The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Hardcover, 374 pages

English language

Published Oct. 16, 2008 by Scholastic Press.

ISBN:: 978-0-439-02348-1
OCLC Number:: 181516677

(60 reviews)

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, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead 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 weight survival against humanity and life against love.

77 editions

Brett Hodnett reviewed The Hunger Games Hunger Games PB by Suzanne Collins

A fun read

4 stars

Engaging read, I enjoyed it quite a lot. It is a fairly basic, and despite all the twists and turns, in the main, a predictable plot. The main character, and others, have a really crappy and sad existence, but because of the style of the book, it doesn't really bring out any depth of feeling in the reader. It reminded me of an anecdote, whether true or not, about the making of the first Star Wars movie in 1977. Apparently, after the heroes were trapped in the trash compactor, Mark Hamill asked why, in the next scene, their hair wasn't wet. Harrison Ford apparently replied, "It ain't that kind of movie kid." Well The Hunger Games "ain't that kind of book", but it's well worth a read.

Chelle reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

So, I saw the movie first. This kind of story really isn't my usual read so despite the hype I didn't read it. However the movie put a lot of questions into my head that the book happily answered. There was a lot going on in Katniss' mind, and while everyone I know hailed her as this great female lead character the movie kind of whitewashes that a little. I wondered if the book did a better job, happy to say it did.

I'm holding out judgement on whether or not I truly like the series until I've done all three books. How they wrap it up is going to really determine that for me.
______

UUUGH this book. That's a good sort of UGH, but also just one of frustration. Looking at the series as a whole I just want to weep for humanity, because honestly …

Keith Stevenson reviewed The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Easy to see why people like this. The story is very well plotted, and each chapter ends with a 'must turn the page' moment. Katniss is such a likeable character because she ACTS rather than being acted upon. On to the next installment...

jkb reviewed The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I really liked it. It was surprising from beginning to end. It's nice to read an YA book that was fun, thought-provoking, and entertaining.

4thace reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book could have been far worse, with its conceit of a runaway version of Survivor that has to play out on top of the most implausible love story, but it turns out to be a competent story which hits all the marks it's supposed to in the proper sequence, setting things up for the other books in the series as well. The main character seemed kind of obtuse when it comes to the motivations of Peeta, but this unsophistication is probably intended to appeal to the younger market. Similarly, the dystopian rulers of the society are depicted with a pretty broad brush throughout.

lovmelovmycats reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I am absorbed in this series. I don't know yet if this is one of my favorite books, or if it just feels like that because I am so in love with it right now.

Ardi reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I really liked this book. It seemed to me like a cross between Ender's Game and Lord of the Flies, two of my favorites. Very compelling, especially for a YA book.