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/