Book Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanna Collins

Publish Date: Oct 2008

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc

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 weigh survival against humanity and life against love.(From Goodreads)

Originally I thought this would be different than anything I’ve ever read before. How many books write about arenas with kids that fight to the death. Unfortunately, some time last year I saw and read Battle Royale.

The characters are original in themselves. I like Katniss despite her apparent naivety. She’s goal oriented and focused. She makes plans and tries her hardest to follow through with them. It’s admirable. 

Peeta is a darling. I love Peeta and would definitely sponsor him if I lived in the capital. He’s sweet and gives off an apparent innocence and good will. It would be very hard not to like Peeta. 

The problem I have is the story line runs too close to Battle Royale. There are differences in the execution and the reasoning behind the battles but the battles are essentially the same. The arenas are essentially the same. 

Overall it’s still worth reading. Only for those that have already touched Battle Royale you may find yourself sort of blasé about this book. It still entertains and it’s just different enough not to be boring or predictable. 

My Rating: