Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Source: Purchased
Genre: Dystopian
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

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.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

You know those books where you stay up late in an attempt to finish them only to look at the clock and see that it’s 4 AM and you can’t keep reading even though you feel like you need to finish it because you have to get up early the next day and then you fall asleep and start dreaming that you’re in the book and it makes you so anxious that you can barely sleep?

This was that book for me.

Writing a review for The Hunger Games at this point is almost difficult. I’d say that at least 75% of YA book bloggers (I’m trying to be reasonable in my estimate since I know some have chosen to not read it for whatever reason) have already read and reviewed this one themselves. So instead of going all in depth with the story, I’m going to talk about other aspects.

First off, I will have to stress how amazed I was at it. I went into the book expecting one thing but getting something else entirely. I misinterpreted what some of the story was going to be like. Yeah, I understood the premise, I just had a different idea of how the Hunger Games would be handled. I expected it to be like a gladiator arena. It was definitely not like that and the details of the scene of the game were much more interesting. I could literally picture the area, it was a compilation of several places I’ve been (mostly backyards of people I know and a video game arena, oddly enough) all meshed up into one bizarre world.

The background of the way the society is, and the way Katniss must live every day was overwhelming. When there’s something like that, something completely inhumane and wrong and unjust about a life someone is forced into living, it makes me irritable and frustrated. I wanted nothing more than to fix it all, but you can’t. You just can’t. Which is what’s so great about the book. This inner conflict to keep up appearances for the sake of your own life. It is intense.

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Katniss and Peeta. Wow. It’s funny, going into it I knew something was going to happen with them. I also knew that there was going to be a “love triangle” between her and Gale as well. And, unlike some people, I can see how there’s a possibility of her and Gale, because I do romanticize the whole “we grew up together” relationships. Then when everything starts to come out with Peeta before and during the games, your mind begins to switch and you start to fall for him. And you want Katniss to fall for him. It’s just brilliant, the romance.

In the end, you’re just BEGGING to read more. You want to know what happens next so badly that it makes you squeal. The Hunger Games is tremendous. It’s one of those books that can stand the test of time. It’s one of those books that epitomizes the dystopian genre. And it’s one of those books that I can’t wait to read the sequel to as soon as possible. Suzanne Collins has created an amazing tale. Now we’ll see how amazing it is on the big screen.


My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

19 comments:

  1. I absolutely love this book. I'm on the second book right now but I haven't had time to read! ugh.

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    1. I've been wanting to buy the second book, but I'm trying to be good and finish some books for my challenge first. :P

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  2. I am so glad you enjoyed this one. I was worried because this isn't usually the kind of book that you like to read is it? I am still firmly on the side of Gale. But not to be with Katniss...if you continue reading, you will understand :)

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    1. It isn't the type of book I go for--the dystopian part, very yes; the killing part, not so much. The fact that there was more to it than the Hunger Games themselves made the book go beyond my expectations. I'll definitely be reading more of it, I hope to finish the series by the end of the year (even though I am very aware of the ending based on my poor spoiler screenings).

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  3. YES another fan! I love this series so much and can't wait for the film. I'm planning a re-read closer to the time but I've got a couple people to lend it out to first. I know they'll love it aswell so I'm excited for their reactions :)

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    1. I want to lend it to my BFF but it's on my Nook! She and I are going to go see it together and we're super excited. I know she'll love the book so I'm hoping I can get her to find a copy at the library before the premiere. :)

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  4. I'm glad you enjoyed this one too. It's the best of the three, if you ask me. ;)

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  5. Oh, THG. Um. I don't know what to say. I mean, your review is spot on. You hit on my favorite aspects as well. I wasn't exactly expecting the book to be as...much, as desperate and gritty and such, as it was I guess I should say? It was AMAZING. I read the books over a year ago and I STILL am not over them. The trilogy as a whole is brave and emotional, and this book was...singular. I've never read anything like them and I doubt I'll ever love another series in quite the same way.

    You ARE planning on buying Catching Fire like NOW, right Jess? :D

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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    1. Thanks Molli! ^_^ That's how I feel--I'm still not over it! (and I doubt I ever will.) When I watch the trailer for the movie, I start tearing up and get all anxious. It is so different, nothing could compare with it.

      YES! I have it in a cart on B&N that I'm trying to fill up... I'm waiting until I finish a few more books for my challenges this year. Then I shall splurge! ;)

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  6. Wow, Jess, I had no idea you hadn't read The Hunger Games yet! All that time, you seemed so normal :-). Joking aside, it's actually nice to read a newbie's reaction and it makes me remember how I felt reading it for the first time. I'd heard how good it was, but I was still amazed, like you.

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    1. Hahaha! I did seem normal, lol. I've been reading other new reviews of this from newbies like me lately and it all gives you the same feeling of how amazing it was. :)

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  7. "You want to know what happens next so badly that it makes you squeal."

    That was exactly the sensation I had at the end of the book! I really want to know what you think of the next two books in the triology.

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  8. I wish I had time to re-read this one. I loved it when I first read it, long before anyone even knew it existed! I'm jealous of my boyfriend who is reading this one for the first time. I'm hoping he will love it.

    Thanks for the great review

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    1. Oh yeah, that feeling of reading a book for the first time is amazingly great. :)

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  9. I still love this book, but nothing compares to how much I loved it when reading it for the first time! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series! They definitely kept me up late at night on more than one occasion!

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    1. I hope so too! I have a feeling it will keep me up late too. :P

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  10. Such a great book! I loved it! And great review btw! Thanks for the post!

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Thank you for commenting and happy reading!