The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

by Suzanne Collins

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. But Katniss has been close to death before - and survival, for her, is second nature. The Hunger Games is a searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present. Welcome to the deadliest reality TV show ever...

• ISBN13: 9780439023528
• Publish Date: 3 July 2010 (first published 1 October 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Scholastic US
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[chrssym]

Loved it, can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. The last young adult craze (Twilight) I jumped in on left me very disappointed. The description and emotion that Collins portrays in this novel was vivid and quite moving.

I loved the whole series and this book was fabulous from beginning to end. I love Katniss and she is a very strong heroine who took care of those around her.

The book starts a little slow but once things get interesting it is so good and by the end you just want to pick up the second book to see what happens next.

[Leah]

Wow, I must admit, I'm a bit speechless after finishing The Hunger Games. It's a book people have been recommending I read for ages now but I've always put it off, because although it sounded brilliant, dystopian novels aren't what I read at all. However, The Hunger Games blew me away, I was hooked from the off and I just thought it was a stunning novel. It's well-written, has amazing characters and despite the fact the plot is very disturbing, it's also utterly brilliant. It blew my socks off, and I was desperate to see how it all ended. I knew people were going to die, that's the whole point of the Hunger Games, but I was still surprised how sad I felt to see some of them die. Amazing novel that will appeal to all ages. I've already bought Catching Fire and Mockingjay and I'm desperate for them to arrive.

[Stephanie]

This review was originally posted on Once Upon a ChapterFirst Sentence: When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.

Super Brief Review: A rather dark look into the depravity of mankind, also unputdownable.

Favorite Quotes: It crosses my mind that Cinna’s calm and normal demeanor masks a complete madman.

Slightly Longer Review: I tried really hard not to like The Hunger Games at first. I was worried that I would like the book simply because everyone else did. Once I started reading it though, I could not put it down. It’s dark for sure but you find yourself liking Katniss so much that if she can handle it so can you.

Every year one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts are thrown into a specifically built arena to fight to the death. There is only one winner. Katniss and Peeta are drawn for the poverty stricken District 12. Peeta displayed a great act of kindness when they were younger. He gave Katniss hope in a time when all seemed hopeless. How can she kill him? With the help of their sponsor and her own sharp wit Katniss will give the Capitol a shock they may not be ready for!

[Linda]

WOW, this book totally blew me away! I didn't think I'd like it when I read the little excerpt, but I totally loved it! It took my breath away, and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!

[mbtc]

This is one of the most captivating books I've read in a long time. The story is engaging from the first chapter and I had a hard time putting down the book, reading it every spare moment I had.

[Joni Reads]

I saw this book in a magazine years ago before it was released as a suggested read. I can't remember what magazine but the concept of this book is hard to forget: teens fighting to the death in an arena while being broadcast throughout the nation and all because the government says they have to. I was intrigued, wanted to read it, and then forgot about it.

Flash to the phenomenon that became The Hunger Games. Everyone read it. The book exploded on the scene and it was all anyone could talk about. When books get that popular I tend to steer clear. One reason is because I don't want to be that one person who hates the book. Another reason is that I don't want to buy into the hype.

But then one day I gave in. I bought The Hunger Games.

I am so glad I did.

[wyvernfriend]

In a scary near future, every year a reality TV show takes place where 12 boys and 12 girls from each of the 12 regions in the country fight to the death in a kill or be killed game. This year 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward instead of her sister. She doesn't want to see her die, she wants her to live, she wants to live but doesn't reckon her chances as high.

Her fellow regional compeditor is Peeta Mellark, who claims he loves her, but can she trust him? Who will survive, can they both survive?

I liked it, found it very interesting, occasionally the unremitting brutality became a bit too much but overall it was enjoyable.

[ibeforem]

There is so much in this book to make you say “Wow”. Sure, there’s a lot here that’s been done before… a post-apocalyptic world where the people are oppressed and forced to take part in some winner-takes-all contest to the death is nothing new, but here it is done so well. Katniss is everything you would expect from a girl that’s had to take care of herself and her family most of her life. She’s simple, straight to the point, does what needs to be done however she has to, and yes, a little cold. But she’s also stunted. She’s so busy being a grown-up that she’s never had time to be a teenage girl, and her people skills are certainly lacking. When she throws herself into the Games in order to save her much younger sister, she’s forced to come to terms with her weaknesses.

The Games themselves are a horrifying construction. 24 children (yes, children — they’re all 18 or younger) are forced into an arena of unknown makeup (will it be a forest? a desert? a frozen wasteland? will there be water? wildlife? edible plants?) and are left there to kill or be killed until there is one victor. As if that alone isn’t enough, the games makers are there to shake things up and encourage battle, and the entire thing is televised, 24 hours a day. Katniss’s fight for survival is not only a physical one, but an emotional one, as she struggles with her feelings for fellow tribute, Peeta.

Since there is a second book (and supposedly a third), I’m going to assume that you realize that Katniss makes it through this alive. However, all is not necessarily well, and the way the book ends makes you wish there was just one more chapter. The abruptness of the ending has upset some people, but I think it’s appropriate. It leaves you wondering and a little bit confused, much like Katniss is herself. Because remember, despite what she’s done and what she’s been through, she’s still just a 16 year old girl.

As a side note, if you’re considering this for your young adult reader, there’s no sex or bad language here, but there is a *lot* of violence, some of it quite gruesome.

Can’t wait for book 2.