Book #5 & 6 : The Hunger Games & Catching Fire
By now, it is public knowledge that The Hunger Games Trilogy will be made into a series of films. After hearing so many positive reviews and recommendations, I decided to finally sit myself down and start from the beginning. Wow, was it hard to put it down. I've spent Memorial Day weekend reading it from the moment I got up to the very second before falling asleep. The series is excellent but also incredibly surprising.
1. Summarize the book without giving away the ending.
In the first Hunger Games novel, we get to meet Katniss Everdeen, a fifteen year old girl living in the country of Panem, what remains of North America. Katniss, a long-time hunter, is her family's main support after the death of her father. In Panem, the Capitol conducts yearly reaping in which 2 sacrifices from each of the 12 districts is chosen to compete in the titular Hunger Games - a nation-wide televised fight to the death. After a series of events, Katniss is chosen to bet District 12's sacrifice along with Peeta Mellark. Through the course of the book, Katniss must figure out how to leave the Games alive, while simultaneously attempting to deal with the reality that she may have to be the one to end Peeta's life.
In Catching Fire, we see how the Hunger Games have affected Katniss's life and how she is coping with the change. In the second installment, we also see the aftermath of Peeta and Katniss's relationship after the end of the games, as well as the Capitol's direct threat to her family's well-being. Plus, we get to see a lot more of Gale.
2. What do you think of the cover?
The cover is really interesting and certainly gets your attention. It certainly stand out from other YA novels out in the market right now.
3. From whose point of view is the story told?
Both books are told from Katniss Everdeen's point of view.
4. What did you think of the main character?
Honestly, I absolutely loved her. She is such a refreshing heroine compared to others in the YA market. She's smart, resourceful, level-headed, and a total bad-ass. I love that unlike other main characters, she refuses to allow romance to get in between her and her goals. Not too mention her devotion to her family really makes her relatable, along with her relationship with Prim.
5. Was location important to the story? Was the time period important to the story?
It certainly was. The story takes place in various locations ranging from The Seam in District 12, the Capitol, and arena. Had the arena not been in a forest setting, Katniss would surely been at huge disadvantage. The reader sees the arena advantage come into play in the second Hunger Game. The difference in setting truly makes this seem like a "whole different ball game" for Katniss.
6. What did you like the most about the book? The Least?
I really have nothing to critique. To be fairly honest, I am not a fan of first-person POVs, but this story truly made it work. I love being inside Katniss's head and trying to figure out what the other tributes are up to. The concept is really impressive. This book had no moments where it "dragged" on. I could not put it down from the moment I started.
I'm usually a sucker for love triangles and while there is one in this book, it was not as prominent as other stories. Therefore, I guess that explains why I was not Team Anyone by the end of the first book.
The second book felt like it took awhile to get started, but its understandable considering the worldbuilding that takes place. The information is important to moving the story forward so I didn't mind too much.
7. Share a quote or two from the book.
“I don’t know how to say it exactly. Only . . . I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?” he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? “I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not.”
“No, when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll kill just like everybody else. I can’t go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to . . . to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games,” says Peeta. (pg. 140)
“I remember everything about you,” says Peeta, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re the one who wasn’t paying attention.” (pg. 298)
“You’re not leaving me here alone,” I say. Because if he dies, I’ll never go home, not really. I’ll spend the rest of my life in this arena trying to think my way out.
*Note: I'm unsure of the page number. My copies a bit weird.
8. Share a favorite scene from the book.
Wow. Too many to count. My jaw dropped when Peeta made his announcement at the Interview prior to the beginning of the Games. A certain character's death was also really heartbreaking. I can't think of the rest right now.
In the second book, Peeta trying to make amends with Katniss before the beginning of their tour and the new arena are my favorites. Oh, and Finnick. Everything with Finnick.
9. What was the book's central question, and how was it answered?
I think there were several themes and questions. The books seems to focus on media, media influence, war politics as well as the lines of morality and ethical behavior. What would you be willing to do to survive?
10. Did you like the way the book ended?
Absolutely. After outsmarting not only the Gamemakers and the Capitol, you'd expect them to want to get even. Too bad for Katniss though. Girl cannot catch a break.
The end of the second book was a total shock. Poor Katniss. It was a real cliffhanger that really boggled my mind for a bit.
11. Did you learn something new from the book?
Not from this one in particular. The introduction to new weapons had me googling in the middle of the book. Now I know what a spile, an awl and a garrote are. I knew of them before, but I had no idea what they were called. The more you know~
12. Would you recommend this book? How would you rate it?
I would completely recommend this book to anyone. In fact, I'm definitely planning on forcing my sibs to read it, despite them being in the school children age range. The book does have quite a bit of violence and what some movies would call "scenes of fantasy horror / unsettling images," but overall, this seems like the kind of book you'd recommend to people who are mature enough to read an understand it. This book gets a 5/5 from me.
On Characters:
1. How did the main character change during the novel?
Katniss learns and grows from the moment this novel starts to the very end. In the beginning, Katniss is very no-nonsense and down-to-earth. She's passionate and a realist. She's incredibly devoted to her family and their well-being. From the initial moment Katniss promises her sister to return alive, you can see her determination in keeping that promise. However, her character changes once she herself comes to realize that while she is willing to take a life, she cannot imagine taking Peeta's. From thereon, the story changes from Katniss will survive to how she will insure Peeta's safety as well.
2. Which character do you like the most and why? The least and why?
I love Katniss for all the reasons stated above. Peeta was also one of my favorites but not my absolute favorite until the second book. In the first one, he was really growing on me.
3. Were the characters and their problems believable?
Yeah. The majority of the scenarios are ones I can totally imagine happening, aside from the genetically engineered animal life.
Thoughts/Questions?: N/A
1. Summarize the book without giving away the ending.
In the first Hunger Games novel, we get to meet Katniss Everdeen, a fifteen year old girl living in the country of Panem, what remains of North America. Katniss, a long-time hunter, is her family's main support after the death of her father. In Panem, the Capitol conducts yearly reaping in which 2 sacrifices from each of the 12 districts is chosen to compete in the titular Hunger Games - a nation-wide televised fight to the death. After a series of events, Katniss is chosen to bet District 12's sacrifice along with Peeta Mellark. Through the course of the book, Katniss must figure out how to leave the Games alive, while simultaneously attempting to deal with the reality that she may have to be the one to end Peeta's life.
In Catching Fire, we see how the Hunger Games have affected Katniss's life and how she is coping with the change. In the second installment, we also see the aftermath of Peeta and Katniss's relationship after the end of the games, as well as the Capitol's direct threat to her family's well-being. Plus, we get to see a lot more of Gale.
2. What do you think of the cover?
The cover is really interesting and certainly gets your attention. It certainly stand out from other YA novels out in the market right now.
3. From whose point of view is the story told?
Both books are told from Katniss Everdeen's point of view.
4. What did you think of the main character?
Honestly, I absolutely loved her. She is such a refreshing heroine compared to others in the YA market. She's smart, resourceful, level-headed, and a total bad-ass. I love that unlike other main characters, she refuses to allow romance to get in between her and her goals. Not too mention her devotion to her family really makes her relatable, along with her relationship with Prim.
5. Was location important to the story? Was the time period important to the story?
It certainly was. The story takes place in various locations ranging from The Seam in District 12, the Capitol, and arena. Had the arena not been in a forest setting, Katniss would surely been at huge disadvantage. The reader sees the arena advantage come into play in the second Hunger Game. The difference in setting truly makes this seem like a "whole different ball game" for Katniss.
6. What did you like the most about the book? The Least?
I really have nothing to critique. To be fairly honest, I am not a fan of first-person POVs, but this story truly made it work. I love being inside Katniss's head and trying to figure out what the other tributes are up to. The concept is really impressive. This book had no moments where it "dragged" on. I could not put it down from the moment I started.
I'm usually a sucker for love triangles and while there is one in this book, it was not as prominent as other stories. Therefore, I guess that explains why I was not Team Anyone by the end of the first book.
The second book felt like it took awhile to get started, but its understandable considering the worldbuilding that takes place. The information is important to moving the story forward so I didn't mind too much.
7. Share a quote or two from the book.
“I don’t know how to say it exactly. Only . . . I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?” he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? “I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not.”
“No, when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll kill just like everybody else. I can’t go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to . . . to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games,” says Peeta. (pg. 140)
“I remember everything about you,” says Peeta, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re the one who wasn’t paying attention.” (pg. 298)
“You’re not leaving me here alone,” I say. Because if he dies, I’ll never go home, not really. I’ll spend the rest of my life in this arena trying to think my way out.
*Note: I'm unsure of the page number. My copies a bit weird.
8. Share a favorite scene from the book.
Wow. Too many to count. My jaw dropped when Peeta made his announcement at the Interview prior to the beginning of the Games. A certain character's death was also really heartbreaking. I can't think of the rest right now.
In the second book, Peeta trying to make amends with Katniss before the beginning of their tour and the new arena are my favorites. Oh, and Finnick. Everything with Finnick.
9. What was the book's central question, and how was it answered?
I think there were several themes and questions. The books seems to focus on media, media influence, war politics as well as the lines of morality and ethical behavior. What would you be willing to do to survive?
10. Did you like the way the book ended?
Absolutely. After outsmarting not only the Gamemakers and the Capitol, you'd expect them to want to get even. Too bad for Katniss though. Girl cannot catch a break.
The end of the second book was a total shock. Poor Katniss. It was a real cliffhanger that really boggled my mind for a bit.
11. Did you learn something new from the book?
Not from this one in particular. The introduction to new weapons had me googling in the middle of the book. Now I know what a spile, an awl and a garrote are. I knew of them before, but I had no idea what they were called. The more you know~
12. Would you recommend this book? How would you rate it?
I would completely recommend this book to anyone. In fact, I'm definitely planning on forcing my sibs to read it, despite them being in the school children age range. The book does have quite a bit of violence and what some movies would call "scenes of fantasy horror / unsettling images," but overall, this seems like the kind of book you'd recommend to people who are mature enough to read an understand it. This book gets a 5/5 from me.
On Characters:
1. How did the main character change during the novel?
Katniss learns and grows from the moment this novel starts to the very end. In the beginning, Katniss is very no-nonsense and down-to-earth. She's passionate and a realist. She's incredibly devoted to her family and their well-being. From the initial moment Katniss promises her sister to return alive, you can see her determination in keeping that promise. However, her character changes once she herself comes to realize that while she is willing to take a life, she cannot imagine taking Peeta's. From thereon, the story changes from Katniss will survive to how she will insure Peeta's safety as well.
2. Which character do you like the most and why? The least and why?
I love Katniss for all the reasons stated above. Peeta was also one of my favorites but not my absolute favorite until the second book. In the first one, he was really growing on me.
3. Were the characters and their problems believable?
Yeah. The majority of the scenarios are ones I can totally imagine happening, aside from the genetically engineered animal life.
Thoughts/Questions?: N/A