The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy (The Hunger Games Companions)

by Leah Wilson (Goodreads Author), Brent Hartinger (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Jackson Pearce (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Contributor), Mary Borsellino (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Sarah Rees Brennan (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Terri Clark (Contributor), Bree Despain (Goodreads Author) (Contributor) , more…

4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 · rating details · 4,640 ratings · 437 reviews

Includes 3 brand new essays on Gale, the Games, and Mockingjay!

**Already read the first edition of The Girl Who Was on Fire? Look for The Girl Who Was on Fire - Booster Pack in the Kindle store to get just the three new essays and the extra movie content.**

Katniss Everdeen’s adventures may have come to an end, but her story continues to blaze in the hearts of millions worl...more

Paperback, Movie Edition, 280 pages

Published January 17th 2012 by Smart Pop (first published April 5th 2011)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 14, 2011 Realornotreal rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are some books that are just fun to read, an enjoyable ride that you are happy you took. Other books, are not only enjoyable, but make you think (and think...and think...) even after multiple readings. The Hunger Games Trilogy for me (Admin T), can definitely be counted among the latter. So, when I heard that Smart Pop Books was publishing an anthology about the series, I have no shame in admitting I contacted the publisher right away, almost begging for an ARC to read and review

The Girl W...more

22 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2011 Dana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: suzanne-collins, books-i-own

It's like a very long review of The Hunger Games trilogy. It makes you see the books in a whole new way. It makes you see how really really brilliant of an author Suzanne Collins is. I've never really thought that there might be a deeper reason for Haymitch's drunkenness. That Katniss may be the fire but Cinna is the torch. And I strongly agree that the Hunger Games is more than just Team Peeta or Team Gale. It also made me realize that some programs today, though not brutal and bloody, are not...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 27, 2012 Jianne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ibooks, fell-in-love-with

The Girl Who Was on Fire is such a good book to refresh my memory and really, seriously take my love for The Hunger Games Series to the next level. Having read the trilogy before all the hype about the movie and before there was even news there was going to be a movie, the beauty of the series stayed but then of course, I also read great books after that but this in a way rekindled by passion for the trilogy.

My feelings about reading the trilogy and The Girl Who Was on Fire can be expressed with...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 23, 2012 stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, non-fiction, young-adult

this was a pretty awesome collection of essays. i particularly liked the essays on game theory, team katniss, PTSD, cinna and whether or not you liked Mockingjay. it makes me happy, and the essays were perfect to read before bed.

highly recommend it. jennifer lynn barnes kicks some serious ass. my admiration for these authors keeps growing - including carrie ryan and diana peterfreund. if you liked the hunger games, you should pick this up and enjoy it.

*

i was all ready to pass on this until i s...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 27, 2013 Echo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As all collections of short stories by various authors have, this book had it's ups and downs. There was a chapter or two that was completely mind-numbing in it's analyzing, a few more that were full of duh moments that ultimately left me no more enlightened or questioning then I'd begun the chapter, and a handful that were gems. They analyzed how fashion, community, media, and PTSD were such huge underlying elements in the books And the conclusions and messages they draw are very well supported...more

like · see review

Feb 23, 2013 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literary-criticism

Kudos to these YA authors who reminded me anew why I love The Hunger Games so much (and in some cases challenged me on my favorite parts.) Pretty fascinating to look at all the different things folks can focus on in this trilogy--essays included character studies, propaganda studies, game theory, Big Brother surveillance, politics, love, reality vs illusion and more.

I'll start with the essays I didn't like as much. Mary Borsellind's "Your Heart is a Weapon the Size of Your Fist" fell a little sh...more Kudos to these YA authors who reminded me anew why I love The Hunger Games so much (and in some cases challenged me on my favorite parts.) Pretty fascinating to look at all the different things folks can focus on in this trilogy--essays included character studies, propaganda studies, game theory, Big Brother surveillance, politics, love, reality vs illusion and more.

I'll start with the essays I didn't like as much. Mary Borsellind's "Your Heart is a Weapon the Size of Your Fist" fell a little short for me. "Love conquers all" is certainly a grandiose notion in the midst of tyranny--and I certainly won't deny the "spark" ignited when Katniss volunteered for Prim or covered Rue in flowers, reminding the downtrodden what compassion can do. I'd go a little easy on the Katniss/Peeta romance, which was largely a source of propaganda. What the world saw on television was an act meant to evoke a response. I'm a huge "EverLark" shipper, but to me, the beauty in their relationship lies in something more private, being able to reclaim their humanity *despite* everything they'd gone through. I suppose I would reclassify Borsellind's "love conquers all" into Bree Despain's "Community Conquers All," which she explores in her essay "Community in the Face of Tyranny." When I think of why Katniss did the fire-staking things that she did (beyond being coerced), it's for more than just loving Prim or loving Peeta. It's about the threat she sees in Snow and later Coin. It's about compassion for a warehouse of war victims rather than love for an individual. But speaking of Despain's essay, which hinted that the Games couldn't last forever, and that the Capitol itself destroyed them by allowing Katniss to thrive, I appreciate her focus on Peeta--his compassion in saving Katniss's life when she and her family may well have died of starvation is as alien and dangerous to a tyrannical society as a Mockingjay.

I felt a little bit like the enemy when reading Terri Clark's "The Crime of Fashion," which analyzes the wardrobe choices made for Katniss and inevitably leads to buying into the propaganda image a little, I guess. Most of her points about how this look leads to that perception were well thought out and it's always nice to get a little Cinna appreciation going. Minor nitpick--didn't like the excessive use of the "Kat" nickname (which to my knowledge, not even Caesar Flickerman ever used), but at least it wasn't K-Ev. :P Ned Vizzini looked at the propaganda imaging from the other side in "Reality Hunger," as he delved into Katniss's discomfort with her overly-scripted makeup and television appearances meant to appease a world hungry for celebrity.

I took issue with some of the warfare ethics glossed over in Cara Lockwood's "Not So Real Science" and Jackson Pearce's "Gale: Knight. Cowboy. Badass." Both brought up the atom bomb, which is quite the suitable comparison for the parachute-bombs, for which Gale was partially responsible. Yes, in a macro way, all of these bombs may serve "the greater good," but I'm adamant--and I'm pretty sure Suzanne Collins is, too--that we're not supposed to shrug off the suffering of the innocent. No matter what the ultimate, global consequences, innocent people still suffered and died because of those bombs, because war is hell, period. That being said, I appreciate Lockwood's pointing out that science isn't evil, but it's good use often depends on responsible use. As for Gale, I love Gale. I appreciate that he made a lot of sacrifices in the name of the big picture, to which he was almost exclusively dedicated, unlike Katniss or certainly Peeta. But, well, whenever someone refers to a character as a "badass," I know that's code for flattening character complexity, and even Pearce admits that knights and cowboys are inherently one-dimensional archetypes.

Of course I'm not surprised at all that I disagreed with Brent Hartinger's "Did the Third Book Suck?" given that Mockingjay is my favorite of the trilogy. :P I feel like he was a bit hypocritical, occasionally faulting Katniss for not being able to save Peeta through the power of love, and then turning it around and saying Mockingjay was annoyingly hero-worshippy of the girl. I'm wary of people who "expect things" from their books; it's too much personal bias to me. All of the other essays pretty effortlessly pulled Mockingjay into the larger narrative and maybe that's the point--it's one narrative, not three separate stories. Of course, once Hartinger brought up good vs evil, I knew we came from two different worldviews. I'm impressed, however, by his attempt to argue the "Pro-Mockingjay" side. The only thing I don't agree with there is his take on the Mockingjay symbol; I think he invests too much in it's power when at the end of the day, it's really more of a propaganda tool. Real people, like Katniss Everdeen rather than the Mockingjay or the Girl on Fire, aren't superheroes who can shrug off pain and loss. But real people can find ways to move on with and reclaim life, which Blythe Woolston explores in her essay about PTSD: "Bent, Shattered, and Mended."

In contrast to Hartinger, Sarah Darer Littman poignantly (and sometimes painfully) compares the politics in Mockingjay to the politics in the real world. Carrie Ryan focuses on the unsettling similarities between The Games and our contemporary reality tv in "Panem et Circenses." Both point out to the reader what Plutarch points out to Katniss in Mockingjay--the populace's abjuration of social responsibility in favor of entertainment based on illusions. Speaking of such, "Smoke and Mirrors" by Elizabeth M. Rees is a powerhouse of examples of how the Capitol (and later 13) has Panem duped--from Big Brother government under the guise of "protection" to the physical and psychological "snares" of the Games and warfare to the ubiquitous question of personal trust when everyone has his or her own agenda. Diana Peterfreund's "The Hunger Games Theory" probes the game theory behind The Games, aka how it incorporates human behavior (and delivers a harsh, if ultimately understandable criticism of how Quidditch is displayed in the Harry Potter books.) Lili Wilkinson, in "Someone to Watch Over Me," speaks of the power struggles surrounding surveillance, and how The Engineers of the Games attempt to control the Watchers (Panem) and The Watched (the tributes.)

The essay that challenged me the most was "Team Katniss" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I like to think of myself as being on Team Katniss. I didn't engage in romance wars or hate on Gale just because I ship EverLark. But even turning Katniss and Peeta's relationship into a phrase or squealing over dandelions in spring invariably leads to fetishizing just one part of Katniss's identity. Barnes suggests maybe this is easier for some of us, seeing that Katniss is a private and often unintuitive person. The romance is an easier way to root for her. In fact, the trilogy highlights the complications of Katniss's identity--she's a symbol, she's a survivor, she's fiercely protective of the small band of people she loves, and she's a real person who responds with devastation to loss (and prickly distrust, though this isn't as explored), and ultimately has to make the choice whether or not to move on. Peeta plays a big role in this, to the point where it might not have happened without him. (The same can be said vice versa, of course.) But ultimately this is Katniss's story and Katniss's narrative and Katniss's reconciliation with life.(less)

like · see review

Dec 07, 2012 Jonathan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, science-fiction

I feel as if I need to defend my stance on any polarising books. Although, as G.K. Chesterton just pointed out to me, if my audience is set in their views nothing I say can persuade them otherwise. Eitherway when it comes to The Hunger Games there is a lot of contradicting perspectives. A lot of people say that it is genius, a lot of people say that it is poorly written. I myself am no huge fan of the writing style necessarily as much as I am of the plot, characterisation and substance behind th...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 21, 2012 Andrea Carrey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

To start off, let me admit that while I enjoyed and quickly consumed all three books in the Hunger Games Trilogy, they were not on my favorites list. While I appreciated the realism from an academic point of view, I am one of those readers who needs the "against all odds"/miracle/"happily ever after" in my books (though many of my friends argue that the Hunger Games Trilogy provides all three in abundance). But, for me, I want the magic of something too amazing for real life (otherwise I would j...more To start off, let me admit that while I enjoyed and quickly consumed all three books in the Hunger Games Trilogy, they were not on my favorites list. While I appreciated the realism from an academic point of view, I am one of those readers who needs the "against all odds"/miracle/"happily ever after" in my books (though many of my friends argue that the Hunger Games Trilogy provides all three in abundance). But, for me, I want the magic of something too amazing for real life (otherwise I would just read the newspaper).

I was interested in this book, however, since I thought I could probably get into deep discussions by authors I like (and I was particularly excited to see Sarah Rees Brennan on the list). I loved Katniss as a strong heroine, and wanted to read about other people loving her too. And this book did not disappoint!

All of the essays were lovely and thought-provoking, prompting me to go back and re-read several pieces of the novels and see them in a new light. The authors pointed out aspects of Katniss and her strength and endurance and commitment that I had not noticed, making me love her all the more - and even making me like the series as a whole better. As an example, while I myself saw Katniss as unemotional and detached (and liked that about her), several of the essays touched on or talked about ways in which Katniss was capable of the highest emotions, and why that was such an amazing, rare, wonderful thing.

In addition to critiquing the books themselves, I liked that some of the essays looked beyond them, to us as the audience. One essay I particularly loved talked about the huge fan focus on Katniss's love life - I was laughing and dismayed - it was so completely dead-on in the points it made! Speaking of her love life, I didn't particularly like Peeta or Gale the first time around, but this book managed to make me see both of them in new ways, too.

This book was a deeper look at the series and all of the political, family, friendship, and emotional bonds and interactions; it satisfied a desire I didn't even know I had to take another look at the books and say, 'actually, this really couldn't have been done any other way." Hats off to all the authors featured in this book, and of course, to Suzanne Collins!

Thanks also to BenBella Books for providing an ARC so that I could write this review.(less)

like · see review

Apr 14, 2012 Alicia rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I first entered to win this book through Goodreads First Reads, I asked myself why I would want to read a book full of essays (even if they are about The Hunger Games). I mean, that's got to be boring, right? Wrong. Right from the first page, I was hooked. It wasn't just the fact that I loved the subject matter (of course, I'm a huge fan of The Hunger Games), it was also the various author's unique viewpoints and fun writing. I caught myself laughing out loud and looking like a complete idi...more

like · see review

Apr 14, 2012 Aik Chien 인첸 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It took me longer than usual to finish this book, not because it's flat or dull, but because it has too much information to absorb fully in a short time. The Girl Who Was on Fire is a wonderful collection of essays from some of the most popular authors in the YA community on the various aspects of The Hunger Games. These authors share their individual insights and perspectives on the book and/or the series - their topics ranging from the characters, the fashion, the scientific aspects, to the me...more

like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 Deyanne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Deyanne by: Deborah

I have forgotten how much I enjoy reading literary essays. Some were stronger than others, but in all I returned in a thoughtful way to my first reading of Hunger Games. Interesting questions were posed and I did question if the authors weren't themselves attempting to figure out just why this book has had such phenomenal reading success. Since many of them are adolescent authors, I felt as if they were attempting, in their own way, to figure out the "formula". Ironically, after reading this I d...more

like · see review

Apr 08, 2012 Sheila DeChantal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Still hungry for Hunger Games? You have read the books, seen the movie, and now what? This book will give you that fulfillment! ~Sheila

Sixteen YA authors come together and take you back to the world of the Hunger Games with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, even Buttercup (the cat), reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games reveals ex...more

like · see review

Mar 17, 2012 John rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to John by: Erika

I had to keep reminding myself when as I read that I was not the target audience, that it was written for teens. If I knew a teen who loved the Hunger Games trilogy I would recommend this to them. It would be useful to help them develop critical thinking about what they read. As an adult I found the essays pointed out little that I did not think about while reading the series.

I would recommend limiting your reading to 1 essay a day. I initially tried to read several and found they seemed too si...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 20, 2012 Ta§chima Cullen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, 4-star-shelf

I reviewed this book on April 2011, when it was first brought into my attention. Recently though I received the new movie edition which includes 3 new essays that pretty much rocked my world. Here is my original review, along with the new paragraphs on the new content.

April, 2011:

These kinds of books are awesome, and specifically this one is amazing! The essays are so good! There are 13 essays (for 13 districts?) in total, some have to do with fashion, psychology, PSTD among the winners of The H...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 23, 2011 Theresa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this book surpized me due to the fact that i was not intrested in survior tv show and thought that a childrens book could not have any intrest. but this book had more information and story then i would have supposed. i liked the dramatic reaping and the heroic love of the older sister toward her younger sister. they dynaics and difficulties that Katniss faced in her childhood are inspireing and very dramatic. they idea of the book is new and exciting and the idea of the rebellion being suddle an...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 20, 2011 Kaylyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The purpose of this collection of essays was to get fans of the series thinking, to expand their thoughts and ideas, and to explore the many concepts found in The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. Here are the essays:

Sarah Rees Brennan on what makes this series so appealing and good. Jennifer Lyn Barnes on understanding the character that is Katniss Everdeen. Mary Borsellino on how the concept of love played a huge part in the story. Elizabeth M. Rees on the fact that we cannot trust...more The purpose of this collection of essays was to get fans of the series thinking, to expand their thoughts and ideas, and to explore the many concepts found in The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. Here are the essays:

Sarah Rees Brennan on what makes this series so appealing and good. Jennifer Lyn Barnes on understanding the character that is Katniss Everdeen. Mary Borsellino on how the concept of love played a huge part in the story. Elizabeth M. Rees on the fact that we cannot trust anything or anyone in these books. Lili Wilkinson on the power of surveillance in the Hunger Games. Ned Vizzini and Carrie Ryan on the roles media and reality TV have in the books. Cara Lockwood on the monster-esque creatures and science found in the story. Terri Clark on the crucial role of fashion and appearance in the series. Blythe Woolston on the mental problems the characters face. Sarah Darer Littman on the politics of Mockingjay. Adrienne Kress on the element of decadence in Panem. Bree Despain on community in the face of tyranny.

I found a lot of these extremely well done. There was a good variety of ground covered. Some essays were very light and humorous, others were rather serious. All of these writers had their own unique view points on the philosophy of this thought-provoking series. Even though I felt that some of them were a little long and/or dull at some points, it felt good to read what people who have pondered the Hunger Games inside and out had to say. Each reflection comes from the writer's point of expertise. Political journalist Sarah Darer Littman's essay was one I enjoyed, it talked about the political attitudes of the characters and examined them well. Cara Lockwood's essay about how the science fiction-like creatures in the books was one that was also well done. And of course, Terri Clark and her write-up on style and fashion was also a blast to read. The ones that discuss how the reality TV obsession that both we in the world today and the citizens of Panem share were good too. Essays that talked about the heavier topics are contained in the book as well, and most of these were enjoyably insightful. (less)

1 like · like · see review

May 27, 2011 A&E rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Remember when you finished THE HUNGER GAMES and you desperately wanted to talk to someone about it. And that desperation only got worse after you read CATCHING FIRE, and by the time you finished MOCKINGJAY you were practically frothing at the mouth - stopping random strangers on the street and forcing them to listen to your HUNGER GAMES trilogy babble!

As book bloggers we had an outlet for discussion with each other. But wouldn't it have been grand to talk to some of your favorite YA authors abo...more

9 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2011 Pica added it · review of another edition

See full review here.

With this book, it's not so much that I enjoyed it - which I did - but I think this is an important book for anyone who was read the Hunger Games trilogy. It both reminded me why I liked the Hunger Games and addressed the deeper issues of the trilogy in relevant and meaningful ways.

I was initially overwhelmed by Mockingjay, and after finishing it, I intentionally stayed away from all things Hunger Games. However, I saw this book in a "Monday's Muse" post on The Secret Adve...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 08, 2011 Kate Kerrane marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Wow! All right NCCLers, I just might have to buy one more book. Then I'll stop; I really mean it this time! This book was just posted to a reading teacher's site I belong to. those of you who have read the Hunger Games Trilogy, we'll have to check out this book of essays. Below is the review of the book:

I’m such a nerd, so needless to say I was thrilled when the ARC of The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games Trilogy arrived. I immediately dove in and was...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 24, 2012 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, ebooks-read-in-2012, ya-read-in-2012

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for a honest review. This is a collection from several YA authors as they write essays on The Hunger Games trilogy. Being a Hunger Games fan I knew I had to read it to get their thoughts on this series. You need to take your time reading this as they all make great points. I love reading why they think the books have done so well and why they think Katniss ended up with who she did. Sorry no spoilers from me lol. Each essay will make you think and g...more

like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Gayle Swift rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Like many readers, The Hunger Games hooked me. The first time I read it, I raced through the series with a possessed need to find out how it would end. The second time I read the trilogy, I read at a more leisurely pace using my author's lens to distill some of the ways Collins used so to create a memorable, provocative and haunting story, for all ages.I know that I will revisit these books in the future.

I came across this collection of author essays discussing the Hunger Games trilogy in a list...more

like · see review

Jul 11, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I first read the Hunger Games trilogy, I remember really wishing that it had been written for adults. Perhaps I felt a bit sheepish about liking a YA story so much or just longing for new adult dystopic novel that I could enjoy with equal fervor. Reading these essays made me realize it is irrelevant what age group these books were written for, as all of the characters, themes, and symbols are just as strong as in any adult fiction. It was also reassuring to realize that the hold these books...more

like · see review

Jan 11, 2012 AtenRa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anthology

The Girl Who Was On Fire-Movie Edition contains all the awesomeness of the first edition of The Girl Who Was On Fire, plus three brand new essays from Brent Hartinger, Jackson Pearce, and Diana Peterfreund, which I will discuss separately.

Brent Hartinger: Did the third book suck?
Brent talks about his disappointment in the last book of the series, Mockingjay, but also tries to support people who liked it.
I agree with Brent's opinion, more or less. I am one of the many (few?) who didn't like the...more

like · see review

Sep 12, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, nonfiction

Anyone who considers themselves a fan of The Hunger Games needs to read this.

Whether it's an exploration of the political undertones, the psychological power plays, the concept of building community, etc.-- these thirteen essays dive deep into the heart of what makes this series tick so loudly that it has resonated so soundly with us. Most of these essays are provacative and well-written; for me, the three most fascinating essays are:

-- Panem et Circenses; Carrie Ryan addresses how the abdicatio...more

like · see review

Aug 02, 2011 Alysha DeShaé rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anthology, science-fiction, young-adult, essay, dystopian-post-apocalyptic

My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post a few excerpts here, though:

4.5 out of 5.0 stars

The very worst thing about this book is a section in the essay “Crime of Fashion” by Terri Clark. Apparently, she can’t leave her personal politics out of anything and is an Obama supporter. I say apparently because this is an assumption based on the fact that she criticizes Palin for having to buy a new wardrobe and not Obama for spending all the money that she does on a regular basis. Then...more

like · see review

May 27, 2011 AtenRa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fiction, anthology

If there is a book that deserves to have an anthology filled with authors' thoughts written for it, then that book is definitely the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The Girl Who Was One Fire is exactly that: authors' take on the YA phenomenon that is the Hunger Games and what, according to them, made it such a huge success.

Personally I liked all the essays. Some were longer than others and they dragged just a little bit, giving me the impression that they were more of an analysis on th...more If there is a book that deserves to have an anthology filled with authors' thoughts written for it, then that book is definitely the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The Girl Who Was One Fire is exactly that: authors' take on the YA phenomenon that is the Hunger Games and what, according to them, made it such a huge success.

Personally I liked all the essays. Some were longer than others and they dragged just a little bit, giving me the impression that they were more of an analysis on the books rather than an expression of opinion on them.

Apart from that though, I was thrilled to see(it really showed)that the authors chosen are indeed huge fans of the HG and were not just doing it because they "had to", because it was just another job. I liked that they were very opinionated and passionate about the books. Sometimes I found myself thinking "Oh yeah.Hm I haven't thought of that, she's right!", and I was affected by what I read, discovering new perspectives on the matter I never thought about. There were times that I disagreed of course, because that's just me! I objected to the love triangle right from the start because I think that it's completely unnecessary to books like the HG which has such an important and deep story to tell. Also, I have my objections about Katniss's absolute selflessness but I'm not gonna dwell on this now. This book doesn't have a story so I can express my opinion about, it's a bundle of opinions ON a story. So judging other people's opinion is not the purpose of this review.

Each essay had a different "subject". There are essays on how love was used as a weapon, on specific characters (Katniss), on how media affected the games, on how Panem may seem fictional but with the progress of science everything is possible etc.

If I had to choose a favourite, it will have to be Carrie Ryan's essay(I kinda love Carrie Ryan so it's only natural) in which she makes an eye-opening connection between the HG and reality television. She claims that reality TV exists basically because of us, the viewers, because we're watching and by doing so we "increase the ratings, and as our interest wanes the shows must become "more" to recapture our attention-". She compares Survivor to Hunger Games and how the former became more brutal along the years. Since I'm a huge Survivor fan and have watched every season I have to say the comparison is perfectly accurate but in all honesty, I have never thought about it that way till Ryan pointed it out.

She concluded her essay with something sad but also very true:

"In the end, if there is one truth that can be taken away from the Hunger Games it is this: we, the reader tuned in and boosted its rating. Even while Katniss rails against the Games as disgusting and barbaric, we the readers turn the pages in order to watch them. We become the citizens in the Capitol, glued to the television, ensuring there will be another Game the following year. Thanks to us, the ratings are just too high to cancel the show."

This also goes hand in hand with what Sarah Rees Brennan says about the Romans "liking for bread and circuses-for instant gratification that would distract them from the harsher realities of life."

Overall, I liked The Girl Who Was On Fire and felt like I was discussing the Hunger Games with friends all over again. The moving and thought-provoking essays are a definite must-read for every Hunger Games fan!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 05, 2011 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Once I got around to actually reading them (I was a little late to the party), I became totally engrossed in The Hunger Games. I felt Katniss, despite her imperfections, was a much better heroine than many I've seen in recent years. Katniss is a girl of substance. She's got much better things to do than sitting around pining and whining over one controlling, possessive boy and therefore she's a bit more interesting to read about.

So, when I heard there was a collection of essays about the trilogy...more

like · see review

Sep 09, 2012 Rinn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, ebook, read-2012, reviewed

I received this ebook for free through NetGalley.

This review will contain spoilers for The Hunger Games trilogy.

Last week, whilst browsing NetGalley and eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Hunger Games on DVD (finally!), I spotted this. As I am a ridiculous fangirl, I instantly jumped at the chance to read more about Katniss, Peeta, Gale et al. As the first essay of the book proclaims, I was 'hungry for The Hunger Games' (ho ho ho).

From the very beginning, the book raised many questions that I...more I received this ebook for free through NetGalley.

This review will contain spoilers for The Hunger Games trilogy.

Last week, whilst browsing NetGalley and eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Hunger Games on DVD (finally!), I spotted this. As I am a ridiculous fangirl, I instantly jumped at the chance to read more about Katniss, Peeta, Gale et al. As the first essay of the book proclaims, I was 'hungry for The Hunger Games' (ho ho ho).

From the very beginning, the book raised many questions that I - completely sucked in by the story of The Hunger Games trilogy - never really asked myself. If I was a citizen of Panem, would I follow the coverage of the games as eagerly as rest? Would I see the barbaric show for what it really was? I would like to think I'd be disgusted by the very idea, but in all honesty I would probably just be like all the others, which is really quite shameful. I found myself questioning why it is I like the series so much - is it the story, the characters, the way it's written - or could it be, that like the citizens of Panem, I'm easily drawn in by promises of violence, unable to look away? A scary thought.

After reading this collection of essays, I now realise I didn't know Katniss that well - as one essay points out, she shocks the reader when she kills Coin rather than Snow. Some readers may have seen that coming, but I certainly didn't. In fact, Katniss barely knows herself. I'm also reminded why I love the trilogy - yes, it's a Young Adult novel, of which there are an abundance these days; yes, there's a love triangle; yes, there's a female heroine/protagonist - but it's all so different. Katniss is strong, for one, but not obviously so. She knows how to survive and overcomes so many obstacles. She may be scarred at the end, but she works slowly through it. She has no time for romance - what a breath of fresh air!

One particular stand out point in these essays was the fact that Suzanne Collins really thought about her characters names. I knew whilst reading the series myself that the Capitol was based on ancient Rome, the citizens of the Capitol had the names of prominent Romans. But what I didn't think of was the fact that Katniss is a tough, durable plant, as Katniss is a tough, durable character; whereas Prim and Rue are delicate plants, and fragile characters. The stand out articles to me were by 'Reality Hunger' by Ned Vizzini, which intertwined his own experiences of media exposure with Katniss'; and 'Not So Weird Science' by Cara Lockwood, a fascinating look at genetic science and its possibilities in the real world.

Brett Hartinger's criticism of Mockingjay - which he didn't enjoy at all - was a brave move in a book created for fans. I felt that it balanced the book out, and gave it a more professional element - it wasn't just continual praise. What is especially interesting is that when I have spoken to people about the trilogy, most of them, including myself, consider Catching Fire the weaker of the three books. It was interesting to see it from another viewpoint.

I also had a few issues with the collection. Many quotes from the trilogy were used to illustrate points, and I feel they should have included page numbers for easy reference. I would have also liked some continuity - some authors felt the need to use quotation marks, others did not - it would be best if they all had, as sometimes it wasn't entirely clear where a quotation started or ended. One contributor also constantly referred to Katniss as 'Kat', which irritated me - though that is just a personal preference and I'm sure many other readers wouldn't be bothered.

Finally, Brett Hartinger claimed that none of the events in the latter half of Mockingjay were as memorable as the ones in The Hunger Games. The very sudden, unexpected deaths of Finnick and Prim? The bombing of the hospital? The variety of pods in the streets? The lizard mutts? All of those moments are just as memorable to me as those in The Hunger Games, in some way they are more memorable because by that point I'd spent more time with those characters, so the deaths were more shocking.

I was considering giving this book a 4 star rating, but when I compare it to other 4 star books I didn't quite enjoy it as much as I enjoyed them, so I am instead giving it a very solid 3 stars. I would heartily recommend it if you're a big fan of the series. Between starting to read the book, and writing the review, my DVD of The Hunger Games finally arrived. After reading this book, I now feel I can watch it with a new perspective.

This review is also posted at my blog, Rinn Reads.(less)

like · see review

Jun 20, 2012 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with all the different perspectives of the deeper meanings within Collins' trilogy. For me, the most refreshing aspect was that I'm not the only reader to see far beyond the superficial "Team Gale" v. "Team Peeta." For all you "deep thinkers" out there, you might be concerned to learn the romance angle is much more a subplot in the books rather than the purpose; and, once you understand that, Mockingjay's conclusion is not so disappointing. As I included in...more

like · see review

Apr 22, 2011 Airiz C rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Hunger Games fans

Shelves: my-favorites, young-adult, book-about-books

Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy is a literary firestorm that swept many young adult readers into its addictive heat. It may have ended in Mockingjay, but Katniss’ unforgettable story is blazing in the readers’ hearts up to this day. The flames are further fanned by the buzz about the first book’s big screen adaptation in 2012, keeping the fandom more alive than ever.

I’ve read so many books after finishing the trilogy, but no other dystopian-themed book is able to dislodge it from its speci...more Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy is a literary firestorm that swept many young adult readers into its addictive heat. It may have ended in Mockingjay, but Katniss’ unforgettable story is blazing in the readers’ hearts up to this day. The flames are further fanned by the buzz about the first book’s big screen adaptation in 2012, keeping the fandom more alive than ever.

I’ve read so many books after finishing the trilogy, but no other dystopian-themed book is able to dislodge it from its special position in my bookworm heart. So when—by sweet serendipity—I stumbled upon a copy of The Girl Who Was on Fire, I had to clamp down the excited giggle that bubbled up my throat. Three words after I finished it: a phenomenal read.

The Girl Who Was on Fire is a compilation of essays by thirteen YA lit authors that express their commentaries, explanations, and analysis of the said trilogy. I can’t pick a favorite because all of them are very well-written and thought-provoking. A lot of them made me laugh, some almost moved me to tears, but the common denominator is that every piece taught me something new about the series—and I have to admit that it actually prompted me to reread the books.

I learned why Katniss Everdeen is such a hard person to know, how the Games made Haymitch a clownish boozehound or how it affected speech problems of Wiress and Annie, and why the majority of the fandom is more focused on the Team Peeta vs Team Gale when in fact romance is a subplot of the series. A popular topic among the essays is Reality vs Illusions as a thematic device of the books, as well as how Collins brought our obsessions with Reality TV into her books and made not-so-subtle commentaries about it. The long-term effects of war, the power of mass media, fashion as a weapon and a medium of expression, the science fiction elements that reflects our modern scientific explorations, even the parallels of the politics in Mockingjay and that of the G.W. Bush administration—almost everything was touched by the authors. The series was dissected and studied carefully, and in the process, the readers are egged on to debate and raise questions about the series.

For me, this book is a kaleidoscope that offers new perspectives about things I knew about the Hunger Games. It is very refreshing, and it made me love the trilogy more. The closest person I ever have that I can talk to about the series is reachable only through the info superhighway, so this book in my hand created an instant companion that I can gush with about HG. Highly recommended!
(less)

1 like · like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (7)

More editions...

Genres

Non Fiction

143 users

Science Fiction > Dystopia

38 users

Writing > Essays

28 users

Anthologies

26 users

Short Stories

14 users

Writing > Books About Books

13 users

Criticism > Literary Criticism

8 users

Young Adult > Teen

5 users

Culture > Pop Culture

5 users

Adult

4 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Leah Wilson

Leah Wilson is Editor-in-Chief of the Smart Pop imprint of Dallas-based publisher BenBella Books. She graduated from Duke University in 2003 with a degree in Culture and Modern Fiction, and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Fall season premiere schedules make her a little giddy.

(Her author blog is the main blog for Smart Pop's website, and she'll be using this Goodreads account in part to do some...more

More about Leah Wilson...

Books by Leah Wilson

In the Hunt : Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural (Smart Pop Series)

Perfectly Plum: Unauthorized Essays On the Life, Loves And Other Disasters of Stephanie Plum, Trenton Bounty Hunter

A Friday Night Lights Companion: Love, Loss, and Football in Dillon, Texas

A Taste of True Blood: The Fangbanger's Guide

Grey's Anatomy 101: Seattle Grace, Unauthorized

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Girl Who Was ...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from The Girl Who Was on Fi...

“I'm not Team Gale or Team Peeta. I'm Team Katniss...the core story in the Hunger Games trilogy has less to do with who Katniss ends up with and more to do with who she is - because sometimes, in books and in life, it's not about the romance.

Sometimes, it's about the girl.” — 105 people liked it

“Katniss isn't the kind of hero we're used to seeing in fiction. She reacts more than she acts, she doesn't want to be a leader, and by the end of Mockingjay, she hasn't come into her own or risen like a phoenix from the ashes for some triumphant moment that gives us a sense of satisfaction with how far our protagonist has come.

She's not a Buffy. She's not a Bella. She limps across the finish line when we're used to seeing heroes racing; she eases into a quiet, steady love instead of falling fast and hard.” — 50 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy
avg rating	preview: The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy Goodreads rating: 4.17 (4640 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12073363-the-girl-who-was-on-fire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344701904l/12073363.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12073363-the-girl-who-was-on-fire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy by Leah Wilson[/url]

The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy (The Hunger Games Companions)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website