The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Jan 28, 2010 CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, dystopian

I am actually not sure how to rate this book. it deserves four stars for the writing, but to say I really liked it seems wrong too. I felt that in many ways this was a brilliant book. It communicated the horror of violence and oppression, of being forced to fight for causes outside of your control, especially for tweens and teens. it was peopled with fully realized, mostly likable characters, and some truly detestable characters. The setting was brilliantly, vividly drawn as well. I felt like I I am actually not sure how to rate this book. it deserves four stars for the writing, but to say I really liked it seems wrong too. I felt that in many ways this was a brilliant book. It communicated the horror of violence and oppression, of being forced to fight for causes outside of your control, especially for tweens and teens. it was peopled with fully realized, mostly likable characters, and some truly detestable characters. The setting was brilliantly, vividly drawn as well. I felt like I experienced every minute of the story as though I was there.
I LOVED Peeta (although hate the name--sounds like Schwartenneger trying to say Peter.), absolutely loved him and thought he was the sweetest thing ever. and I really loved Katniss too, loved how strong and independent she was. She was dreadfully scarred emotionally, too, but it didn't make her any less likable. and I loved Rue. sniff, sniff. I loved Rue. Just because you KNOW what has to happen to some characters doesn't mean it isn't horrible when it does.
the ending, though, left me wanting--I understand there's two more books to the series, and that set those up. But it still made me sad. part of me wants to read the other books, to see what happens, to make sure that Peeta and Katniss can get happy endings to their stories. But the vividness of the battle scenes, the violence, the brutality--I don't like to read it. I understand that the author is trying to comment on the nature of war and violence, especially relating to teens, but I already know war is horrible. I know that many things happen in it that I don't want to know about. ever. reading about it gave me bad dreams and jumpy nerves, without improving my life in any way or teaching me anything new. So if I do read either of the next two books in the series, it probably won't be for awhile yet. not til I've had time to read plenty of happier things to put my mind back at rest, and sleep well at night. Then maybe I'll think about it.

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So I re"read" this book on audio CD, and was captivated/ horrified a second time. I actually enjoyed it more a second time, because I knew what was coming, but also found that the audiobook format made some of the loss and horror seem even more immediate and real. Not a cheerful book, but very compelling. and listening to it, a second time, made me finally go out and get the second book (and then the third) from the library. so I guess the book was a success. Peeta, aside from the name, may be one of my favorite characters ever. He deserved to be happy. sigh. ...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Cassandra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-books-read-in-2010, 2010

The first time I read The Hunger Games, I spent the first few chapters recalling Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery which is deeply disturbing in a fascinating way. In reading each I was both appalled and enthralled by the writing, the pace and the ability of the author to hook my interest without giving all the details away right out of the gate. I have read some reviews that might consider such a comment as negative, reviews that have compared this book to others that I’ll admit I have not read, bu The first time I read The Hunger Games, I spent the first few chapters recalling Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery which is deeply disturbing in a fascinating way. In reading each I was both appalled and enthralled by the writing, the pace and the ability of the author to hook my interest without giving all the details away right out of the gate. I have read some reviews that might consider such a comment as negative, reviews that have compared this book to others that I’ll admit I have not read, but I definitely do not mean this in any way as a negative comment on this book. The Lottery was an intense, disturbing and thought provoking short story, but one that sticks in my mind and comes back to me when I run across stories with similar themes and ideas, stories of dystopian societies that may be viewed as Utopian either by the reader or other characters in the story. This to me is one of the strengths of this book, to call up these themes so easily at the beginning of the novel; it really sets a tone without the reader even fully understanding what is going on.

The characters in the book (and series) are well developed, allowing the reader to learn and develop with them throughout the story. This allows the author to keep mystery around their true natures and intentions, leaving some of their motives unclear. Haymitch is a good example of this. When we are first introduced to Haymitch we are led to believe at first that he is just a drunk, possibly unable to handle the fame and fortune of being a champion of the Games. As the book progresses and we are exposed to him some more the savvy reader starts to wonder “what were the games like for him?”, “why didn’t he come back and settle into a family life?”, “how did he possibly win?” etc. and you start trying to piece him together. Every time you think you have him figured out, the story curves a little more, introducing another side, another motive, another emotion. Always leave ‘em wanting more as they say and this book does that in spades.

If you have found yourself disappointed lately with most fiction, be it adult or YA, you are not alone, but The Hunger Games and its sequel Catching Fire have reminded me that good fiction and more importantly, good fiction writers, are out there, you just have to dig a little and maybe jump into genres you wouldn’t normally look at. Run, do not walk to read this book, I know you will love it.
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Apr 14, 2012 Emrys rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

I'm no longer the last person in America to read this book! I gave it four stars, mainly due to the quickness and intensity of the plot. I thought the details were too sparse in areas, and too often completely missing. But overall I enjoyed reading it and appreciated the good social commentary. Now I am on to the sequel, Catching Fire... ...more

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Sep 05, 2011 April rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: want-my-kids-to-read, favorites, series, wishlist, 2012, young-adult, modern-lit

I wish Goodreads would allow half-stars. I would've given this book a 4.5 because even though I completely enjoyed it, it wasn't perfect. But 4 stars just didn't seem like enough so I went with 5. I'm not usually one of those people who reads YA (haven't read a single HP or Twilight book) and I'm picky about dystopian books (loved 'The Handmaid's Tale', hated 'Fahrenheit 451'). I also hate jumping on bandwagons and reading something just because everyone else is. Having said all that, I wish I h ...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Maggie Downs rated it really liked it

I devoured this book -- no pun intended -- on a plane ride across the country. It was quick, exciting and a perfect travel companion.

I like dystopian fiction anyway (and YA books), and I thought this one was very well crafted. The "Hunger Games" concept was believable, especially considering our modern appetite for reality TV and witnessing misery, hunger and pain via satellite. I'm anxious to see what the rest of the trilogy holds. ...more

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