The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Nov 09, 2010 Jack Goff rated it it was amazing

The reason I waited so long to write my review for this book is because I wanted to finish the entire series before reviewing the books, that way, I would have the full picture in mind when I started talking about what I did and did not like about the characters and plot.

First of all, let me just say that I do not know what took me so long to read this. I kept seeing it in the library where I work and I was curious about it, but for some reason I just did not pick it up. Finally, when all of the The reason I waited so long to write my review for this book is because I wanted to finish the entire series before reviewing the books, that way, I would have the full picture in mind when I started talking about what I did and did not like about the characters and plot.

First of all, let me just say that I do not know what took me so long to read this. I kept seeing it in the library where I work and I was curious about it, but for some reason I just did not pick it up. Finally, when all of the buzz for the movies started happening, I decided I would read the book before seeing the movie even though the movie’s trailer did not impress me. That is, it did not impress me until I read the book.

I do no think there are words to describe how much I loved this book. It has shot up to the top of my favorite books list, lingering just below a few books from authors like Ted Dekker and John Knowles. It is very rare that I get so emotional while reading books. I cried, I laughed, I got chills. There were parts of this book that were so eerie to me, mostly because stories about all powerful authority groups give me the heebie-jeebies. The story was very original, I have never read anything like it before. I remember finishing the book and just sitting there for a moment, staring at it. I was utterly blown away, and when I watched the trailer again, I got chills. I actually knew what was going on! Hurray for understanding!

On that note, I think that if you do plan to see the movie, you should read the book first. It really helps you to understand what is going on because there are times where the movie does not explain everything and you do not get some of the back stories in the movie that you get from the book. Which I actually liked. I have been having mixed feelings about all of these books being made into movies just because I am afraid that they will stop people from reading the book. But in this case, the two compliment one another. If you have read the book, you understand everything better in the movie. So a cookie goes to the people who made the movie for that!

And now back to our regularly scheduled review!

As always, I’m going to start with my thoughts on the plot. It was believable to the point that it was almost scary. I could almost see this kind of thing happening, especially with how violent sports are getting these days. But I will not get into that because I could go on forever about my dislike of most sports. Anyway, the plot was wonderful. There was never a part in the book where I was bored. I am not a huge fan of love triangles in general, but this one was not that bad as love triangles go. Though my feelings about who I preferred Katniss with kept changing as I continued to read the books. More about that in my reviews of Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

The characters were all phenomenal. I hardly know where to begin. First we have a strong female lead who does not get on my nerves. That is a rarity. Usually I detest the main female of any story. Katniss was awesome. She was strong, but not so strong that she did not have emotions. She got nervous, she made mistakes. Long story short, she felt extremely human to me. Gale was wonderful. He, like Katniss, was very strong emotionally and physically. He was a bit hot-headed and a little reckless sometimes, but I loved him. Peeta is very sweet and loveable. In this first book, I got angry with Katniss with the way she was treating him, but through it all, Peeta remained very good and kind. He reminded me of a politician. He was very good with speaking, getting people to feel things when he talked, and talking about doing things. He was not so good with actually DOING anything, but he tried and that counts for something.

All in all, I adored The Hunger Games and I definitely think it is something that everyone should read if they get the chance. It is a small book and an easy read and it will not disappoint you. Unlike some books, this series actually deserves the hype it is getting!
...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2011 Angel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kickass-heroine, favorites

Awesome ... Awesome ... Awesome book !!!
O.M.G ... O.M.G ... O.M.G ...
Now that i'm a little bit less emotional ... we can start ...
let me sum it up by saying that I absolutely LOVED this book !

...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2010 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it it was amazing

Shelves: signed-books-arcs, mundie-moms-reviews, books-i-own, 2009-100-book-challenge

I started this book before Christmas, but then I put it down and didn't have time to read it. I picked up back up this week and started over and I couldn't put it down. I really liked this book and it really left me wanted more. I can't wait for the second book to come out. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 06, 2011 Beckie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, ya-misc, ya-dystopian

amazing book!! I could not put this book down!!!

Full review here: http://syco4twilight.blogspot.com/201...
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 21, 2010 Littlebearries rated it really liked it

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

Story Title: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Ending: 4/5

Synopsis:
Every year at the reaping, two children from each district, one boy, one girl, are chosen to play in The Hunger Games. Forced to battle to the death, only one victor can remain... which is a real problem for Katniss since she owes her fellow District 12 pick, Peeta, an impossible debt.

Character Likability:
Katniss: First off, love her name! Ok, much like Clary in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandr ...more

Like · see review

Nov 09, 2010 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: suzanne-collins

The first in the series, I ended up reading this because a friend suggested it to me. I fell in love starting on page 1. I never imagined a book could be that captivating in the first five minutes of picking it up. Though it's not my favorite in the series, it comes in a very very close second. You are introduced to all of the characters and it's astonishing to see how they react to the situations they're handed. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 07, 2011 Gabby (What's Beyond Forks?) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed

What’s all the fuss about? I wondered the same thing before I read The Hunger Games. I was told over and over again by people to read this book. So, I read the summary: a dystopian-ish society. A fight to the death held every year. Ehh. Not really my cup of tea. Finally, after hearing such wonderful reviews and being endlessly nagged, I broke down and read the darn thing. Let me just start by saying wow! From page one; this book does not let you put it down. It made me laugh and cry. The non-sto ...more

Like · see review

Nov 07, 2010 Marianne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Wow i cannot believe that i have owned this book for over a year and i just decided to pick it up and read it! i will not forgive myself. I am starting on catching fire right away.

Like · see review

Feb 03, 2011 Kathryn Roberts rated it it was amazing

The Hunger Games really surprised me. After hearing mixed reviews I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this series, but after reading it I can't believe I almost didn't. This book is intense from beginning to end. The descriptions are believable and transend time. Details are key in this book, and make for a realistic environment. You feel the pain and terror of each agonizing step Katniss must take, and you rally her to the end. I think I read the entire series in one week. ...more

Like · see review

Aug 11, 2011 Connie Garcia rated it really liked it

Shelves: done-reading

I just saw the movie and it was ok i gave it like a 8. The book itself was good I think I like the book version better then the movie itself. Katniss is smart and knows how to play the game well they make Peeta such a wimp when he is really smart and has his own street smarts that Katniss to be able to play the Hunger Games well.

Like · see review

Dec 19, 2010 Onix Martinez rated it really liked it

Ok I started our kind of slow with this book. I wasn't sure how I felt about it or the characters. By the time I got to the end I was totally into the story. I love the charactres. I don't love Peeta like I do some of the male characters in other book, but he's grown on me. Look forward to the next book. ...more

Like · see review