Title: Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pub Date: September 2008
Pages:374
Genre: YA, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pub Date: September 2008
Pages:374
Genre: YA, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Kids fight 'til death; it's tradition.
Brief summary - Panem, a land created after the demise of the United States, is divided into twelve districts with one Capitol residing over them all. Each year a lottery system picks a boy and a girl from each district to compete in The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a tradition created after a thirteenth district tried to revolt, a way for the Capitol to remind the people that they have ultimate control. So what are the Hunger Games? Imagine a mix between Survivor and the Gladiators, except the winner doesn't receive just money and prestige, they get to live.
My thoughts? I knew that this book would be brilliant. I mean, how could it not since so many people have read it, raved about it, fought tooth and nail to get to an ARC of the next in the trilogy...you get my point, right? So why did it take me this long to read it even though it's been on my shelf for over six months? Real simple. I'm not a big fan of dystopian, science ficitony books at all. Call it having read one too many of them in the past, I've just felt the originality of it all wore off. Soooo, I figured, sure, Hunger Games is gonna be good, I've got all the time in the world to read it.
Oh. My. God. (again!) Why did I wait this long? I picked this sucker up and read it almost in one sitting. The character development was incredible, the descriptions of the landscape, amazing! Oh and the action? Really. The whole time I was reading it, I couldn't figure out how it was going to end. It was disturbing, horrific, phenomenal, riveting. Emotional messy, heart-wrenching, and at times, highly spirited. This is just the book that I can recommend to my reluctant readers. In fact, I'm almost considering finding a way to fit this in for a read out loud.
Yay, Nay, or Eh? Yayyyyyy!!! Now, I can't believe I have to wait a month and a half to get Catching Fire. How will I survive?!
Yay! I'm so glad you took the plunge and read it! I'm rereading it today (my third read through since my first in April) because I have a book club on it tonight, and rereading those first couple chapters made me cry. Such a good book!
ReplyDeleteFantastic isn't it. I read a library copy, but it is one of the books you just have to own, so I will definitely buy it.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those lucky few that got an ARC of Catching Fire and let me just tell you that it is just as good if not better than The Hunger Games. Trust me, it's worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteChristina, I saw your comment on Vivienne's post and answered you there, but thought I'd come post it here too just incase you didn't see my comment back to you. The 'related posts' thing is from LinkWithin. Go to this website: http://www.linkwithin.com/learn then type in the little bit of info they ask you, and it'll generate code to put on your blog. You use the customize tool to add it below your post posts in the layout, then it'll automatically generate each post. I hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteWell, I liked it, but you liked it more than I did. Everyone liked it more than I did.
ReplyDeletehttp://readywhenyouarecb.blogspot.com/2009/06/hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins.html
I would pass it on to reluctant readers, if you know that they have an interest in this sort of story. My 7th grade students have not embraced it the way they have other series.
I really enjoyed this one, too. I wasn't sure because I'm not big on YA novels, but I do enjoy dystopian fiction. Can't wait for the sequel.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Amanda - I know what you mean. I found the ending realistic but oh so frustrating! Oh and thanks for pointing me back to Vivienne's blog. I was keeping tabs. :)
ReplyDeleteVivienne - I didn't mark up or make any notes in my copy because it's going straight onto my student bookshelf. LOL. But part of me definitely wants a copy to keep in my house.
Chris - LUCKY! :P
CB - I did read your review and you're right I think yours was the least enthused. I'll be interested in seeing how my students like Hunger Games.
Anna - I'm counting down for the sequel that's for sure. :)