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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

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What it is all about?
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 steps forward to take her sister's place 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 will weigh survival against humanity and life against love. 

My Thought.
First of all, I have to bare in mind that, the narrator of this story is Katniss Everdeen, an active, courageous, spirited, caring, smart (is she?) and a never-give-up girl who leads a hard life in District 12. It was not easy at first to go deep into her mind and to adjust my thought parallel to her at the beginning of the story. So, I end up putting this book aside and flipped several pages and put it again for several times. But, the story becomes more interesting when it comes to the game. 

Since the story is about a survival game and the last-man-stand-is-a-victor, I really expect something which is extraordinary. But, Suzanne Collins can't give me that. The actions in this book just OK, nothing special about that. I expect something more furious, more brutal ( in the sense of survival game), but all I get just simple fights. However, I have to admit that this book is a YA book, and Collins is right to make it like that because her targets are young adult readers. But, a little bit more action won't hurt.

The Hunger Games would be better if the story is not only from Katniss's POV. Why? It is because, a lot of interesting parts are put in questioned when Katniss is not around such as the fight between Cato and Peeta, and what happen to Peeta after that as well as the part when Rue was cornered by the Careers which I think might be great if we know what exactly happen. But, all in all, Collins idea is great  but her delivery is just OK. I'm looking forward what will happen in the next book of the series. Hope that Catching Fire will be much better than this one.

Favorite Quote
"I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not."

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7 comments:

Sarah said...

I've heard so many good things about this series but haven't started reading it yet. Thanks for an honest review, sometimes when you hear nothing but good about a book you go in with too high expectations & end up being disappointed. I'm still looking forward to giving this one a try but hopefully now I won't be expecting too much & will still enjoy it :o)

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm making a stop from the Sunday Blues. After all the hype for mockingjay I'm considering going ahead and reading this series so it is good to read a review for the first one. Because of the hype with the series I'm a little nervous to read them. Good honest review cause I'm with you, I need action or something to keep the flow going.

Splendibird said...

I am so glad that someone else wasn't overly impressed with The Hunger Games - I was starting to feel like I was the only one. While I found the story enjoyable enough, it hasn't swept me away in the way it has so many others. I've read Catching Fire, which I thought was a bit better and have Mockingjay but I don't think that this is the amazing writing that it's been touted as. Great review.

Nikki in Niagara said...

I'm over from Sunday Blues too. I've just read this series now too. Just have Mockingjay left now. I'm afraid I'm one of the ones who was blown away with it. But then it's always good to hear from the other side too. They can't all be winners for everyone!

Violet said...

I liked this book quite a bit more than you did, but I enjoyed reading your review. :) I have heard the author mention that one of the things she looks forward to about the upcoming Hunger Games movie will be seeing some of the scenes from a wider POV (not just Katniss' POV). Hope you like Catching Fire more! :)

Tasha said...

I finished reading this yesterday (and have gone straight onto Catching Fire lol) and really enjoyed it. I get what you mean about the 'missing moments' though. Thanks for sharing.

Kristen said...

I remember when I first picked this book up. I was working at a public library and looked really good when we were processing it so I gave it a shot. I really dug it and was completely entranced by the novel. I was actually really surprised when I heard that it was going to be a trilogy because I thought it was such a fantastic stand-a-lone novel that it could've just stopped where it did. Hope you enjoy the next two in the series. I think the first one is the best - but that is my opinion.