Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopia/Science Fiction
Favorite Line
“You should wear flames more often,” he says. “They suit you.”
Summary (from Scholastic)
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlaying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy 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, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has also resolved to outwit the creators of the games. To do that she will have to be the last person standing at the end of the deadly ordeal, and that will take every ounce of strength and cunning she has.
What I Thought of This Book
I finally decided to hop on The Hunger Games train. It seemed like everyone kept saying how wonderful the series is, so I knew I had to give it a go. I have to say everyone was right this book is too awesome for words. The fact is that I love a good dystopian story, but for some reason I don’t read them very often. It was great to return to a genre I love first and foremost.
The Hunger Games is a fascinating and fast read. I tried not to read it too quickly, because I wasn’t ready for it to end. However, I still ended up reading it in just two days. I loved how action packed it was. It seemed like every chapter ended with some crazy turn or event. I became very attached to the principal characters, particularly Katniss. She was written with so many facets to her personality. She was tough and clever, but at the same time caring and selfless.
Some critics have said that the author didn’t take the opportunity to utilize as much political symbolism as could have been used. I suppose that is true, but I don’t think that was the agenda of the story. Firstly because it is written for young adults who perhaps would not appreciate it as much as an adult would. Secondly, I think in my personal opinion, it would have taken away from the emotional connection with the characters, which was the part I liked best. Plus, the government presented in The Hunger Games made me angry as it was. I was really okay with not going into more detail on that aspect. Though I can only assume that this issue will become more prominent in the later books.
I basically loved The Hunger Games to pieces. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I’m also very excited, because this was my first book of 2011. I now have something to add to my reading challenges. Shiny!
Facts I Found Interesting
Author Suzanne Collins claims that the idea for The Hunger Games came from an instance in which she was channel-surfing on the TV. The lines between a reality show competition and war coverage started to blur. She also drew inspiration from the Greek myth of Theseus.
The Movie
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games is currently in the early stages of pre-production. While there have been few publicly released definite casting choices, director Gary Ross has been in trusted to bring the novel to life. I hope the movie powers that be don’t mess this awesome book up. I might just lose my mind if that happens. I’m inclined to have faith though, because Gary Ross directed one of my favorite semi-dystopian films, Pleasantville. Thus, he is not totally unfamiliar with the themes presented in that genre.
Music to Read By
Favorite Albums
I listened to: The Resistance by Muse, Fantasies by Metric, Danger Days: The True Lives of The Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical Romance, and Unbreakable by Fireflight. I loved every single one of these albums. They all fit the story in some way, shape, or form. The Hunger Games is already so popular many people on my beloved Grooveshark had already created playlists. I listened to a couple of those while reading it as well. I have a feeling I'll want to add to the playlist below later, but I'm satisfied with it for now.
The Hunger Games Playlist
Catalyst - Linkin' Park
When They Came For Us - Shiny Toy Game
If I Die Young - The Band Perry
24 - Jem
Smile For The Camera - Armor For Sleep
The Hunger - Fireflight
Bitter End - Placebo
Stadium Love - Metric
Get Out Alive - Three Days Grace
Die Another Day - Madonna
Blindness - Metric
Fire (Aim Your Arrows High) - VersaEmerge
Help I'm Alive - Metric
The Only Hope For Me Is You - My Chemical Romance
Animal - Neon Trees
Amour Love - La Roux
Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne
Resistance - Muse
Fences - Paramore
Hardest of Hearts - Florence and The Machine
Okay, I didn't quite get this out on Thursday, it is now Friday morning. This is what happens when you get involved with watching your DVR recordings of Vampire Diaries and Bones, instead of posting your blog. Ha ha. Well I'm off to do the Friday blog hops. Keep it shiny!
1 comment:
The song "Melon" by Home Video should be the theme song for the third book! Perfect!!!
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