Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: Oct 31, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Hardcover – 374 pages

Synopsis:
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone 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.

REVIEW:

Ok. Ok. NOW I understand why everyone goes ape-shit over The Hunger Games! This book was amazing. The world was so well constructed, as were the characters. Wow, just WOW! And talk about bad ass. Katniss Everdeen is my new heroine. Not only can she shoot that bow like a major pro, oh no. Collins made her so incredibly intelligent that I want to go out and read books on herbs and berries just in case I ever get thrown into the woods in a death match.

And although Katniss is the queen of keeping her emotions hidden, the reader actually gets to know her quite well as a character. Her hopes, her doubts, her fears. Here is one of my favorite sections in the book that I think shows this.

Pg 73 –
“I’m sure they didn’t notice anything but you. You should wear flames more often,” he says. “They suit you.” And then he gives me a smile that seems so genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness that unexpected warmth rushes through me.

A warning bell goes off in my head. Don’t be so stupid. Peeta is planning how to kill you, I remind myself. He is luring you in to make you easy prey. The more likable he is, the more deadly he is.

But because two can play at this game, I stand on tiptoe and kiss his cheek. Right on his bruise.

Yes, the writing is that freaking good. I know everyone has read this series but me and there is nothing really new that I can say about The Hunger Games. All I can say is…

5 stars for Katniss! Oops. I meant The Hunger Games.

P.S. (Spoilers) I finally watched the movie after reading The Hunger Games. I loved it! I especially liked the change where the Mockingjay pin came into play. Having Prim give it back to Katniss instead of some random girl in the book made more sense to me. Also, I was glad Peeta didn’t lose his leg either! Yay!