The Hunger Games (Book 1)
Written by Suzanne Collins
Originally published in 2008
About 370 pages
Rate 4.8/5
My summary of The Hunger Games
Katniss lives in one of the twelve districts of Panem and every year The Hunger Games is held as a celebration for the people of the capitol. However, for the people within the 12 districts is it a reminder that no matter how hard they try, they will never be able to outsmart or take down the capitol. Two children from each district are selected at random and put in The Hunger Games where they fight to the death. Like everyone else, Katniss was not planning on getting her name drawn, but when her little sister's gets drawn, she can't sit back and do nothing.
My thoughts on The Hunger Games
This book is one of those ones that you wish you didn't have to put down. The only reason I stopped reading was because I my butt was starting to hurt from sitting down for too long. I think that also had to do with the way that the chapters were separated; it seemed like there was a bit of a on-the-edge-of-your-seat sort of scenario going on at the end of every chapter.
The whole story was super compelling. Most of the time I read a book about a dystopian society things get lost in translation because I have a hard time picturing what it's like, but I could see everything so clearly. All the rules made sense to me and if they didn't the next page elaborated on it more.
There were times where I noticed some hints about a character's intentions and then the next page Katniss seemed to observe those intentions. I liked having a character who was as analytical as me, but at the same time I was annoyed by how critical she was of others.
I liked the whole sort of fake dating thing that Peta and Katniss had going on. The whole Gale thing was thrown out of left field, I get that they are close friends and it does address that often, but I just wish they there was more fleeting romantic moments with them rather than just that one when they are saying goodbye after the reaping.
Which also leads me to talk about Peta's react at the end, I side with him. But I also side with Katniss. They are just barely getting to know each other for real, and it's not that Peta has a problem with loving the idea of her, cause he observes her often and knows her. I agree with Katniss because she's so young and just experienced so many things that a sixteen year old should never have to experience, why would she be thinking about love?
I liked the ending, but it made it seem like the whole book was about learning to love someone romantically even during scary times. Katniss is just giving me mixed signals, she seems so selfless and powerful and strong, but now she's worried about Gale... just so random to me.
Quotes
"It's strange to be so physically close to someone who's so distant."
"I know I'll never marry, never risk bringing a child into the world. Because if there's one thing being a victor doesn't guarantee, it's your children's safety."