The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Main Characters: Katniss, Peeta, Rue, Primrose, Gale

Summary:

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, “The Hunger Games.” The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Katniss’ sister is chosen by lottery, she steps up to go in her place.

Anna’s Thoughts:

When I first heard about The Hunger Games I wanted to read it, but then everyone was reading it, and everyone was liking it, and that scared me. Usually when something is really hyped I tend to pick it apart so much that I can’t enjoy it, so I usually just stay away from it. However when I won Catching Fire on twitter, I took it as a sign that I should probably read this, sooner than later. So I went out and bought it, I read it and it was by far my favourite book of 2009.

There is not one bad thing I could say about The Hunger Games, it’s mostly (a little less if you consider the Gladiatorial Games) completely creative and unique idea that is followed up with one of my favourite leading main characters, with some of the most fantastic writing. What makes The Hunger Games so unique even when taking in the Gladiatorial Games into consideration is the world built around the Games and their “players”. The world building in the Hunger Games is absolutely beyond amazing, other than the fact that where each district is actually located is a bit confusing to me, you can still see them all, and by the end of the book I can almost guarantee you’ll even know each districts main source of income. The technology presented in The Hunger Games was in no way available back when the Gladiatorial Games were around, as well as the ever changing arena’s the “players” are faced with. Suzanne Collins writes with the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat by giving you little by little, while still giving you so much. I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next, what was going to pop out around the corner, and whose face was going to show up in the sky each night.

Also, as mentioned before I think that Katniss is probably by far one of my favourite female protagonists, ever. She has the ability to be stubborn, smart, strong, vibrant, all at once, as well as flawed, which is something that a lot of authors tend to leave out when writing strong willed females. None of us are without our flaws so it makes no sense to read about a character who is flawless, and in that way you end up loving Katniss even more for her flaws. A big debate among the The Hunger Games and Catching Fire fans is Team Peeta/Gale, and while I have forever put myself on Team Gale, it’s hard after reading The Hunger Games to not swear your devotion to Peeta. He is a very kind and gentle person with a strong resolve and a heart of stone, he is the perfect countering character for Katniss, they very much complete each other.

Overall The Hunger Games is an absolute thrilling ride of a completely unique idea, with amazing characters and some of the best writing I’ve had the pleasure of reading.