Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: October 1st, 2008 by Scholastic
Details: 374 pages, paperback
Series: Book #1 in The Hunger Games series
Source: Bought from Wal Mart ($6!!)
Rating: 5 out of 5!
Summary (goodreads):

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before--and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

o0.| My Thoughts |.0o

OH.MY.GOSH. OHMYGOSH.  OHMYGOSH.

First of all, thank you to everyone who suggested that I read The Hunger Games. I should had listened earlier, this book was am-a-zing! Can I just assume that everyone has read this already? That being said, there may be a few minor spoilers in my review.

I didn't think I would like this book... like at all. Kids stuck in an area to fight to the death? Doesn't sound interesting. Kinda reminded me of that sick twisted movie where they did the same thing to the criminals. Wasn't my thing. 

But, it was nothing like that movie. This book was captivating. From the moment Katniss was signed up to enter The Hunger Games until the moment she left The Hunger Games, I was stuck in a world where it felt like I was watching her along with the rest of Panem. The cool thing about Suzanne's writing is that she includes a lot of background story to the characters. She draws out their lives for you and even though it may be a page or two before there's any dialog, I wasn't impatient, I wanted to know more. I loved being in Katniss' head, most of the time.

I like Katniss, I do. I think she's a great protagonist. She's smart, she's crafty, she's strong, she cares about the people in her life (even someone she didn't have much contact with like... oh I don't know... the boy with the bread maybe?), and she has this sort of innocence that makes YOU the reader, care about her too. I admire her ability to use a bow and arrow and I absolutely admired how much she cared about Rue (who happens to be one of my favorite characters in The Hunger Games). The thing I didn't like about Katniss? I wanted to shake her and just scream "GET A GRIP! PEETA IS NOT PRETENDING!" Silly, silly girl! You can survive with little to nothing but you can't clearly see the boy actually likes you? I mean, it's not that hard to figure out! He wasn't exactly keeping it a secret! 

Okay, I admit. I have a slight crush on Peeta. If my slight you mean completely utterly obsessed with. Then yes, I have a slight crush on Peeta :). Peeta, Peeta, Peeta... where do I begin? I loved the way he had his own way of showing Katniss he cared, how open he was about his feelings about her in the arena and after. I love the  fact that he bakes (former pastry chef here!) and I think the fact his name is "Peeta" is ironic. I wonder if she did that on purpose... I wish I had asked Suzanne instead of freezing up when I met her. I admire the stunt he pulled with The Careers (my husband reminded me to the term, we're both obsessed lol). Just wish Katniss would had seen his motive behind it.

I hated Haymitch in the beginning, then again, there wasn't much to like about Haymitch. But towards the end, especially when he warned Katniss, I began to really really like him. He's not so bad, when he's not drunk. Which is pretty much... never. I LOVE Cinna. And I wanted to know more about that Avox girl.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this and I recommend it to everyone who hasn't read it yet. And even to those who have! It's full of adventure and action and a girl who can't understand that a boy like Peeta could like her. It's more adorable than it sounds, kinda lol.

o0.| Favorite Line |.0o

If you saw my recent In My Mailbox video, you'll see all the stickies that I posted throughout my book. I'm sure if I posted all of the quotes, I'd pretty much be quoting the whole book so I'll try to limit it to three... or four.

"I can't do anything," says Peeta. "Unless you count baking bread."
- Pg 89

Peeta smiles. "Yes, frosting. The final defense of the dying."
- Pg 252