Author: Suzanne Collins
Rating: 4.75/5.0
The second half of last year there were many new books being talked about that I wanted to read. Of course, new, so in hardcover. Ugh. Who wants a big hardcover book taking up space when you don't know for certain whether you will even want to think about reading it a second time? I of course am still dreaming of the day when I have the perfect e-Reader and where I will keep or toss with careless abandon or careful consideration, depending on the day. We'll get there eventually.
The Hunger Games was one of the books I kept hearing about, but oddly not really anything about the plot, but that it was great. Then it won the Cybils 2008-2009 award for YA literature.
So finally I bought the book on Amazon.co.uk last month. The UK version has a different look than the USA version - it's a "choose your own cover", where the reader can fold the front cover to have either Katniss, the main character, or Peeta, the supporting character, peeking out. Cute.
But then I realize, someone has made a mistake, when you fold it so Peeta peeks out - he's not centered! Not even close.
So the story line, in brief because I think it's better going into this book without knowing what is going to happen, is about a future world where the United States is defunct. There exists a big brother government called "The Capitol", shiny and modern, and twelve districts that exist mainly to produce goods/services to be used in The Capitol. Every year there is a competition, where teens either volunteer or (more usually) get picked, to participate in something called the Hunger Games. It's a televised fight to the death between 24 twelve to eighteen year olds. Katniss volunteers, even though she's small and probably doesn't stand a chance. You should definitely pick this novel up to read about why she does and what happens after.
Right, so what a great novel! It's not a fancy word book, or overly shocking (some may argue that point considering some of the brutality and death), but it's full of well-paced action, great characters, and an intriguing plot. You hear all the time about books that are so good and fast that you can't put them down. Well I usually can. I read this book in one weekend. I would also say that this book potentially has a very broad audience and is easily recommendable.
I want to re-read it again sometime, and there's no way I'm missing the sequel, which has a September 2009 release date.
The question: Will I be able to hold out for sequel to be released in paperback?
2 comments:
Just finished reading this. I couldn't believe it put it off for so long. I'm loving the UK cover of the book and the idea that you can change the cover picture however you like it to even if the picture of Peeta is sorta unaligned.
I'm just in the middle of the Hunger Games where Katniss just ranaway from all the other districts, and she's looking for water. So far the book is great! At first I thought that it would be Gale saying that he was in love with Katniss, but it turns out it's Peeta. This is my favorite book I've ever read. I recommnd this to other readers. This book is actually not very hard. It's for young adults, and I'm reading it. Guess what I'm only in fourth grade.
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