The Hunger Games Book 1, by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins will forever be one of my favorite book series of all time. The first-person narrator has always been my favorite, but within this book, I found it especially insightful as it provides a much deeper connection to the characters. Katniss’s sacrifice for her family was heartbreakingly beautiful and her love interests that change throughout the series provide Katniss with an internal struggle as must decide between who she wants to be with versus who everyone else thinks she should be with.

One might consider this book as "just another Young Adult" fad story, however, the layers that this book is able to portray, without very overzealous in it's story writing, is what makes this particular series of books incredible. The direct and aggressive commentary on how capitalism can be weaponised and destroy communities is what makes this book, not only a recommendation for young readers, but a reread for older readers as well. The characters have incredible depth, and yet still feel somewhat distant to the reader. The power dynamics between each of the characters really adds to how unexpected, but yet adds a very "full circle" kind of feeling to the ending. The "Capitol" also being the name of where the most wealthy, as well the antagonist resides, feels like the cherry on top. Splendid book.

Wonderfully Written? Oh, yes! Compelling? Yup! Super Fast Reading? Without a doubt! Original? Since I seem to be an unusual non-five star reviewer, I guess I'm not really original at all. Man, I wish someone on this site's friends list had read both Battle Royale and this book as well! I ate it up, yelling into neighboring rooms and offices that I was going to be forcing the book into their hands as soon as I was done, but as it went on desha vu was a bit too prevalent for me, so I gave The Hunger Games four stars (though I would have given 3 1/2 if the option had been there).

This book almost doesn't feel like a young adult fiction novel with how mature it ends up being. Often it gets dragged down for creating or supporting the "two guys one girl in a dystopia" trope, but the politics of Panem are so compelling when you actually read the book you forget about the more cliched areas, like the interpersonal relationships which I actually found quite endearing and interesting. It is such a bleak look at a fascist and imbalanced society that reads as much like a cautionary tale about letting powerful people do whatever they want as it does a fantasy. Action packed, with likeable strong characters and a very interesting world, this is a teen must read

Easy to read and great for the imagination. Started my reading list with this book because who does not love a hero to be a girl? A love story in a blood bath. I watched the movie first and there are always things that differ but just as intriguing as the movie is the book is as well. Katniss is intelligent and the heroine of this book. She is there for her sister, and she for Peeta. After everything that happened with her mom and dad she is just doing her best.