tigermomnc's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books you shouldn't pick up if you don't have time to read because you are going to really struggle to put it down. That is definitely saying something because it is a genre I don't even care for. It is set in a future North America called Panem. The Capitol is in the Rocky Mountains so it is easily defensible from its 13 districts...well there were 13 before they rebelled and the Capitol annihilated District 13. All this is before the book begins. Now, the Capitol requires each district to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in an annual fight to the death called the "Hunger Games" as a reminder of the Capitol's domination over the Districts.
The main character is a girl named Katniss from District 12 who goes to the "Games". There is violence in the book; it is a fight to the death after all, but it is well done. Not so graphic I wanted to stop reading but enough to keep teen and preteen readers satisfied. The action is steady but not at the expense of storyline and character development. The characters are well developed but through the eyes of the main character as she learns about them.
I also loved that throughout the nearly 300 page book I never felt like I knew how Suzanne Collins was going to end the book...even though I knew this was Book 1 of a series. I figured the main character would probably survive, but the other character are so well developed Collins could easily kill Katniss and have the next book be another character's story. Regardless of who wins how do they win and can they live with what happened. I'll be getting the second book today to find out.
There is definitely good reason for the waiting list to get this book at every school and public library. Rumor has it the second book is just as captivating. Can't wait!
The main character is a girl named Katniss from District 12 who goes to the "Games". There is violence in the book; it is a fight to the death after all, but it is well done. Not so graphic I wanted to stop reading but enough to keep teen and preteen readers satisfied. The action is steady but not at the expense of storyline and character development. The characters are well developed but through the eyes of the main character as she learns about them.
I also loved that throughout the nearly 300 page book I never felt like I knew how Suzanne Collins was going to end the book...even though I knew this was Book 1 of a series. I figured the main character would probably survive, but the other character are so well developed Collins could easily kill Katniss and have the next book be another character's story. Regardless of who wins how do they win and can they live with what happened. I'll be getting the second book today to find out.
There is definitely good reason for the waiting list to get this book at every school and public library. Rumor has it the second book is just as captivating. Can't wait!
hilarydot's review against another edition
4.0
The book jacket refers to how author Suzanne Collins "continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age." While these are certainly areas of interest to her - war and violence - I found this book most interesting as a reflection of our culture of reality television. Because that's what The Hunger Games are: the most brutal reality show imaginable. The heroine, Katniss, gradually becomes aware of how currying favor with the audience (and with her 'sponsors') may benefit her, and proceeds to do so, sometimes to a degree that has a startling personal impact.
This is a great read, though - young adult, but really not so young, as with the best of books given that label. I found the forced-climax of the final chapter or so to ring false, not believing for a second (as Katniss did) that they were 'in greater danger than ever.' But I did rather enjoy the emotional cliffhanger of the last few pages.
This is a great read, though - young adult, but really not so young, as with the best of books given that label. I found the forced-climax of the final chapter or so to ring false, not believing for a second (as Katniss did) that they were 'in greater danger than ever.' But I did rather enjoy the emotional cliffhanger of the last few pages.
rosie03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
canif's review against another edition
4.0
4,5
Je ne peux pas assez recommander l'audiolivre lu par Tatiana Maslany.
Je ne peux pas assez recommander l'audiolivre lu par Tatiana Maslany.
mousie_books's review against another edition
5.0
I came in with pretty high expectations, and I was not disappointed. I will definitely be picking up the next book soon. The book was given to me by a friend who has advised me well in the past, and I saw that it was getting good publicity. I was a skeptical of the premise, basically, the reasoning behind existence of these games, but the characters/plot completely sucked me in from the first chapter.
kitterring's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I go back to reread parts of this from time to time. I still love how it’s written, and Katniss remains one of my favorite main characters. Challenging and engaging.
andremthefoozle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
and_ii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
herliterarytravels's review against another edition
5.0
Ohhhh...soooo good! I loved this book, the imagination behind it, the complexity of emotions, the wonderful characters that you are just pulling for. Best thing I have read in a while. So entertaining, you don't want to put it down. Part of a trilogy....I can't wait until August when the 3rd book comes out. I hate waiting :)