Review: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins (No Spoilers)

Imagine living in a district, confined inside an electric fence, where going beyond its boundaries is punishable by death. Imagine a place where food is scarce and the leading cause of death is starvation. Imagine being unable to say anything negative about the government or its leaders for fear of retribution. Imagine working long and difficult hours, often back breaking labor, collecting resources that are sent to the Capitol, never to be profited from by those who risk their lives for it. Life is dire in many of the districts. Just about everyone is poor, scared, and fighting to survive. It isn't so different in parts of our own reality, unfortunately. Governments leeching off the hard work and earnings of its people and treating its civilians poorly.

In Suzanne Collin's world, there are 12 districts that support the Capitol, a place of decadence and high living. There once had been 13 districts, however, a revolution resulted in its annihilation. To remind the districts of their failure and to exert power over them, the government designed an annual event in the name of entertainment called the Hunger Games. Two children between the ages of 12 and 18, one boy and one girl, are selected from each of the districts every year to compete to the death, all televised. There can only be one victor in the end.

In District 12, Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her young sister's place when Prim's name is called. She cannot bear the thought of her innocent and defenseless sister being put into such a terrible position. The baker's son, Peeta, is the other name drawn. Katniss and Peeta are not close, but they will have to become so if they are to survive the games. It won't be easy. Their mentor, Haymitch, is a drunk, and some of the other tributes (contestants) are much better equipped for the big event. Katniss, however, wins the hearts of many in the districts, becoming a symbol for a possible revolution. It was never her intention--she only wanted to survive--and it would soon become a weight that would threaten to topple her over. But it isn't just her life at stake . . .

The first book in the trilogy, The Hunger Games (Scholastic Press, 2008), took me back to my own young adult years, when I read similar books and watched similar movies--survival stories, some dystopian, others present time. The concept isn't all that new, and so a lot weighs on the story itself and its characters. I was instantly drawn into Collins' world. While I enjoyed The Hunger Games, it was really with Catching Fire (Scholastic Press, 2009) that I fell in love with the trilogy and felt it was a truly original series. Although perhaps love is a bit too strong of a word. I am not as enamored by the trilogy as so many others are--there is no Team Peeta or Team Gale (Katniss' possible love interests) for me. I enjoyed it quite a bit, yes. I thought it was entertaining and definitely suspenseful. I adored Cinna and Prim. There were moments when I laughed out loud, talked to the characters in the book, and even cried. I found it impossible not to be pulled into the books.

I liked Katniss well enough and wanted the best for her, but she did sometimes grate on my nerves. She really was in over her head through the entire trilogy, used as a pawn in what seemed like a never-ending game. Katniss struggled with her identity, trying to be whoever she needed to be at any given time in order to survive. Protecting her loved ones was her top priority. Her best friend Gale and game partner Peeta were much more in tune with who they were and so had a confidence and wisdom that Katniss sometimes lacked. Gale was more of a warrior, his passion and strength on the surface. Peeta's strength was more subtle and so he came off as being gentler. He was smart and insightful. Both fit into Katniss' life, filling needs she had. It's no wonder she struggled with the idea of who to love. I believe she loved both, just in different ways.

I really appreciated how the characters grew from book to book, scarred by the events in their lives. Mockingjay (Scholastic Press, 2010) brings that into full light. The characters in the first book are very different from those in the final book of the trilogy. Not because of any inconsistency, but because of the life they've had to lead. I actually was quite content with Mockingjay and how the trilogy came to an end. I did not always like the choices the characters made but I could understand the why behind them.

The trilogy carries some very heavy themes. These are not light-hearted books. The hunger for power, oppression of those with less than and the cruelty of man can be found throughout. Suzanne Collins' world is very dark, definitely not one I would want to live in. And yet, I wouldn't mind spending time with several of the characters. There were many more good people than there were bad ones. And that is always a sign of hope for the future.


For more information about Suzanne Collins and her books, visit the author's website.

Catching Fire and Mockingjay read for the Readers Imbibing Peril (R.I.P.) Challenge


Source: I bought the box set on sale as soon as it was released. It was a deal I just couldn't resist.

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