The Hunger Games (Need I say More?)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Published October 1st 2008 by Scholastic Inc.

Source: Books 4 Review

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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 Primrose, 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

May contain spoilers!

“They’re already taking my future! They can’t have the things that mattered to me in the past!”

I had read these books last year, but with the movie coming up, I thought I would “refresh” my memory.

I am definitely in love with this trilogy and invested in the characters. The whole storyline is interesting to me and I wander what I would do in Katniss’s situation? Would I have enough guts to step in for my sister? Would I be strong enough to actually survive? probably not! I am not much of a nature girl and I HATE being dirty. Not having a shower alone would make me want to throw myself off a cliff or down the funny berries?!?

My favorite character is of course Katniss. She is very strong and exceptionally smart! I love her skepticism about everything and everyone. It helps her to survive and really think through many situations.

“We could do it, you know.”
“What?”
“Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it.”

Now on to the boys, Peeta & Gale. Hmmm, they both seem pretty swoonworthy to me. You kind of feel bad for Gale and wander the whole time about what he is thinking at home while watching the games unfold. The spark between Katniss and Peeta is undeniable. That would be a great little novella, Gale’s POV while watching the games. As for Peeta, the reader knows that he was not just playing with Katniss and truly has feelings for her. Although, Katniss, being so naive cannot see it for herself. Peeta is your typical sweet boy next door type and I think Katniss is just trying to camouflage her feelings for him.

I can feel Peeta press his forehead into my temple and he asks, ‘So now that you’ve got me, what are you going to do with me?’ I turn into him. ‘Put you somewhere you can’t get hurt.”

The ending leaves the reader on a little cliffhanger getting you ready for Catching Fire. We are left wandering what happens when they get back home?? Many questions linger in your mind about their relationship and the relationship with the others from their district.
I am soo excited for the movie to come out and hope they stick as much to the book as possible!