Ich schwanke zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen... Der erste Teil während der Hungerspiele hat mir sehr gut gefallen, das hat mich wirklich gefesselt. Warum mir dann der Rest nicht so gut gefallen hat kann ich gar nicht so genau sagen. Zu viele Zufälle vielleicht? Wobei der Charakter von Coriolanus Snow sehr schön hervorgearbeitet wird. Er ist auch als junger Mann schon echt skrupellos... ( )

My SF book club had this as a selection over a year ago. I did not get a chance to read it then, but when the release date of the movie was nearly upon me, I thought I should read it before the trailers alerted me to any spoilers.

As you may guess, when I tried to get it from the library there were over 130 holds (!!). So I went to my local independent bookstore and bought a copy ($10).

First, for a YA (young adult) book, it is very well written. It does not talk down to the audience or use simplistic or euphemistic terms. The multi-layered plot is engaging for both teens and adults. The characters are well-drawn and clearly and consistently realized.

Second, the protagonist is a strong, skillful female. This was its primary attraction for me. It is still a rarity, sadly, to have a female protagonist adventurer/hero in literature, let alone one in a sci-fi setting.

Third, though we suspect that the protagonist will survive her peril, the story is sufficiently well-written that we are in suspense for most of the book. There are so many dangers and other jeopardy that could befall her and, by extension, her District. Because of the honest portrayal of the daily brutality of life in the Districts, we have no guarantees or expectations of a happy ending.

The story is of a 17-year-old girl, Katniss Everdeen, living in the 12th District in the country of Panem ( North America). As a result of a failed revolution, all the District citizens are living in abject poverty reinforced by policies decreed in The Capital. Life is hard; medicine is primitive; most goods hard to come by and expensive. Each District has a “specialization” and for District 12 it is coal mining. All the worst elements of a coal mining town are commonplace: black lung disease, mining accidents, layers of coal dust on every surface.

As a constant reminder to the citizens of the cost of dissidence, each year there is a Tribute given to the City by each District. The Tribute is a boy and a girl, names drawn at random. These 24 children are taken to the City in order to participate in The Hunger Games.

This is a brutal, violent “game” where the Tributes are pitted against each other in a life-or-death contest. There can be only one winner – to be that winner you must kill all the other players.

The Arena is specifically constructed by the Gamesmasters based on the strengths and weaknesses of the given year’s Tributes. It is televised live and is required viewing by all citizens. The last one standing will receive rewards of food for themselves and their District for a year.

After acquainting us with the daily life of Katniss and the people of District 12, the book quickly moves to the drawing of the Tribute names. The events in the novel are built on this foundation. When Katniss’ 12-year-old sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers herself as a substitute to ensure her sister’s survival. The bulk of the book then deals with what she, as a Tribute, experiences from the moment of selection to the end of the Game itself.

We follow Katniss as she is taken to the governing city of Panem and goes through all the preparations prior to the Game. This is where the book shows its mettle. Through her eyes we see the complex layers of politics and taboos that guide the Game preparations. Things are hinted at, but nothing is explained. People she meets are careful and guarded in their speech – is every room bugged? What is really going on in the background? What agenda is the annual Hunger Games propping up? There are clues and hints, and the reader is drawn in to try piecing together what is really driving events.

The drama of the book builds to a fever pitch as we follow Katniss’ progress in the Games themselves. Questions of morality and ethics are played out, with deadly consequences. Though inherently violent, the violence is not gruesome or gory. It is treated in a matter-of-fact manner, in the context of the traditional hunt.

It is clear at the end that the book was written with a sequel in mind. In fact, it is the first of a trilogy; the other two are Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Figuring out the political meaning for each action by the Gamesmasters will keep adults engaged. The realistic depiction of Katniss’ survival skills and endurance will rivet the YA audience and adults alike. Reading it with one’s teen also gives a great opportunity for parents to discuss the deeper social issues touched on in the book.

Set aside the time to read this in one sitting, if possible. You won’t want to put it down. ( )

This book was essentially just a dystopia/The Most Dangerous Game on a grand scale, but it was fun. It was very contrived and a little sappy (I feel like a hundred other conclusions to the Hunger Games would have been more enjoyable), but it's well worth a read. She's a good writer, and I'll definitely read the next one when it comes out. ( )

I really liked this book. Honestly, I don't remember if I ever read it before; it's true that I've had it on my bookshelf for years and maybe I never got around to reading it. However, now was its time, and I truly enjoyed it. The whole setting in a parallel and dystopian universe, Katniss's backstory, how she sacrifices herself for her sister, and everything she experiences in the games. I do know the story from the movies, but it's been a long time since I watched them, and I don't really remember the whole plot, so it was very entertaining to rediscover it by reading the book. ( )

i read the hunger games when i was in middle school and also really like the movies. this series is very post-apocolyptic and very whimsical. this is also a book that takes your imagination far while you are reading. ( )

This book really does live up to all of the hype. I really did enjoy it and will definitely be reading the other two. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )

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.

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. ( )

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. ( )

(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

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. ( )

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!!! ( )

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 ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )

amazing book ( )

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.
( )

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. ( )

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! ( )

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.

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. ( )

I loved this and had a hard time putting it down. I can't wait to read the other 2 books in the series! ( )

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. ( )