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By Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press
Publication date: September 14, 2008
ISBN: 9780439023481
I had heard about Hunger Games a while ago - how could I have not? After Stephenie Meyer gave it her seal of approval, the books (almost literally) flew off the shelves. But, I resisted. It sounded too Battle Royale for me. Then my friends started reading it and loving it. Then a movie was announced. Then Book Club Girl created the Read-A-Long and, at that point, I really couldn't say no. What kind of youth services librarian would I be having not read it?
To put it bluntly - as I sit typing this, I have one eye on the screen and one on door, waiting for Amazon to bring me Catching Fire, the sequel. I ordered it before I was even done with Hunger Games. Yeah, it's that good.
As you probably know by now, Hunger Games is about a post-apocaliptic North America. The land is now Panem, a country divided into the capital and 12 distinct districts. Each year, to show that the leaders in the capital are all-powerful, two children (a boy and a girl aged 12-18) are chosen from each district to compete in a televised battle royale. The 24 children must fight to the death, until only one stands. That winner will bring wealth and respect back to his or her family and district. The entire event is broadcast to the city for - disgustingly - its entertainment.
Sixteen year old Katniss Evergreen is from District 12, a very poor area known for coal mining. With her father dead, she single-handedly takes care of her mother and younger sister, Prim. When Prim is chosen to be part of the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. So, she and the baker's son, Peeta, are taken to the capital and - eventually - the games, where they have to use every skill possible to literally stay alive.
The book is extremely gripping from page one. Part The Lottery, part Lord of the Flies and part Battle Royale, it brings all of the themes together into one delicious read. And it doesn't hold back. While just a young adult book, Suzanne Collins does not treat her readers like children. From the moment the games begin, character die - brutally. Shocking, terrifying, and utterly engaging, the book doesn't let you put it down.
I enjoyed the overall theme - how the government, when given the chance, can really overtake and overthrow society. I never forgot how much was at stake for Katniss, as she navigated the playing field, and it utterly terrified me. It's a great read for today's society, that's so obsessed with reality tv shows.
There's a reason the book has been linked to the Twilight series. While much better written, it's equally as grabbing. There isn't a vampire, yet there is an underlying romance brewing for Katniss. Yet, as opposed to Bella, Katniss is extremely hardcore. She's not weak, and while at times she does doubt her survival, she continues going. She's a fantastic character.
While brutal, the book was truly fantastic and I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the sequel (and the release of the final book of the trilogy - Mockingjay). Seriously, don't doubt it. It may seem similar in theme, but it definitely brings a new spin and is incredibly haunting from page one. It shows the power of children, and, ultimately, the raw talent of the author. It keeps you thinking, as any great book should do.
The trilogy's official website
The trilogy's UK official website (note the creepy covers!)
Great New York Times essay on the power of YA lit (discussing Hunger Games)
11 comments:
I read a review for this a few weeks ago on another blog, now I'm definitely going to pick it up. Thanks for the recommendation!
No doubt, if you intend to work with tweens and teens, this is the book to read. You planned it better than we did though. By the time you get through the second book, the third should be out, so not much waiting. We have been waiting for a LONG TIME for this third book to come out. The kids and I listen to the audio, and it is excellent. Glad you discovered the series!
I want to read this so bad - and it looks like you'd recommend it :)
I loved this book and the sequel. I'm also highly anticipating the final book in the series coming out in two weeks. Seriously, I am obsessed with it. I'm not a huge sci fi person but I really enjoyed this story and the overall messages. I was a little shocked at the violence, but it made sense. I compared it to the Lord of the Flies meets Truman Show.
I've contemplated reading this one for quite some time. I feel as though I should though - what with being a high school English teacher. Thanks for convincing me!
I'm still not sure if I want to read this. Your review is probably the first one I've read that's actually explained the story - Most of them these days start with "I won't bore you with the synopsis, you've probably already heard it".
I don't know. I love books that are post-apocolypse but I'm not a huge fan of fantasy/battle-ish stories. :S
Also not a fan of Stephanie Meyer in the slightest so can't really say I'm gripped by her recommendations. :S
I love this book too - I promise, you'll love Catching Fire as well. :) I can't wait for Mockingjay!
I love this book! It only gets better in Catching Fire, and I'm totally stoked for Mockingjay! Enjoy. =)
i never thought of how it shows the power of children...interesting point.
ceri, i wouldn't be warded off by stephenie meyer's review. i don't think it's anything like the twilight series at all. if anything, it's closer to her "adult" book, _the host_, and even then, it's a far cry from her writing style.
lau - you didn't review the 2nd book! too busy reading? :p
Ok, so I finally read this book and I've got to ask, didn't the ending bug you at all? Like seriously? It was so unsatisfying to me and I really had trouble with Katniss's character development ... I am not even sure she did develop. There was obviously an external conflict and that was resolved but ... there definitely feels like something is missing.
I don't know if you check comments this far back but I figured I would update my last comment. I had my girlfriend read the Hunger Games after I was finished. (She bought the next two after finishing the first one on Friday and is almost done with the third.) And we discussed this character development thing. Apparently, I often have trouble with stuff like this in books I just never noticed it. I will often say, "Where's the character development?". Anyway, she says that often the book can be for just the story - especially with multiple parts and/or setting up a love triangle or some continuing thing that won't be resolved, as a hook.
So, I guess I get it. I just have trouble with it in general. Although, I did love the Fletch series and that has no real character development.
I did like the overall story. Just not the ending.
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