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.
It feels like I’m the last person to read The Hunger Games – everyone else having read it eons ago. It’s not that it hasn’t sounded appealing, it just always happened that other books fell into my hands before I could get to it. I’ve literally had it on my nook for a couple years now, waiting for me. I finally got to it and I’m still trying to piece together my thoughts.
First off, I was “naughty” in that I watched the movie before I read the book. Totally out of the norm for me! So I pretty much knew what to expect from the book before I read it. I was just keen on reading The Hunger Games to glean a few more details that I was sure the movie must have missed (as they always do.) I’m going to try my best to make sure this doesn’t turn into a book vs movie comparison.
I really liked Katniss. I have a penchant for loving strong female main characters – and she is definitely kick ass. I also liked she had her soft side towards her sister, and trying to take care of others. Also a complex relationship with her mother, which I understood better after I read the book.
Peeta. Oh, Peeta. He’s such a sweetheart and selfless, yet he has that same fire in him that Katniss does, it’s just not shown the same way. I’m agonizing for Peeta about how he feels for Katniss; I’m really curious how everything will turn out for them in the end.
I found the Capitol so intriguing. Their different customs, interesting way of dressing and odd ways of talking. Yet entirely believable as how a ruling class could end up in the future. I really loved that Collins didn’t make everyone in the Capitol some evil person. Just like in the Districts there are all sorts of people. We are who we choose to be to some extent, regardless of where we live and what we’re given, although those things can play a part – they don’t have to determine if we’re going to do good or bad. Effie and Cinna are great examples, they aren’t evil at all, just a little high brow because of where they’ve lived.
Cinna is one of my favorite supporting characters of the entire book. He totally has District 12′s interests at heart and does his very best at whatever he’s doing. He’s also very friendly towards Katniss, which I was glad she had somewhat of a friend in the Capitol besides Peeta.
All in all, I’m very glad I read the book. I don’t think it’s my favorite dystopian novel, but it definitely had me riveted and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen – even though I pretty much knew from the movie. I loved the myriad of characters and I had to move on to Catching Fire as soon as I finished The Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games
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I so need to reread this series-that’s one of my 2013 reading goals since I first read them back in 2010. I’m excited to compare the story to the movie since I really enjoyed watching it.
I’m still needing to read Mockingjay – I’ve planned to buddy read it with two of my friends. I’m hoping the trilogy ends well! I hope you get to complete your goal and re-read them, I don’t take enough time to re-read favorites and I’m trying to make sure I do more of that this year as well.
No, you’re not the last person to read The Hunger Games. I haven’t read it yet or seen the movie and would like to get to the book. I did buy this book for my son a couple of years ago and I have meant to read it as well, but haven’t got to it yet. It does sound like a good story – something different.
I’m so glad I’m not the last person to read The Hunger Games! I know I often feel like I’m the last person to read a trendy book OR see the movie. I was surprised I got to the movie before the book this time, since that rarely happens – and rarely do I let myself watch it before reading. It’s definitely different and the characters are worth reading it for if nothing else. It really captures your attention though and even having watched the movie, I was on the edge of my seat with suspense – so that says a lot! Hope you’re able to get to them sometime this year
It’s always good to get the details you miss from the movie. I felt the same about the HP movies. I had been refusing to read the books but just kept feeling I was missing some major info and finally broke down and read the books a couple years ago. BEST DECISION EVER! The books are even more amazing.
Since you knew the gist a little magic was probably taken away from it but at least you still enjoyed the book, and Catching Fire is just as mesmerizing.
Oh definitely, the HP movies are excellent for what they are, but those books – nothing can compare no matter how good it is! I loved how much more humor was in the books than in the movie, all the pranks the twins played, there just wasn’t enough time to highlight all that in the films.
Glad you decided to read them after seeing the movies!
Yeah, some of the magic was taken away, but I agree it was still an awesome book worth reading. Catching Fire was even harder to put down – since of course it was a total mystery to me
I also watched the movie before I read the book (and I’m almost ashamed that I like the movie more, because of the fast-pace :p) Catching fire is my favorite book from the series, so happy reading (if you haven’t finished that one too already) I can’t wait to hear what you think about it
It was weird, I did like both the book and movie for completely separate reasons. I agree I think the movie almost had a faster pace, while the book I appreciated the details (which is the only reason I read it in the first place before moving on to Catching Fire :X ) I have read Catching Fire, I hope get my thoughts together on that review soon
The only one I have left to read is Mockingjay 
I read this series so long ago it’s fun to read a review of them now. It’s like a little mini refresher! Great review! Can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of the series. Especially Mockingjay!
Thanks! I can’t wait until I read Mockingjay too, I’m planning on buddy reading it with two friends, so we’ll see when we can coordinate schedules – I hope SOON.
And I thought I was the last one to read this series! Great review and I loved Cinna too!
haha I’m so glad there are other people who are late to the shelf on reading this too! I felt so alone!
Yes Cinna rocks, he deserves a fan club 