Title: The Hunger GamesAuthor: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA
Pages: Hardback, 374
Published: 2008
Opening Lines: "When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress."
"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 life 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 death 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."~Jacket copy
Thoughts: Simply put, wow. I had an idea what this book was when I picked it up. A friend of mine suggested it to me, and I admit to being extremely curious about it. But, wow, knowing doesn't really prepare you for the book. I have a lot of thoughts about this book, but I'm honestly not sure if I could express them.
The story was amazing and the plot was very well played. While I felt that Collins didn't hold back, it was easy to believe that the audience was following a 16 year-old girl. I enjoyed the narrative style she used and the POV. Using the first person present tense really put the reader into Katniss' head, as well as placing them in the thick of the action. Because of this, Katniss' internal struggle with the Games and her feelings towards Peeta felt like my own.
It was hard to read about children being put in this God-awful situations and forced to become little more than animals for entertainment. Granted, I understand some of the motivation behind the Capitol's power play, but that doesn't make it any better or any easier. The horror of this misuse of children is then increased by adding all of the Gamekeepers' actions to increase viewership and sponsor interest. It really makes you take a closer look at our capitalistic society.
The end of the book was no less then heart rending! Once the Games have finally ended, you hope for some small sliver of hope, but you are denied it. Once I finished it, I quickly put the next book on hold at the library! Sadly, it is checked out
This book definitely goes on my list of "The Best Books of All Time."Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Pages: 6943
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 14/24
Current Progress:
21/50 books
Welcome to the 50 Books in 2011 Challenge! Every year, I try to read at least 50 books. It keeps me reading and helps me keep track of what I've read. This year I thought I would extend the challenge to anyone willing to take it on!
To sign up you MUST make a post on your blog about participating in the challenge -- you then use the URL of the post to sign up to the challenge by adding it to Mr. Linky below.
You must add the button to your sidebar -- make sure that it links back to this post so others can join the challenge if they wish. Easiest way to do this is to copy and paste the code displayed!
Challenge Details
• Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011
• Rules: To read FIFTY (50) novels in 2011 (50 is the minimum, but you can read more if you wish!)
• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join anytime.
I loved The Hunger Games! It was absolutely amazing. And even though it was a quick read and I felt like you just sped right through it, it wasn't a BAD quick. It was one of those thrilling roller coaster rides you don't want to get off of.
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