David Sines

It was a real effort to get myself to read this. First I tried watching the spoof—couldn't do it. Then I tried the movie while multitasking—couldn't get into it. The idea is so appalling and thus didn't interest me in the slightest. But finally, I found the book for sale dirt cheap at the local library and knew this was the only way I'd make myself get through it. Here are my thoughts.

The first half of the book was surprisingly slow. Knowing that the horrible Hunger Games were coming, the intro seemed to drag a bit. So I was almost looking forward to it. Perhaps that was the plan? I had a general idea of the ending of the games—and thought I was going to be disappointed at one point—but the ending was done well. It paid off very well in my opinion.

I don't recall any profanity.
Obviously, there's violence. Plenty mentions of blood and types of wounds. More than necessary, but it doesn't linger on these events for long unless it's for trying to stop the bleeding or the like.

Would I read the next one?
I'm not eager to, but I'm curious. I probably will at some point.

It took me a long time to get into this book. The writing is very good. Very leisurely too. I did enjoy it. But I didn't find it enthralling.

There is profanity in this book, but not vulgar and constant. It is though, frequently—if not entirely—from the kids. It also mentions topics of death and rape, but not in depth.

The underlying message about racism and prejudice is done very admirably.