The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
12:00 PM
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release Date: October 8, 2008 (hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 384
Source: Bought
Overall: 5 Stars
Summary:
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?
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 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.
I can't believe we're just two days away from reaching the conclusion of The Hunger Games trilogy when Mockingjay is finally released! Because of this, I thought I should post my own review of The Hunger Games.
I'll admit, I didn't immediately fall on The Hunger Games bandwagon. When the book was first released, I would glance at the cool cover in the bookstore and then move one, never taking another glance at it. One quick look at the plot description had me made up my mind that it probably wasn't the kind of book I would like. But then, reviews came... really positive, raving reviews that had me second-guessing myself. If so many people were really liking it, then shouldn't I too?
I bought the book the next time I was in store, and yet, I still didn't read it right away. I let the book sit on my shelf for a month before I finally caved to the recommendations. I'm so glad I didn't put it off any longer after that because the book was so much better than I expected it to be.
I'm sure many of you have read The Hunger Games by now as well, but here's my little plot description anyways. So the book is set in the future, where North America no longer exists. It has been replaced by Panem, with the Capital in the center, controlling the twelve districts around it with force and brutality. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district is chosen to participate in the annual The Hunger Games which is broadcast throughout the nation. The districts and citizens have no choice. Everyone must obey their rules.
This year, 16-year old Katniss Everdeen from District 12 will compete in the Games after volunteering to take her sister's place. She doesn't expect to live but once the Games begin, she finds herself thinking as a competitor and that she just might have a chance of coming out of them as the winner. But how can she possibly win when it must mean having to hurt-or kill- someone? When it means having to put aside a chance for love?
The novel has a writing style that may have taken me a little while to get used to, but once I did, I found myself getting right into the story, unable to put the book down. Suzanne Collins creates a world that you will easily lose yourself in.
I'm so glad to say that despite my initial reservations, The Hunger Games is now one of my favourite books.
7 comments
Yay for the awesomeness that is The Hunger Games. Honestly, I too wasn't too keen on it either, initially at least but I'm glad I tried. I would have missed out on some great reading if I hadn't.
ReplyDeleteHello! There is an award for you over at my blog!
ReplyDeleteI actually got this one cause of someone raving about it on their blog now almost 2 years ago. The series is not that well known in Holland and I hadn't heard of it before. I'm so excited about Mockingjay coming out Tuesday!
ReplyDeletePEETA!!!!!!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I'm now following. :)
ReplyDeletexx,
E.J
From the Shadows
I did the same thing, I walked right past The Hunger Games in bookstores, until I read good reviews. Now, I love this series so much. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI love this book its one of my favourites. I've only read this first book though but I ordered Catching Fire this weekend and will probably get Mockingjay when it comes out so I can read the books together.
ReplyDelete