I've been meaning to get around to reading this book for some time, after hearing so many people talk about it, and I am glad I did, though . . . choosing a time when I was in a low mood was probably unwise. As most dystopian books are, this one spends a lot of time feeling very depressing.

Katniss, the main character, is very interesting, and following her perception of her world shows hints of further facets that she either doesn't care much for, being preoccupied with her own place in her world or simply isn't aware of for various reasons.

The reflections of other characters through her eyes slid back and forth from being rather unreal - two dimensional and not fully realised - to being very true to life, as they are being seen only through Katniss' perception, and thus can't be quite known to us, as the readers, any more than Katniss herself can know everything about them.

The conflicts we follow Katniss through feel as real as it is possible, I felt, considering her world's inherent divide between its closeness to our world (in terms of technology and setting) and its fantastic nature (in terms of some of the details of same, though it is definitely not a fantasy setting).

While there were some points of the narration that seemed to me to 'drag' for a while, it mostly fell during portions of the story that had that same sort of drag for Katniss herself.

I read the first half of the book in one sitting, partially because I was waiting for something to happen, knowing before I began the book that the main point is 'the Hunger Games' making the suspense a bit odd, even as I was following along with Katniss' own limited knowledge.

I was uncertain about - and even a bit apprehensive of - the ending, but it was . . . satisfying. It didn't leave me eager and impatient for book two, though I will want to start it soon. It didn't wrap up every question I had, but that is only right, as there are two more books of Katniss' story for me to get into.

I was left curious about the world that Katniss lives in, and how it came to be established in the way it is now. There were hints of how something that could have been our own world transformed into what she knows now, but no real story or explanation - unsurprisingly, as Katniss probably doesn't know herself. I doubt I will ever see that story, but I wanted it, which was a mark of calibre of the world-building, I think.

All in all, it was a good book, enjoyable and engaging, though not enthralling, and I am glad I read it, looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.

Finished this in a day. Very quick, action packed read. Not your average youth book, but excellent all things considered. Definitely will be picking up the other two. ( )

I loved it! And I'll watch all the films AGAIN once I've finished the trilogy. ( )

Middle School
This book revolves around Katniss Everdeen who is growing up in a dystopian future. That future is ruled by the capital who is in charge of the 12 other districts. Every year the capital host the Hunger Games where they take kids from the other districts and have them fight to the death. IN this book, its Katniss's turn and she has to fight to survive.
I think this book is a super run read for middle schoolers and that it is one that you can introduce and ask questions about and provoke thought from them!

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... ( )