Ich schwanke zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen... Der erste Teil während der Hungerspiele hat mir sehr gut gefallen, das hat mich wirklich gefesselt. Warum mir dann der Rest nicht so gut gefallen hat kann ich gar nicht so genau sagen. Zu viele Zufälle vielleicht? Wobei der Charakter von Coriolanus Snow sehr schön hervorgearbeitet wird. Er ist auch als junger Mann schon echt skrupellos... ( )

My SF book club had this as a selection over a year ago. I did not get a chance to read it then, but when the release date of the movie was nearly upon me, I thought I should read it before the trailers alerted me to any spoilers.

As you may guess, when I tried to get it from the library there were over 130 holds (!!). So I went to my local independent bookstore and bought a copy ($10).

First, for a YA (young adult) book, it is very well written. It does not talk down to the audience or use simplistic or euphemistic terms. The multi-layered plot is engaging for both teens and adults. The characters are well-drawn and clearly and consistently realized.

Second, the protagonist is a strong, skillful female. This was its primary attraction for me. It is still a rarity, sadly, to have a female protagonist adventurer/hero in literature, let alone one in a sci-fi setting.

Third, though we suspect that the protagonist will survive her peril, the story is sufficiently well-written that we are in suspense for most of the book. There are so many dangers and other jeopardy that could befall her and, by extension, her District. Because of the honest portrayal of the daily brutality of life in the Districts, we have no guarantees or expectations of a happy ending.

The story is of a 17-year-old girl, Katniss Everdeen, living in the 12th District in the country of Panem ( North America). As a result of a failed revolution, all the District citizens are living in abject poverty reinforced by policies decreed in The Capital. Life is hard; medicine is primitive; most goods hard to come by and expensive. Each District has a “specialization” and for District 12 it is coal mining. All the worst elements of a coal mining town are commonplace: black lung disease, mining accidents, layers of coal dust on every surface.

As a constant reminder to the citizens of the cost of dissidence, each year there is a Tribute given to the City by each District. The Tribute is a boy and a girl, names drawn at random. These 24 children are taken to the City in order to participate in The Hunger Games.

This is a brutal, violent “game” where the Tributes are pitted against each other in a life-or-death contest. There can be only one winner – to be that winner you must kill all the other players.

The Arena is specifically constructed by the Gamesmasters based on the strengths and weaknesses of the given year’s Tributes. It is televised live and is required viewing by all citizens. The last one standing will receive rewards of food for themselves and their District for a year.

After acquainting us with the daily life of Katniss and the people of District 12, the book quickly moves to the drawing of the Tribute names. The events in the novel are built on this foundation. When Katniss’ 12-year-old sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers herself as a substitute to ensure her sister’s survival. The bulk of the book then deals with what she, as a Tribute, experiences from the moment of selection to the end of the Game itself.

We follow Katniss as she is taken to the governing city of Panem and goes through all the preparations prior to the Game. This is where the book shows its mettle. Through her eyes we see the complex layers of politics and taboos that guide the Game preparations. Things are hinted at, but nothing is explained. People she meets are careful and guarded in their speech – is every room bugged? What is really going on in the background? What agenda is the annual Hunger Games propping up? There are clues and hints, and the reader is drawn in to try piecing together what is really driving events.

The drama of the book builds to a fever pitch as we follow Katniss’ progress in the Games themselves. Questions of morality and ethics are played out, with deadly consequences. Though inherently violent, the violence is not gruesome or gory. It is treated in a matter-of-fact manner, in the context of the traditional hunt.

It is clear at the end that the book was written with a sequel in mind. In fact, it is the first of a trilogy; the other two are Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Figuring out the political meaning for each action by the Gamesmasters will keep adults engaged. The realistic depiction of Katniss’ survival skills and endurance will rivet the YA audience and adults alike. Reading it with one’s teen also gives a great opportunity for parents to discuss the deeper social issues touched on in the book.

Set aside the time to read this in one sitting, if possible. You won’t want to put it down. ( )

This book was essentially just a dystopia/The Most Dangerous Game on a grand scale, but it was fun. It was very contrived and a little sappy (I feel like a hundred other conclusions to the Hunger Games would have been more enjoyable), but it's well worth a read. She's a good writer, and I'll definitely read the next one when it comes out. ( )

I really liked this book. Honestly, I don't remember if I ever read it before; it's true that I've had it on my bookshelf for years and maybe I never got around to reading it. However, now was its time, and I truly enjoyed it. The whole setting in a parallel and dystopian universe, Katniss's backstory, how she sacrifices herself for her sister, and everything she experiences in the games. I do know the story from the movies, but it's been a long time since I watched them, and I don't really remember the whole plot, so it was very entertaining to rediscover it by reading the book. ( )

i read the hunger games when i was in middle school and also really like the movies. this series is very post-apocolyptic and very whimsical. this is also a book that takes your imagination far while you are reading. ( )