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The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1)
The Hunger Games - Hunger Games, Bk 1
Author: Suzanne Collins
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 deat...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781417831739
ISBN-10: 1417831731
Publication Date: 2009
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.7/5 Stars.
 19

4.7 stars, based on 19 ratings
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Book Type: Unknown Binding
Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

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reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 121 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 30
This is the first book in a young adult series (and I think it shows!) about a dystopic world where the United States is now known as Panem. Divided into twelve distinct districts that each have their own industrial focus, Panem is ruled from the Capitol with an iron fist. To help keep the people in linewhich is very necessary considering everyone is kept on the brink of starvationthe Capitol requires each district to send two tributes (a boy and girl) to The Hunger Games each year. A country-wide televised event, The Hunger Games changes each year, with a special arena being constructed for each game. What doesn't change is the basic rule: all tributes must either kill or be killed, and only one tribute can be left standing at the end.

The concept of having young people being thrown together in an arena and being forced to fight to the death sounds horribleand it is, but it also makes for exciting reading. The story is told from the point-of-view of Katnissa 16-year-old girl from District 12 (the coal mining district in what used to be Appalachia). Katniss is not your average girl by today's standards. She's a rule-breaker (leaving the fenced district to hunt for food in the woods) and a skilled hunter, especially with bows and arrows. When her beloved younger sister Prim is selected as a tribute for the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. As she enters the flamboyant, anything goes world of the Capitol, we learn more about the Games and her fellow tributePeeta, a good-looking son of a baker who showed kindness to Katniss years ago. When they are thrust into the arena, all bets are off as Katniss struggles to survive and be the last tribute standing. But Peeta throws a wrench into the mix and changes Katniss's game plan, leading to an ending that is sure to cause problems for everyone involved.

In the second book, Catching Fire, (and I doubt if you read the first book you won't continue on with the series), we get to find out what happens after the Hunger Games described in the first book. Once again, Collins sets up a cliffhanger ending that will probably ensure that the third installment will shoot straight to the top of the best-seller lists.

I'm not going to talk too much about these books as they've probably been discussed to death already. My guess is if the concept of the books appeals to you, you're going to read this series and will be pretty satisfied with them. I didn't think the writing was stellar and I had some issues with Katniss being unaware of what is going on around her (especially in the second book), but these books are meant to be fast exciting reads and they don't disappoint. Frankly, I felt Collins could have dropped the whole "love triangle" subplot and had a better book, but perhaps that is just me.

The Bottom Line: 4 stars for concept and 3.5 stars for execution. Perfect for young adults and anyone seeking a fast-moving dystopian tale that doesn't make you think too much. I read both books in a day. These books are the equivalent of eating a candy bara candy bar with spikes in itbut a candy bar nonetheless.
GeniusJen avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 16
Reviewed by Cat for TeensReadToo.com

Twenty-four children: twelve boys, twelve girls, tributes selected by random lottery every year and sent to the capitol city of Panem to compete in a brutal, bloodthirsty fight for survival, with the last participant standing declared champion.

Welcome to the Hunger Games, a grim reminder to those living in the twelve districts comprising what was once the United States of their place as virtual slaves to the gleaming Capitol at their center.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen is this year's female representative for District 12, having volunteered to take her younger sister Prim's place. Sent to the arena with the baker's son and classmate, Peeta Mellark -- a boy who, several years prior, saved Kat and her family from the ravages of starvation after her father's death in a coal mining accident -- neither competitor from the final district seem to be contenders.

But Peeta's good nature and Kat's small stature belie the former's cunning intelligence and the latter's experience as a hunter; while a revelation from Peeta during the introductory ceremonies sends Katniss into the first day of competition more than a little off-kilter.

The stage is set, the tributes have arrived, and the cameras are watching...let the games begin.

It is no exaggeration to call THE HUNGER GAMES a pulse-pounding page-turner. Collins grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. While Katniss isn't always the most likable character (in fact, there were plenty of times I much preferred the affable Peeta, or even sweet, birdlike little Ruth), she is always compelling, thanks to her rational approach to every challenge and her dogged determination.

While THE HUNGER GAMES is a plot-driven novel, the characters and their relationships are the heart of the story. Ms. Collins has created a dystopian tale of Orwellian caliber for young adults, giving any reader plenty to churn their minds between now and the next installment of this trilogy.

My only complaint is having to wait for the next installment.
skywriter319 avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 784 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
THE HUNGER GAMES is without doubt one of the best books I have ever read. 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen lives with her family and friends in what used to be North America. Now, it's divided up into 12 impoverished fenced-in Districts and ruled by the faraway Capitol of Panem. The Capitol keeps all the Districts in line by hosting the annual Hunger Games. One boy and one girl--called "tributes"--are randomly selected to fight all the other tributes to the death on live TV.

Katniss frantically volunteers in place of her beloved and delicate young sister, Prim, when Prim is chosen. While Prim would not have stood a chance, Katniss is strong and resourceful. Often she has hunted illegally in the woods outside of their district to provide food for her family.

She is joined in the Hunger Games by Peeta Mellark, the baker's son. Katniss is a coal miner's daughters and thus their socioeconomically different lives have never crossed, except once when Peeta basically saved her life. But now she knows that they must kill each other if they want to get out of the Hunger Games alive...even if they may or may not have feelings for each other.

THE HUNGER GAMES is suspenseful, action-packed, and well-written, with an endearing love story. Suzanne Collins spins a terrifying dystopian world for readers. I was only sad when the book ended too soon and left some important issues--will anything be done about the totalitarian government?--unanswered. However, the ending seems to promise a sequel, which I will anxiously await.
Rev avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 95 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
Young adult novels have always had a dark side, so to speak; a sub-genre that eschews peer pressure and turbulent relationships for death, despair, and destruction. This is not a recent trend. For every Death Note you find today, you can find an equally disturbing Z for Zachariah. While much of todays dark teen novels lean towards the supernatural, you will occasionally find one that ventures into more classical science fiction territory. Suzanne Collins newest YA novel, The Hunger Games, does so quite successfully. The setting is grim and oppressive, the characters are desperate and hopeless, and the specter of death hangs over every page. And every page will drag the reader eagerly to the next.

Strong and positive female leads are important in young adult novels, and The Hunger Games has the perfect hero in Katniss Everdeen. She is tough, resolute, intelligent, and able. Yet, she still struggles with the same confused feelings and emotions that young girls need to cope with, even when not fighting to the death in a government sponsored reality show/snuff film. As she struggles to survive the deadly prime-time death match she has been unfairly thrust into, she deal not only with these typical teenage dilemmas, but also greater issues concerning government, society, morality, and honor.

All of this might seem like a lot for one book to handle, but Hunger Games manages to do so without coming off too preachy or instructional. Granted, the Hunger Games themselves (which are very reminiscent of previous books like Stephen Kings Running Man, or Koushun Takamis manga series Battle Royale), as well as the post-apocalyptic dictatorship Panem that holds the event, might not hold up under the scrutiny that hardcore science-fiction novels sometimes demand. But for a young adult science-fantasy novel like this, demanding one-hundred-percent social-political realism seems a tad unfair. What matters is that the characters and setting support the characters and subject matter, and manage to do so with the captivating suspense of any mainstream paperback thriller.
reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is a fantastic book, and series in general (although the first book was better than the second). I have never read Harry Potter or Twilight or any other "teen series" book that everyone is obsessed with, but after reading this book I can understand the hysteria. The characters are very well developed, easy to relate to, and interesting. The plot is unique, intriguing, horrifying, and entertaining all at once. It is a quick read and I suggest buying both books at the same time - you won't want any lag time between continuing the story!
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23dollars avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 432 more book reviews
I saw the film first, and I got into it more than I did the book. While I found Katniss' narration intriguing at first, it wasn't long before I started wishing I wasn't limited to her point-of-view the entire book. I wanted to get into some of the other characters' heads, like Peeta, Gale, Cinna, Haymitch, etc.

And although it was easy to read, the concept of making adolescents and teenagers kill each other off for sport didn't really come across the page as all that believable to me. It felt more like a forced, gimmicky dystopian society, rather than something you could actually see happening at some point in the future.

Overall, I give THE HUNGER GAMES a C. It's no doubt much more suited for its intended teenaged audience, the gore and death being right on par with a lot of the video games they've been playing for years! LOL
tiffanyak avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 215 more book reviews
I tried resisting the "fad", since I really don't like getting into things only because they're "popular", but the more I heard about this book the more I felt as though it really was something I would probably like. So, finally, I had to read it, especially in light of the upcoming movie. It turns out that it really is quite exciting and a fun read. Perhaps not very original (the core story idea dates all the way back to Greek mythology, and has been recycled many times since), but reused in a new way so you don't feel as though you really know the story already. It's a very entertaining book that kept me riveted throughout, and I'll definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy right away. If you like Young Adult fantasy/action/post-apocalyptic fiction, then you'll really enjoy this book, and I highly recommend it.
emmaleth avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
Absolutely fantastic.
frenchyberry avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
Let me start by saying that this book has been sitting on my currently reading and to read shelves for far too long. I learned about this series from the movies and I loved the movies. I am ashamed that I did not really sit down and start this series sooner. It took me far too long to sit down and read this, but it was well worth the read!

The book is written in first person. In Katniss' point of view to be exact. I would say that the movie does follow it pretty well for the most part, but this gives a much better insight into Katniss, her choices, her behavior, and her mindset. The story was very well written and while I did feel that there were a few times were I didn't think the author was very clear on things, it was otherwise a very good read. I like how if you know the series, you can see there the author hints to future events in this book. I don't want to give anything away though, so I'll leave it at that.

I feel that my biggest complaint about the book was the ending. I felt like it just dropped off, but at the same time, I get why it was done that way. There's a second book, obviously. Still, I just wish that the ending or closure of this book hadn't just been so cut off to leave us hanging.

In general, the book was excellent! It was a great read and I blew through this quite quickly and ended up reading it twice in a row just because I enjoyed it so much. The chapters aren't overly long or drawn out so if you're a before bed reader or someone who reads on the go, this fits perfectly into such a schedule. It was very well written, descriptive, and the plot is very unique. I felt that the movie did do the book justice as well, but they were two very different points of view. The movie also took away from her trauma caused by the games. The book definitely touches on that more, which I thought was important.

I did enjoy how it went more into Katniss and Peeta's feelings and the real start of their relationship. It shows the blossoming of their relationship and her feelings. Where it started really. I didn't feel that the movie touched this enough or went into enough detail but the book most certainly does. It's sweet in that part!

I will say that if you don't like gore, then you're good. While some parts are a little eh, it's not at all gory or anything. Maybe it was just me, but given the nature of the plot, I was expecting more gore but I was relieved and thankful to find it wasn't like that at all.

In closing, I've aklready started the second book in this series. I'm excited to continue with the series!
reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
both action and emotions--keeps you reading
reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on
I know it is a YA book but I loved it--a great story with a wonderful heroine, I look forward t reading the rest of the series.
frenchyberry avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
Let me start by saying that this book has been sitting on my currently reading and to read shelves for far too long. I learned about this series from the movies and I loved the movies. I am ashamed that I did not really sit down and start this series sooner. It took me far too long to sit down and read this, but it was well worth the read!

The book is written in first person. In Katniss' point of view to be exact. I would say that the movie does follow it pretty well for the most part, but this gives a much better insight into Katniss, her choices, her behavior, and her mindset. The story was very well written and while I did feel that there were a few times were I didn't think the author was very clear on things, it was otherwise a very good read. I like how if you know the series, you can see there the author hints to future events in this book. I don't want to give anything away though, so I'll leave it at that.

I feel that my biggest complaint about the book was the ending. I felt like it just dropped off, but at the same time, I get why it was done that way. There's a second book, obviously. Still, I just wish that the ending or closure of this book hadn't just been so cut off to leave us hanging.

In general, the book was excellent! It was a great read and I blew through this quite quickly and ended up reading it twice in a row just because I enjoyed it so much. The chapters aren't overly long or drawn out so if you're a before bed reader or someone who reads on the go, this fits perfectly into such a schedule. It was very well written, descriptive, and the plot is very unique. I felt that the movie did do the book justice as well, but they were two very different points of view. The movie also took away from her trauma caused by the games. The book definitely touches on that more, which I thought was important.

I did enjoy how it went more into Katniss and Peeta's feelings and the real start of their relationship. It shows the blossoming of their relationship and her feelings. Where it started really. I didn't feel that the movie touched this enough or went into enough detail but the book most certainly does. It's sweet in that part!

I will say that if you don't like gore, then you're good. While some parts are a little eh, it's not at all gory or anything. Maybe it was just me, but given the nature of the plot, I was expecting more gore but I was relieved and thankful to find it wasn't like that at all.

In closing, I've aklready started the second book in this series. I'm excited to continue with the series!
sdyer87 avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
I am obsessed with the Hunger Games! I was first introduced to the YA dystopia with the Divergent Series which is amazing as well. After reading that I was on the hunt for another amazing dystopian novel. After a few series I finally decided to pick up the Hunger Games. It is such an amazing book and the books to follow only get better and better!
Katniss is what every girl wants to be, tough, with strong family values, and striking. Katniss struggles with her emotions and deciding what the Capital's intentions actually are as she enters the Hunger Games. Be prepared to be glued to the book. I love the movies as well!
reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 67 more book reviews
I don't remember what made me decide to read this book, but I am delighted I did. It pulled me into the world of Panem immediately, and I was in tears and laughing and already ordering the next two books before I was even halfway through this one! Incredible story with heartfelt, powerful writing, and the characters are some of the best I have ever encountered. Katniss and Peeta will be with me for a long, long time, accompanied by Rue and Primrose and many, many others.
nelliebly1025 avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 141 more book reviews
Reviewed by http://bibliophile-bestiary.blogspot.com

This story is very much like The Running Man by Stephen King. It pits people against each other for public entertainment, except they are teenagers. The author pulls the story off very well however. Katniss is the main provider for her family after her father is killed in a mining accident. When the time of the reaping comes, the selection of names for the Hunger Games, she never imagines her 12 year old sisters name will be pulled, but it is. We already started out with the strong character of Katiss, but she grows even more as she takes her sisters place as a tribute. Along with her is a boy that showed her kindness as a young child. The relationship between them goes back and forth between strained and comfortable. The description of the games and the trials Katniss faces is very well written. You really felt pulled in with the character and nervous to turn the next page because you don't know what is coming! A very good read, and leaves you excited for the next book. 5 out of 5 stars.
BensonBooks avatar reviewed The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
This book surprised me because it is normally not a genre I read, however a PBS buddy that has similar tastes gave it very high reviews, so I said what the heck! I am often turned off about sci fi/futuristic books because they seem to have their own language that makes them difficult to read, (IMHO) however this one is well developed, flows well, and somehow the new language seems appropriate and natural. I like that the female characters are not automatically considered weak, but rather all have their own abilities.
All characters are multi dimensional; you end up liking the ones you did not care for earlier in the book. Like real life, there are two sides to every story and various dimensions to a character. Very refreshing, I am looking forward to the sequel.


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