I just read "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, the first in the Hunger Games Trilogy. It is one of the most well-written, creative, and deeply interesting stories I've ever read. The characters are well-developed, the plot moves along at breakneck speed, and the moral quandaries it introduces are portrayed and considered with excellence. The violence, while fairly brutal, is very rarely gruesome or lingered upon, and there is a lot of great action, which is like the icing on the cake. Overall, it was an absolutely spectacular read. Has anyone else read it? What did you think about the characters? The plot? Originality? Themes? Most people I talk to haven't read it, so I'd love to hear someone else's opinion.

I saw this at the library but it had big print and was a fairly small hardback book, with a very sketchy back-cover-copy, so I left it there.

Anyone want to give me a deeper review (i.e. what it's about, any negative elements I should be aware of, cool stuff, why I should read it)?

If ya'll convince me, I'll go get it next time.

I absolutely love Hunger Games! I just finished Mockingjay the other day, and really enjoyed it. I love the theme of the effects propaganda can have, and also about the dangers of complacency, of letting things happen rather than trying to change them.

Melody, if you want a real in-depth review I can't give you one, but I'll try to answer your questions. Negatives? Well, it's not a Christian book. God is never mentioned or discussed, there's no religion whatsoever. Erm, there's kissing? I don't really know, because I don't know what you're sensitive about. What would keep you from reading a book? Then maybe I can help you better.

I really can't tell you the storyline of the series without giving too much away, but this is the summary off the back: 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 is forced to represent her district 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 weigh survival against humanity, and life against love.

It's quite dark once you think about it really, people cheering and thinking it's so very cool to watch kids kill each other. The society is a kind of pre-fall Rome, with the excess of money and food in the capital, right down to the enjoyment of watching death.

The other books follow the rebellion against the capital, as well as Katniss's part in it, and in my opinion they get better as they go. Actually, my favorite was probably the second, but that's just me. (Oops, did I give it all away? But really, when a book is written in first person and there's multiple books, it's not likely that she'll die.)

Oh, and something else I loved is that the character is indeed a teenager, but she acts like a teenager. So many books have Super cool! Way better than adults! teenagers, but Katniss does act like teenagers do, and, of course, doesn't always make the right choices. She sometimes wants to be in charge where she would be better letting other people have the control, and that gets both her and other people in trouble. In othe words, she's both not "The Perfect" and realistic! Woot!

I would definitely recommend it.

Oooh, that sounds cool. I'll have to look these up.

I haven't read these books yet, but I'm completely planning to.

They sound chilling, and a little too close to some TV shows today. (Dexter, anyone? *shudder*)

Makes you wonder where Reality TV is heading.:P

I got this book from my library for 50¢ because of water damage and thoroughly enjoyed it. Finished it in less than two days. There was a little more gore than I would have a liked and a little more kissing/romantic material, but both seemed necessary to the plot. The plot itself was solid and rapid, and the characters were easily connected with. It had me sobbing at one point and laughing out loud at others. I'm definitely getting the sequel from my library.

I read the trilogy. I really enjoyed the first one, started to lose my enjoyment for it in the second, and I was utterly depressed with the third one. It felt like the tight, well-formed storyline went to a million pieces in the last book. I know a lot of people enjoyed the whole trilogy, but in my case I think Mockinjay is one of the worst books I've ever read. Not because of how it's written, but because of the trauma in it. Much of the reasoning and point of the series was buried in the horror, and I lost my grip on what was going on. It left me feeling numbed, and depressed, and I didn't pick up a new book in ages because I feared a similar ending. (ridiculous as that is )

However I'd recommend the first one, it was a great read. The trouble is, once you read the first one, you have to read the second and third. But I get disgruntled when books don't end the way I hope, so this may not bother other readers.

My sister and some friends have read The Hunger Games, but I have not, partially because I am easily grossed out. lol

- Ness

I've read the first one, and it was great. Now I'm stuck as the 18th person on the library's reserve list for the second one.

I've finished the trilogy now. I'd rate the ending up on the list of best endings, not as powerful as The Guardian or The Chronicles of Prydain , but with LotR and Narnia.

I also see huge parts of myself in Katniss.

A further review will be coming soon.

I am going to have to get these now. One of my old teachers is crazy about them and talked about them frequently. She told me about the plot and I was intrigued. I would LIKE to read these.

I've read a free sample of the first one and was intrigued; I want to read more. My cousin's also reading them, so that makes me even more eager

eru

They're really good as dystopian fiction, impressively written for a YA series, and fascinating as a 1st POV spiral into PTSD.

Wow. That would be awesome. I can't imagine writing as someone with a mental disorder rather than schizophrenia, Antisocial disorder or something similar to that. I always find it logically appealing when you don't know if what the character is telling you is valid or not, it adds a lot of suspense to the story I think.

Yeah, it's post-traumatic stress disorder.

No, Post-traumatic stress disorder is what I meant.

It isn't mentioned, but that's what happens to Katniss after the first book; all the way to the end. It causes her anger, fearfulness, the one time she got drunk, and her pessimism.

These books were definitely fascinating, violent, but fascinating.
I really liked the first one. The second was alright and the third was just meh. The first one was the best, I think.

My experience was similar to that of Bushmaid, though to a lesser extent.

A few friends of mine were demanding that I pick up this series at a bookstore. Considering they are usually rather hesitant in ever recommending books to me because I hardly ever prefer their recommendations, I gave it a shot. I ended up purchasing the whole series and placing it among my favorite series collection.

I found the whole plot line rather intriguing. For me, the violence didn't bother me at all (of course, I read a lot of violent books and have been into wars forever). It was very tastefully done and really hit home on some principles. I also enjoy depressing books to a certain extent; I like hopeless feelings mixed within plot lines. So, for me, this series was perfect. I don't think it is one of those books that can be toted as for pure joy purposes, as I find deeper meanings behind much of the characters actions and the actual happenings within the District Wars.

I personally think this series had a piece of brilliance I rarely ever find in writing that is not more than 100 or 200 years old.

Hannah recommends them? I definitely should get this series for my nook - ASAP

eru

Very true.

The books actually reminded me somewhat of the movie The Guardian, with how it ended on a note of hope.

So why are they called The Hunger Games?

The Games or the series?

Either or?

The series is titled that after the games.

The Hunger Games are named that because the winner's district receives extra food for a year, I think.

Oh!!! Got it, makes sense.

Whew.

For those who are interested, I've made a map of Panem.

Wow, cool! Good job. How did you know where to put each district?

Well for example in the book it tells you that District 12 is in Appalachia, District 13 is on Florida, The Capitol is in the Rockies and 1 and 2 are near it, and it is implied that District 8 is north of District 12. Others I put where I did based on their production, such as District 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11. (Although I did need to make up the production for 5, 6, and 9, but I did make inferences based on the book. For example, there are drug addicts from district 6 mentioned.) The other districts, (3, 5, and 6) were sort of leftover, so they got the leftover lands, too. I have seen other maps but none of them adhere to the books quite as well as mine do.

(I do also need to go through the book again and see the route that Katniss travelled to see if how I have the districts set up makes sense. I also know there is a lot of no-man's land between the main productive area of the districts, but I figured this area would still have a district label.)

Yes; until the next games. That and they are also designed to remind the districts of their 'hunger', so to speak; their hopelessness and poverty due to their bondage to the capitol.

Yep.

I have not read these books, but I just watched the trailer for the movie. It looks equal parts awesome and terrifying . I'm fascinated by the world Suzanne Collins has set up, and Katniss appears to be a noble character. The movie would probably have me either crying, or scared, the whole time. In a good way. Maybe.

In all likelihood, I won't be seeing it, because my family and I only spend precious money on the theater if it's a movie we really, really want to see.

What do y'all think of the trailer?

Other than some differences from the book, it looks good.

What are the differences?

My family read these books together over the holidays.

My experience agrees with that of Way-chan. The first book was amazing--creative and compelling, so that one would have to keep reading; the second and third went downhill. I got desensitized to the horror elements early on in the third. The ending was satisfactory, at least. Wrapped up the important questions and plot elements.

In my opinion, the first one is definitely worth a read, even if you have to pull your way through the second and third after it to finish the story.

Her backpack for one, the gown when she's getting a make-over, and the red dress isn't what I pictured it to be.

Those don't sound too major.

The trailer doesn't show much, and the clothes she wears at the ceremony have a huge effect.

Then at one point, she shoots an arrow at a target. It didn't show that in the book she shot an arrow at the balcony officials were eating at.

Hm. I wonder if that happens in the movie.

I hope it does. It's an extremely important part.

I've heard people say the books go downhill as you get farther in the series, but I personally enjoyed all three.
I'm really excited about the movie, but it's one of those that I'll probably be picky about =P

Picky about, I probably will too. If they mess with it too much, it could easily go downhill.

I enjoyed all three as well.

I'm reading these now. I'm only 100 or so pages into the first book, but I love them so far. The different themes addressed in the books really make you think.

This book must be pretty popular. I've still not been able to get it from the library.
Someone else always gets it first!