to the letter, always allowing her characters to judge society and each other for truth, meaning, and motive. The story is set in a future where North America has been divided into 12 districts. Once a year, a boy and girl from each district are selected in a lottery to travel to The Capital in the Rocky Mountains and participate in The Hunger Games. These 'games' are a brutal fight to the death, a televised reality show with the survivor being rewarded for the rest of his/her life with a house for the family to live in, and all the food and possessions they ever need. This carefree life is a dream for Katniss, the girl representing District 12. Her mother is still grieving over the death of her husband, Katniss' father, and has virtually left her and her little sister Prim on their own. Katniss knows how to hunt, fish, and survive in the woods of their home territory, but what kind of landscape is in store for her once she gets to The Capital and the games? What will the other contestants be like? Can she survive and return a victor to her friend Gale and her home in the mountains and woods? Read THE HUNGER GAMES to find out!   hide

To put in a basic summary of The Hunger Games:

In the ruins of a place known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a 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...more

To put in a basic summary of The Hunger Games:

In the ruins of a place known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a 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. This book follows sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who by twist of fate, has become a contender in this year's Games.

For me, I absolutely adored the writing style for one.. was astounded by it actually. The fact that this was written mostly in present tense- but then had bits of flashback scenes tossed in throughout was phenomenal. The characterization was amazing. The details and descriptions gave such vivid images... It's so rare for me to find a book like this, and I'm thrilled! I loved the action and the storyline was mesmerizing.

What I didn't like? It had a slightly twisted ending that I thought maybe could have been played out a bit better... but it still was executed nicely so I'm not complaining much with it. I just wanted to keep reading on and on.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the story- in fact, I finished it under two days time because I just couldn't put it down. It was probably one of THE best reads of the 2010 year for me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone ages 13 and up (although it can get quite graphic at times with violence).

I've read the entire trilogy set now and it's one of my all-time favorites. Absolutely love it. The message is extremely powerful... And it's scary to think about how realistic it can really be. A very thought-provoking set here, indeed. It'll have you up for hours thinking. It'll have your emotions raging. Trust me, you do not want to pass up this series if you haven't read it! :)   hide

this is an immensely popular book/trilogy, so much so that they're currently selecting a director for the film version of its first installment. a lot of people seem to like it because the main character, katniss, is sort of the anti-bella from "twilight": empowered, tough, and anything but passive. it's a quick read; the plot moves along nicely. BUT. it is so violent as to be almost...more

this is an immensely popular book/trilogy, so much so that they're currently selecting a director for the film version of its first installment. a lot of people seem to like it because the main character, katniss, is sort of the anti-bella from "twilight": empowered, tough, and anything but passive. it's a quick read; the plot moves along nicely. BUT. it is so violent as to be almost grotesque, even more so than the recent japanese pulp fiction classic "battle royale" (of which it's very reminiscent). a friend told me he'd given it to his 12-year-old nephew and asked whether it was appropriate, and i didn't know quite what to say. violence, sadism, torture, even cannibalism - it's all here. so, while i liked it superficially, it's pretty deeply disturbing. one to the sequel; hopefully my stomach (and conscience) can handle it.   hide

Pretty good. When I first read the blurb, it sounded like the premise of the Japanese movie, Battle Royale, but with the contestants aware of what they were getting into. Which it turns out...yeah. It was. Collins has created a completely awful but believable society in which the events are set, especially her vivid description of the contrast between the wealthy capitol dwellers and the...more

Pretty good. When I first read the blurb, it sounded like the premise of the Japanese movie, Battle Royale, but with the contestants aware of what they were getting into. Which it turns out...yeah. It was. Collins has created a completely awful but believable society in which the events are set, especially her vivid description of the contrast between the wealthy capitol dwellers and the impoverished sector dwellers. The most interesting aspect of the book is of course, the various strategies that the players adopt to stay alive. All the players (well, the ones who survive) are built believably, and are ridiculously realistic in their bloodthirstiness and cunning planning. It also conflicts with the weakest part of the book for me, the main character's complete obliviousness when it comes to romance, and ignorance of the males showing an interest in her. Personally, I get extremely annoyed when it's obvious that the male character is very attracted to Katniss, but she in turn, ignores/ is unaware of his feelings, especially in this case where I feel the trope was handled badly. I just could not believe that Katniss was that oblivious, when she was otherwise pretty intelligent. And on top of that, when she realizes that she is in fact in love, was for too abruptly resolved for my liking. (I am really rooting for Peeta, even though I have reached the conclusion that Katniss is not good enough for him. However, I will relent because he would be very happy and I want that for him) Really fast paced, read the whole thing in one evening. Very enjoyable.   hide

For a young adult book this is pretty intense and brutal. In a post apocolyptic world where North America no longer exists as we know, people live in districts, poor and unfed and ruled by the Capitol. The 12 districts are forced every year to make a boy and a girl, ages 12-17, compete in the Hunger Games, a televised event, in which the only way to survive is to kill the other contestents and be...more

For a young adult book this is pretty intense and brutal. In a post apocolyptic world where North America no longer exists as we know, people live in districts, poor and unfed and ruled by the Capitol. The 12 districts are forced every year to make a boy and a girl, ages 12-17, compete in the Hunger Games, a televised event, in which the only way to survive is to kill the other contestents and be the last one standing. Katniss, volunteers to be thet tribute in the Hunger Games when he younger sister's name is pulled. Since her father died, she has keep her mother and sister from starving. She is a survivor and is determined to make it out alive even though it means her fellow tribute Peeta has to die for her to win. I couldn't put it down. Its a book that even after you're done you can help thinking about it. I had to stop myself from rereading it as soon as i finished. The scarey part is that the premiss honestly doesn't seem to farfetched. I can't wait to read the second book :D   hide

The cover should clue you in. Black and gold. Reminds me of The Giver. That one had a black cover, too, hinting at a dark setting. While in The Giver, the government controls everything to preserve harmony and perfection, in The Hunger Games, the government controls everything to prevent an uprising and only the Capitol gets all the perfection, from food, to vanity, to entertainment. And that's...more

The cover should clue you in. Black and gold. Reminds me of The Giver. That one had a black cover, too, hinting at a dark setting. While in The Giver, the government controls everything to preserve harmony and perfection, in The Hunger Games, the government controls everything to prevent an uprising and only the Capitol gets all the perfection, from food, to vanity, to entertainment. And that's what The Hunger Games is. A full-blown entertainment for pampered Capitol citizens who only bet on who doesn't get killed in the arena while the children of The Districts grit their teeth and kill rather than be killed. With that as the central wheel of the plot, you might expect angsty prose. But no, instead, you marvel and you cheer on Katniss Everdeen and even squee over her romantic moments with good-boy Peeta Mellark. The pace leaves you breathlessly turning page after page, the events make you gasp and scream, the deaths make you want to throw the book across the room. But you don't, because there hasn't been a book as riveting as this since... oh, maybe Harry Potter.   hide