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A review by aeoliandeductress
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4.0
I first read this book out loud to my MH students. They loved it. I recently listened to it again as an audiobook so I could digest the book as a whole more readily before moving on in the series.
I enjoyed this book for a lot of reasons, the primary of which probably being that I see a lot of myself in Katniss. I love her strength, her desire to not show emotion except in extreme circumstances, her sense of putting others before herself, and yet through it all- simply not WANTING to be a hero. This is something I feel a lot of books have gotten away from- so many heroes are there because it is something they strive to be. We forget that a lot of reluctant heroes exist- people who do the right thing in a series of small circumstances with no regard for victory other than survival. People who do not seek to lead but leadership is thrust upon them and Katniss is a key example of this.
Like most people, I'm not a huge fan of the love triangle. I think it creates unnecessary complications in an already complex world. It also has the potential to reduce a book/series that is ultimately about the corruption often associated with power to squabbles over which "team" love interest wise fans fall on. One could argue that it humanizes Katniss, but honestly her sister and mother do that and a single love interest could do the same if desired. The point though of this girl is that she is strong, she is independent, she does not need anyone to pull her up, but she shies away from taking a lead role until it is thrust upon her.
The book had a slow start for me. I get that Ms. Collins was trying to give a lot of information in a solitary chapter so as not to have to keep referring back to basics, but it took me several attempts to get started. I will say, once I got past the first few chapters, I was hooked like so many others and couldn't stop.
I freaking love Haymitch. He may be my favorite along with Cinna. I enjoy side characters with depth and a drunk who is ultimately wrestling with complex emotions and able to help the main characters despite his flaws and a fashion designer bent on using his talents for revolutionary purposes don't get much deeper.
This is worth the read in my opinion, though I reserve the right to change said opinion upon completion of the series.
I enjoyed this book for a lot of reasons, the primary of which probably being that I see a lot of myself in Katniss. I love her strength, her desire to not show emotion except in extreme circumstances, her sense of putting others before herself, and yet through it all- simply not WANTING to be a hero. This is something I feel a lot of books have gotten away from- so many heroes are there because it is something they strive to be. We forget that a lot of reluctant heroes exist- people who do the right thing in a series of small circumstances with no regard for victory other than survival. People who do not seek to lead but leadership is thrust upon them and Katniss is a key example of this.
Like most people, I'm not a huge fan of the love triangle. I think it creates unnecessary complications in an already complex world. It also has the potential to reduce a book/series that is ultimately about the corruption often associated with power to squabbles over which "team" love interest wise fans fall on. One could argue that it humanizes Katniss, but honestly her sister and mother do that and a single love interest could do the same if desired. The point though of this girl is that she is strong, she is independent, she does not need anyone to pull her up, but she shies away from taking a lead role until it is thrust upon her.
The book had a slow start for me. I get that Ms. Collins was trying to give a lot of information in a solitary chapter so as not to have to keep referring back to basics, but it took me several attempts to get started. I will say, once I got past the first few chapters, I was hooked like so many others and couldn't stop.
I freaking love Haymitch. He may be my favorite along with Cinna. I enjoy side characters with depth and a drunk who is ultimately wrestling with complex emotions and able to help the main characters despite his flaws and a fashion designer bent on using his talents for revolutionary purposes don't get much deeper.
This is worth the read in my opinion, though I reserve the right to change said opinion upon completion of the series.