Friday, January 25, 2013

The Hunger Games Trilogy By Suzanne Collins Book Review

// The Hunger Games Trilogy Book Review //

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins
Book # 1

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Madi's Source: Gift
Number Of Pages: 374
ISBN: 978-0-439-02348-1
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 2008
Madi's Rating: 5 Out Of 5 Stars


Description (Taken From Good Reads):

"Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? 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 live 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 dead 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 will weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

Madi's Review ::
Let me just start off by saying, if you have a thing against violence, stop reading right now, and go watch an episode of "My Little Pony" or something. Now, that being said, this was one of THE best books I've ever read. Hands down. I'm now a total hunger games fanatic. The extreme kind, like you see on Pinterest. This book is hard to explain without sounding like I support murder (which I don't), so I'm just gonna start from the beginning and go from there.

I have been hearing about "The Hunger Games" for months now from all my nerdy and non-nerdy friends. I didn't get the big hullabaloo. But of course, I hadn't read the books (or even seen the movie for that matter. definitely making a trip to Hastings soon). I asked for all three of the books for Christmas, even though I had no stinkin' clue what they were about. I seriously didn't even know the plot until I started reading the back cover a few days after Christmas. And even then I was like "Whaaa? Why would everyone be so pumped about a bunch of people dying?". Okay, that sounds morbid, but it's the truth. So, to make sure that you guys have somewhat of an idea about what the big deal is, I'll explain a little bit about "The Hunger Games".

There are twelve districts where Katniss Everdeen lives, and she lives in district number twelve. There used to be Thirteen, but one was demolished seventy some odd years ago. Every year there are two tributes chosen from each district (A boy and a girl) to compete in the annual hunger games. The Hunger Games, is where the capital puts all the tributes together in an arena and make them fight to the death. The last one standing gets fame and fortune, all the others, well . . . they die. This "Game" can last weeks, sometimes even months.

Can you imagine going from hunting a caring for your family to just trying to not get killed? I mean, 23 people out to kill you, that's some serious stuff. It tells you how Katniss and her fellow district twelve tribute, Peeta, survive attacks. Not just from their fellow tributes, but from the wild, and not to mention the occasional fire storm from the capital.

I'm not sure how to do this book justice, except to tell you that if you find the time to read it, you won't regret it. I couldn't put it down. Once I started it, I was a goner, forever destined to be a Katniss wanna-be.

Just read it.

 Guest Review By Abbie ::
 
 
Okay so the Hunger Games = outstanding series! I read all three books in one weekend. Suzanne Collins did a fantastic job. The personal journey of our beloved Katniss Everdeen is thrilling, passionate, dangerous and touching. The fact that this whole thing began for Katniss because of her love for her sister makes the story all the more enjoyable. Through her journey she makes many friends and many enemies. You look at the world through her eyes, from poor district twelve all the way to the crazy capital, from her best friend Gale to the bakers son Peeta, Katniss' journey will make you laugh and cry as you go through this incredible journey with its ups and downs, danger and romance and, choices of  life and death. Welcome to the world that is the Hunger Games.  And may the odds be ever in your favor.


Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)Catching Fire
By Susanne Collins
Book # 2
Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Madi's Source: Gift
Number Of Pages: 391
ISBN: 978-0-439-02349-8
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 2009
Madi's Rating: 5 Out Of 5 Stars

Description (Taken From Good Reads):

"Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn."


Madi's Review ::
I literally just finished this book less than ten minutes ago. I'm still in shock. Talk about some curve balls! Just when things start to settle down . . . BAM! No rest for the weary. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, because it is the most amazing book, so I'll try not to be too detailed in what happens. I'll just tell you this, you never saw this book coming. I actually read it in less than 24 hours, that's how good it was. Is. I couldn't put it down! Hats off to Suzanne Collins on this amazing piece of literature. There were a couple of times when one or more of the characters used a phrase that I think was better left out, but nothing extreme. I can't wait to start the next and last book of "The Hunger Games". What will I do with my life when I'm done with it? Good thing I own them so I can read them as often as I like.

 In "Catching Fire" many more characters are introduced, some lovable, some despicable, all extraordinary. My favorite of the newbies is Finnick. He's handsome, he's strong, and he's keeping Katniss and Peeta alive, risking his own life multiple times to do so. There's so much I want to tell you, but I don't want to ruin it for you! I mean, for real, I could go all nerdy on you and give you every. single. detail. But I won't. You can Thank me later. Half the fun of reading "Catching Fire" was not knowing what was gonna happen next, because there was always a surprise of some sort on every page. I sincerely hope that you will take some time out of your busy lives to read it, you will be so glad that you did.


 MockingjayMockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)
By Susanne Collins
Book # 3
Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Madi's Source: Gift
Number Of Pages: 390
ISBN: 978-0-439-02351-1
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 2009
Madi's Rating: 4.5 Out Of 5 Stars

 Description (Taken From Paper Back Swap):
MY NAME IS KATNISS EVERDEEN. — WHY AM I NOT DEAD? — I SHOULD BE DEAD. — Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding. — It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

 Madi's Review ::
I'm not sure what to say about this book. From regular standards, it was spectacular. But after reading the first two books in this series (which were AMAZING), I must admit that I am a little disappointed. I was ready for another awesome hunger games book, and that's not exactly what I got. I'm actually not sure how to accurately describe this book without making it sound like a flop (which it's not). I'll just say that it's not my favorite in the trilogy and leave it at that.

The plot was pretty interesting. Katniss becomes the "Mockingjay" (hints the title), which means she is the face of the rebellion breaking out over the capital. She does TV interviews, she gets caught in the middle of bombings, she saves her friends and family, only to lose most of them. That's right. In the last chapter is where everything happens. Everyone dies (or at least a large number of important characters), and they win. The end. There was one character in particular who's death really tore my heart out, but I won't mention any names. Oh, and Katniss finally decides between Gale and Peeta. On. the. very. last. page. Good thing there's an epilogue, or I would have been left wondering how that turned out. Would I recommend that you read it? ABSOLUTELY. Is it my favorite books in "The Hunger Games"? No. But that's okay, because not every book can be my favorite. But it really was worth the time it took to read it, and in general I enjoyed it. It just wasn't like the first two books. In any way.

2 comments:

  1. There was too many troublesome aspects in this novel (THG) for me to like it. The entire plot was merely for "sport" and that was unpleasant for me, as a reader who appreciates and firmly believes in freedom! :)

    Glad you ladies liked them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were a few troublesome spots, and like every book it had it's downers. Though no, it's not the most happy-go-lucky of books, it does have some truth to it. Plus it was really good at keeping my attention. I'm sorry that you did not enjoy them as much as I did, but I do hope you will read some of our other reviews. Thanks for commenting:)

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