The Hunger Games: Review (Full Edition)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review by Kim and Raymond

Hi! Welcome to Kim and Raymond's blog collaboration. For all of you who have been following us for the past couple of weeks, we'd like to thank you for all of your support. And for all of you first-timers here at RK books, please check out our previous two posts, which cover the first two chapters of the book.

Raymond and I originally wanted to cover all of the chapters in the book, but it became far too tedious. This is going to be a review of the entire a book- a summary if you may. So before we go ahead and begin, if you haven't read it yet, you're bound to run into some spoilers. We don't want to ruin this for you since it's just so amazing, and advise you to read this after you have read the novel and want a review of it in general.

Since this is a summary, we'll need to establish some of the basics, right? Well, since we have already done this in the fist blog post, why not use it? So here's a review for all of us. :)

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The heart-stopping novel, first of a series, begins with the main character, Katniss Everdeen. She is a 16 year-old girl portrayed as an emotionally tough provider for her family. With her father gone in a mine explosion, her mother and her little sister are all she has left. (Not including Prim's ghastly cat, Buttercup, which Katniss tried to drown in a bucket of water.) She became the head of the family when she was just 11 years old, and her sister, Primrose, was just 7. Can you even imagine the responsibility and weight that was suddenly hefted onto her entire being?

They live in a place that replaced the title of "North America" with "Panem." Panem was originally divided into 13 districts, but when the 13th District rebelled (the first ever rebellion), Panem and its Capitol destroyed it! Because of that, to remind everyone that rebelling is not the brightest option, the Hunger Games were created and only 12 remain. The 12th District is by far worse off than all the others, and this is the district that Katniss and her loved ones live in. 12 seems to be a pretty big number in this chapter, because we discover that Prim is only 12 years old! With her being so young, Katniss tries to protect her from all things possible.... Especially the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is the day of the reaping, where Panem's Capitol sends Effie Trinket (a bubbly messenger of death) to collect tributes from 12 districts.

Each district must sacrifice a boy and a girl, totaling to 24 kids that will risk their lives in an enormous arena. It's a matter of life and death for these kids that are only in their teens! Even though we're about the same ages as them, it's terrifying to think about what they are going to go through. Out of those 24 tributes, only one will be victorious. The others will die, and the victor will gain fame and glory and allow their district to be showered in prizes. Something ironic about the games is that everyone dresses up for when the names are announced like it's some big festival! Sure, it's called the Hunger Games, but it sounds sadistic to us. The contest is even broadcasted on national television and pretty much everybody watches! Nothing like a little more pressure to really keep you motivated and wanting to stay alive, right? Now, you guys tell me; Truthfully, is it really worth it? What would you do if you were picked to be a tribute? Why?

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So there you have it! So Katniss Everdeen, the heroine in this story, becomes involved in the Hunger Games via Primrose Everdeen( Katnisss' younger sister). Her younger sister was drafted to be in the "Games" for the first time and since Prim was pretty much all she had, Katniss didn't want to lose her or let her suffer/die at such an early age.

The other tribute for the Hunger Games is a boy named Peeta Mellark. (For more info, go see our second post.) He has genuine feelings for Katniss, but uses them in a strategical way. Although Peeta announced his love and admiration for Katniss countless times throughout the novel, Katniss keeps on thinking that it was just a way for Peeta and her to get sponsors in the Game. Peeta thinks otherwise, and believes that Katniss really does acknowledge his emotions. This will hinder their partnership in the future, but that's something to get to later.

Alliances form in the middle of the Games. Katniss, for one, formed an alliance with a clever 12 year old girl named Rue. She first formed the alliance with Rue because Rue reminded her of Prim. But in the end, Katniss was rewarded with more than sentimental memories of her little sister. Rue was skilled in gathering food and using a slingshot since she came from a district where agriculture reigned. But as we get deeper into the summary something drastic to their friendship. Rue gets speared right through her tiny body! This part made me (Kim) cry so much... But it was inevitable, I guess. Instead of letting the helicopter take Rue first, Katniss arranged flowers all over her body, making a bit of a ceremony for Rue. The, she sang a song to her until she was "gone".

Meanwhile, Peeta also formed an alliance, but with the wealthier tributes from Districts 1-5. (Although it didn't really seem to suit his personality.) It's still not clear to us if it was a front or not, but wither way, the plan backfired. When Katniss was in danger from one of the boys in Peeta's alliance, Peeta rescued her and she got out unscathed. However, Peeta got a large gash on his leg that was soon tended to by Katniss.

During the time when Peeta recuperated, with the aid of Katniss, they become a bit closer, revealing more and more about themselves. They even kissed! (many times..) My favorite part (Kim) was when Peeta reminisced about when he first saw Katniss and fell in love with her. I thought it was simply just so sweet. *Gives out a little fangirl squeal* So in the end, Katniss and Peeta formed an alliance of their own. They helped each other survive and became the victors of the Hunger Games. The Capitol made a bogus announcement that pretty much meant, "Hey sorry for saying that you two could live before. But now you guys have to kill each other anyways for our entertainment." WHAT THE FUDGE, RIGHT?! But the n Katniss and Peeta agreed to eat some poisonous berries in unison, so that if they die, they'd die with each other.

The announcement came on again and said that they ould BOTH live now. Pretty smart blackmailing technique, if you'd ask me. Katniss and Peeta got clean makeovers using the Capitol's machinery, medicine, treatments, etc. They didn't have any scars anymore, and the only thing missing from that picture perfect "couple," was Peeta's leg. (They had to amputate it because the gash/infection took its toll.) Katniss, still thinking that Peeta's love was purely strategic, and Peeta, thinking that Katni ss had figured out it wasn't had a quarrel at the end of the book. They weren't angry at each other, though. No, it was pain and hurt that they felt.

And.... That's where the novel ends! Ah, such a cliffhanger. *Itches for more!* The next book in the series is Catching Fire! Pretty cool title, no? If you enjoyed The Hunger Games, and want to continue this adventure, check it out! It's absolutely amazing. As Effie Trinket always says, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor." But when you read on, this series will make you think, are the odds ever in your favor?

P.S - A movie will also be coming out based on the novel. Who do you think will be starring in this film? And do you think they will have the ability to convey the emotions portrayed in the story? Post your comments and opinions below! :D

More information is available at Suzanne Collins' own personal blog:

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Chapter 2 of The Hunger Games - The Hardships Are Just Beginning.

The heart-stopping, breath-holding moment finally comes for Effie Trinket to announce the male tribute of District 12! Drum-roll, please! And the poor lad is.... Peeta Mellark!!

"Wait, who?" That's what we wondered, too. As we read more of the chapter, we discovered that Peeta is a person that Katniss actually knows. She's had encounters with him before the Games and the reaping. One was when she 11 years old, and had to provide for her family. She was struggling to put the meager food she could forage on her family's table. When going around in the market selling Prim's baby clothes failed to get her any money, Katniss went around the alleys and looked in garbage cans. Peeta saw her and snuck her some bread when his witch-of-a-mother wasn't looking. Katniss never forgot his kindness, and felt the obligation to repay him. This chapter talked about Peeta's and Katniss's preparations for the Hunger Games, and a bit more about Haymitch was revealed. (Although it's not a surprise when his alchoholism goes haywire.) As our writing teacher told us, "less is more," so we don't wana spoil the entire chapter! :D This part of the book is very important, because it decribes the shift in Katniss's droll life and into the vast world of the Capitol. Raymond and I hope that you guys read this chapter, and then comment below on what you thought about it! :D

Thanks for reading.

As Effie Trinket always said, "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

Chapter 1 of The Hunger Games - Love, Death, Competition, and Challenges.

Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review by Kim and Raymond

   Hi! Welcome to Kim and Raymond's blog collaboration. (Hence, the RK in RK books.) Before we go ahead and begin, we'd like to inform you that this is a joint project, so there will be more than one voice in this blog. (: Also, this is about the entire first chapter, so if you haven't read it yet, you're bound to run into some spoilers. We don't want to ruin this for you since it's just so amazing, so we advise you to read this after you have read Chapter 1 and want a review of it in general. 

  

   Love, death, competition, and a hideous cat named Buttercup? This first chapter is a thrilling start to Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Jacket Cover Design by Tim O'Brien

    The heart-stopping novel, first of a series, begins with the main character, Katniss Everdeen.  She is a 16 year-old girl portrayed as an emotionally tough provider for her family.  With her father gone in a mine explosion, her mother and her little sister are all she has left.  (Not including Prim's ghastly cat, Buttercup, which Katniss tried to drown in a bucket of water.)  She became the head of the family when she was just 11 years old, and her sister, Primrose, was just 7. Can you even imagine the responsibility and weight that was suddenly hefted onto her entire being?

   They live in a place that replaced the title of "North America" with "Panem." Panem was originally divided into 13 districts, but when the 13th District rebelled (the first ever rebellion), Panem and its Capitol destroyed it! Because of that, to remind everyone that rebelling is not the brightest option, the Hunger Games were created and only 12 remain. The 12th District is by far worse off than all the others, and this is the district that Katniss and her loved ones live in. 12 seems to be a pretty big number in this chapter, because we discover that Prim is only 12 years old! With her being so young, Katniss tries to protect her from all things possible.... Especially the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games Scene
by damnskippy @ deviantart.com

  The Hunger Games is the day of the reaping, where Panem's Capitol sends Effie Trinket (a bubbly messenger of death) to collect tributes from 12 districts. Each district must sacrifice a boy and a girl, totaling to 24 kids that will risk their lives in an enormous arena. It's a matter of life and death for these kids that are only in their teens! Even though we're about the same ages as them, it's terrifying to think about what they are going to go through. Out of those 24 tributes, only one will be victorious. The others will die, and the victor will gain fame and glory and allow their district to be showered in prizes. Something ironic about the games is that everyone dresses up for when the names are announced like it's some big festival! Sure, it's called the Hunger Games, but it sounds sadistic to me (Kim). The contest is even broadcasted on national television and pretty much everybody watches! Nothing like a little more pressure to really keep you motivated and wanting to stay alive, right? Now, you guys tell me; Truthfully, is it really worth it? What would you do if you were picked to be a tribute? Why?


   Well, someone did get picked that we know pretty well in the story. Prim! (This part sent chills down our spines since we both have siblings.) Prim didn't know what do do when she was chosen to be the female tribute for District 12. Thankfully, Katniss took her place with great courage and valiance. This was uncommon in District 12, where the economy was bad and living conditions were poor. Nobody ever volunteered to take place of a tribute, because participating in the games usually meant certain death. In other prospering districts, though, like District 1 where the Capitol and its people reside, people eagerly volunteer to take place to show off their valor and gain fame. I (Kim) thought that this is just full of bravado and that people like Katniss should be more acknowledged because she volunteered out of love and pure intentions, not just false courage and a vain personality. Once again, we ask you, the reader, to comment below with your thoughts. Do you think people like the ones in District 13 should be praised, or should the ones that are like Katniss be appreciated? And if your loved ones were picked as tributes, what would you do? It's true that even though sometimes the right choice is evident, it can be a struggle to stand up and carry it out. So don't feel like a coward if you don't volunteer in place of that person. It's called survival and fear and it penetrates EVERYONE's mind. Still, if there's more reasons why you chose the action you would do, comment! Voice out that opinion with pride, even though you might feel unsure about it. :)

Katniss and Gale Hunting
Picture by Clio Chiang

   So by now you're probably wondering, "Where's the love in-between all of this suspense and drama?" Well, we suspect that Katniss has this teeny-tiny (okay BIG) crush on this boy named Gale. In the story, Gale is said to have "straight black hair, olive skin, and gray eyes," but Katniss says they can be mistaken for siblings since most children in District 12 kind of look the same. He says that Katniss (or Catnip, as he calls her) never smiles except in the woods, which is where they can meet! He lives in District 12, too, and usually goes out hunting in the woods with Katniss. Even though hunting and carrying weapons could already mean executions for the two, some of the officials in Panem also like fresh meat, so they let it slide secretly. Katniss wields bows that her father used to craft before he passed away. With them, her and Gale go out into the woods that are fenced off from District 12 to catch the occasional animal, like a squirrel, and can trade them for other foods. In this chapter, Gale suggests running away from District 12 together while they take a break from hunting. Katniss refuses since they both had "kids" (siblings) and families to provide for. Gale has an even tougher time than Katniss. He is 18 and took care of a family of 5 for 7 years! He's also taken tessera, which is where you can enter your name an extra time for some oil and merchandise for you or your family. Also, each year as you get older, an additional slip with your name gets entered into the games, increasing your chances of getting picked. All of this amounts to Gale getting his name entered a whopping 42 times! (Katniss only has 20 entries and Prim only has 1.) It's so shocking that he has never been picked so far! And that Prim got chosen against all odds. It breaks our hearts.... Not that we want Gale to be chosen, or anything.

   So back to the sadistic "games." Prim was chosen and Katniss fainted. After she collected herself, she ran to the stage and said she would take Prim's place. One of the two victors of the Games over the past 74 years from District 12, Haymitch, gets onto the stage and assaults Effie in a drunk state before she can finish her speech. Then, when Katniss gets on stage, he also puts his arm around her. What do you think of a person like that? And do you think that an alcoholic like that can compose himself later on in the story? Also, do you think he will contribute to the plot, and how?

   Now, after the female tribute is announced, the male tribute will be called out! Who will he be? What is he like?? What in the fudge will happen to Katniss??? Well, we'll never know until we read the next chapter! Keep on reading this jaw-dropping novel and prepare to fall off your seat repeatedly in shock and anticipation! As Effie Trinket always says, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"