Publisher: Scholastic
Release date: December 1, 2011 (originally September 14, 2008)
Format: Paperback (boxset edition)
Source: Purchased
Pages: 454
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Winning will make you famous.
Losing means certain death.In a dark vision of the near future, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live TV show called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.
When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister’s place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.
May the odds be ever in your favour.
MY THOUGHTS
I finally read The Hunger Games! Going in to the book, I kinda knew what the book was about without really knowing anything and this was reflected in my reading experience. As I was reading, I felt like I was reading something very familiar, but still feeling completely shocked and surprised by a lot of things in the book. There’s probably not a lot that I can say about this book in my review that hasn’t already been said but here’s my experience with The Hunger Games anyway.
Dystopian novels aren’t really high on my list of preferred genres, which is one reason why I haven’t read or watched anything from The Hunger Games franchise until now. But I ended up enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would. It was thrilling and action-packed and I enjoyed the small bit of brutality that was in the novel. I also enjoyed how the book doesn’t really waste any time and goes straight into the plot from the very first chapter. It’s very fast-paced and I don’t think there was any part of the book that felt draggy. There were a few twists and turns in the book that I really, really liked and they kept me interested in the story. Like who doesn’t love a mutant dog? In addition to the action of the plot, it also has a ‘reality TV’, competition aspect that I think appeals broadly to YA readers.
The characters in the book were also great. I thought they were nicely developed and I got a good sense of who they all were. Katniss is such a fierce and smart character, with some crazy survival skills that I wish I had. She’s quite an aspirational character and I loved almost everything about her. I did, however, think that she was a bit oblivious when it came to the way she perceived herself and others. I think there’s definitely room for development on that front and I’m keen to see how she changes throughout the trilogy. I also really liked a lot of the side characters in the book, especially some of the other tributes. Rue was a beautiful character and I wish we could have seen more of her. And of course, I loved Peeta. He’s definitely my kind of character and I really felt for him at the end of the book. I’m keen to see how this plays out in the next two books.
Overall, The Hunger Games is worth the hype for me. I was definitely skeptical going into the trilogy but it exceeded my expectations and I’m keen to see how the rest of the series plays out, though I do think this novel can stand alone by itself.
I really liked Hunger Games when I first read it, but found myself growing uninterested throughout the second and third book. I didn’t care much for the third, to be honest, and it was such a pity because the trilogy started so strong.
Great review! 🙂
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Oh no! That’s a shame to hear. I haven’t picked up books 2 and 3 yet but I do own them. Hopefully I’ll have a better time with them than you did *fingers crossed*
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Oh wow! I can’t believe it took you so long to pick up the book, but better late than never. 🙂
I wasn’t into dystopia when I first read this book, but it sparked my interest for it. It was definitely twisty for me at the time too. I hope you’ll read the rest of the books and also watch the movies, because they are amazing!
Lovely review, Jenna.
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Haha yes, I have no idea what I’ve been doing with my life. *whispers* I haven’t read Divergent either.
I’m definitely intending to read the rest of the trilogy and watch the movies too. I just have no idea when it’s actually going to happen. Hopefully I’ll get to them soon because I really did enjoy THG.
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I liked the first book, but the last book I hated. I feel like she rushed the ending too much in the last book.
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Yikes. A couple of people have said that about Mockingjay so I’m now really scared. But I’ve read lots of mediocre series finales so I guess it wouldn’t be anything new if it happened with this trilogy 😀
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I had no idea you hadn’t read this series. Talk about a shocker haha. Peeta remains to be my favourite character in this series. I think the topic of strength is highlighted throughout the series and Peeta is a perfect example of how a man can utilize his emotional and mental strengths over his physical ones. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. 😀
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Yes, I’m a bit late to the party. I’m always getting spoiled or have to cover my ears. But I’m going to make an effort to finish the rest of the trilogy before the year is over and watch the movies too. Peeta is such a wonderful character so far. I can see why everyone loves him 😀
Fun fact: I thought his name was Peter this whole time.
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Haha I’m glad you finally go to the Hunger Games! I am not surprised at all that they felt familiar to you, especially with all the movies coming out and the trailers playing, and it’s hard to NOT guess at what the plot is haha.
I hope you like the rest of the series!
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Haha yeah. I am happy that there were bits that still managed to surprise me though. I think another reason why it felt so familiar was because I read Red Rising a few months ago and that book is really similar to THG.
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I’m liked this series when I first read it, I’ve been planning on re-reading it for ages but I haven’t gotten around to it. I should. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series because, in my opinion, they get better as the series progresses.
– Yasmin
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That’s good to hear! I’ve heard some people say that the books get worse as the series progresses so I’m happy to hear that not everyone feels that way!
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I mean, I never finished. I hope you enjoy it though
– Yasmin
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what am I talking about? I finished the series! gosh. It gets better as the series progresses
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YAY, I’m glad you enjoyed it!! (And I mean this, truly.)
I’m one of the black sheep and I’m not a big fan of THG. I disliked it with a burning passion back in the days (not sure why??) but now I’ve settled for a more mellow opinion. I like the themes that Collins writes about and I like how it has encouraged people of all ages to think about the themes and its implications on our own society.
Have you seen the movies yet, Jenna?
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HAHAHA. I actually think I would have hated it too if I had read it when I was younger. I think I just see it more as entertainment now. And nope, I haven’t seen the movies either. This is a completely new experience for me 😀
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I have to admit, the movie adaptation for Catching Fire is good. I can’t vouch for the last two though. D:
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Everyone seems to love the Catching Fire movie. That’s probably my main motivation for even reading the series – so that I can watch Catching Fire HAHA
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LOL it’s true, it’s a good movie!!! And it has my favourite character in the whole series (Johanna) so!! ❤
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Great review. I too loved this book, it’s a great start to the series and Rue is such a great character, it’s a shame that she is in so little of the book. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series.
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Rue still makes me teary when I think about her. She was such a wonderful character and I would’ve loved to have seen her a little bit more. But I guess it was inevitable.
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This is probably my favorite book of all time (yep…I just went there) so I am so glad you finally read it Jenna! (Better late then never, right?) I completely agree with everything you’ve said here. Katniss is a fabulous heroine, and the supporting characters – especially all of the other tributes – were all so well developed. (I’m sticking to my theory that Foxface should have won the Games. Pfft.) Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did! Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ❤
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I did not know that about you at all!!! But I’m also not surprised since so many people consider this to be their favourite book of all time. And I think I agree with you that Foxface should’ve won. She was so cunning and smart and I can’t believe that she died the way she did!
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I’ve watched the movie but yet to read this book gahh. Dystopian isn’t really my favorite too, that’s why I am still demotivated, I guess. Haha. Great review!
http://laxsourire.blogspot.my
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I’ve always felt the same way as well. But I’m glad that I finally got around to reading the first book at least. This way I know what people are talking about when they make references to it!
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Glad you enjoyed it, I love the series, the films not so much but the books are brilliant.
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I have yet to watch the films (or even read the other two books) but I’m kind of looking forward to it. Everyone raves about the Catching Fire movie and I’m keen to see why that is. Also, I want to see what their tribute costumes look like in real life (I’m sure I’ll be disappointed though).
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Great review!
When I read The Hunger Games, I already knew almost everything about it (my evil sister spoiled it) but I really loved it!
Have you watched the movie?
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I haven’t watched the movie yet but I will binge watch them all after I read the second and third books!
Haha it’s just too hard not to be spoiled when it’s such a bit franchise.
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