Spring Book Review #6: The Hunger Games

So I added this book to my Spring Thing Reading Challenge that I am participating in over at this site.


I wasn't going to read it but my oldest said she highly recommended it and thought I'd like it.


I LOVED IT!! I am now hooked on what is going to happen to Katniss, Peeta, and Gale.


Genre:  fantasy


Setting:  Panem (a future country where North America used to be).


Main Plot:  In the country of Panem there are 12 outlying districts surrounding the Capitol.  The Capitol is a harsh place.  It is a cruel place.  It keeps the districts in line because they force each district to send them one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18 to participate in an annual tradition.  This is a game and it's called THE HUNGER GAMES.  It is a fight to the death on live TV. (think reality show).  The main character, Katniss Everdeen, decides to volunteer as a participant when her younger sister's (Prim) name is called out for the Games.  She knows this is a death sentence. And yet...she has had to survive before.  Survival is like 2nd nature to Katniss.  Will she win?  She will have to make some choices that "weigh survival against humanity and life against love."


My Thoughts


This was a very easy read because it is put out by Scholastic AND it seems geared for middle school readers.  However, almost everyone I know is reading, or has read this novel.  Some of my co-workers have decided to go on to finish the trilogy!  I am most likely going to finish it, too!


I thought because of the subject matter it would be gory and dark, but really it isn't any worse than watching a television drama.  There is no bad language or sex scenes in this book and that is gratifying.  There is death in this book but even those descriptions are mild.  Which is good.  The description of the setting and clothing is very well-done and I have heard, from people who have seen the movie (I don't plan on seeing it unless it comes out on Netflix), that the movie does NOT do a good job with the clothing/costumes.  They are described brilliantly by the author.  I "feel in love" with the whole mockingjay thing and I am hinting that I would love a pin for Xmas!! (lol!!).


I don't want to spoil the book for you if you haven't read it yet so let's just say the ending was no big surprise to me.  I had already predicted in the beginning of the story something that might occur (I was right!).  But it was still very exciting to read and imagine.


I highly recommend this book for ages 12 and older.


On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10 for young people and a 9 for adult reading.


Have YOU read The Hunger Games yet??


Update about the Reading Challenge:  I am now starting my 7th novel and am about half-way through 2 Christian non-fiction books (Respectable Sins, (on our Nook)and the devotional Fresh-Brewed Life)  If you don't know about the Reading Challenge, click on the link I provide above.