Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Where I Got The Book: Library
Why I Read It: Mostly because everyone else is/was going on and on about how good this book/series is. I wanted to find out for myself.
Rating: B
Well guys... I finally did it. I finally read The Hunger Games. My first impression, as I was first starting to book was that it was horribly written, boring, and lacking interest. I know, I'm sure all of you are screaming at your computers right now asking me if I'm crazy. But, as I kept reading, kept pushing my way through the book, I found myself getting more and more into the story, couldn't put the book down, and found myself wanting to reach the end quick to see what happens.
I'm sure 80% of you know what the Hunger Games is about, but just in case, I will tell you.
The Hunger Games takes place in a country with 12 districts. Each district is poor in their own way, but most of them don't ever have any food, and no money to get food. They have to go out each day, risk their lives, and hunt for game, find roots, berries, nuts, etc. just to live. Well, in this country, they have this thing called The Hunger Games. From each district, 1 through 12, two people are drawn from a big ball of names to fight to the death against each other to win the games and the winner of the district wins food for their entire area. Hence the name The Hunger Games. The two people from each district are put into an arena where they have limited supplies of food, water, clothing, etc. and they have to kill each other to find a winner. The two main characters, Peeta and Katniss are from District 12, and they're fighting to be the first two winners ever in the games. This book reminds me of a reality tv show, much like Suvivor. I feel like my decription of the book isn't doing it justice. But I don't want to give too much away at the same time. So, I'm going to post the description from Good reads below:
"Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?
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."
That does help a little bit in describing the story. As I said, I felt like this book was boring, lacking interest, and wasn't as good as everyone said when I first started reading it. But as the book went on, and it got closer to the actual Hunger Games, the book was amazing. It was hard to put down, it was compelling, and you found yourself routing for the characters. The only reason I'm giving it a B and not an A is because I felt like it took too long for the book to really get started and get interesting. While some books you read, you can kind of predict the ending, this book had you second guessing yourself mutliple times because you thought you had the ending figured out, but then the author would throw you off and you'd wonder if you're right or not. When I first started the book, I wasn't sure if I was going to read the rest of the series, but the ending leaves you wanting more, and wanting to find out what happens next between Peeta and Katniss. So, I will be reading and reviewing book 2 ASAP!
This is definitely a must read and a book that I think deserves all of the popularity, praise and attention that it has been receiving. While there's a debate going on if this series is the next Twilight, I'm not sure if I agree there. But do see some comparisons. Now, if you haven't already, go read this book!!
