The Hunger Games: Hyped for a Reason
The Hunger Games is a brilliant mix The Lottery, 1984, Lord of the Flies and teen science-fiction. It, like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, has been everywhere and when Mockingjay was released the internet went wild. It was this enthusiasm that made me realized that, for better or worse, I was missing something.
Thank goodness it was for the better.
I love this book for being so engaging, for having a strong female lead, a fun romance and some really fun secondary characters. I would like to thank this book for reminding me that not all hyped-up young adult books are by nature bad.
The synopsis is as such: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
I love these types of books. Anything that puts a bunch of children in harms people to entertain the Bourgeoisie is my cut of tea. The idea that the Capitol is able to not only take these kids from their homes and turn them into gladiators is not only nightmare fuel, but fascinating. Not to mention the added drama that people bet and make it seem at though this kids want to compete. That type of power is frightening, especially since we don't know all of what they can do. Marx would have had a field day with this book.
There was a little bit of a slow point before Part II with the training. I feel like it dragged on a little much, but not enough to make me stop reading. Once the action started I didn't want it to end. Besides, once I did get to the good parts, all those "dull" moments showed to be relevant in the latter parts. Not to mention it means things can move faster in Book 2.
I really enjoyed Katniss's character. I felt that she was realistic and so were abilities. Every talent that she did was already established in the beginning of the book. Also, she stayed human throughout the book. No super amazing powers, no ass-pulling and injuries hurt her.
I felt the relationship between her and her mother was very realistic. I really don't like stories where the girl raises the mother because the mom is trying to cling to some inkling of youth. In here, Kat's mom really has a legitimate reason for her almost neglectful behavior, even though it is not a positive thing. Also, I'm glad to see a scenario where the younger sibling isn't a brat. It makes the way that Kat sacrifices herself for Prim more touching.
As for Peeta *hugs him close*. I'm so, so happy he's not an immortal, vampire, werewolf, demon, wizard and is just plain ol' human. The insecurities he goes through make him more appealing as a male lead, not to mention the fact that he is imperfect without being useless. His abilities complement Kat's in a really good way.
Their relationship was adorable. Partly, because I don't think it was rushed or it made either of them act like imbeciles and also because of the conflict Kat has about the whole situation.
Not all the secondary characters were fleshed out, but considering what their fate is meant to be, it's better that they remain a mystery. Also, all things taken into account there was no time to be buddy-buddy. I am excited for the sequel and I hope that it carries the same power as it's predecessor.
Final Grade: A
Not an A+ book, but pretty damn close. While it takes ideas from multiple places, it still manages to become it's own story. The main leads were engaging and didn't make me want to rip my hair out in frustration. I also was glad that the romantic elements were not traditional, there was a hint of politics intertwined. The success of this book makes me very excited for the future. See everybody, people like strong female leads and romance that makes sense! Another book that lives up to its hype.
Thank goodness it was for the better.
I love this book for being so engaging, for having a strong female lead, a fun romance and some really fun secondary characters. I would like to thank this book for reminding me that not all hyped-up young adult books are by nature bad.
The synopsis is as such: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
I love these types of books. Anything that puts a bunch of children in harms people to entertain the Bourgeoisie is my cut of tea. The idea that the Capitol is able to not only take these kids from their homes and turn them into gladiators is not only nightmare fuel, but fascinating. Not to mention the added drama that people bet and make it seem at though this kids want to compete. That type of power is frightening, especially since we don't know all of what they can do. Marx would have had a field day with this book.
There was a little bit of a slow point before Part II with the training. I feel like it dragged on a little much, but not enough to make me stop reading. Once the action started I didn't want it to end. Besides, once I did get to the good parts, all those "dull" moments showed to be relevant in the latter parts. Not to mention it means things can move faster in Book 2.
I really enjoyed Katniss's character. I felt that she was realistic and so were abilities. Every talent that she did was already established in the beginning of the book. Also, she stayed human throughout the book. No super amazing powers, no ass-pulling and injuries hurt her.
I felt the relationship between her and her mother was very realistic. I really don't like stories where the girl raises the mother because the mom is trying to cling to some inkling of youth. In here, Kat's mom really has a legitimate reason for her almost neglectful behavior, even though it is not a positive thing. Also, I'm glad to see a scenario where the younger sibling isn't a brat. It makes the way that Kat sacrifices herself for Prim more touching.
As for Peeta *hugs him close*. I'm so, so happy he's not an immortal, vampire, werewolf, demon, wizard and is just plain ol' human. The insecurities he goes through make him more appealing as a male lead, not to mention the fact that he is imperfect without being useless. His abilities complement Kat's in a really good way.
Their relationship was adorable. Partly, because I don't think it was rushed or it made either of them act like imbeciles and also because of the conflict Kat has about the whole situation.
Not all the secondary characters were fleshed out, but considering what their fate is meant to be, it's better that they remain a mystery. Also, all things taken into account there was no time to be buddy-buddy. I am excited for the sequel and I hope that it carries the same power as it's predecessor.
Final Grade: A
Not an A+ book, but pretty damn close. While it takes ideas from multiple places, it still manages to become it's own story. The main leads were engaging and didn't make me want to rip my hair out in frustration. I also was glad that the romantic elements were not traditional, there was a hint of politics intertwined. The success of this book makes me very excited for the future. See everybody, people like strong female leads and romance that makes sense! Another book that lives up to its hype.