The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.
Last year when I was really starting to find my feet in the book blogosphere, this book was starting to get some serious coverage, and very complimentary comments, and these only gained momentum, for it’s US release date last October.
Well here in the UK, we’ve had to wait until this year to get our hands on it, and see for ourselves if it could live up to the hype.
The premise initially seems to be a mix of Battle Royale, Lord of the Flies and Big Brother, and yes it is a mix of those things, but it has it’s own very clear identity as well.
Set during an unspecified time in the future, the world is a very different place, and when North America collapsed, the state of Panem rose in it’s place. Life wasn’t easy, and when the original 13 ‘districts’ attempted to rebel, and were defeated with District 13 completely destroyed part of the surrender terms, required each of the remaining 12 districts to send two of they young people to the Capitol each year. To take part in the Hunger Games, a brutal (and televised) fight to the death, where only one person can survive and return home, with much needed food for their district.
Sixteen year old, Katniss Everdeen, has had to look after her family ever since her father died in a mining accident, some years previous, and when the unthinkable happens and her twelve year old sister’s name is drawn out of the hat, at the Reeping ceremony as the female representative for her district, Katniss, immediately volunteers to go in her place, and she is joined by the bakers son, Peeta Melark.
Before she knows it, she is being whisked off to the Capitol, where she and Peeta are styled, coached, tested and trained, before being dropped into the gaming arena, and the seventy-fourth Hunger Games begins.
I could go into the plot much deeper than that, as really you could learn that from reading the cover, but, this is one of those books where it is much better discover the plot and the frighteningly ‘real’ dystopian world, Suzanne Collins has created.
In his cover blurb, Stephen King, states:
“Constant suspense… I couldn’t stop reading.”
And he couldn’t be more right, if this book doesn’t make my top books of the year list, then I have some bloody good books to read between now and December, this is a powerful page-turning adventure story that will linger long after the last page is turned.
[rating:95/100]
Other Views and Opinions:
- Becky’s Book Reviews
- Karin’s Book Nook
- Teen Book Review
- SciFiGuy.ca
- A Comfy Chair and a Good Book
- Random Wonder
- Maw Books
- In Search of Giants
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Posted by Darren on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Filed under Children's & Young Adult, Science Fiction · Tagged with Read in 2009, scholastic, Sci-Fi Experience, Suzanne Collins, The Countdown Challenge, What's in a Name
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My 14-year-old son absolutely loved this book!! I’ve recommended it to several of my readers at my middle school and I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews. I have my own copy I just haven’t carved out time to read it yet…I think I should try to do it this weekend!!!
Great review!
Staci´s last blog post: Teaser Tuesday and It’s Tuesday….Where are you?
You must give it a go! Make sure you don’t have anything important to do, after you start though!
Wasn’t this book great? I found myself thinking about it long after I finished. I love your conclusion about making your best of year list. I totally agree. My review was a glowing one also.
Tasses´s last blog post: Book Commentary: The Big Bell and the Little Bell by Martin Kalmanoff with illustrations by Alastair Graham
It certainly was great! (I’ve added a link to your review as well!)
I’m so looking forward to reading this. I think I’ve yet to see a negative review.
No, I’ve only seen good things about it (and deservedly so, it turns out, now I’ve read it!)
I really liked it too! started it and finished in one day. I love the UK cover; ours was a mock-up of Katniss’ mockingjay pin. a second part is coming out in September in the US.
I mostly like the UK cover (the little image of Peeta or Katniss is actually a larger image when you open the cover out and you can choose which one shows up on the front) what I don’t like so much is that they look more like 13 than 16, but that is only a minor grumble.
ohhh keep reading good reviews, it’s raising the level of expectations to vertiginous levels!
Valentina´s last blog post: Paradise Kiss vol. 1 by Ai Yazawa
When I first picked this book up I was very leery of the Battle Royale similarity, but I had to admit that Collins took this story in an entirely unique direction. My only complaint was I thought the costume descriptions were a bit too drawn out, otherwise it was terrific.
Joanne´s last blog post: Words Undone…
I totally agree with you this book has its different identity. My son really like this book very much. I also read this book you told about the battle royale. I really appreciate from that book because the hunger games are very brutal. I totally agree with you.