The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) in Challenge by Choice

Oct 30, 2011 Blue rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library

When I first heard about the hype surrounding this book, I was a little put off as I was worried that it would just be another Twilight Saga style book that had popular interest that it didn't deserve and so, when I finally got the book from the library and started to read, I was ultimately relieved. With just the first read I managed to get to page 78 before deciding I simply had to sleep. As I got dragged further and further into the story, I found it harder and harder to put the book down unt ...more

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Oct 17, 2013 ◄○♦☻♦○►[faith.in.God]◘♪♪ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites-xd

i think this book is incomparable with the movie. i was lucky i got to watch the movie first and then read the book. otherwise i would have been really mad. Reading the 2nd book first, it was really nothing to enjoy about. but when i read the third book, it was awesome. At last, reading the first book, I was unstoppable. I can't even put the book down. I'd carry the book everywhere even when I know there won't be the time for it. even at my tuitions, I'd carry it around.
Watching the movie first ...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Lea rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, dystopia

Definitely, this is not a story to be taken lightly. It's nerve-wracking; violent; and most importantly, out and out scary for the reader. I mean, try to comprehend teenagers running rampaged with the sole purpose of taking another's life. Their reasoning is not to fight for their rights (which would be anyway better to negotiate by other means). No, they are doing this because they have been commanded to do so with reprecussions hinted at for disobedience, some of them find glory in this sicken Definitely, this is not a story to be taken lightly. It's nerve-wracking; violent; and most importantly, out and out scary for the reader. I mean, try to comprehend teenagers running rampaged with the sole purpose of taking another's life. Their reasoning is not to fight for their rights (which would be anyway better to negotiate by other means). No, they are doing this because they have been commanded to do so with reprecussions hinted at for disobedience, some of them find glory in this sickening program, and because they'll eventually die if they don't eliminate others. What is especially disturbing is that this event is called a game. When I think of games, I think of soccer, monopoly, capture the flag, etc.- not a mass murder pit. This is now repeating Nero's wonderful antics and upgrading their horror by turning the victims on each other. There are definitely quite a few mentally distraught people in this story.

Now, I read dystopia for numerous reasons. One, the worlds are often more complex and decisions have more weight. It's interesting to see what a desperate person might decide upon doing. Second, just like the past, a look at a possible future can help people avoid a bad scenerio in reality. Third, I want to see how a person might drive themselves and inspire others when all seems lost. These are just a few to note. In summary, it's the unique character, setting, and plot that drives me to look at the world in a different way every time I read dystopia.

The Hunger Games' plot specializes in reality television. Honestly, reality television is definitely not something in my line. I simply don't have any interest in it. However, it's scary to see what it can become- even less interesting and more nuts. This book definitely carries a warning.

For the characters, I can sympathize with some of them to an extent. However, only to an extent. Peeta and Gale show heart and a wish to have a better society- a better world for themselves and those that they love. Katniss won't give in- she won't let anyone tell her that there is a limit to her resources, hope, and integrity. There are many others, who also stand up for those that they care for even at the expense of their lives. These are pretty strong characters for a world that literally strips you of everything you have- your life, class, materials, and personality. Nonetheless, I do not like mercy killing. Protecting yourself is one thing. However, such things should not be done unless necessary. Killing is killing is killing- and that's the truth and always will be.

So, if you can stomach some disturbing concepts and look closely at this book, you can probably come away with a handful of useful information and/or questions to think about. By no means is the book perfect, it has it's flaws. Yet, despite those flaws, it does send a message. On the most basic of levels, we can question: "Do we want such a society?" and answer, "No". Then, digging a little deeper, our next question should be along the line of: "Then what are we going to do about it? What can we do to change the world into a better place and remove every thought of corruption?" If we do this, we truly can be a little wiser, a little more active, and a little stronger. It just sometimes takes seeing the worst to appreciate the best.

Content advisory: many disturbing deaths, some sensual things (view spoiler), tons of drinking by one person particularly, and a possible suicide situation (nothing happens because plan works) ...more

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Feb 08, 2011 Heather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, all-time-favourites, books-so-amazing-i-re-read

Well, i liked this book, a lot. I had heard about it from a lot of people so thought id read it to see what all the fuss was about and now? Im completely hooked and waiting for the second book to arrive! I really liked the main charecter Katniss Evergreen and thought she was a easy charecter to connect to as well which made me connect with her more. The main boy, Peeta, wasn't too bad either. He wasn't a natural survivor like Katniss but he adapts well. My favourite charecter in the book though, ...more

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