A Book Review on The Hunger Games
Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
by: Luke Fahnestock
I think I could confidently say that everyone in this class has at least heard of The Hunger Games. The whole series is the epitome of iconic. In this blog I will be reviewing it and giving my opinion on whether it lives up to the hype.
The Hunger Games takes place in the dystopian future of a doomed North America. All of North America has become one “country” called the nation of Panem. The land has been divided into 12 districts, all controlled by the ruthless Capital. The people of the districts are poor because the Capital has diverted all resources towards itself. Because of the districts’ rebellion 74 years prior, the Capitol punishes them by holding an annual Hunger Games. The name for this morbid occasion is vastly deceptive, for these so-called “games” are nothing but televised bloodshed. Each district must select a male and female contestant between the age of 12 and 18 through a lottery system. The chosen “tributes” are then brought to the Capital to fight to the death in a terraformed arena full of traps. The winner of the games receives a lifetime supply of riches, and their whole district is rewarded with extra food for the year.
The protagonist of this book is sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen. She lives in District Twelve, the poorest district in Panem. Her father died when she was eleven and she is forced to take care of her mother and sister by illegally hunting in the restricted woods. The book begins on “reaping day”, the day that tributes are chosen to compete in the games. Against all odds, Katniss’ twelve-year-old sister Primrose is selected as a tribute. Katniss volunteers to take her place, thus setting herself on the road to great peril in the Capital. Katniss and the other District 12 tribute, Peeta, are immediately transported to the Capital for preparation. In the days leading up to the games, the tributes undergo survival and weapon training, participate in interviews, and have skill evaluation sessions. Finally, the stage is set, and the 74th Hunger Games begin. Twenty-four tributes enter the arena, one tribute exits, but does Katniss have the wits to be the survivor?
The Hunger Games is definitely a book that I have enjoyed reading. I read it for the first time for my banned book project, and I have since reread it to re-experience the thrill of the action-packed scenes. This book is a sort of dystopian, gladiator, wilderness survival story which can appeal to enjoyers of all genres. Readers who prefer action/war genres will find this book most appealing. Once the games start, there is no slowing down, and Suzanne Collins does not shy away from depicting the violent events taking place. I definitely would recommend this book. It is a relatively quick read, so you should keep this in the back of your mind for whenever you need new reading material. In my opinion The Hunger Games is one of those books that everyone should experience at least once. The Hunger Games is written as the first book in a trilogy, and I also highly recommend the next two books (although they are not as good as this first book, but that’s a critique I’ll save for another blog).
I think I could confidently say that everyone in this class has at least heard of The Hunger Games. The whole series is the epitome of iconic. In this blog I will be reviewing it and giving my opinion on whether it lives up to the hype.
The Hunger Games takes place in the dystopian future of a doomed North America. All of North America has become one “country” called the nation of Panem. The land has been divided into 12 districts, all controlled by the ruthless Capital. The people of the districts are poor because the Capital has diverted all resources towards itself. Because of the districts’ rebellion 74 years prior, the Capitol punishes them by holding an annual Hunger Games. The name for this morbid occasion is vastly deceptive, for these so-called “games” are nothing but televised bloodshed. Each district must select a male and female contestant between the age of 12 and 18 through a lottery system. The chosen “tributes” are then brought to the Capital to fight to the death in a terraformed arena full of traps. The winner of the games receives a lifetime supply of riches, and their whole district is rewarded with extra food for the year.
The protagonist of this book is sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen. She lives in District Twelve, the poorest district in Panem. Her father died when she was eleven and she is forced to take care of her mother and sister by illegally hunting in the restricted woods. The book begins on “reaping day”, the day that tributes are chosen to compete in the games. Against all odds, Katniss’ twelve-year-old sister Primrose is selected as a tribute. Katniss volunteers to take her place, thus setting herself on the road to great peril in the Capital. Katniss and the other District 12 tribute, Peeta, are immediately transported to the Capital for preparation. In the days leading up to the games, the tributes undergo survival and weapon training, participate in interviews, and have skill evaluation sessions. Finally, the stage is set, and the 74th Hunger Games begin. Twenty-four tributes enter the arena, one tribute exits, but does Katniss have the wits to be the survivor?
The Hunger Games is definitely a book that I have enjoyed reading. I read it for the first time for my banned book project, and I have since reread it to re-experience the thrill of the action-packed scenes. This book is a sort of dystopian, gladiator, wilderness survival story which can appeal to enjoyers of all genres. Readers who prefer action/war genres will find this book most appealing. Once the games start, there is no slowing down, and Suzanne Collins does not shy away from depicting the violent events taking place. I definitely would recommend this book. It is a relatively quick read, so you should keep this in the back of your mind for whenever you need new reading material. In my opinion The Hunger Games is one of those books that everyone should experience at least once. The Hunger Games is written as the first book in a trilogy, and I also highly recommend the next two books (although they are not as good as this first book, but that’s a critique I’ll save for another blog).
Great book review! I have not read the Hunger Games but have heard of it many times. I really liked your review because it gave a summary of the book without me knowing what happens in the book and I also liked how you gave an analysis at the end to further justify if this book was worth people's time. Overall, I liked this review and look forward to reading this series.
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games is definitely a classic dystopian novel that almost everyone has heard about. I didn't even read it until a couple years ago and I thought it was an enjoyable book. I thought the concept was really interesting and it had good amounts of action throughout. I also DEFINITELY agree with your viewpoint about how the other two books in the trilogy aren't as good personally. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI have not read The Hunger Games series before even though it is a well know series. The book is quite unique as I don't know any other books that have a similar plot of a game where people fight to the death for food. Overall a good book review!
ReplyDeleteI've read the Hunger Games several times, as well as having seen the movies. I loved your review! It has a lot of good points, especially about it being a quick read, but also provides a compelling summary to anyone who hasn't read it yet. Good job!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Luke. I haven't read the hunger games yet, but I have heard a lot about how good of a book it is. I like how you gave me a good idea about what the book is about without explaining the whole story. I think I will consider the hunger games when I choose a book to read
ReplyDeleteGreat Review Luke! I also haven't read the hunger games series like some of the other people but I have watched the movies. Like Leor, you did a really good job explaining the book without revealing a lot of the plot. Because of this review and the hype surrounded by this book, I will definitely put this book on my reading list! Great Review Luke!
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games series is perhaps the epitome of dystopian novels, inspiring hundreds of series, like the recent Squid Game. It can be said to have invented a new genre of book, and this review summarizes the plot and central idea very well. Good review!
ReplyDelete