Book Review: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
July 22nd, 2010 by the1stdaughter
The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Published by Scholastic Press
Ages: Young Adult
Publishers Summary for The Hunger Games: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlaying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy 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 is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has also resolved to outwit the creators of the games. To do that she will have to be the last person standing at the end of the deadly ordeal, and that will take every ounce of strength and cunning she has.
Imagine a world where the technology that’s available surpasses what we can only dream about today. A place where the most outrageous parties occur nightly, clothes are made and changed at the drop of a hat with only the finest materials, and people gorge themselves on food only to purge themselves of it by means of a delicious-chemically altered drink so that you can do it all over again. These are only a few of the things that make up The Capitol, a place that thrives on the suffering of others and lives for the sport of killing innocent teenagers on reality television. Unfortunately (or not) for Katniss Everdeen, a resident of District 12, she quickly becomes the poster child and trophy victor in what have come to be called The Hunger Games.
Now, I have to ask…have you possibly never heard of this series? Are you living under a rock? And, if you haven’t read them yet, but know about them, you must tell me why?! When the series was originally mentioned by Stephenie Meyer, quite awhile ago I might add, I honestly didn’t think much of it. It sounded like some horrible version of that reality show here in the US where the children were left in a “ghost town” and asked to work together to survive. It just didn’t appeal. But, I was in a lull at one point, without a great book, and walking through a bookstore when I saw the cover! (Yes, I’m a cover snob, oh well!) I was immediately in love when I held it in my hands and I haven’t looked back since then.
This series is for everyone, from young adult age all the way up to adults. The story of a society finally torn apart and divided into twelve separate districts with only The Capitol to rule over them is compelling without ever adding in the actual Hunger Games. Bring in the struggle to survive versus the gultonous luxury within the walls of The Capitol and you have an uprising in the making. Unfortunately for Katniss, the main character, she’s thrown right into the thick of things as the “star” of The Hunger Games with her fellow district member Peeta. All of which is leading up to something incredible for the remaining book in the series, Mockingjay.
Without going into anymore details and ruining the story for those who have not read it yet, I must say it is easily on my top ten books list. The adventure, the tension between The Capitol and the districts, the romance and especially Katniss’ character make this one of the most enjoyable reads ever. I highly recommend it and would strongly urge anyone, even those not prone to reading much, to pick it up NOW!
And just for those of you wondering:
What can I say, he’s a Baker!
The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 12 and up. This is a series of books not to miss! Especially for fans of dystopian style fiction.
For the Comments: If you’ve read the first two in the series are you planning on attending a Mockingjay release party? At a local bookstore possibly?
The very “secret” cover was released not too long ago. What do you think? Only about a month left to go!
Make sure to take a look at my Got Books? post a little later for some more fun with The Hunger Games!
Posted in Book Reviews, When I Grow Up | 13 Comments »
I love this series, love love love it. I’m glad you enjoyed them (and I’m jealous you have such a short time to wait to read Mockingjay!
I’ll be revisiting them very soon and cannot wait to hear how the story ends!!
Lydia recently posted..Book Blogger Hop – July 23 – 26- 2010
OMG
I love this series. Ive preorded Mockingjay.
BTW, I giggled when you said: “What can I say, he’s a baker.”
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com recently posted..Spells Book Review Mini
I have been waiting for you to review this one. We may disagree on twilight but we are right on track with this one. I LOVE the series! In fact so does Joe my husband who is not a big reader. I have lost him to it the last few weeks.
I havent read the series yet but I have them on my way! I will have the 3rd book as well, can’y wait! I don’t which team I will chose but everyone seems love Peeta!
Darlyn recently posted..mansfield park by jane austen
I am ready for Mockingjay!!
Bluestocking recently posted..Break Their Hearts and Have No Mercy
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YAY! Team Peeta. I knew I liked you.
“have you possibly never heard of this series? Are you living under a rock?” LOL
NotNessie recently posted..Review- Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
Twitter: teddyree
says:
So glad you loved these, they were 2 of my favourite reads of the year in 2009. Cant wait for Mockingjay!
Teddyree recently posted..Its Monday! What Are You Reading
Twitter: bookjourney
says:
Are these books fantastic or what? When I described them to my book club they thought I had hit my head. I told them that based on the book description, I would have never picked these books up. I thought they would be dark and gory and cruel.
So glad I listened to my blogger friends and read them.
Sheila (Bookjourney) recently posted..The Icing On The Cupcake by Jennifer Ross
I love, love, love these books and cannot wait for Mockingjay to come out! Now, I just have to find the time to re-read them again, so it is all fresh when I pick up Mockingjay!
Tif recently posted..Sunday Synopsis- August 1- 2010
That’s so true! I have zero time, but I will not be missing Mockingjay for anything!
I really want to see the movie that’s coming out. I read the first book, and i’m really excited to start the next ones. Thanks for the site. I’m so excited to see how it all ends.
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