Book Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First read on September 5, 2011
Read again March 2012



Since I was too busy trying to get to the next book to write a review the first time, I'll try now (though it can't possibly do this book justice).

Each year the citizens of Panem (which is the nation that rose after the fall of North America some years ago) are forced to send two tributes from the ages of 12-18, one boy and one girl, from each of the 12 Districts to participate in the Hunger Games. In the arena it's a fight to the death for there can only be one victor. One person who will no longer go hungry. One person who will bring pride back to their district. One person who will live with the games for the rest of their lives.

From District 12 Primrose Everdeen is chosen. A small blond girl from the Seam, the poor part of the district, who by all odds should not have been chosen. Her older sister, Katniss, quickly volunteers to take her place, a rare thing in this district, but what else could she do?

The male tribute chosen was Peeta Mellark. No one volunteered to take his place, not even his brother. Peeta and Katniss are not friends, him being from the merchants class and her from the Seam, but they do know eachother. This certainly can't make it easy on them.

No sooner than they're chosen they're whisked away with only brief goodbyes to their friends and family. They're put on a train bournd for the Capitol with only thei escort, Effie, and mentor, Haymitch (a former winner from their dristict who spends his days in a drunken stupor) to accompany them.

To say the Capitol and its people are extravagent would be an understatment. The people live lavish lives, only thinking of themselves. To them the Games are mere entertainment, the tributes just pawns in their games, not real human beings. They believe the tributes should be honored to be there, but it's difficult for the kids being sent to slaughter to feel very honored.

There's a little time before they're sent into the arena. Time to train, time to present themseleves to all of Panem. Time to let the world see who they are in hopes of gaining sponsors who could be their very lifeline in the arena. It's during this time, at their last interview, that a little secret is revealed that seems to change everything...



It seems I can't go any further than that without spoiling anything for anyone who may not have read it by now... and if you haven't I suggest you get to it right away!

Suzanne Collins wrote an exquisite book here. Her characters are so very well written. She gives such great information and details about their lives that I could really begin to connect with them. With their history and situations I could see why they would think a certain way or do certain things. They were very well developed and it truly helps the story.

Speaking of the story, wow! What a concept! I can honestly say, I was way behind the bandwagon on this. When I heard the basic plot I thought there was no way I could enjoy reading something like that... sending kids into an arena to kill eachother. Who comes up with this crap? Why would anyone read it? When I finally caved I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. The story just pulls at you, and it's certainly written from the right perspective.

Like I said before, no matter what I say, I can't begin to do this book justice. It's a must read! I can't even begin to describe how or why, but it really resonates with you. I know it did me...

As a matter of fact I was so hooked I read it all in one sitting... in the car on the way home from Washington, D.C. When I got home I was in such dire need to continue the saga with the second book that I immediately headed to Tar-jay with only minutes before they closed. Quite literally. When I parked there were four minutes til closing. I ran (yes, ran) to the doors, in which process my flip flop broke. When I got inside I proceeded to remove my flip flop, tell the person at the door that I was there for one thing, and one thing only and would br right back to check out. Yes, I walked through the store with only one flip flop on. Go ahead, judge me. I didn't care. I NEEDED that book. True story.

And, yes, it was all worth it. So go, hurry! Read on!!


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