A review by joyceheinen
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

Deciding to dedicate the month of April to rereading the entire “The Hunger Games” series, before diving into the newest book, is the best decision. I read it first in 2011, I believe, and I really loved it. But I have never read it since. And, from chapter one, I remember why I loved this series so much.

Panem is what used to be North America. It was divided into 13 District, with only 12 left. The Capitol is holding all the Districts under a strict regime and they make each District send one boy and one girl, between the ages of 12 and eighteen, to compete in the Hunger Games. A game, on live TV, that makes 24 youngster fight to death, until there is only one left. Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 and sees her sister Primrose being the chosen one for this year’s Hunger Games. But out of love for her young sister, 16-year-old Katniss volunteers to take her place to fight in the 74th annual Hunger Games.

I remember, when reading it the first time, Katniss won me over from the start. She is a strong character, easy to relate to and to root for. And I believe that she still is, for people reading it now for the first time.

The story deals with serious issues like political corruption, violence, survival, love and sacrifice. The world Suzanne Collins created is really dark, it feels like there is no hope whatsoever. The story is compelling, exciting, tense, dark and it’s really a book you can’t put down. It kept me reading for hours that first time and it did it again while rereading it.

I’m so happy that I reread it and that I will be immersed into this world for the entirety of April. It’s such a good series, and “The Hunger Games” is an amazing first in that series.