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jlg1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cobycoyle's review against another edition
5.0
After a bazillionth re-read, at age 26, I feel like this YA book still holds up. The concept was unique (for the time it was written at) and the imagery was great. Even before the movies came out, I could easily picture every moment. And some parts were so heartbreaking and emotional, like Rue’s death and Cato’s gruesome one.
I also love that Katniss just isn’t automatically deeply in love with Peeta and we’re shown deeper, complex feelings from her in regards to confusion, desires, expectations, etc.
I also love that Katniss just isn’t automatically deeply in love with Peeta and we’re shown deeper, complex feelings from her in regards to confusion, desires, expectations, etc.
cass_89's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
brisingr's review against another edition
4.0
More like a 4.5 because it was so enjoyable!
The Capitol won. And to prove its power to all the population of Panem, the nation they created, they made the twelve remaining districts take part in the Hunger Games: a bloody competition where the winner is the last one left breathing.
Katniss Everdeen never imagined that her sister, in the safest situation, would be the one selected. So, to save the one she loves the most, she offers herself as a tribute. But going willingly in the lions' pit and surviving the lions is a totally different business...
Ok, I know most of you already know what this book is about. I, as usual, am late to join the party. Actually, I would have never read this series, I had zero interest for it and the hype made me even the less curious. And then my friend starts gushing about it and saying how amazing it is, maybe even their favorite series, and my curiosity is over the roof. So I borrowed their copy and started reading. I am so glad I did!
First thing (and I feel like I have to mention this because it changed my perception about the book) is that it has the Theseus myth at the core, where a city is being the "bad guy" and asking for innocent people to die because they simply can. And so, it goes from a simple distopy, to a carefully crafted novel with a great starting point.
Then, the setting in its own is quite interesting. I liked the idea about the districts, and each district with its field of work. And if you think about it, it's quite terrifying: generation after generation, paying for the mistakes of those before them, crushed by the force of those who can do what they want. And seeing people so ignorant to the poor and to the hardships some have to overcome... it's terrifying, because it's somehow so close to the priviliged world some of us get to live in.
The writing style really grabs attention, though I was a little bit bothered by how fast-paced everything was. I needed a little bit of more insight in things, but I guess this is the downside of having a first person narration. Enjoyable, yes, and although Katniss is a lovely character to be heard along the way, I felt like something was missing.
Katniss was amazing though, I love girls fighting for survival and being all kick-ass. I quite liked most of the characters in the book actually, because their actions were understandable most of the time. Also, apparently a very unpopular opinion: I liked Peeta! Ok, I do have a soft spot for somewhat unrequited love and my heart was kinda crushed by all the fakeness, absence of comunication and insecurities in the Katniss-Peeta relationship, but really: he's funny, a little bit broken and sad, and even if his personality still makes me wonder, I liked him well enough! And I was not even as bothered by the Katniss-Peeta thing as I thought I'd be.
I can't say for sure what made me enjoy it so much, but it got me hooked and interested, and it's not that often for books to do this to me. I was holding my breath in lots of moments, I laughed in others and I loved how normal and 16-year-olds Katniss and Peeta felt at times. Because even in close-to-death moments, kids are kids, and I appreciated this a lot. It was even more tragic like that, if you think about it.
Basically, I really liked this volume, even if something was still missing. I hope the next books will deliver whatever this book didn't have and I am looking forward to reading more about the Capitol and the districts! I'm sniffing a love triangle in the next volume, so I will prepare myself.
PS: Click which spoiler thing you want and you'll see those are just very honest ideas of mine, that are not even the slightest related to the plot of the book, but with the wishes and ideas of my heart.
The Capitol won. And to prove its power to all the population of Panem, the nation they created, they made the twelve remaining districts take part in the Hunger Games: a bloody competition where the winner is the last one left breathing.
Katniss Everdeen never imagined that her sister, in the safest situation, would be the one selected. So, to save the one she loves the most, she offers herself as a tribute. But going willingly in the lions' pit and surviving the lions is a totally different business...
Ok, I know most of you already know what this book is about. I, as usual, am late to join the party. Actually, I would have never read this series, I had zero interest for it and the hype made me even the less curious. And then my friend starts gushing about it and saying how amazing it is, maybe even their favorite series, and my curiosity is over the roof. So I borrowed their copy and started reading. I am so glad I did!
First thing (and I feel like I have to mention this because it changed my perception about the book) is that it has the Theseus myth at the core, where a city is being the "bad guy" and asking for innocent people to die because they simply can. And so, it goes from a simple distopy, to a carefully crafted novel with a great starting point.
Then, the setting in its own is quite interesting. I liked the idea about the districts, and each district with its field of work. And if you think about it, it's quite terrifying: generation after generation, paying for the mistakes of those before them, crushed by the force of those who can do what they want. And seeing people so ignorant to the poor and to the hardships some have to overcome... it's terrifying, because it's somehow so close to the priviliged world some of us get to live in.
The writing style really grabs attention, though I was a little bit bothered by how fast-paced everything was. I needed a little bit of more insight in things, but I guess this is the downside of having a first person narration. Enjoyable, yes, and although Katniss is a lovely character to be heard along the way, I felt like something was missing.
Katniss was amazing though, I love girls fighting for survival and being all kick-ass. I quite liked most of the characters in the book actually, because their actions were understandable most of the time. Also, apparently a very unpopular opinion: I liked Peeta! Ok, I do have a soft spot for somewhat unrequited love and my heart was kinda crushed by all the fakeness, absence of comunication and insecurities in the Katniss-Peeta relationship, but really: he's funny, a little bit broken and sad, and even if his personality still makes me wonder, I liked him well enough! And I was not even as bothered by the Katniss-Peeta thing as I thought I'd be.
Spoiler
I WANT THEM HOLDING HANDS FOREVER PLS.I can't say for sure what made me enjoy it so much, but it got me hooked and interested, and it's not that often for books to do this to me. I was holding my breath in lots of moments, I laughed in others and I loved how normal and 16-year-olds Katniss and Peeta felt at times. Because even in close-to-death moments, kids are kids, and I appreciated this a lot. It was even more tragic like that, if you think about it.
Spoiler
A+ for mentioning waxing and hairy legs.Basically, I really liked this volume, even if something was still missing. I hope the next books will deliver whatever this book didn't have and I am looking forward to reading more about the Capitol and the districts! I'm sniffing a love triangle in the next volume, so I will prepare myself.
PS: Click which spoiler thing you want and you'll see those are just very honest ideas of mine, that are not even the slightest related to the plot of the book, but with the wishes and ideas of my heart.
kitkat8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
emmaannmarie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amcriah's review against another edition
5.0
this series will never, ever get old. I can’t even properly express how much I love Katniss Everdeen. She will always be my number one girl.
jazz_faith's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0