The Hunger Games
Ratings3,706
Average rating4.1
Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale, IMO.
This was a quick read with a fair bit of laziness on the author's part. The parachutes dropping from the sky were a little bit too much for me, for example.
I had a difficult time starting this book. I recognized too much of the dystopian future it presented, and I kept seeing the events happen before I got to them. Then, too, I'd started reading it simply because others had told me how much they loved it.
But something happened once the Games truly began. I couldn't stop reading, I couldn't wait to return to the arena, and I could't wait to be there with her. Katniss.
I laughed. I cried. I felt my heart catch in my throat. Few books have ever done that to me, if any.
I am no longer loathe to admit...I loved this book and, like Katniss, was “dreading the moment when I will finally have to let go.”
Pros: tense, good pacing, compelling
Cons: heavy subject matter for younger teen target audience, but author does a great job with it
Ever since the Treaty of Treason following the Dark Days when the 13 districts rebelled against the capitol and lost, the remaining 12 districts have given 2 youths as tributes for the yearly Hunger Games.
This year, district 12 is sending Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Along with their counterparts from the other districts, these two will fight to the death in the Gamemakers' arena, for the entertainment of those in the capitol.
The Hunger Games is a teen reimagining of Koushun Takami's Battle Royale. With some important changes. The Hunger Games takes place in a post-apocalyptic America. In The Hunger Games everyone understands the purpose of the games (in Battle Royale this is only revealed at the end, where it has a bigger psychological impact), and there's a LOT less violence. Battle Royale depended on the shock value of its extremely graphic content to get its point across. The Hunger Games does a surprisingly good job of keeping the violence to a minimum given the novel's plot. And what violence there is, is fairly tame. Still, this is a book which I'd recommend parents read first and judge if their child is mature enough to handle what happens, and then discuss the contents with them afterwards.
The novel is very fast paced and compelling. being a teen book it's also a very quick read. I can't wait to finish the series and see what happens.
I first heard about this series 2 years ago but never got around to reading it then. Over the last 2 years I had picked it up so many times in book stores but I always put it back on the shelf, Then I found out it was being made into a movie I raced to my library and borrowed a copy, came home and jump right in.
I have only one thing to say WOW!!
This book has you sitting on the edge of your seat right from the first page, it grabs you and won't let go, it's that good. It has a bit of everything in it from action to romance even comedy. I was so hooked that I couldn't put it down.
After I finished reading it I went straight on Amazon and bought the next 2 books, which should be arriving in the next week or two.
Suzanne has written one hell of a novel and I'm excited to read the second and third parts.
AN INCREDIBLE READ!!
Ssshhh... don't tell anyone, but I actually quite enjoyed this book. Katniss is a much more worthy heroine and ‘role model' then Twilight's Bella. At least the girl can save herself.
My expectations for this book were way too high. In my defense, I have been staring at the series on the bookshelf since Christmas and I kept hearing all about how good it was, so of course my excitement was building. When I actually got around to reading it, I was beyond excited and was prepared to become obsessed.
The Hunger Games is an enjoyable book. I really liked it. It was very compelling and made me want to keep reading. I found the romance subplot charming but not overdone. I admired the characters' courage but I didn't really love any of the tributes except Katniss and Peeta. I plan to finish the series but I do not know what there even needs to be any additional books. I thought this book wrapped up quite nicely. Bottom line: I liked it a lot but did not love it.
2020 re-read. I recently saw a Trump ad compared to a Panem ad, making me want to re-read (or re-listen). I had forgotten just how weird (for lack of a better word) the Hunger Games world is. I struggled a bit with the audiobook–I think the narrator did a good job, but the actors in the movie version are so set in my mind that one voice didn't really hold me. Still, it's an amazing book. Glad to have picked it up again.
What am I going to say? It's another one of those books you can't help but read in giant gulps. Great frolicking read that has me committed to the rest of the series - hope it lives up to expectations!
At first, one would think that this is like Battle Royale. In many ways, it is, but there's also something endearing about it as it contains much more about why the Games occur, and also the psychological mind games to outwit the Gamemakers. Best of all, it' first part of a trilogy, and we get to follow the story about the winners after the actual game ends.
Addictive little series! Reminding me of The Uglies/Pretties/Specials series but better.
To say the least, gripping. I finished it (in three days) wanting more and wondering where Collins might be taking Katniss in the rest of the series. I can see why B&N allow the first in a series to be loaned out (or is it more than the first? So far I've only seen book #1's): it'll keep ‘em buying the rest of the series, at least in this case.
Collins ably evokes the horror of placing young people in violent situations. Weaving in a variety of approaches to preparing the young to kill or be killed, she ultimately finds them all wanting. Reading Collins' prose I found myself rooting for the protagonist and constantly checking myself, saying of course only in context. A horrifying and somehow still endearing story. Quite an achievement.
I loved this book! I don't have very many teen heroes/heroines, but I do read a lot of YA/teen novels. I'm a big Harry Potter fan and have always been fond of Hermione Granger and finally I have been introduced to Katniss Everdeen! If only Katniss had been around when I was a teen (1990-1994) but I'm glad she's around now. Now...time for Catching Fire!
This book really does live up to all of the hype. I really did enjoy it and will definitely be reading the other two.
When I saw the good reviews this book got, I figured I'll give it a try, since I don't read much non-fantasy books. I'm glad to say that I did. Superb read.
The story is set in a dystopian future, where a girl was thrown into an annual competition, for her very life - the titular Hunger Games. The game reminded me of the reality TV series Survivor - a more brutal version. I loved the way the story flowed, and the first-person perspective was excellent. You simply can't help rooting for the protagonist, a girl trying to survive so she can return home.
I'm already starting the second book, and searching for the third. I'm thinking of getting the author's earlier books as well.
I struggle somewhat giving this book a score. It was interesting and exciting. However, when all was said and done, I just don't know If there was enough to the story to make me want to come back. Perhaps as the larger story unfolds I will find more substance. Overall an enjoyable read though.
I liked it. It was a quick, easy read that was pretty entertaining and suspenseful enough to make it difficult to put down.
I was interested in reading the trilogy ever since I first read a review. Finally got my hands on the first book today. It started off nicely but I got slightly bored in the middle. However, once the Hunger Games actuall started the story was just amazing (I especially loved Rue).
Can't wait to start reading Catching Fire.
P.S. Do I smell a rebellion?
This book has a unique (though disturbing) plot line and the story kept me interested and moved at a good pace. Entertaining read...I liked it enough to now move onto the second book.