All right, folks. Another sci fi dystopia has hit the shelves, and it’s a good one. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is going to suck you in and swallow you whole, I swear.
Summary: The United States fell apart at some point, seemingly hundreds of years ago. First there were weather disasters (floods, droughts, all the usual stuff), and eventually a new country arose, called Panem. The nation was divided into thirteen districts, but there was a rebellion, and district thirteen was completely obliterated.
But, and here’s where it gets interesting, the diabolical government (located somewhere I imagine is near what we now call Denver) has chosen to remind citizens of their treason every year by hosting the Hunger Games, in which two teenagers from each district — for a total of twenty-four “champions” — must go into an arena and fight to the death until one comes out alive.
Our heroine is Katniss, a poor girl from district twelve, the poorest of the districts. She’s had to make it on her own for various reasons, and so she has learned to hunt and to identify edible plants, which makes her a better contender than she knows. And of course she ends up as one of the “tributes,” or sacrifices from each district to the games.
The beginning of the book starts out with a Shirley Jackson-esque type of lottery, except that in this lottery your chances of being picked are higher if you’re in danger of starvation, because you can enter your name extra times in exchange for simple things like food.
But as Suzanne weaves the story, she delves into a lot of issues. Poverty, obviously. Inequality. And then she also brings up some positive traits that are completely un-expected. Generosity, concern. I mean, really. What teenager wants to kill twenty-three others so she can go home and continue to live?
There are a host of movies that explore the insane urge some humans have to prey upon one another, notably The Most Dangerous Game, but none of them (at least none I’ve seen) explore class barriers in the way Suzanne’s novel does.
And, though it’s weird, you can’t help but get into the game itself after awhile, hoping to see Katniss survive, hoping that a few other characters will make it too, hoping that this impoverished but determined girl from a place that is detested by the wealthy can prove herself. And then, maybe, that she can challenge in the government in some way, that she can become an agent of change.
I’ve read a lot of fantastic books this year, and I keep coming back to you and telling you, “You’re going to love this one! You are! It’s amazing, I swear!” Well, The Hunger Games falls into that category, too. But let me tell you: I read probably three or four times as many books as I review. (If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.) I only recommend books I really enjoyed, and this is one I heartily recommend. It reminds me of so many other works of great dystopian fiction — of Scott Westerfeld, Robin Wasserman, Margaret Atwood (an adult author whose novel Oryx and Crake is one of my all-time favorites, although I could go on about her books for about a million years if you’d let me). And yet it’s unique in its approach.
Let me put it to you this way: The Hunger Games is a really compelling read, and one that takes place in a future you could actually imagine. It’s tragic and yet hopeful. And I’m excited to see what else Suzanne is going to bring us, because a little bird told me that The Hunger Games will not be a stand-alone novel. (Also, the last words in the book are “End of book one,” which is a dead giveaway that there will be a book two.)
So please. Go read it, and soon. And, even if you don’t love it as I did, come back and tell me what you think.
Buy The Hunger Games
To be honest, when i first saw this book on Stephenie Meyer’s website i didn’t really think much of it. then she just kept ranting and raving about how amazing it was so i has to check it out. i began that night and automatically began to relate to the main character Katniss. i have recomended it to almost all of my friends who are readers and even some of those that aren’t. the amount of description that suzanne uses is astounding and i could absolutely see this book being made into a major motion picture. Yes! its that good. Does anyone know when Book Two is saposed to be released because i am soooo ready for more. oh and no doubt i am such a Gale fan. i hope in this next one she leaves Peeta and her and Gale runn off and have some really cute kids. but that’s just me.
yo this book is so good i got it like 2 days ago and i luv it and i’m 11! So this is a really great book even though i’m not suppose to read it now at such a young age … anyway i want another book to come out about these games cuz they like rule! i know its that good i luv it! u can say its like one of the greatest books of 2008! i’m 11 and ive read twilight and everything else and if u like twilight then, READ THIS BOOK
I’m absolutely in love with this book. To me it is even better than Twilight. It really is a book that makes you look at life differently. I hope the next one comes out soon. It left me on the edge of my chair, wanting tons more!
The Hunger Games is astounding! I am thirteen and absolutely adore this book! Sadly, we still have to wait seven more months (September 2009)for the second book, Catching Fire to come out. Can’t wait!
The Hunger Games were awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I loved the book and im 10.Keep on writing.(oh the Underland series were awsome 2).
I had to read a science fiction book for my language arts class and so i forced myself to read this one. it was hard for me to keep reading it. i thought it was AWFUL! the plot is weird. Also Peeta was my least favorite character, i thought he was annoying.
i had already read this book when i let my grandma read it while she was visiting. i ACCIDENTALLY read the first page and then finished the book by the next day. i have been thinking about Peeta and Gale recently and i have to say that i am a gale fan. therefore i dislike peeta. please tell me what you think so i can ease my brain!
Altough nothing can compare to twilight, I have to say that this is one of my favorite books. (and i have read a lot of books, at least 4 trilogys and a saga in the last month, no jokes!) I have to say, I am torn in two! I like how Gale and Katniss have been through thick and thin together, but I really like the connection between her and Peeta. Hey, does anyone know if there will be any advanced readers copys of ‘Catly typesching Fire’? I can’t wait for it! The one type of books I get really fed up with– cliff-hangers. There is one perceptive (if i do say so myself
) thoughts of another average 11 year old who is addicted to reading.
I finished the book a month ago and since then I have been for both Gale and Peeta (but mostly Gale, I have to admit) and I can’t decide. Since I read the book I have re-read it loads of times, and I can’t wait to find out what happens. Apparently someone starts a rebellion and the Capitol wants revenge. But WHO???
This book is my ALL TIME favorite. I cannot wait for CATCHING FIRE to come out in September! That is so far away, but I am positive that if it is as amazing as HUNGER GAMES, it will be well worth the wait. I love, love, love this book! I think anyone, even nonbook-loving people will even enjoy this sci-fi masterpiece. :0) Oh and P.S….. I am definetly a Peeta fan!
If suzzane collins reads this can she PLEASE CONTACT ME.
I LOVE THIS BOOK. i have to read a best seller of 2009 and i chose this book, i am SO GLAD I DID. im not very easy to please when it comes to books! the ONLY thing that kept me from reading it in one sitting was sleep/or the end of the book, this book is AMAZING! its so realistic, every moment when they are in the arena my heart was pounding almost as fast as it would if i ran a marathon! then, the worst part…the end! my heart dropped i was so mad! i saw the words, “end of book 1 ” AND I WAS SAD.
i just wanted it to keep going! i felt if i would stop…i would miss something! I CAN NOT wait untill september…it will be A LONG WAIT. and i havnt been this pleased in a book since forever. even after i stopped the book the thoughts kept raising throung my mind, even though i tryed to fall asleep i felt i was standing right next to katniss and peeta, and it felt so real!
please hurry i cant wait on the 2nd book :/
thank you so much for making this book!!!!
i love it!
I just got done reading the Hunger Games I read a lot and while I was buying a few books the lady helping me recommended the book to me. I bought and but for some reason when someone recommends a book to me I find it difficult to start, so it sat on my shelf for about 3 months. Well I ran out of reading material so decided to pick it up. I was amazed I haven’t found a book that well written since the Twilight series and Host. Now I am searching for anything Suzanne Collins has wrote. Yes, I am 30 above the age the book is recommended for, but honestly almost all the books I have read recently, which are many, are all in the same category. My sisters tease me that I need to move to the adult section however, I have yet to find any book that has captivated by attention like in the young adult section. Maybe it is because I love the supernatural and sci fi. Anyway, I highly recommend The Hunger Games and agree with the rest of you that it is going to be a long wait for the second book…
OMG, I love this book. It is so fantastic. I love Prim the most, or more how it drives Katniss. I love my little sister just like that, and Katniss’ journey back to her sister was so emotional for me!
Who do you think she will end up with? Peeta or Gale? And I heard they are making a movie, I can’t wait to see it!!!
I absolutely loved this book and enjoyed every word of it. There must be a second book, considering there’s just too much suspense at the end. Feels unfinished. I stayed up until late hours at night to finish reading it, but I still couldn’t sleep afterwards wondering what would happen when Katniss joins back with Gale, and what will happen to Peeta’s broken heart. I can’t even imagine Gale’s reaction after all that’s happened with Peeta back in the arena, considering it’s obvious Gale wanted to tell Katniss he loved her that last day on the Capitol before they gathered her for the Training Center and all those interviews before the actual Games. It was frustrating.
Anyway, I’m really recommending this book to friends, and to all of you. It’s amazingly written and got my heart pounding so hard every time there was a suspense or fight scene, got me crying a few tears sometimes, and finally got me pondering deeply even weeks after I’d finished it (took me only one Saturday) about the satirical side of the book. I’ll be anxiously waiting for the second book…
Just a great book. Highly recommend it.
P.S.: If someone gets a release date for the second book, it’ll be nice to get me noticed. I know it’s going to take some time but I live in Mexico and I don’t really have much contact with American bookstores.
Hey I loved the book I finished it yesterday and I can’t wait for the second book. I hope it comes out soon. As soon as I started to read I fell in love with it. Thanks for such a great book!
I read the book. It’s awesome. Definetly worth $20. I went through it so quickly. I finished it in like 3 days. I let my freind Sumaria borrow it. Its definetly a book to get, I highly recomend it!:)
I can’t wait for the second one. The Catching Fire book seems so awesome! I hope it’s better than the first one! Peace!:)
Oh. My. Goodness.
One of the BEST books I have ever read. I truly loved the characters, and I cried more than once. I could not put down the book for anything, and I blame it for falling behind on my project in class and for not studying for my test.
I cannot wait much longer for the second book “Catching Fire” that comes out September 1st 2009, but I believe I must wait…….
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :]
Absolutely one of my favorite books of all time (and I’ve read a lot of books!) The second one, “Catching Fire”, which was released September 1st of this year, was just as good. One of THE books that you MUST read!!!!
I loved the first and the second books! I couldn’t stop reading them. How do I find out when the 3rd book comes out?!!!?