The Hunger Games

I read much of this out loud to Jacob while he was driving us from Zion National Park back to SLC. Credit to Collins where it's due for coming up with a pretty gripping plot, we then took turns polishing off the rest of the book over the next two days so we could find out what happened to Katniss. My one gripe is that the book is so clearly part of a series. I think movie franchises have ruined me for serial novels. I mean, yes, I did go see Johnny Depp's second turn as the delightful Captain Jack Sparrow, but then I felt exceptionally annoyed when the end of the movie unashamedly prepped audiences for a third, and have avoided subsequent installments. That said, novels aren't movies, and I like both Katniss and the idea of supporting entertainment of any variety that features kick-ass girls. So I'll be buying the second book soon.

I finally got around to reading it to see what all the fuss was about. I had seen the movie before reading the book, so I had a pretty good feel for what was going to happen.In fact, it seemed like the movie was pretty true to the book with very few changes that I can remember.The largest differences were increasing the size of the roles of some of the supporting and minor characters over the book since the book offers everything pretty much from Katriss's perspective. She does have some rather “impressive” insights into the thinking of some of the others that I think are better portrayed by showing the other characters doing those things instead.Unsurprisingly though, the book was better than the movie, but both were just so-so to me. The book offers much better insight to the thought process and motivation of some of the characters that I just didn't find apparent in the movie.You especially get to know a lot more about Rue, who was relegated to few little screen time in the movie with no real sense of why she and Kat had affection for one another.My biggest issue is that for a book dealing with a battle to the death, the violence level is fairly low. I guess that should be expected since it's considered a YA book though.It also felt pretty derivative of [b:Battle Royale 57891 Battle Royale Koushun Takami http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1331235272s/57891.jpg 2786327]. I'm certainly not the first to say so. It's a book I haven't read, but I've seen the movie a few times. When I first saw the trailer for Hunger Games, I thought it was maybe an American remake of Battle Royale.I'll likely get around to reading the next two books at some point, though I've had a few tell me neither is as good. Since I was only so-so on this one, I'm not in much of a rush so they will fall somewhere behind my fairly long to read list.

I tried to read this book but I couldn't get into it. As the book is taken from Katniss' perspective, I couldn't help but be reminded of when I read Twilight and how much I hated learning the story from Bella's perspective. Instead I made it through this book listening to the audio version. Hearing it spoken was a lot better than my own interpretation in my head.

The dystopian setting and some of the comparisons between factions illustrated an interesting premise. I think what soured the story a bit for me was the contrived love story between characters. Although Katniss could be seen as a strong female character, I had trouble believing that she couldn't tell the dudes were in love with her and her own torment about that when her skill is observation and listening for survival.

To say the least, gripping. I finished it (in three days) wanting more and wondering where Collins might be taking Katniss in the rest of the series. I can see why B&N allow the first in a series to be loaned out (or is it more than the first? So far I've only seen book #1's): it'll keep ‘em buying the rest of the series, at least in this case.
Collins ably evokes the horror of placing young people in violent situations. Weaving in a variety of approaches to preparing the young to kill or be killed, she ultimately finds them all wanting. Reading Collins' prose I found myself rooting for the protagonist and constantly checking myself, saying of course only in context. A horrifying and somehow still endearing story. Quite an achievement.

Aye, no bad.

Originally finished on 28 May 2012.Reading to my 10-year-old daughter, starting Christmas holidays 2014

Such a great read! The last few chapters had my heart pounding and I couldn't sit still. I had to read while pacing XD I think I'm gonna wait a bit before jumping into Catching Fire. Just to give myself a little break :D

I've read this book. I know the story. I can tell you with clarity the pieces missing from the movies, but it surprises me after years of exposure. After years of knowing. My heart still thuds in my chest, the air in my lung haults, and my eyes still threaten to spill. Seeing the Hunger Games unfold from Katniss eyes, from beginning to the switch to the next level. Gets me. It's haunts me.

FAVOURITE BOOK!!! I honestly love this series to pieces. Most people are obsessed with Harry Potter but this is my equivalent. This is the book that gave me my love for reading and I honestly love it every time I read it. People have their judgements but I think everyone should read this series at least once to know for themselves. When I have kids, I hope to let them read this and see if it gives them the same feels. :)

This book seems to be hit or miss. You will either love it, or loath it.

Set in the future of North America (it never specifies if what is now Canada or Mexico are part of Panem), the government rules with terror. Each district (12 left as of this book) sends one teenage boy and one teenage girl to fight in an arena for the glory of their district.

Nice book. I like the colorful Capitol. Also the book characters fighting for freedom, and their unity in the fight for it, and friendship. Katniss wants to survive the hunger games at all costs, and she does everything to make it happen. I was touched by the moment when there was nothing to eat in District 12, and Katniss and her Family had to eat flower salad. Here my eyes filled with tears. I m a fan of the movies, and personally I prefer the movies. But each who wants to watch the movie, should read the Book. I watching movies once a month as a fan. Its cool

This is a challenging story because of the injustice this story is built on. The idea of teenagers fighting for the pleasure of others is appalling. While the are some graphic scenes, I appreciate that most were discrete.

I found the main characters easy to identify with. I remember the teenage years when I didn't quite know who I was or where I was going, not knowing who I would be. And feeling the wasn't much special about myself.

Finishing this a week before election day, I also identify with feeling I don't have any power or position to affect change in nation and the way it is ruled, and by whom.

I definitely want to see where the story goes next, but I'm not sure how often I will escape to a dystopian future in a teenager's perspective.

Bien étonné au final par ce premier tome qui est vraiment intéressant et bien rythmé. L'univers est intriguant et on aimerait vraiment en savoir plus mais ce premier tome n'apporte pas vraiment beaucoup d'indices, se centrant surtout sur les jeux. Impatient de découvrir la suite donc :)

i really enjoy it ! it was easy to read and we can't stop reading, so excited to read the second book !

Great pace. Couldn't put it down.

The Hunger Games is an interesting story from a first person present point-of-view of Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl from a coal-mining district. Katniss is established as a tough, Bear Grylls kind of girl with a fierce loyalty to her little sister and bottomless distrust of her unstable mother. There are moments when Katniss is inconsistent and waivers, but overall the story uneasily stands on its own two feet. The first third of the book could have been half as long but establishes the supporting cast fairly well. The garbled shreds of quasi-relationship between Gale and Katniss was weak sauce at best and could have been easily cut without altering the rest of the book. Somehow, the dynamic between Katniss and Peeta doesn't become too contrived or mushy for too long. Clearly, the strongest part of the book, the meat of the story, are the games themselves, although this book fights hard not to disintegrate into unrecoverable teen drama. I hope the next installment will be lighter on the repetitive lists of foodstuffs and dinner scenes, when the most important conversations during the Games happen away from the table. My love for Koushun Takami's Battle Royale will keep me invested in Katniss' struggle against The Capitol in hopes that the story will continue to claw itself farther away from young adult and into something more.

Absolutely amazing! I literally couldn't put it down when I started reading. Definitely one of my all time favourites.

Ssshhh... don't tell anyone, but I actually quite enjoyed this book. Katniss is a much more worthy heroine and ‘role model' then Twilight's Bella. At least the girl can save herself.

just as good as i remember

welcome to the moment where i found out the hunger games movie is mid and missed so many details. this is so much better.

I added this book because someone on my friend list recommended it and I trust their opnion. I liked it so much I bought the Audio CDs for dad for Christmas because he spends long hours on the road in the back roads of the oil field and he needs a little entertainment.
It has some really gory parts, it can be thought a little sickening at times too. But I loved it... that might mean I'm a little sickening too at times... oh, well.

Something I should have read a long time ago!
I am so behind on this series that it is rather sad. So, before you judge me, I did watch the movies. Yes, I am talking about the Hunger Games. I have to thank my kindle unlimited subscription. I needed something to read I couldn't sleep and figured I would give it a chance. After the long delay I actually did enjoy it. My thoughts are much more positive then I thought they would be. I liked the movies but I didn't run to see them like most the world. Sorry!!! Due to the popularity, I knew how it began. It seems that so many books are going to the theme of a nation divided into districts and this book does as well.
Underneath all the fighting for survival is a boy in love with a girl and a girl who is desperate to return home. Willing to do anything, she goes along with the idea of them being in love, hoping that in the end, it will mean both will end up back in their district.
The imagery invoked a lot of breathtaking pictures. The characters had enough background that I found myself loving, hating, being indifferent, or hoping that nothing bad befell them. The emotions were sharp and cut deep in many cases; the fact that the nation forced children to fight to live as punishment for a long-ago war, I found horrid. Yet, in some cases, I have to admit that I was glad when some were taken out.
There are a lot of twists and turns that occur. Some you see coming, some you are told are coming even if what will happen isn't known and still others that come from seemingly nowhere. How each character reacts helps define their personality and chance of survival. This is a book with very few places were things become dull. I though seeing the movies would make this less enjoyable for me but not at all. The imagery is beautiful and makes me want to continue to see how the words of the next book compare with the movie. Overall, four star read for me.

Enjoyed rereading this book as an adult and it is just as good as I remember. The themes of government dictatorship, freedom, and liberty still ring true today, maybe even more so than they did in 2008. Highly recommend and I look forward to rereading the rest of the books in the series including the newly released prequel novel about the beginnings of President Snow.

I will plan to do a video review on my YouTube channel soon! - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9v4MKGNcFNZaeVMtH3bjw

In a dystopian future where the United States has collapsed and brutal regime has taken its place, young Katniss must participate in the Hunger Games. The games are a yearly spectacle, a televised fight to the death between 24 teenagers selected by lot. Think Gladiators + American Idol + Survivor. Katniss was forced to volunteer for the games in order to save her younger sister. It is basically a death sentence. This story is sad, violent, at times touching, at times even a bit humorous (in a ghoulish way), and often terrifying. I will have to read the entire series.

(One minor quibble with way the story is presented: From the description of the geography, the districts of the new country, Panem, are obviously the size of medium to large states or smallish countries. So why were both of the 12th District participants selected from just Katniss's home town. In fact, I got the feeling that the district consisted of just one town and surrounding lands. An artifact of viewpoint perhaps? Slightly annoying, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.)

Loved it so much that I read it back to back

Pros: tense, good pacing, compelling

Cons: heavy subject matter for younger teen target audience, but author does a great job with it

Ever since the Treaty of Treason following the Dark Days when the 13 districts rebelled against the capitol and lost, the remaining 12 districts have given 2 youths as tributes for the yearly Hunger Games.

This year, district 12 is sending Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Along with their counterparts from the other districts, these two will fight to the death in the Gamemakers' arena, for the entertainment of those in the capitol.

The Hunger Games is a teen reimagining of Koushun Takami's Battle Royale. With some important changes. The Hunger Games takes place in a post-apocalyptic America. In The Hunger Games everyone understands the purpose of the games (in Battle Royale this is only revealed at the end, where it has a bigger psychological impact), and there's a LOT less violence. Battle Royale depended on the shock value of its extremely graphic content to get its point across. The Hunger Games does a surprisingly good job of keeping the violence to a minimum given the novel's plot. And what violence there is, is fairly tame. Still, this is a book which I'd recommend parents read first and judge if their child is mature enough to handle what happens, and then discuss the contents with them afterwards.

The novel is very fast paced and compelling. being a teen book it's also a very quick read. I can't wait to finish the series and see what happens.