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A review by onthesamepage
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don't think anyone is necessarily looking for a review, but I will say that I think it holds up really well. I had such a good time reading this, even though I'd read it before. Despite already knowing how the book ends and what happens to the characters, there were still moments where I felt tense and couldn't put the book down. It's compulsively readable and has excellent pacing. I immediately wanted to start my re-read of the sequel when I was done.
Things I noticed the second time around:
* I know Peeta is a cinnamon roll of a human being who can do no harm, but there are moments here when he's hard on people. I also somehow forgot he has a great sense of humor, even when everything sucks. And then there's the fact that he somehow managed to fool most of the tributes, all to keep Katniss safe. I'll be honest, I vaguely remember being #TeamGale when I first read it. I don't know what I was thinking.
* It's really difficult to pinpoint Katniss's feelings towards Peeta, even though it's written from her POV. Part of this is probably that she's confused herself, but even when we're told she's feeling something, it's unclear what those feelings are, and if her actions are a genuine reflection of her emotions, or motivated by what she thinks people/Haymitch want her to do. One example:
Things I noticed the second time around:
* I know Peeta is a cinnamon roll of a human being who can do no harm, but there are moments here when he's hard on people. I also somehow forgot he has a great sense of humor, even when everything sucks. And then there's the fact that he somehow managed to fool most of the tributes, all to keep Katniss safe. I'll be honest, I vaguely remember being #TeamGale when I first read it. I don't know what I was thinking.
* It's really difficult to pinpoint Katniss's feelings towards Peeta, even though it's written from her POV. Part of this is probably that she's confused herself, but even when we're told she's feeling something, it's unclear what those feelings are, and if her actions are a genuine reflection of her emotions, or motivated by what she thinks people/Haymitch want her to do. One example:
"Well, I don't have much competition here," he says.
I want to draw away, to close those shutters again, but I know I can't. It's as if I can hear Haymitch whispering in my ear, "Say it! Say it!"
I swallow hard and get the words out. "You don't have much competition anywhere."
* There are so many memorable moments. The way District 12 reacted when Katniss volunteered. Peeta declaring the girl he likes came to the Capitol with him. Everything that happens with Rue. Katniss's plan at the end and how that plays out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Murder