Book review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Also by this Author: Catching Fire

Series: The Hunger Games, book 1

Age Category: Young Adult

Published by: 14 September 2008,

Pages: 374 p.

Genre: Science Fiction, dystopia

About The Hunger Games

Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun. . . .

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 takes her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death 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.

(source: Goodreads)

My thoughts on The Hunger Games

Did you know that there are people who have never heard of the Hunger Games? I was astonished, as I forgot I live in a shithole called the Noordoostpolder, where people do not care about fantasy or science fiction. This saddens me, but that is just the way it has always been in this part of the Netherlands. I had forgotten this, because I have created a solid community around me of like-minded people who are not so easily scared when I mention what my preferred genres are. I am proud to be a science fiction and fantasy reader, but it took me back in time for a bit, to the lesser years when I was that weird kid.

Those times have long since passed, so let's get into this re-read of the Hunger Games. I have read this back in 2012, thirteen years ago. It was high time I re-read the book before continuing on with the rest of the series. When Sunrise on the Reaping came out, I knew it was finally time to finish the series once and for all.

Even though it has been thirteen years, I do remember the general plot of the book, however, I forgot a lot of the details. It was nice to refresh my memory and also see if the book still holds up 17 years after it was first released. It does, in no way, this book feels dated or out of place to me. I think that has also largely to do with the genre of dystopia, which feels timeless to me.

I flew through the pages, as I did the first time I read it, that is just how addictive and fast-paced the book is. The fun thing about re-reading a book is that you find little details that you missed the first time around, and it can still be very surprising when you come across details you have forgotten, too. I still cried when little Rue died; that could not be helped.

One of the forgotten things was that I like Peeta's voice; he has some excellent lines. I still don't particularly care for him as a love interest; this did not change during this re-read, but I generally do enjoy his narrative. The mutts were also a part that I had forgotten. I still feel that this was such a cruel plot twist, I loved it but damn that shit got dark right there.

If you have not figured it out by now, I enjoyed this book the second, or was it the third time, I can't remember, reading this book. I can proudly say that I have finally continued the series and have finished Catching Fire. Last night, I started on Mockingjay.

My conclusions about The Hunger Games

This is a timeless young adult novel that is action-packed, political, and moving. It is still relevant in this day and age, It is the definition of a page-turner for me. The setting is realistic, the actions of the main characters, and the world are well-explained. Even though this was a re-read for me, I still enjoyed it as much as the first time. It also feels a little bit nostalgic in that sense.

Now I can finally watch all the movies in the trilogy, once I have finished Mocking Jay. The review about Catching Fire is also coming soon. I think I will continue writing that one once I am finished writing this one.

If there are any of you who have known me since my Ice Cold Passion days, you might have seen me give musical suggestions with the books I read. I haven't done this in a while, but as I am writing this review, I have been listening to "Father Light" by Stoned Jesus. I feel that it feels very appropriate for this trilogy. The album holds a lot of comments about the war in Ukraine, as that is where this band originates from. It feels kind of like a rebellious statement, therefore I thought. I would mention it in case you are in the mood for some music while reading.

This book gets 5 cats out of 5; it holds its own and is so enjoyable to read.

If you can't get enough of my content, consider finding me on my other websites. If you are interested in music, I write about it on Finding Flight Cases. If you want to collect books, I have started a secondhand online bookstore, Arcane Archives. I would love to help you find your next fantasy or science fiction read.