The novel, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is like having Starbucks on a chilly day. It represents the warm moments whereas the cold chilly day is the brutal and provoking part of the book. The Hunger Games tells the story of 16 year old Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark; “The star crossed lovers of District 12” and they are seeking to survive the brutal 74th annual Games of the capitol. Reading this book was time well spent and had me hooked from beginning to end. Suzanne Collins succeeded on writing this outstanding novel which has a profound meaning contained in the story.
Katniss lives in an inhuman world. The United States has collapsed after the uprising of the districts which was called “The Dark Days” and the remains is a new country called Panem. Panem has one wealthy capitol and twelve following meager districts. Ever since the districts retaliated, the capitol created an event called the "Hunger Games" as punishment to remind other districts they are the “powerhouse” of Panem and are capable of doing anything. Which will make people think twice or more about rebelling again. It’s where one boy and girl from each district get sacrificed to fight till death in an arena until one person is left standing which is televised live to all of Panem. Katniss bravely volunteers as tribute in place for her sister Prim, in the lottery during the Reaping along with Peeta Mellark. With their every will and might, both tributes try to survive the event in a vast outdoor arena filled with 20 other deleterious tributes craving to return back home with fame and fortune. The plot is captivating because of its twists and turns the gamemakers have created in store for Katniss, which kept me flipping even more pages to find out what will happen next. For example, whenever she felt peaceful, the gamemakers always had ways to make her rise on her feet and change location to wear her out for suspense to the televiewers. The plot overall is unique and believable.
Two main characters in this book are Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Katniss is genuinely believable and not like most 16 year-old girls you will encounter. After her father died in the mine incident, she took care of her mother and Prim, which shows she is caring and independent. Katniss is willing to do whatever it takes just to protect her loved ones. For example, in page 22 Katniss said “Prim!” The strangled cry comes out of my throat, and my muscles begin to move again. “Prim!” With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. “I volunteer!” I gasp, “I volunteer as tribute!” This reveals that she is self sacrificing because she had the courage to actually risk her life for her sister. Katniss is rebellious, fearless, stubborn, warm-hearted, protective, and skillful like the traits most kids her age have. She is the type of girl that doesn’t easily give up and is rock hard on the outside, but soft in the inside. You would never want to mess with her because of her capabilities. On the other hand, Peeta is compassionate, sensitive, polite, charming, and an excellent speaker and baker. When he had interviews with caesar, the crowd would love him, same with Katniss. Peeta is truly in love with Katniss, he risks his own life becoming allies with other deadly tributes in order to keep himself and Katniss alive. But maybe becoming allies with the tributes (careers) was a bad idea... When there’s 10 tributes left in the game, the host of the games announces that two tributes from the same district are able to win. Katniss explores the arena to find Peeta, when she does, he is wounded badly. Sickness takes over and they rely on eachother. Could their label “The star crossed lovers of District 12” and romance keep them alive? Or will they have to take matters into their own hands?
There are many themes of this book, but I believe the most important one is theme of this book is “Stand up for yourself and what you love” and “Family first”. Even though the reading level of this book is for fifth graders, I recommend more mature audiences to read this because some of the violent passages may “inspire” children. Right when you start reading the very first few pages, or even a paragraph, you will get hooked to it like a magnet interfering with the fridge. This book is moving which makes you think in different perspectives, and well written that you feel like you’re actually experiencing what the characters are facing, which gives you visualizations. Every chapter will leave you wanting to read more because it keeps you in suspense and awe, at the edge of your seat. The Hunger Games is a novel about hatred, love, endurance, family, survival, hope, and standing up for what you believe in. This is a superb read and I can’t wait to read the next book from the trilogy! I encourage you to read and experience what you’ve been missing out all along!
Two main characters in this book are Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Katniss is genuinely believable and not like most 16 year-old girls you will encounter. After her father died in the mine incident, she took care of her mother and Prim, which shows she is caring and independent. Katniss is willing to do whatever it takes just to protect her loved ones. For example, in page 22 Katniss said “Prim!” The strangled cry comes out of my throat, and my muscles begin to move again. “Prim!” With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. “I volunteer!” I gasp, “I volunteer as tribute!” This reveals that she is self sacrificing because she had the courage to actually risk her life for her sister. Katniss is rebellious, fearless, stubborn, warm-hearted, protective, and skillful like the traits most kids her age have. She is the type of girl that doesn’t easily give up and is rock hard on the outside, but soft in the inside. You would never want to mess with her because of her capabilities. On the other hand, Peeta is compassionate, sensitive, polite, charming, and an excellent speaker and baker. When he had interviews with caesar, the crowd would love him, same with Katniss. Peeta is truly in love with Katniss, he risks his own life becoming allies with other deadly tributes in order to keep himself and Katniss alive. But maybe becoming allies with the tributes (careers) was a bad idea... When there’s 10 tributes left in the game, the host of the games announces that two tributes from the same district are able to win. Katniss explores the arena to find Peeta, when she does, he is wounded badly. Sickness takes over and they rely on eachother. Could their label “The star crossed lovers of District 12” and romance keep them alive? Or will they have to take matters into their own hands?
There are many themes of this book, but I believe the most important one is theme of this book is “Stand up for yourself and what you love” and “Family first”. Even though the reading level of this book is for fifth graders, I recommend more mature audiences to read this because some of the violent passages may “inspire” children. Right when you start reading the very first few pages, or even a paragraph, you will get hooked to it like a magnet interfering with the fridge. This book is moving which makes you think in different perspectives, and well written that you feel like you’re actually experiencing what the characters are facing, which gives you visualizations. Every chapter will leave you wanting to read more because it keeps you in suspense and awe, at the edge of your seat. The Hunger Games is a novel about hatred, love, endurance, family, survival, hope, and standing up for what you believe in. This is a superb read and I can’t wait to read the next book from the trilogy! I encourage you to read and experience what you’ve been missing out all along!
