A review by alienor
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5.0



✬✬✬ EPIC BUDDY READ/REREAD ✬✬✬



(click on the names to read their reviews - I'll update each time they show up)

★ As The absolute fanatic : Chelsea (4th!)
★ As the determined movie-whore : Harriet (1st!)
★ As The deadly shot new recruit : Jen (1st!)
★ As the enthusiastic newbie : Jenny (1st!)
★ As The foxface unknown : Kat (2nd!)
★ As The die-hard fan : Laura (3rd!)

... As the useless chick who wouldn't survive a round : oh, crap, that would be me! (2nd)

So much for my silly worries. I realize now that the concerns I nurtured before this reread were completely unfounded : every feel, every smile, every laugh stand untouched, and dare I suggest it, even more powerful, leaving me breathless again, eager to read the sequel again, completely lost for my boy again (you know who I mean. Cakes for Pete sake. I know that many loved both. I just didn't), in total admiration and understanding of Katniss again.

For my first time in English, I'm pleasantly surprised by the writing : I hear you I hear you, it's not the better book ever written by far, but that's not what I expected. While quite simple, it stays to the point, and in my opinion perfect to convey the sense of urgency the Games create.

Seven years later, I still think that many authors could learn a lot from this novel.

1) First to not let the story revolve around eight-packs and smirks. PLEASE DO THAT.

2) Then to create a world-building that actually makes sense with believable threats : do I think that people would love watching teenagers fighting to death? Sadly, yes, I do, and I have History on my side (Rome, anyone?). Feel free to disagree with the pessimistic sides of me on this. Nobody wants to hear about a world where the reasons behind the oppression are never explained, yet unfortunately too many dystopian out there introduce the WHAT without never getting to the WHY and sometimes barely the HOW. Some issues are left unanswered at the end of this first book, but overall I think that it's pretty consistant for a YA dystopian.

3) Finally (because I want to keep my review to a minimum), to picture a female lead who is strong but relatable, who focuses on her goals but is also able to care for others - yet not for everyone, which is great, because it wouldn't be believable now would it?

SpoilerAlso, other dystopians don't have a Peeta who doesn't know how to walk quietly. *HUGE SMILE*


► For all these reasons, even though [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437799453s/2767052.jpg|2792775] aren't flawless, they deserve all the stars in my book.

The Mockingjay used to make my picture can be found here