The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

by Suzanne Collins

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be North America. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.

• ISBN10: 0545229936
• ISBN13: 9780545229937
• Publish Date: 1 September 2009 (first published 1 October 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Scholastic
• Format: eBook
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

The Hunger Games is such a happy re-read for me.

I mean, come on.  This book has everything.  A realistically devised dystopian future.  Interesting characters with hidden depths!  There's so much at stake and the balance of action and romance is just A++ good.  I love this trilogy.  The Hunger Games was the dystopia that pushed YA dystopia into the spotlight, and there's a prequel coming!  What's not to love?

This marks my fifth time reading this book.  I am the type of reader who may remember the format, but will often forget details as I read.  I feel like every time I re-read a beloved book like this, I discover something new.  And believe me, I get how the hype train may have messed this one up for some people.  I'm lucky enough to say I read it early on, before the hype got too bad, and long before the movie.  It was a surprise to me when I was barely in the community.

Lets start with the plot.  The Hunger Games has a gripping plot for a couple reasons.  First, there is a ticking clock for most of the book.  Second, the lives of the characters are on the line all the time.  The action is well-written enough that every bow strung feels real to the reader, but there aren't enough technical details to hamper the story.  You fall in love with some characters (Rue) and you fall into hate with others (Clove) in the blink of an eye.  Suzanne Collins knows how to pull her readers' heartstrings.

And while I want to say "the plot is what makes this so good!" ... it's not just the plot.  It's everything.  The characters absolutely make you fall for them in a way that only a few books do really well.  Katniss comes off as harsh and cold at the beginning, but her confusion about the way people act and their intentions makes her vulnerable, and her fear makes her real.  There aren't a lot of moments where Katniss feels like a teen, but they are there.  Peeta is sweet, Gale is dark and mysterious.  Rue and Prim, if no others, will take your heart.  I've always been entranced by Foxface, myself.  And Haymitch!  And Effie!  I haven't don't much research into the prequel, but I really want it to be about Haymitch.  So much.

UGH.

I just love this book so much.  Every time I re-read it, it's a treat.  The pacing is so on point and it pulls me into the world effortlessly.  I would never want to be pulled into the arena, but I'm absolutely captivated by it.  If you haven't read it, read it.  And if you haven't read it in awhile, read it again.  Totally worth it.

____________

Original Review: 1/26/15 - Five Stars

I read this book for the first time when the craze was only just beginning. The book had been out and about in the world for a couple years, but I daresay it only really caught on with the release of Mockingjay. Not to say it wasn't popular... it just wasn't a worldwide phenomenon. But I digress. I chose specifically to read this book again after the release of the movie because I spent far too many of the Harry Potter movies griping over every little missing piece that I forgot to enjoy the movie in and of itself. But to be honest, I think that the filmmakers did an excellent job and even if the story had been fresh in my mind, I believe I would have enjoyed it nonetheless. But I've already done that comparison, and this is about the book, not the film.

I enjoyed the book just as much the second time through as I did the first. I had to force myself not to devour it with the same hunger (no pun intended) as I did the first time, because it caught me just as much as it did the first time. As a writer, you know you've written a truly remarkable book when the reader cannot put it down during the re-read. I also noticed a lot of details I didn't the first time through, and found myself either grumbling at the Captiol or laughing at a snide little comment often.

As with the first time I read it, I had difficulty being in Katniss' head. I know a lot of people liked this, so this is just a personal nitpick for me. I just don't like her particularly in the books. She's moody and cynical and ambivalent and cold. Naturally, it is her situation (in life generally and the present) that has made her that way. But that doesn't mean I have to like her. Maybe I'm not supposed to. After seeing the film, however, I felt less aggravated with her. The film, obviously being in third person, gave a good distance for me, reminding me what Katniss says verses what she thinks. Like all of us, she is entitled to an onslaught of negative thoughts... but it's what she chooses to express that defines her to the public eye. The distance made her feel more real to me while reading this through the second time, and I was definitely less aggravated.

As for the love triangle... no movie, no re-read can make me change my opinion. Knowing how the books end still made me a little smug as I was reading, knowing that I correctly called the relationship. "Calling" things is one of the most fun parts of reading a series for me - the guessing and drawing possible conclusions (not just about relationships, but the entire book) and then finding out whether or not you were correct... that's part of the fun of reading any book, and there are lots of ways to be involved in The Hunger Games.

So worth the first read? Absolutely. Worth a re-read? Definitely. Would I read it yet again? Without a doubt. I recommend this to anyone who reads. Except possibly those who prefer romantic dramas, and only that. I feel like this book is genuinely filled with things that will appeal to a wide variety of readers, both of age and interest. Brava, Suzanne Collins!

[jesstheaudiobookworm]

4.5★⎮I originally read The Hunger Games somewhere around 2008 in anticipation of the movies release. I read it on my Kindle, since that was quite a few years before my foray into the world of audiobooks. The Hunger Games has remained one of my most favorite series of all time. I'm not much of a re-reader, but 11 years seemed like enough time for me to forget enough of the little details so that I would be able to enjoy the story again, almost as new. I'm trying this new strategy to combat listening slumps. Whenever I'm in a listening slump, I'm going to reach way back in my library and find a book that I enjoyed before I began listening to audiobooks. Then I'm going to hear that book as an audiobook and see if/how the different format changes my view.

I initially gave the book five stars and I'm sticking to that for the story portion of this audiobook. While listening to it, the same emotions that I originally felt more than a decade ago flooded me once again. I think the story has aged well so far. I didn't see it with new eyes or anything like that. Maybe more time has to go by for that type of experience. But I did remember why I loved it so much to begin with.

And yes, I'm still #TeamPeeta. I was from the very beginning, even though it was never as much of a debate as the Team Jacob versus Team Edward. I think that was my favorite part of this experience, or re-experience. Listening to The Hunger Games made me feel 20-years-old again. I was both relieved and thrilled to find that my excitement and appreciation of Suzanne Collins work was just as alive as it was in '08. It had just been lying dormant for a while. For me, this was a "somethings never change" kind of experience and it's great to have those now and then. I guess the word for it is nostalgia.

Next up: Twilight.

Narration review: Given the fact that I started listening to this audiobook just for the narration and to see if/how my experience with Collins' work would differ with the audiobook format, I was quite disappointed in Carolyn McCormick's performance. There was nothing egregiously wrong with her performance, but she very clearly was not the right choice to narrate the series. I'm especially confident in this opinion knowing that the majority of listeners seem to share it.

For starters, McCormick clearly did not get the memo that this is a young adult book. On one hand, I like that she didn't sound too young and innocent because that would have been wrong for Katniss and the hunger games as well. However, try as I might, no amount of suspension of disbelief could make me buy into McCormick as a teenager. I found McCormick's narration to be more than a little distracting. It wasn't a situation in which I considered stopping listening, but Susan Collins writing deserved a better performance, in my opinion. That's why I'm shaving .5 stars off of my total rating. The story itself is still five stars, the narration deserves about four stars, so my total rating is 4.5 stars for this audiobook.

My narration frustration was compounded after I realized that there is another version of this audiobook which is narrated by Tatiana Maslany. I'm still kicking myself for choosing the wrong version of the audiobook. Maybe, after another decade goes by, I'll give that one a try. The Tatiana Maslany-narrated audiobook is the one that I recommend to you. I wasn't expecting the audiobook to be narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, but Maslany is certainly closer to that mark than McCormick. Unfortunately, Maslany only narrated the special edition of book one in the trilogy. If you want to hear books two and three, you'll have to put up with McCormick's narration. As for me, I think I'll skip them, at least until another anniversary edition comes out with a different narrator. ♣︎

[clairelm]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started to read this book, especially because of all the hype surrounding it. Unusually for me, I saw the film before reading the book but I have to say, I really enjoyed both. Yes, it's not the nicest subject and I certainly wouldn't want a child reading the book, but I found the book much more enjoyable than others with similar ideas (such as Lord of the Flies). Definitely looking forward to reading the next one.

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

I had no idea what to expect when I first opened The Hunger Games. All I knew was that 12 year olds attempt to kill each other. As I got further in the same phrase kept popping into my head "this is fucked up!" like "Survivor" on crack, and crack is whack.

Right about here I should be giving a description of the novel but lets face it, unless you've been living under a rock you know the storyline, and until this afternoon I was.

I had previously been warned that once I picked up The Hunger Games I would not be able to put it down. They were correct. Even though it was an incredibly nice day out I practically had to be dragged outside to go for a walk. Eventually, I was unable to use "but I'm at a good part" any more and was exposed to that bright ball in the sky.

I think the perfect word to describe the novel is wow. It was an emotional roller-coaster that I didn't want to get off. From the time Katniss Everdeen, volunteers herself for the event in her sister's steed to holding hands with her companion Peeta, my heart went out to her. She has spunk, there is no other way to put it, despite the obstacles that come her way she stays true to herself and I admired her for that.

Peeta was a mystery, I never knew whether he was just playing the game statistically using Katniss as a pong or if his feelings were genuine, and while eventually revealed added to the "espionage" of the story.

Suzanne Collins knows how to hold the reader's attention, raising suspense at just the right lull when you thought everything will turn out okay, making The Hunger Games unputdownable.

Follow my book review blog at http://missbookreviews.wordpress.com/

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I bought this book series on a whim. The Hunger Games movie was coming out and it looked awesome, I thought the books must be awesome too. Actually I expected the books to be way better, since they nearly always are. So when I saw all three books on a stand in my local book store I decided to buy them.

When I started reading this book I was instantly taken off guard by the fact it was written present tense. Personally I enjoy past tense a lot more, in fact I had never even read a book written in present tense until I picked up this one. No wonder it took me a while to get used to it.

It took me the first part of the book to get into the flow of present tense and to really start to enjoy it. At first I didn’t think I would be able to get into the story because the tense kept bothering me and I found it stopped me from getting sucked into the story, into Katniss’s head. But then I kept reading and without realising I soon found I was unable to put the book down (A cliché but the truth none the less). So it took me two days to finish the book, which is no big feat for me as I usually read larger books in that space of time if I have the time to lie around reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, Katniss as the main character and the world in which Suzanne Collins has created was believable. I was able to picture everything in my head, words or sentences didn’t bother me or make me read them twice to understand them; which to me looks like it’s written well, in the sense of the language. I felt like I was taken on a journey which was very satisfying and exciting at the same time. Whenever I would put the book down it would only be because it was in the early hours of the morning and I needed to sleep, not because I wanted to. I would have read this book in a day if I had the time.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book but I did feel like that at points something was missing. It felt like things were passed over too quickly at times. Things you wanted to know a little more detail about, not necessarily pages and pages, just a paragraph or two. Sometimes I felt like the event that was taking place happened so fast that it was over before you had any time to really grasp what was happening. Like the audience could have been dragged in with more suspense or more detail into how Katniss was feeling or something along those lines. But then I guess this is the style of the book. And I think this is my opinion just because I enjoyed it so much and I really wanted to know more. I just wanted more.

To be honest, I guessed what was going to happen and found it a little predictable. After reading the first book and not having read the summaries or having read anything about the last two books I have guessed how the next two books will turn out. I’m hoping for surprises though! Things I really don’t see coming or things that aren’t as easy as putting two and two together and figuring out what Katniss has still yet to realize. This disappointed me a little. I felt like everything was too easy to figure out what was going to happen or what way it had to go in order for the story to continue being likeable. I didn’t find myself feeling surprised at any point. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, because I did, very much so.

The plot its self is pretty awesome. The whole story makes you wish there was more going on so you didn’t have to stop reading. It feels like a rather complicated world that Suzanne has developed, complicated but at the same time so straight forward that it’s simple. I found myself wondering what my real opinion on that was. Was it too simple to understand? Or has it been explained so well that in fact it is brilliant?

Now. The ending. In my opinion it was pretty anti-climactic. I expected a cliff hanger that would make me jump to book two as soon as I closed the back page of book one. But alas the ending was not so. I did want to start reading book two straight away but not with the excitement that I thought I would have gained from reading that last chapter. It was a little disappointing but it wasn’t bad by any sense.

I closed the back cover of that book imagining what was going to happen, imagining how things would turn out, I guess I even started imagining my own version of events. I wanted to start reading the second book to find out what really happened. Just not with the urgency I would have felt if the ending had been more climatic.

In conclusion this book is a definite page turner. Once you start reading you will find it really hard to put down, you will not get dull at any point (unless this is not your genre). It’s an entertaining and satisfying read, although I felt it lacking in some areas that make books best sellers (In my opinion of best sellers that is). But I still loved it and would recommend it to all my friends. Which I have already done actually.

On to Book two, Catching Fire!

Miss J
x

Wow....just wow. Absolutely amazing. Honestly, just as emotional and fantastic as the first time I read it. I don't even know where to start this review!

200 years earlier, the USA was destroyed and in its midst rose the Capitol with its surrounding 13 districts. Each district has its own way of living and for a time lived peacefully. However, after a time, the districts rose up against the Capitol and a rebellion ensued. With its superior weaponry and technology, the Capitol defeated the districts and completely obliterated District 13. To show the districts how superior Capitol is, each year two children, one boy and one girl from each district, are chosen to fight to the death in The Hunger Games. 24 enter, 1 comes out. Let the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games begin.

Y'all need to understand that I am not and emotional person when it comes to books. No, I promise I'm not heartless, I just don't cry easily. Yes, during books my heart rate accelerates and I'll feel bad for the characters, but I don't actually cry. This is one of the only books where I have come this close to tears. And thats saying something.

But before I get into all the emotional part of this book, I want to first talk about the characters.

Katniss is fantastic. She's incredibly strong and fierce. Now, that's my favorite type of heroine and I know that sometimes these types start to blend together but something I love about her is the fact that although she may be these things like so many other heroines out there, she's not lovable and witty like most others. She's standoffish and a loner and it takes a long time for someone to get through to her. She's mature beyond her years because she has to be. She became the sole supporter of her family at such a young age and it hardened her. She's a survivor. But sometimes this hard exterior became her downfall because she couldn't always see what's right in front of her: the fact that people care about her. However, although its hard to get past her hardened exterior, once you do, she is an incredibly kind and admirable person. This is shown through her actions at the reaping. She cared so much for her family that she was willing to risk her life, knowing that her chances for returning home were slim, just to keep her sister safe. If thats not worthy of respect, then I don't know what is.

Peeta is also a great character. He's pretty much the complete opposite of Katniss. He's personable, caring, and charming. He truly cares about Katniss even if she can't see it herself. Even though you don't get to know to much about him since this is from Katniss' perspective, you can still see that he has admirable qualities too. Normally I like the alpha male and the bad-boy (I guess its kinda my weakness) but I do also fall for the sweet, respectful guys and I fell head-over-heels for his heart.

As for secondary characters? Amazing. Each was unique in their own way. Effie, sweetly oblivious Effie. Haymitch, who may drink a bit to much, but has a heart under that surly exterior. Cinna, who truly cares about Katniss even though he hardly knows her. Even the other tributes each had their own personalities that made them unique.

This book was just so incredibly emotional. 24 kids go into an arena and only 1 comes out. I honestly can't even imagine being in their situation. I know that I would do whatever it took to survive, but how would that change me? Each tribute was just trying to survive. They didn't want to be there (well, except a few), but were forced to be. When your facing your immediate death, what would you do? Survival changes people. These different reactions to their situations were shown remarkably well through all the different tributes. Collins' does a fantastic jobs of showing how different people would fare in this situation. While all the bloodshed in the arena itself is disturbing, perhaps the most disturbing thing for me was the fact that the people of the Capitol enjoyed it. Children were dying and to them it was just entertainment. They were completely oblivious!! It was all just a game to them. So long as they were entertained, they were happy. It was sick. Completely and utterly sick.

And to be honest, I felt awful for the other tributes, even as they tried to kill Katniss and Peeta. How could you not? They were thrown into a situation many of them weren't prepared for and just trying to get home. Although they were her enemies, I felt pity and guilt right along with Katniss. She, too, understands that they were only doing what they had to do.

The Hunger Games may be a dark book about death and destruction, but within its dark exterior is a beautiful story full of love, hope and fighting for what you love. May the odds be ever in your favor.

[catiebug]

Holy crap. So awesome!

Review to come

[clementine]

I always enjoy books so much more the second time I read them. The plot comes together for me much more clearly and the characters reveal themselves more. It's been over a year since I first read The Hunger Games, and for some reason I had diminished it in my mind. I forgot that I love this book. Part of me wants to give it four stars because I keep thinking, "How can it be perfect? How can it compare to other books you love?" But I can't think of anything wrong with it. I love Katniss (controversial opinion, I know, but she's tough and no-nonsense and I love it); the book is so well-plotted; the world building is awesome; it's always super exciting; the bare bones writing style works perfectly for the type of story and narration. It's just so good.

[kimbacaffeinate]

I am a Mocking Jay.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a captivating dystopian novel that literally blew me away. It takes place in the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Here Collins introduces us to wonderful characters and a governing body that does unspeakable things to its districts children. Each year two children (one boy and one girl) between the ages of twelve and eighteen are chosen from each district to be participants in the Hunger Games; a nationally televised fight to the death. Collins tale offers; action, loyalty, romance and a brilliant tale of humanity, death, hope and human’s ability to endure.

The protagonist is sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen. She lives with her mother and younger sister Primrose in District Twelve. After the death of her father, she assumes the role of head of household. For them to survive, she hunts illegally for squirrel, rabbit and herbs. She sells them on the black market to feed her family. Although poor, she and her family are well liked by the people of District Twelve. Since she was twelve she has had her name entered for the Hunger Games. In order to provide for Primrose and her heart-broken mother, she has submitted her name multiple times to receive yearly stables for her family. This is her sister's first year, and when Primrose’s name is called, Katniss steps up and volunteers as a tribute. She does this without hesitation; even though this is nothing short of a death sentence. I fell completely in love with Katniss within the first few pages of this novel. She acts unselfishly and provides for her family. Katniss sees what is wrong in her world and does whatever it takes to protect the ones she loves. She is fearless, bright and loyal. She is also graceful, vulnerable, and compassionate. Without a doubt she has earned a place on my favorite heroines list.

The tale that unfolds completely captures you. Collins’ world-building and her depiction of the Capital, the events and the actual game were incredible. The event is dark, gritty, and barbaric. All of this is hidden behind a government event full of Hollywood glamour. Citizens place bets, sponsor players and root for their district. The government manipulates the game to increase ratings based on viewer feedback. The whole concept is frightful and yet Collins' makes you believe. Her writing style enables you to visualize the scenes and events as they occur. You become swept up in the characters and their emotions. You feel their fears, compassion, and hopelessness. Once the game begins you become completely immersed. As characters make decisions, form alliances and their skills emerge you become a part of the game. When Katniss makes her first kill, her emotions rip through you. When she experiences a loss, you weep with her. As she begins to learn and use skills necessary to manipulate the game you cry for what it cost her. You feel both sorrow and relief when a player is eliminated. Despite the fact that the whole concept of the game appalls you, you want Katniss to survive. The romantic triangle in the story is believable and pulls at you.

Collins’s tale is unique, flawless and brilliant. The tempo of the plot is perfect and the emotions she drew from me as the reader, left me spent and wanting more. The characters are unforgettable and have a depth to them that ever writer and reader dreams of. This is a book I would read again and again. If you haven’t done so, I urge you to read The Hunger Games. see this and other reviews on my blog:http://www.kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewer.blogspot.com/

[ladygrey]

Surprisingly, I really liked this book. Even though I was absolutely decided that I wouldn't read it. (peer pressure, man. I'm far too sensitive)

The inescapable fact is that it is very well plotted. Like a really smart, tight film, all the turns come at just the right moment. It's quick and informative and just emotional enough to string you from one event to the next. The characters are developed enough that you care about them when you need to, but never elaborated on so much that they distract from the tightly focused story. Even Katniss serves the story rather that having a story indulgently wrapped around her.

Normally I'd complain (even just a little) about how straight forward the prose is. But in this case it was simple and to the point and kept the story moving. I didn't love it, and I'm obviously mentioning it, but I'm not complaining.

I didn't like how it diverged in that whole secluded, romantic set up. No matter how much [a:Suzanne Collins|153394|Suzanne Collins|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1285984570p2/153394.jpg] insisted that it was part of the Games and how well she integrated the concept into the core of the narrative, it still was jarring for them to spend days together in this quiet romance when people were dying and their lives were on the line. It just didn't resonate well in the atrocity she'd so firmly established

What I think I liked best, in the end, was what a complicated character Katniss was. She was manipulative throughout, but mostly in smart ways. So I really liked that she couldn't sort out who she was or what she wanted; that she couldn't distinguish between what she'd done for who or what she felt. I like those sorts of complications and it made what Peeta said about not letting the Games take who he is all the more significant and suddenly very interesting. She survived but she'd given a lot of herself away in becoming what everyone else wanted her to be in order to do it.

Fascinating stuff that is a brilliant spring board into the next book which I'm sure will disappoint by not wrestling with the emotional snarls I enjoy so much but I'm sure will be exciting in its own way, if nothing else.