A Review of 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins

“In the ruins of a place once known as North America lied the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keep 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 weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins, author of The New York Times bestselling Underland Chronicles, delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this searing novel set it a future with unsettling parallels to our present.”

I was fortunate enough to receive this book for my sixteenth birthday from my boyfriend. I was so excited!

Suzanne Collins lays out a story set in future North America—a corrupt wasteland with a sick and twisted idea of “fun” for everyone. As I was reading the inner flap of this book for the summary, I began to think when I read, “unsettling parallels to our present.” This made me think about our crumbling economy, the crumbling government… I don’t care whether you are a Republican or a Democrat or what-have-you, that’s completely beside the point.

Moving on…

Katniss was a hard character to get used to. She’s one of those rare main characters that I didn’t really like. She’s so serious, although I know where that comes from—living in a district with serious problems that don’t allow as much spontaneity and silliness as we’re used to.

I really admired Katniss’ mastery of the bow and arrow. So jealous…

Peeta was such a sweetheart. He truly cared about Katniss, which I really liked. It was a stark difference with the rest of the book and it was very welcome. Unexpected parts of his personality came out in the Games, but then that’s not surprising as you keep reading. The Games bring out the worst in everyone.

Another cool thing about The Hunger Games were the descriptions. The elegant clothes that everyone wore for the opening ceremony of the Hunger Games, the sumptuous menus wherever they were… the descriptions really showed you how rationed and lacking the people in districts like Katniss’ were.

Overall, the story was very well-written. The plot twists were surprising and well-executed.

I highly recommend this book, if you haven’t read it already.

Thanks for reading!

--Jude