Marianne (Australia) (2011/08/06): The Hunger Games is the 7th book by Suzanne Collins and the first in the Hunger Games trilogy. It is set in a future time, in a country called Panem, situated in the remains of North America. Panem consists of the Capitol and 12 surrounding Districts, and is a place where life is decidedly less than pleasant for the majority of the population. Narrated by Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old from District 12, it describes a society strictly governed, lives of deprivation, reduced to illegal hunter-gatherer activities to avoid starvation, and tells of the hardship of surviving. Katniss is one of 24 “tributes”, picked by lottery in each District, to participate in a “Survivor”-type situation, the annual (and nationally televised for compulsory viewing) Hunger Games, a fight to the death with only one winner. It is clear that Collins has done extensive research into hunting, gathering and wilderness survival. The novel emphasises the contrasts between the sumptuous wealth of Capitol and poverty of the Districts. The story reflects real life in that it shows how important image, strategy and sponsors are to success. It is ultimately shows real life stresses condensed in time and magnified in intensity. Think reality TV mixed with wartime battles: this is where Collins got her inspiration. Definitely not Capital L literature, but a page-turner and addictive all the same: you will be seeking out the second instalment, Catching Fire. Shari (Canada) (2012/03/16): Amazing! Share! samharnold (United Kingdom) (2012/06/20): Every part of this book is as good as the hype portrays it. The characters are engaging. The plot is new and unusual. The story takes part in a post apocalyptic world where the capitol has made young children compete until death for benefits within their community. The characters are engaging and well written you see them for all the good and the faults. The relationship between the characters keeps you guessing throughout. The plot is fast paced as well as giving enough time to study the relationships and dynamics for the main characters.
This is a brilliant book for all ages and will keep you enthralled until the end. The ending leaves you begging from more. Which is handy as this is one of a trilogy. It however also completes the story so you can put the book away and leave it there. Marinda (USA: LA) (2012/08/09): My son and daughter (ages 25 and 33) thought the books a tad simplistic, considering other fiction in this genre, but agreed it was a very good start for a trilogy. I just purchased this one and got the other two from the library. If you have problems with the violence in this one, be warned the books get darker and don't count on a happy ending.
