Saturday, August 14, 2010

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

5 out of 5 stars

It’s not about how far you fall, but how high you rise back up. This is exactly true for the society of Panem. Panem sprawls and flourishes in the ruins of where North America used to be. It once consisted of thirteen districts, but now there are only twelve left, and one Capitol. The Capitol rules and presides over the remaining twelve districts with an iron fist. Life is harsh in all of the districts, except in the Capitol. In the Capitol people live in luxury and don’t spend their days working on empty stomachs. Katniss Everdeen is just one of many living in the districts. She’s sixteen and lives in District 12 with her mother and little sister Prim, whom she adores. However, there’s something more to Katniss Everdeen. This something keeps her going even throughout the toughest times, which is just what she needs for the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games are exactly that, a game, a tournament, and a competition. But to the players of this game, it is something much more. It is life or death. One wrong move and you’re out, forever. The Capitol holds the Hunger Games yearly, as a reminder that they are still in charge. The point of the Hunger Games is for each district to send in one boy and one girl, between the ages of twelve to eighteen. Every child is eligible, with your chances of getting picked growing each year. If you are picked, then you are sent to the arena to fight, and hopefully win. There are twenty-four contestants in total. It is a bloodshed where all of the boys and girls slowly kill each other off until there is only one winner left standing. And you must be that winner if you plan to survive.

This year, as the contestants are being picked from District 12, someone unexpected is chosen. She is a little girl who is only twelve years old. How could she have been picked when her odds were so slim? Her name had only been entered once, so how had it been her that was pulled out of that jar? This little girl is Prim Everdeen, Katniss’s little sister. How do they expect her to survive these games? She has no chance, and that is exactly how Katniss sees it. Because of this, Katniss takes her place, knowing that she might not live to ever see her little sister again. What does this mean for Katniss? Will she survive being thrown into this battle? And if so, what next? Suzanne Collins reveals all in this breathtaking tale, The Hunger Games!

First of all, if you haven’t yet picked up this book and read it, I urge you to do so! It is one of the most intense, dramatic books I have ever read. The Hunger Games has everything. There is romance, gore, fighting, adventure, and suspense! This book kept me glued to every page until I finally finished, and put it down breathless.

I think that the most appealing part of this story was the fact that it had something for everyone. This book appeals to many different audiences, including girls, boys, teens, and adults. This story leans more towards teens and up, as some parts might be too intense for kids under thirteen to read.

Also, the plot of the story is inspiring, and left me in shock and awe. There are many unexpected twists and turns. I will not give anything away, but I am just itching to. The storyline in this book is the base for the other books in the series, and develops in the second book, Catching Fire, and the final installment, Mockingjay.

One thing that might throw some people off is the way that Suzanne Collins writes in this book. Since the book is told in first person, from the point of view of Katniss, it takes some getting used to. This is because you are hearing her thoughts. So sometimes it does get a little confusing. But not for long, because you get used to it fairly quickly. Some people might not even find it a bother at all. This does add a nice touch to the story though, because you feel everything that Katniss is going through. It makes you feel just as tired, angry, or defeated as Katniss does.

Suzanne Collins did an amazing job with her first book in this stunning trilogy. I can’t say too much more for fear of giving too much away! But I can say that The Hunger Games shows you one girl’s will to survive, and her fight to accomplish the impossible. Join Katniss Everdeen in her struggle to live, and see just how far she can rise back up in, The Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor…

-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf…
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!


Check out Suzanne Collins's website at http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/.
Check out the Scholastic Hunger Games website at www.scholastic.com/thehungergames.
The Hunger Games is available from Amazon here.

9 comments:

  1. LOVED Hunger Games. Have you read Catching Fire yet? Even more amazing. Can't wait for the third book to come out!

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  2. I know what you mean! Yes, I did read Catching Fire, which was fantastic! I will be reviewing it soon. I can't wait for Mockingjay to come out next week!

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  3. my favorite! very interseting! im going to start reading it!

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  4. Brandon the Celebrity. *winkwinkAugust 20, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    yeeeee! I want to read it nowww! I'm going to go order it on Amazon now. Finally! A book about this! :D and I am in LOVE with your blog. :)Keep your bookshelf big, because your going to do a lot more reading. I'm sure of it.

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  5. Hurray for you reading the Hunger Games trilogy! I also think one of the main reasons this book is so appealing is because it was a little something for everyone. I wouldn't say the targeted audience is just YA; my mom read this book and she loved it. I would recommend this book to all ages.

    Questions; i know this review is from back in August but did you continue with the series? I just recently finished Catching Fire (book 2) and let me tell you- it was amazing! Book 1 was still my fav, but Catching Fire came pretty close! Mrs. Collins is a storytelling master! :) can't wait to hear what you think of the other books in the trilogy!

    Diana

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  6. The Lovely Getaway- I agree, this book is great for adults as well as teens. My dad enjoyed it very much also. :)

    I have read the entire series, and have reviewed them all. Out of the three, Mockingjay was my favorite. I even went to a Hunger Games Fan Fest at Borders, and I won the Grand Prize! I would love it if you check out the post!

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  7. I love this serious! The first person thing did confuse me in the beginning and also it does appeal to so many different people. Which is a great thing! :D Great Review TB!

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  8. Thanks so much! I always love it when more people are introduced to The Hunger Games Trilogy. Even though first person did confuse me at first, I really think in the end it was for the best. Especially as the series progressed, I connected so much more with Katniss this way. I loved your review also!

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  9. The Hunger Games book was absolutely incredible. I loved reading it and so did all of my friends. I cannot believe the author could create such an outlandish world for these characters to reside in. I personally would be terrified of being in Katniss's situation and learning about Katniss was nice because it gave me a chance to really get into the book. This is a great review!

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