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The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, Book 1)…
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The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, Book 1) (edition 2008)

by Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games (1)

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64,060347815 (4.31)2 / 2465
The Hunger Games describes a post apacolyptic, dystopian society named Panem where there is a ruling Capitol and 12 districts. Every year, a boy and a girl, ages 12-18, from each district are chosen to battle to the death, ala Battle Royale, until one is left standing. The narrator, Katniss Everdeen, goes in place for her younger sister.

Honestly, I had the audiobook of this so I felt like I liked it more than I would have. It has a very slow start up to the actual games themselves. I thought, at times, if the games were going to be an actual part of it. But once the games begin, it is very exciting, complelling, bloody, gory, and heartbreaking.

Sometimes Katniss got annoying. As smart as she was, she was so daft! Peeta could do better. I like the whole fake/real love story aspect of it. I am not a fan of love stories so sprinklings of it would suffice.

Anyway, I did enjoy this book and I can't wait to listen to the next one. ( )
  Y2Ash | Apr 16, 2014 |
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This book really does live up to all of the hype. I really did enjoy it and will definitely be reading the other two. ( )
  thatnerd | Mar 2, 2024 |
Although I liked this book and would recommend it, I had to actively NOT think of the Uglies by Westerfield series while reading. A solid fantasy entry, nonetheless. ( )
  jazzbird61 | Feb 29, 2024 |
This YA series makes some of the others (like Divergent and Maze Runner) look like they were written by children. It doesn't feel amateurishly planned and written, and it has a sense of maturity that most other YA novels don't have. The story feels... tangible. The themes are realistic, and the characters are complex. Suzanne Collins makes the reader truly understand them and what they stand for. They aren't just plot devices meant to propagate the story. They feel like living, breathing people trying to survive in a horrible world.

The plot itself is amazing. It's a very simply concept (having a bunch of teenagers fight to the death in an arena for the whole world to watch), yet Suzanne Collins makes it seem like it could genuinely happen in our world. The political themes of control and class discrepancy make the story all the more believable. In addition, not everything is about surviving until the next day (unlike the Maze Runner franchise). Katniss Everdeen's never-ending concerns about her loved ones' safety and about standing up to the Capitol contribute to making her story one hell of a read. Even after the tributes are dead, the Games aren't. Katniss has to continue to playing the Capitol in order to ensure nothing happens to the people she loves. The "political thriller" aspect of this franchise made it SO MUCH better than if it were an simply an action novel about a fight to the death in a massive arena.

The Games themselves are extremely well-paced and entertaining. Famine, thirst, violence, and even fireballs of death all contribute to making this a brutal survival story. Danger is at every corner, making the suspense of the reader shoot through the roof. I dare anyone to read this story for the first time and not get nervous at what's going to happen next.

I do still have a few problems with this book, though. While the section of the book involving the Games themselves is well-paced, the sections before and after do drag sometimes. There is a lot of preparation before the Games begin, including a ton of food, fashion, and interviews, and I do wish Suzanne Collins paced these sections a little better. Obviously, it isn't all useless as there are lots of games to be played in order to gain sponsors and keep the Capitol pacified, but it still feels quite slow at times. Also, the book is quite monotonous in terms of its writing style the whole way through. It honestly seems like the narrator is bored telling it at times, but I'm not too pressed about it; it doesn't mean the story itself is boring. ( )
  Moderation3250 | Feb 24, 2024 |
One of my favorite reads of all time, I think this book is a fantastic read for middle school students as its a more difficult then most popular books for elementary school students. One thing to keep in mind when reading this book is the amount of graphic intensiveness that comes with it compared to other popular reads.
  Cbonham21 | Feb 9, 2024 |
I really appreciate how the themes of propaganda and oppression are discussed through this book.

Katniss never loses sight of the actual culprit of the Hunger games, the capitol. She's emotionally stunned and traumatized but she does her best with what she has.

Peeta is too good for this world. ( )
  omseijas | Feb 3, 2024 |
My expectations for this book were pretty low. I had never heard of Hunger Games, nor had I heard of Suzanne Collins. It was well-written, however, and I think a great read for Young Adults, though not for younger children. I don't know that I would recommend it be made available for those 13-15, but older teenagers will find it exciting.

It is much like Running Man, but only conceptually. Collins puts her own twist on it, and it's only the first book in the trilogy. I had fun reading it, and while it was quite bloody and violent in some areas, I don't believe it was over the top. I highly recommend this book, if only for the scare factor--Think of The Lottery, Stephen King's The Long Walk, and Big Brother/post-Apocalyptic stories put together. ( )
  BrandyWinn | Feb 2, 2024 |
(2008)This is the worst book I've read in a long time. A complete waste of time. I am still trying to figure out what the point was. No moral compass, no reason for the games to exist, the so-called love interest wasn't interesting. A good basic idea for a book squandered, instead it is really only a computer game on paper. Thank goodness it only took me 4 days to read. This book is aimed at teenagers but due to its graphic nature and complete disregard for humanity, only adults should read this book, but few would if they knew what was in store for them.School Library JournalGrade 7 Up -In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds
  derailer | Jan 25, 2024 |
Loved it! Read it in one day at the beach and then immediately downloaded Catching Fire on my kindle. Great story -- don't bother reading the next two books in the triology. Just stop here before you start to hate Katniss, Peeta and the whole gang. ( )
  hmonkeyreads | Jan 25, 2024 |
The Hunger Games Review

My favourite book series of all time, it never gets old and I just love the sense of adventure. A definite 5/5 star for me!!! ( )
  AA1706 | Jan 23, 2024 |
Highly likely I will re-read this someday, which will push it into the 5-star category. I understand why this has been such a big hit. I also understand why this comic has relevance:
http://www.reallifecomics.com/archive/120308.html ( )
  Treebeard_404 | Jan 23, 2024 |
This book has left me exhausted due in part to having stayed up two nights in a row reading until wee hours and then getting up with my toddler at 6:30. In greater part however, this book is such an emotional roller coaster, leaving me with great affection for the character, but feeling a little abused about the awful circumstances she was put through. Not to mention the moral conflict of reading a book critical of the games that it portrays in detail. Although this all sounds critical, i did love it. The writing was solid and the characters endearing. ( )
  mslibrarynerd | Jan 13, 2024 |
Truly an incredible book and I am eager to finish the trilogy. The best part is the first half, before the games begin. The whole thing is an emotional and fantastic commentary on society, especially reality television and the roles that people assume, explicitly or not. ( )
  MXMLLN | Jan 12, 2024 |
amazing book ( )
  rmr24 | Jan 8, 2024 |
Something I should have read a long time ago!
I am so behind on this series that it is rather sad. So, before you judge me, I did watch the movies. Yes, I am talking about the Hunger Games. I have to thank my kindle unlimited subscription. I needed something to read I couldn’t sleep and figured I would give it a chance. After the long delay I actually did enjoy it. My thoughts are much more positive then I thought they would be. I liked the movies but I didn’t run to see them like most the world. Sorry!!! Due to the popularity, I knew how it began. It seems that so many books are going to the theme of a nation divided into districts and this book does as well.
Underneath all the fighting for survival is a boy in love with a girl and a girl who is desperate to return home. Willing to do anything, she goes along with the idea of them being in love, hoping that in the end, it will mean both will end up back in their district.
The imagery invoked a lot of breathtaking pictures. The characters had enough background that I found myself loving, hating, being indifferent, or hoping that nothing bad befell them. The emotions were sharp and cut deep in many cases; the fact that the nation forced children to fight to live as punishment for a long-ago war, I found horrid. Yet, in some cases, I have to admit that I was glad when some were taken out.
There are a lot of twists and turns that occur. Some you see coming, some you are told are coming even if what will happen isn't known and still others that come from seemingly nowhere. How each character reacts helps define their personality and chance of survival. This is a book with very few places were things become dull. I though seeing the movies would make this less enjoyable for me but not at all. The imagery is beautiful and makes me want to continue to see how the words of the next book compare with the movie. Overall, four star read for me.
( )
  b00kdarling87 | Jan 7, 2024 |
2nd Review: rereading this as an adult was a great experience. Collin's masterful creation of this dystopian world is fantastic. There are so many subtle elements I missed the first time, and as an adult reader my opinions about different aspects have shifted. Well worth the reread. ( )
  mlstweet | Jan 7, 2024 |
SO GOOD. I took off a star, though, because I felt conflicted about enjoying the Hunger Games, when the whole point of the book is that it's sick for people to enjoy the Hunger Games. Right?

Still, I couldn't put this down. Collins has a gift for keeping the story moving without sacrificing character or setting or humor. I loved [b:Gregor the Overlander|262430|Gregor the Overlander (The Underland Chronicles Book One)|Suzanne Collins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173234171s/262430.jpg|524491] for that, and this book has the same appeal.

But The Hunger Games does not describe a fantasy world like Gregor did. Instead, Collins takes real modern entertainment (like reality television and violent video games) and ratchets up the stakes in a post-apocalyptic America where the government uses fear to control its subjects.

So, yes, this book is violent and a little disturbing, but it's also a great love story that made me cry.

I can't believe the second in the series doesn't come out until September 2009. I can't wait! ( )
  LibrarianDest | Jan 3, 2024 |
Na abertura dos Jogos Vorazes, a organização não recolhe os corpos dos combatentes caídos e dá tiros de canhão até o final. Cada tiro, um morto. Onze tiros no primeiro dia. Treze jovens restaram, entre eles, Katniss. Para quem os tiros de canhão serão no dia seguinte?... Após o fim da América do Norte, uma nova nação chamada Panem surge. Formada por doze distritos, é comandada com mão de ferro pela Capital. Uma das formas com que demonstra seu poder sobre o resto do carente país é com Jogos Vorazes, uma competição anual transmitida ao vivo pela televisão, em que um garoto e uma garota de doze a dezoito anos de cada distrito são selecionados e obrigados a lutar até a morte! Para evitar que sua irmã seja a mais nova vítima do programa, Katniss se oferece para participar em seu lugar. Vinda do empobrecido Distrito 12, ela sabe como sobreviver em um ambiente hostil. Peeta, um garoto que ajudou sua família no passado, também foi selecionado. Caso vença, terá fama e fortuna. Se perder, morre. Mas para ganhar a competição, será preciso muito mais do que habilidade. Até onde Katniss estará disposta a ir para ser vitoriosa nos Jogos Vorazes? Best-seller da Veja, a trilogia Jogos Vorazes foi adaptada para o cinema e estrelada por Jennifer Lawrence.
  EdilsonLopesSilva | Jan 3, 2024 |
Well, I can sort of see what all the fuss is about. This is an incredibly fast read with a compelling story. It has a nice heroine who is competent and brave. And even though it has some romance, for once, it is the guy who couldn't help falling in love.

I just feel that the author took the easy way out a lot of the time. Katniss never has to make any really hard decisions. The only people she ever has to kill are bad guys, and the good guys conveniently get killed by others. I think the book would have been better with a bit more soul-searching and depth. But well, it's young adult, and it reads like a train, so I can see why she gets away with it. ( )
  zjakkelien | Jan 2, 2024 |
I loved this and had a hard time putting it down. I can't wait to read the other 2 books in the series! ( )
  DKnight0918 | Dec 23, 2023 |
I wasn't expecting much when I ordered this book from the Amazon Lending Library, but I found the story to be more engaging than I'd expected. The book is clearly written for young adults, but it was pretty easy to look past that. While the prose could be awkward and the story superficial, I still found the main characters sympathetic and engaging. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read from the lending l library, I'd recommend this book. ( )
  cmayes | Dec 21, 2023 |
The story's kind of a cross between of Battle Royale and Scott Westerfeld's Uglies/Pretties/Specials. Also shares flavor with Ender's Game and the Maximum Ride series. Collins knows how to weave a compelling yarn. Couldn't put it down until I finished it. (I was secretly hoping Katness would figure out a way to opt out of the game, not just win it, but alas.) ( )
  mimo | Dec 18, 2023 |
Read the whole thing in less than 48 hours. Very suspenseful and well written.

I love that yet another Young Adults literary series has been catching the attention of grown-ups, and that a series can be equally appealing to teens as well as their parents. ( )
  Colleen.Greene | Dec 17, 2023 |
First of all, on the scale of emotion resonance I should give it a 6 at least, but I can't really do that for book which gives my moral and ethic code a very cold chill. I'm afraid of what this book REALLY implies - and it is not something simple like blood bath description, been an anime fan for a very long time I'm used to almost any twisted use of fiction based on reality. It's all about how this book fares in this world, in real world. It's about who reads it and who finds it entertaining. It's about who don't thinks that in essence this book depicts US watching Hunger Games and cheering. ( )
  WorkLastDay | Dec 17, 2023 |
Re-read this today for my Banned Bookclub. Still think it's a great book and great series with a lot that you can discuss about it. Still felt like I was slugging through the beginning until the games started, but it was a necessary part of the world building and character developments. Overall, definitely one that should be read and discussed with others.

WARNING: May have some SPOILERS in the 2nd half. 5 out of 5 stars. I saw the first 2 hunger games movie before I read the books, that being said I will never make that mistake again. The book was really great but I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have if I had read it before seeing the movie. I knew everything that was going to happen because I'd already seen the movie. Now I like the fact that the movie stuck so closely to the book, I wish more movies were like that. After reading this book I realize that this is probably the BEST book to movie adaptation I've seen in a long time. It took me a while to finally start this series and a friend of mine told me about it when it first came out and how great it was and I picked up the book and couple of times and read the first couple of pages but it didn't grab me so I put it down and never continued. Then I saw the movie and it got me a lot more interested in the book. The first part does take a while to get through, it doesn't really get interesting until they enter the arena but once they're in the games, man does it pick up quick. There's a lot of action and excitement going on. Though I wish I would have read this before seeing the movie, it's still a really great book.

**SPOILERS (maybe....if you haven't at least seen the movie)**

I loved that it was from Katniss point of view and we get to see what she's thinking and feeling. In the movie, I understood Kat's behavior and the motivation behind it but it seemed like everything she did was to gain favor with the audience to survive, which I get. But in the book, since we're able to have insight into her thoughts and emotions we can see that her feelings for Peeta are real (even if she doesn't quite understand them herself). She does care a lot about Peeta and her actions go beyond just trying to gain sympathy to survive.

I really don't like love triangles and I didn't see the need for a love triangle in this series. I really wish there wasn't one, and though I like Peeta, I definitely prefer Gale. I also think it would have been a bit more interesting if it were Gale's name that was drawn in the reaping. It would have been interesting to see what Katniss would have done about that. Would she ally with Gale at the beginning? Would she stay on her own hoping someone else kills him so she doesn't have to? Would Katniss or Gale turn on the other person before the end of the games? If it came down to just her and Gale, what would they do? Would they have thought up the idea to play "star crossed lovers" themselves? Having Katniss in the games with her best friend would have brought such an interesting dynamic to the games and their relationship and I wished that the book had gone that route instead of the love triangle that seems to plague every YA book. ( )
  VanessaMarieBooks | Dec 10, 2023 |
4.5 stars - Read with Gregory & Savannah. They didn't like the kissing. lol. Savannah gave it a 4.5 stars, and Gregory gave it a 4.8 stars. ( )
  filemanager | Nov 29, 2023 |
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