Book Review: The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

5 Stars

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is set in the world of Panem sometime in the future. Panem is divided into 12 districts, including the Capitol, which controls the majority of the country's wealth and authority. The 12 districts live in poverty and in fear. Each year, two tributes—one boy and one girl—between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected from each district to compete in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a televised show in which the tributes fight to the death until only one is left. In the 74th Hunger Games, 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, living in District 12, takes the place of her sister as a tribute. She and Peeta Mellark were chosen as District 12's tributes. When they arrive at the Capitol, Katniss notices how different life is there from District 12 because, for the first time, she eats and lives in luxury. As she competes in the Games and has to witness tributes dying, her hatred for the capital only grows. Katniss and Peeta team up, but they soon develop feelings for one another. However, there can be only one tribute. 

I loved reading The Hunger Games. The plot has a lot of depth if you understand the history of Panem's world, which was really well described. Even the most disliked tributes are difficult to hate because they were all victims of the Capitol. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because of all the twists. Peeta and Katniss use completely different strategies to survive the Hunger Games. The differences between these two characters are intriguing to read. I liked how Effie, Haymitch, and Cinna act as parental figures to Peeta and Katniss, both of whom have abusive or distant parents. Katniss' personality was complex and wonderfully displayed. She only wants to survive and protect her family, but after everything she goes through, Katniss ends up paving the way for change and an uprising in Panem. I definitely recommend this book.   

Reviewed by Erica

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