Friday, February 20, 2009

THE HUNGER GAMES

Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA Science Fiction, Trilogy #1
Published: 2008
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Yearly Count: 24



In a post-apocalyptic timeframe, the Capitol requires two children's names to be randomly drawn from each of the 12 Districts. They have been chosen to fight in the yearly Hunger Games, which serves as a reminder of the past. The sole winner lives a life of luxury, while the losers - well, they all die.

What an exciting YA book! I saw this when it first came out and didn't give it a second glance when I discovered it was science fiction (I am so not a fan), but then I started seeing it getting very popular on Amazon and decided to give it another look-see. I'm so happy I did because I was always eager to learn what was going to happen next. There were several little twists and turns that I was grateful for, especially when I thought I knew what was coming. I thoroughly enjoyed Book 1 in this trilogy and have a newfound like for this type of science fiction. I think I may even explore the genre a little more now. Woo!


Oh, yes. I wanted to add that this book reminded me of a cross between The Giver (Lowry) and The Goose Girl (Hale).

26 comments:

  1. I've keep reading good things about this book. I guess I'm going to have to give it a try.

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  2. I'm not a sci fi fan either, but this book sounds interesting. What the heck, it's time to leave the comfort zone. Besides I loved Ender's Game and it's sci fi.

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  3. Wow, I've been thinking of reading this, and now that I see you liked it so much, it'll definitely be bumped up the list!

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  4. I read this book this week too. I loved it! I haven't liked much science fiction either, but this isn't too far fetched. Most of it is worryingly possible.

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  5. Bermudaonion ~ I was only seeing good things about it, too. That certainly doesn't mean I'd like it, but it helps to push me over the edge. :)

    Framed ~ Oh. Ender's Game. I never ventured there. Maybe I should, huh?

    3M ~ For me, it was exciting - never a dull moment. I love that in a book.

    Farmlanebooks ~ That's probably why I was able to tolerate the science fiction. Honestly, I think there was only 1 scene that I thought was silly, but it didn't last too long. :) I'd say that's pretty good odds for an entire book!

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  6. So glad to see that you loved this! I just picked it up from the library the other day.

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  7. Amy ~ It should be a fast read for you, Amy. I hope you enjoy it.

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  8. Would you consider this dystopian? I don't really care for science fiction either, but I've found that I love dystopian novels which definitely dip into that science fiction genre.

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  9. I've not heard of this before Joy but the premise certainly sounds very good. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  10. Trish ~ I'm not so familiar with the term dystopian, but if it refers to the fact that the world is strictly ran by the government, then yes, it is dystopian. What other books did you like that were dystopian?

    Dar ~ Sorry for my lack of details or even just more general information about it, but what I post are just my simple, initial thoughts. Also, I don't like to know much about a book before I read it, so I tend not to give much away when explaining a book to others. There are many, many reviews on Amazon if you'd like more. :)

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  11. The Handmaid's Tale is probably my favorite--but books like The Giver, 1984, A Brave New World, Never Let Me Go are all sort of dystopian.

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  12. Not all sci-fi is about going to space, which I always thought and many people still do. It's just a 'what if' in the realm of any science. It's a sort of blurry line.
    Anyway, I look forward to finding this on Mt Git'r'Read one day. This does look good.

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  13. If this reminds you anything of The Giver, I have to read it!! As I read your review, Ender's Game came to mind, so maybe you should give it a try, too. I'm going to read this in preparation for my post-apocalyptic endcap. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Joy!

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  14. "a cross between The Giver and The Goose Girl" - what an attention grabber! I loved both those books.

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  15. Glad to hear you liked this. I love post-apocolyptic fiction and keep seeing great reviews for this one. I'll get around to reading soon, hopefully.

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  16. Oh my, I had this in a stack of books I gathered up at the book store the other day. I made myself weed down the stack though, and ended up putting this one back. You've just made me really regret that decision. (I'd actually tried to get this one from the library this week as well, but of course, it was checked out.)

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  17. Trish ~ Thanks, Trish. I have access to The Handmaid's Tale, but haven't read it. The Giver and Never Let Me Go were both very good reads and I have wanted to read 1984 forever. I've never looked into A Brave New World, though. I guess I have liked dystopian sci-fi novels all along and didn't even know it. :)

    Vickie ~ I think of aliens when I first hear "science fiction". :)

    Les ~ Post-apocalyptic books on an endcap - sounds great! :) I look forward to your review of this one.

    Booklogged ~ HA! I knew you would say something about The Goose Girl. I read that one on your recommendation! :) I still want to continue in that series. Anyway, this was a terrific book.

    Nicola ~ It's a good one. I think you'll like it.

    Debi ~ Keep trying - it's worth the read! :)

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  18. I've heard all sorts of chatter about this book, but yours is the first review I've read. Onto the wish list it goes. I love sci-fi, myself, esp. post-apocalyptic. I'll have to see if my library has it because there are 253 people in line ahead of me at PBS. Yikes!

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  19. Bookfool ~ Oh, I hope you like it. Actually, I can't imagine you won't. Sci-fi may find itself in more of my reading because apparently I like it more than I thought I did. :) I hope you are able to find The Hunger Games soon.

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  20. I like your Giver and Goose Girl comparison! I flew threw this book and stayed up way to late to finish it. I can not wait for the sequel.

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  21. Maw Books ~ I'm right there with ya! :)

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  22. I love that you loved this book. The plot just draws you in and once I started reading I couldn't put it down.
    The Hunger Games Book 2, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins comes out September 1, 2009. Can't wait. =)
    I've been following your blog for a couple years and haven't posted until now. But I just love the format of your blog. Thank you!
    (btw, I just started reading The Handmaid's Tale today. That's uncanny.)

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  23. Hi Joy, I just finished The Handmaid's Tale. I won't recommend it. It certainly wasn't written for me in mind.

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  24. ~Joy~ ~ Welcome to commenting! :) I'm so glad you did. I'll come visit you at your blog soon. I'm trying to get caught up with everything.

    Bummer about The Handmaid's Tale. I hope what you are reading now is a winner. :)

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  25. I finished The Hunger Games tonight. I'd been hearing so much good about it - including from my 13yo daughter - and finally had to see for myself. I loved it - and I'm eager for the next book in the series.

    I really like dystopian and post-apocalyptic themes - as well as more "typical" science fiction. The Giver is an all-time favorite, and The Handmaid's Tale is also one I loved.

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  26. Alisonwonderland ~ I'm so glad you loved it, too! And, I can't wait for Catching Fire!

    I have The Handmaid's Tale, but haven't picked it up yet. It's good to know that you loved it - that's encouraging to me. I hope I like it.

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