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A review by tristesse
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
5.0
Oh, I genuinely have no idea where to start.
I think I would begin with saying: now, everyone, that is what I call a great dystopian book. The book discusses important matters and I feel like everyone should read it, at least, once in a lifetime. People aren't lying when they say THG has everything and how it's a pity to miss out on something as amazing as this. A few years back, the idea of reading didn't intrigue me. I feared I wouldn't understand a single thing because I considered the topic was too heavy for my liking. I put it off for years, and I finally get to join the hype. I'm not sure I can ever escape now, not that I want to.
I would like to add that from this point onwards, there may be spoilers. I understand most people have already finished the series, therefore, spoilers are fine. But if you haven't, same reason as me more or less, I suggest you proceed only if you are fine with it.
And, despite I said this before, I will say it again: The song The Great War is so Everlark-coded, no one can change my mind. I am 100% convinced that Taylor Swift made the song for them because it fits perfectly.
Okay, moving on to the actual review.
I watched the movies before I started the book and for most in my cases, it's usually enough that I wouldn't bother having it presented to me in a form of writing afterwards. Oh, how wrong I was.
Katniss' inner monologues are so fascinating, and I love learning about her thoughts that don't appear in the movies. I oftentimes find myself laughing at how silly she sounds from her suspicions of Peeta. The girl was so trapped in survival mode that she didn't realize how desperately in love Peeta was with her. It's actually saddening that Katniss is as strong as she is now because she was forced by the whole family situation. She was just a child.
I think I would begin with saying: now, everyone, that is what I call a great dystopian book. The book discusses important matters and I feel like everyone should read it, at least, once in a lifetime. People aren't lying when they say THG has everything and how it's a pity to miss out on something as amazing as this. A few years back, the idea of reading didn't intrigue me. I feared I wouldn't understand a single thing because I considered the topic was too heavy for my liking. I put it off for years, and I finally get to join the hype. I'm not sure I can ever escape now, not that I want to.
I would like to add that from this point onwards, there may be spoilers. I understand most people have already finished the series, therefore, spoilers are fine. But if you haven't, same reason as me more or less, I suggest you proceed only if you are fine with it.
And, despite I said this before, I will say it again: The song The Great War is so Everlark-coded, no one can change my mind. I am 100% convinced that Taylor Swift made the song for them because it fits perfectly.
Okay, moving on to the actual review.
I watched the movies before I started the book and for most in my cases, it's usually enough that I wouldn't bother having it presented to me in a form of writing afterwards. Oh, how wrong I was.
Katniss' inner monologues are so fascinating, and I love learning about her thoughts that don't appear in the movies. I oftentimes find myself laughing at how silly she sounds from her suspicions of Peeta. The girl was so trapped in survival mode that she didn't realize how desperately in love Peeta was with her. It's actually saddening that Katniss is as strong as she is now because she was forced by the whole family situation. She was just a child.
"I was terrified. I suppose now that my mother was locked in some dark world of sadness, but at the time, all I knew was that I had lost not only a father, but a mother as well. At eleven years old, with Prim just seven, I took over as head of the family."
Listen.... LISTEN.... IT BROKE ME.
Grief isn't something you can get over in a day or two. The sorrow eats you up, you see. Even so, she still has children─mouths to feed. I completely understand her mother's situation, but it wasn't very wise of her to neglect her responsibilities as a mother.
What makes me furious: The cruelty of starvation and injustice of The Capitol get me so upset, I want to strangle those people myself. It's the way they do everything in their power to ensure the game is entertaining in every possible ways, also the thing about mutts (apparently the movie didn't mentally prepare me for it). It's actually funny that they keep saying "May the odds be ever in your favor!" The odds were never in their favor, alright. Some people never experienced hunger and it shows.
What I like about Katniss Everdeen: I greatly admire Katniss' strength─for not letting there be a moment of hesitation when she takes Prim's place in the game by volunteering as a tribute immediately, for doing everything she could to stay alive, and her caring personality.
"Okay, maybe I don't go around loving everybody I meet, maybe my smiles are hard to come by, but I do care for some people."
Don't you just love her!
What I think of Peeta: As much as I love Katniss Everdeen, I need to admit that Peeta stole my heart. It pains me that, maybe, him not getting mad at Katniss being the reason behind his hand injury before the game is a result of constant beating from his mother. He is so used of it that his suffering is quiet (please I want to cry). Even in the game, with his leg bleeding, he is not whining much. I just want to protect the precious baker boy.
What I think of the ending: Peeta's conversation with Katniss... I will never be okay again.
All in all, this is such an amazing book and I doubt I could stop thinking about it. I still have so much to say, for now though, I have to put my ramblings to an end. 5 stars, I think it's my best read of the month yet.