Review: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publication Date: October 1st, 2008

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Genre: YA/Dystopia/Romance/Sci-Fi

---

Synopsis:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Thoughts: This book was recommended to me by a friend, all I can say is I am so incredibly happy she did!  This book was A-M-A-ZING! It may have had a little bit of a slow start, but that's really only in comparison to the rest of the book. I really fell in love with the main characters in this story, I became very emotionally attached!  When reading this book, due to Suzanne's amazing writing, it is impossible not to be feeling all the emotions the characters are feeling as well, it really pulls you right in, throws you right in the middle and every time they are in pain, you feel it,  every time they have a success or triumph you are cheering on the sidelines!

Not uncommon in YA stories is a love conflict. Katniss unluckily is stuck between two men and she's not really sure she "loves" either of them, but what she does know is that she cares about them both intensely and even feels she couldn't survive without them. These two men are Peeta and Gale, and of course the readers will be picking teams. I myself, am 100% Team Peeta <3! I find myself constantly cheering for him throughout the book when it comes to love for Katniss. Gale definitely loves Katniss to, but for him I find it's more of a convenient thing, he loves her because they spend so much time together and share everything. Peeta's love for Katniss on the other hand is completely unconditional, he has loved her since they were both young and never asked for anything in return, in fact, Katniss barely knew he existed until the Games.

This book was incredible and I only had to pick it up twice to finish it. Impossible to put down! I place this book among my all time favorites.
I give this book a hands down 5/5.

Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publication Date: September 1st, 2009

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Genre: YA/Dystopia/Romance/Sci-Fi

---

Synopsis:

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

My Thoughts: So here is the second book in the amazing Hunger Games series, and if I thought the first book was exciting and a major page turner, well that just proves that I hadn't read the this one yet! I have to say that when a book, that could have ended on the first one, has a follow up, that I get a little worried, especially  when the first one was so good! In the case of The Hunger Games the second book only made my love for the story and characters that much deeper!

These books are packed so full of emotion! I will admit there were times when I was crying while reading, and there are very few books that have made me feel that intensely. This book surpasses the first one in being amazing and getting you so hooked you can't bear to stop reading it.

So Katniss won! But for the first time ever,she was not the only victor, her fellow district tribute Peeta also won. I will not divulge the details behind that, but their manner of winning cause a massive uproar all throughout Panem. So just when Katniss thinks she is safe and all should return to normal, the exact opposite happens! Capitol Leader President Snow is watching her like a Hawk and has placed her with the task of unmaking the mess she made within the districts upon her winning the Games, something she's debating is the right thing to do. Not to mention, her love triangle gets even harder to figure out. Then, the unexpected happens! But again, you will have to read it to find out! :D No Spoilers here!

Again, without a doubt, this book gets a 5/5.

Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publication Date: August 24th, 2010

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Genre: YA/Dystopia/Romance

---

Synopsis:

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding. It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains--except Katniss. The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

My Thoughts: I can't even explain how amazing this book is. My reviewing skills are not adequate enough to give this book the praise it deserves, but I guess I will try.

The first book in this series had me super involved with the characters and storyline. The second book in the series planted a hook right in my heart and thoughts and strung me right along. The third book completely and totally swallowed me whole! With every book in this series I became progressively more and more in love, more and more intrigued, more and more connected with the characters. I'm almost at a loss for words here.  I give giant kudos to Suzanne Collins for writing and sharing with all of us this amazing story that I place among my absolute favorites and books that I treasure.

I really don't want to give away to much of  the story line here, but as the summary tells you the rebellion has started and Katniss is forced to be the image and the forefront. This is not a place she planned on being and has a really hard time adjusting and has lots of inner conflict with becoming this person. Katniss reaches and surmounts her ultimate breaking point in this book, and it's an incredible, emotional, intense ride. And the answer is found to the ever asked question, Peeta or Gale. After much inner debate she discovers who her true love is. Who do you think it will be? I guess you better get out there and read it to find out.

Everyone, every where, should get out there and find a way to get your hands on a copy of these books. If you know someone who has a copy, borrow it! Go to your Library and borrow it! Better yet, get to the store and buy yourself a copy! If you love YA or Dystopian you will not regret this purchase.