The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) in Edgy YA

Aug 08, 2008 Karin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: youngadult, 2008-reads, favorites, 2011-reads, reread

In the nation of Panem, formerly known as North America, the Capitol rules the twelve outlying districts harshly. Because of a past uprising, the Capitol requires each district 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 broadcasted on live TV.

When Katniss hears her twelve-year-old sister’s name called to serve for their district in the Games, she doesn’t hesitate to volunteer herself to go in her place. Ka ...more

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Dec 05, 2010 Terri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, apocalyptic-dystopian-fiction

After North America was almost destroyed, the nation of Paem emerges. There are 12 districts which they keep under a tight rein by staging The Hunger Games each year. Where two "tributes" from each district fight to the death in an arena. This has become great entertainment. This year, Kaitliss' sister is chosen as tribute so she steps in to take Prim's place.

I really enjoyed this book. Her fight for survival drew me in and I kept turning pages, reading this in one day.

I enjoy Ms. Collins Overl ...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As I was saying above, that when the series was first released in 2008, I tried to read it and was unsuccessful, something in it just didn't click with me but this time around and I don't know if it's because I'm in a different frame of mind or the fact that I'm in a state of reading more and more dystopian novels but I loved it and this time round fell more in love with Peeta as when I first read it , I was a close shave between Peeta and Gale.
The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian world, that ...more

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Apr 22, 2011 Arthur rated it it was amazing

The most intense novel I've read in years. ...more

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Sep 29, 2008 Mark rated it it was amazing

Shelves: re-read, young-adult-literature, relationships, engl-492-spring-2011, dystopia, death-and-dying, survival, engl-492-spring-2012, engl-492-spring-2013

Still keep assigning this novel for classes, still keep loving the re-reads. With the movie now just days away, I do want to go back to books 2 and 3, as well (like, for real this time - not like when I obviously stated it last spring, and didn't follow up).

"'Katniss, it's just hunting. You're the best hunter I know,' says Gale.

'It's not just hunting. They're armed. They think,' I say.

'So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice,' he says. 'You know how to kill.'

'Not people,' I say.

'H Still keep assigning this novel for classes, still keep loving the re-reads. With the movie now just days away, I do want to go back to books 2 and 3, as well (like, for real this time - not like when I obviously stated it last spring, and didn't follow up).

"'Katniss, it's just hunting. You're the best hunter I know,' says Gale.

'It's not just hunting. They're armed. They think,' I say.

'So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice,' he says. 'You know how to kill.'

'Not people,' I say.

'How different can it be, really?' says Gale grimly.

The awful thing is that if I can forget they're people, it will be no different at all."

I loved re-reading this book for class, and now will probably go back to books 2 and 3, as well. Having watched all of the hype for the final book last spring/summer, and all the preparations and debates over next year's movie, it was nice to remember how the trilogy began. This remains my favorite book of the series, maybe simply because by the second book, I had become somewhat used to the superb pacing, and gory action sequences that set the first book apart so well. Since first reading this in 2008, I've seen a number of unit/lesson plans arise from this book, as well as pairings between it and other titles like 1984, Brave New World, The Giver, and others. The tie-in possibilities to other curricular areas are limitless, and I hope teachers keep exploring how this novel can be used to teach so many elements to students.

Old review:

Wow, what a fantastic, imaginative novel! I've enjoyed Suzanne Collins' books for younger readers, but with this one, she takes a step toward older readers as well. The content of this book would definitely, in my opinion, be aimed more at high school readers. I'm thrilled that she's planning to make this a new trilogy, and I already am impatient for Book #2. This book moves fast, has engaging characters who you can't help but pull for, and makes such insightful commentary about the difference between economic and social classes. Collins has created a vivid futuristic world, where she can point out many of the flaws that plague our current society. But on a strictly entertainment level, this book also succeeds wildly. A tremendous book, and it was one that I could not put down. Highly, highly recommended! ...more

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Sep 25, 2011 A.R. McKenna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult

It's rare that a book stirs my emotions so violently. There will be a certain scene in the novel where I am fighting back tears as I struggle to not feel like a little girl, overwhelmed by the fictional characters and the situation he/she is in. But emotions aren't bad; quite the opposite, they make life meaningful. And there's nothing wrong with having the sensibilities and imagination of a child, either.

So I finally got around to reading this much appraised and talked about novel. I had high e It's rare that a book stirs my emotions so violently. There will be a certain scene in the novel where I am fighting back tears as I struggle to not feel like a little girl, overwhelmed by the fictional characters and the situation he/she is in. But emotions aren't bad; quite the opposite, they make life meaningful. And there's nothing wrong with having the sensibilities and imagination of a child, either.

So I finally got around to reading this much appraised and talked about novel. I had high expectations, I cannot lie. Part of me was ready to say, oh this isn't that good. What's all the fuss about? Yet again, I was happily mistaken. There have been many books that I start to read with excitement and when I finally end it I feel like I've been deceived. This was far from the truth with The Hunger Games.There are few books that devour my attention from page one. This one did just that and surprised me until the very last page.

There have been so many people who have made glowing reviews about this novel, and I cannot blame them. It is unlike anything I have ever read before. Of course this idea is not original, but in the fiction world as with anything else, is anything 'original' anymore? It is the way authors weave the story that counts. Suzanne Collins has written a breathtaking world that, in many ways, resembles the current state of our world today. The philosophical aspect of this novel really struck me, and even shocked me since it is considered a Young Adult book.

And yet, I am finding it difficult to articulate why I admire this novel so much. There is something about it that is strong and dazzling but frightening and visceral at the same time. I cannot look away yet at times I want to divert my gaze from the callous world that Katniss must survive in. At times I wanted to shout out to the Capitol, f*ck you! Who gives you the right to act as God?! This is what a great novel does to its readers. It forces some sort of reaction out of them, whether happy or sad, disgusted or attracted.

*Warning: spoiler alert*

The part in the novel that really tore me up was when Rue died. I kind of saw it coming I guess, but it was just so infuriating to me. She was so young, she was just starting her life. Of course all of the tributes were young, but the fact that she reminded Katniss of Primrose made it even worse. Even though Rue was in her life for a very brief period, it turned the tables for Katniss. Perhaps one can say that without Rue's help, Katniss wouldn't have won. Then again, maybe she would have. That's another aspect I admired about this novel, that it left me with gnawing questions that provoked my curiosity and left me eagerly waiting for my turn to read Catching Fire from the library. I only hope that I don't have to wait too much longer.

The Hunger Games is dazzling, amazing and simply brilliant. Suzanne Collins is amazing and I am so happy that she was brave enough to write this unique story. She is a breath of fresh air in the YA genre. It is also a fresh air to fiction in general. Katniss is a role model for girls and women everywhere, and we always need more positive role models for the female gender. We are always bombarded with images of men as heroes, but what about women? This novel smartly shows that yes, women and girls can be smart and strong, both mentally and physically. ...more

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Nov 10, 2010 Teresa Jusino rated it really liked it

Shelves: readandreviewed

It’s the first book in the latest Young Adult trilogy that’s sweeping the nation. There’s already a film in the works, and when the last book in the series, Mockingjay, came out a few months ago, the internet burst with excitement. That excitement was the first I’d ever heard of this series, and after several friends insisted, I decided to give the first book a whirl. This is quite possibly the first time I’ve ever thought that the hype should have been more. The Hunger Games is an intelligent, ...more

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Nov 14, 2008 Claire rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: a-7th-and-8th-grade-middle-school-t, high-school-and-beyond, adults-reading-ya-lit

This is a provocative book. Many of my friends have commented on the violence. There is a lot of physical violence but the real violence is played out each and every day in the brutal governmental enforcement of grinding poverty on all regions of the land except the Capitol (bow your head, murmur gratefully- you may be watched!). The callous punishment by the leaders in a land of 'haves'- in the Capitol and 'give everything you haves' from the outlying districts. Ostensibly the appalling tribute ...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Courtney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, own

More reviews at Rondo of a Possible World: YA Book Reviews

I can say that I absolutely adored The Hunger Games , every single moment, every single word. I was lingering on every move that Katniss made.

When I fist heard about The Hunger Games I had already finished Battle Royale and was indeed hooked on that book. I was weary of reading this book for I would have seen it as a copy of Battle Royale but after giving it a chance, it most certainly is not a copy but a wonder in its own way.

I love d ...more

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Sep 08, 2011 Berenice rated it it was amazing

We hear and have seen that the people are stronger then their government, that together we could all over throw a corrupted government, but what happens when the government wins? This has been Panem's predicament for the past 74 years where they have been forced to relive the consequences of their acts by being force by the Capitol to play in what is known as the hunger games.
Where the twelve district's that are left of Panem must offer a tribute, a boy and a girl from the ages of 12 to 18 who w ...more

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Jun 24, 2009 Hurricane_ReD rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own_fiction, feel-obligated-to-read, for-college, for-penelope

I really WANTED to love this book...but I couldn't. To be honest, if this is really supposed to be a 'fight to the death', I almost felt like it was too easy. I didn't understand the purpose of Effie Trinket and/or why her eccentricities were even mentioned...she didn't seem very necessary to the story - nor did Mrs. Everdeen, Kat and Prim's mother. It felt like the author wanted to create a world without parents, but didn't quite know how. I will definitely end with this one - I don't see the n ...more

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Sep 24, 2011 Fiona rated it really liked it

Really good start and excellent world building

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Jun 22, 2011 Andrew rated it it was ok

I didn't like it. It was just too depressing for me and it seemed anti-climactic. ...more

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Nov 26, 2008 Anne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: discussiongroup, teen, buy-for-school, guy

I loved this book and it has been a huge hit with the teens at my school. We have some great impromptu discussions when someone returns it and it always results in someone else checking out the book.

Katniss was a very likable character and the whole reality show idea is great. Like most of the people I have talked to, I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. I am dying to see what happens and who Katniss ends up with.

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Mar 27, 2009 Matthew rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult

This book does for me what I love best about sci-fi. It takes a basic premise and shows how it shapes the world at large and the life of a particular character. Beautifully written, this isn't just a good YA book or a good sci-fi book, it's a darn good novel. ...more

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Jan 11, 2009 Fiona rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, new-authors-you-may-not-of-heard-of, adored-and-re-read, ya-books

I loved this book... I fairly raced through it...

Not written in teen angst... but just well written.. and very very clever.

I am gagging for the next one..

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May 13, 2009 Courtney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: teen-fiction, series, sci-fi-speculative

this book seriously rocks. take the basic premise of "the lottery" by shirley jackson and add a lot of seriously messed up government stuff in a post-collapse america. 24 kids fighting to the death on national tv? whoa. and then there's so much else going on....you should just read it. ...more

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