The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

Reader reviewed by Mariah

So many people have been talking about how excited they are about the
second book in the Hunger Games series called Catching Fire that comes
out in September that I decided to see what all the fuss was about and
read Hunger Games. I loved it!

It is a great story about the
nation of Panem which consists of a Capitol surrounded by 12 districts,
each year one girl and one boy are chosen from each district to
participate in the Hunger Games where they fight to the death for the
amusement of the people, as well as to show the dominance that the
capitol has over the people.

This book consists of three things
I personally love to see in a book. Edge of your seat adventure,
compelling characters, and a strong female main character.

In
this action filled novel there are hints of romance, feelings of
allegance and caring about another person almost as much as you care
for yourself. Suzanne Collins has created a winning story with the
characters of Katniss, Gale, and Peeta.

Reprinted with author's permission

Reader reviewed by WilowRaven

First off - I loved this book! So many many people have been gushing
about it that honestly, I was afraid I was going to be a little
disappointed. It couldn't be that good, I told myself. I was wrong.
Fabulously written, with a plot line that sucks you in from page one. I
literally could not put this book down until I was finished with every
last fantastic morsel...and then I wanted more! I envy all of you out
there who have snagged ARCs of Chasing Fire! There is so much depth to
this book -- Primitive living conditions set amongst modern technology;
social implications to the indifference to human life; struggle for
survival against the ruling class; the power of manipulation; the power
of both real and imagined love...I could go on and on but instead I'll
say - READ THIS BOOK!
Seriously good - highly recommended - 5 shinning stars

Reader reviewed by Sarah

This book was so incredible. It takes you to a place you never would have imagined, a world thats cruel and brutal, where the citizens have to take place annually in The Hunger Games. A event in which 24 children from the ages of 12 to 18 are taken and dropped into an arena and forced to kill each other until there is one winner. The Hunger Games are used to remind the districts of their place under the capitols rule. When Katniss bravely steps up and volunteers to take the place of her 12 year old sister, she is thrown into a heart-breaking fight for survival and she is also thrown into love.

This book was impossible to put down while reading it. It truly is inspiring and you will be left begging for more when it is over. This book is truly genius.

Reader reviewed by Jessica

Katniss's life has never been easy. After her father was killed in a deadly mine explosion, her mother turned a blind eye from her and her younger sister Prim who were in need of taking care of. Forced to grow up quickly, Katniss struggled to care for her sister while her mother sat emotionless, struggling to live after the death of her husband. Illegally hunting outside of their small District 12, Katniss and her friend, Gale, hunt for anything that they can eat, or use as trade in order to keep food on the table at home.

But when the Hunger Games rolls around, an annual fight to the death to show that the Capitol is in control, and Prim's name is called to compete, Katniss has no other choice but to volunteer and take her sister's place in the fighting. As the games begin, Katniss finds herself falling for the other tribute from her district, Peeta, the boy who had a making in Katniss's survival as a child. When she is destined to kill him in order to survive, how does love come into play?

A shocking novel with startling realities, "The Hunger Games" will leave readers at the edges of their seats, begging for more. A page turner and a quick read, this novel will leave the reader with a different outlook on their own life.

Reader reviewed by tay

this book is about katniss everdeen who lives in district 12 of panem the future of North America. once a year each of the 12 districts has to send one boy and one girl tribute between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in the hunger games.A fight to the death in an arena where they have to use the elements to survive.the rules are simple the last tribute alive is the winner. When Katniss finds herself as a tribute she must do everything she can to win.
I thought this bookwas amazing. even though the hunger games do not exist I felt like i could relate tothe characters and thier feelings.i would recommend this book to anyone who is ready for an adventure and i cant wait for the sequel.

Reader reviewed by fayeflame

synopsis

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother
and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of
what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the
Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each
district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual
televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and
level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant:
kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up
to go in her place.

The hungers games, just Wow. If you haven't
read it i Strongly recommend it(wow that rhythms). I loved every bit of
it.It was EXCITING, FULL of ADVENTURE, ACTION PACKED, put a little
ROMANCE in the Mix, and you got a great book. I love Katniss as a
heroine,strong, caring and unique individual.Who has a wicked arm with
the bow and arrow. I felt like i was a citizen in the book
watching every bit of it happen.I was rooting for Katniss and Peeta the
whole time. It was funny because when i read i tend to just say
something random and out the blue, well i was kind of yelling at
Katniss the whole time. I yelled "runaway!!!" and my sister just looked
at me like i was crazy and was like shut up. I love this book. The sad
thing is i have to wait for Catching Fire :(

Reader reviewed by Sara

Ideas expressed/message/plot: From book jacket: COULD YOU SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN IN THE WILD WITH EVERY ONE OUT TO MAKE SURE YOU DONT 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 sisters 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 weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Favorite characters, quotes/lines: Katniss: She was the perfect heroine for this book& strong, smart, and compassionate!; Rue: She was an interesting character brave and smart for her age I was very sorry to see her go; Peeta: Hmm. What can I say about him? Except that he was amazing! I wanted Katniss to see how much he loved her and I felt so sorry for him when she only saw his feelings as part of the game. He was so different from Katniss, but exactly what she needs.

When I finished this book I felt: I never thought I would like this book, so whenever I saw it, I just passed right by it. Now, Im really regretting that! This is one of my all-time favorite books and I cant wait to read the next one. The idea of Panem is terrifying and I like to imagine that it could never happen at least not in such extremes as in the book. But there are some definite parallels that can be drawn between the world today and Panem. The love story in this book was perfect. I never really expected to see a love plot in this type of book but it was there and it was one of my favorites. It was so perfect because Peeta is obvious about his love for Katniss, she thinks its just part of the Games, and she doesnt recognize her own return of those feelings. Im definitely rooting for Katniss and Peeta. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!

Other books to read by this author: The Underland Chronicles, Catching Fire (Sept. 2009) (next Hunger bk)

I would recommend this book to: Guys and girls with a liking for adventure and a touch of romance (the love story isnt overwhelming so even my little brother will like it)

Reader reviewed by Brittany Gore

The sequel for this book won't be able to come out fast enough... Katniss's strength throughout the Hunger Games shows that women can do everything. Her bravery to take her sister's place makes me feel empowered. Everything she had to go through is really inspirational to me. It shows me how I want to live my life; fighting until the very end

Reader reviewed by deltay

Reader reviewed by whatofwonderland

Brilliant! I was so pleased to find a book with so much character and spunk! Kept me reading on and on, begging to know what would be coming next. In this world, people must work hard and behave to stay alive. Any wrong move and you're gone. For entertainment the capitol takes players (one boy and one girl) from the surrounding twelve districts and throws them into a match to the death. Players do not know what to expect as far as the elements, their environments, as well as their rival competitors. With the whole world watching their inner and outer battles, they must find ways to outsmart the others. The ultimate prize; their lives.