October 13, 2009

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Summary from Barnes and Noble


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 is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

So I guess I had been living under a rock when this book first came out, so I've only just read it.  And to put it simply - it was AWESOME! The concept of the book - the teens fighting to death - could have been done in a very graphic way, but it wasn't.  Instead it focuses more on Katniss's mental survival.  How she is able to figure out ways to get what she needs and save herself.  Don't let that make you think this isn't a book of action tho! It is filled with action - edge of your seat action! But the thought behind the action is shown as well.

I have this thing when I'm really loving a book.  I'll read a few pages, set it down for a bit, pick up and read a few more then put it down again.  It's like I can't bear to get to the end of the book, because I don't want to leave that story.  I don't want the enjoyment to end so soon! I know that if I didn't do that I'd have to book done in one day and then all the fun would be over!  I did the few pages at a time a lot with this book.  I didn't want it to end.

Final Thought: Believe the hype.  It's a great book!

Lexile: 810
Best for ages 13+

9 comments:

  1. so glad you enjoyed it!

    -Aimee
    www.myflutteringheart.blogspot.com

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  2. I love the Hunger Games! One of the best books I've read ever. I'm glad you loved it too.

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  3. O
    I knew you'd love it!
    It's SO fantastic.
    So you digging Peeta or Gale?

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  4. oooooooh i love it! yeah i agree with @juju are you team peeta or gale? i'm personally team peeta :D

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  5. I love the Hunger Games and Catching Fire, I can not wait for book 3 and the movie. :D

    Themockingjay.vndv.com

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  6. I'm Team Peeta! The only time I wanted to kick him was when he was loudly tromping through the woods. I'm curious to see if I remain Team Peeta after I read Catching Fire tho!

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  7. I think most of the world is Team Peeta. I, however, am for Team Gale (though I think it's silly to have sides, anyway...who says she has to end up with either of them?). :) Glad you liked this one. I do the same thing you do - I'll put a book down for a few moments over and over, trying to make it last, or giving myself a break to process (not entirely sure which). Enjoy the next one!

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  8. I *adore* the Hunger Games. I'm more team Gale than team Peeta, probably because we met him first.

    I absolutely love your description of how you try to delay getting to the end of a book you're really enjoying. I always wish I could read slower, for that very reason.

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  9. O I'm curious too Jill! :)
    I started out kinda torn but leaning on Peeta than in Catching Fire I was definitely rooting for Peeta.
    Let's see what happens in book 3.

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