Ever since Katniss’ father died in a mining accident she has been the one to take care of her family. Her mother’s depression left her unable to care for either of her daughters, so Katniss took the role on. Katniss is the protector, and so, when her younger sister’s name gets picked out during the “reaping” she immediately volunteers to take Prim’s place. The reaping, you see, is how the capital punishes the other districts. Long ago the thirteen districts rebelled against their capital. But they lost the war, and the remaining 12 districts are kept separate and divided, and “in their place!” And every year each district must provide two teenagers, one boy, one girl. These teenagers are then taken and forced to battle each other, to the death, on television that is often compulisve viewing, until only one remains.
The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
The hunger games has been very well received ever since it came out. There are another two books as well, and the first film has been adapted into a film which will be out soon. But to be honest, I don’t see what all the praise is about. This isn’t a bad book, not by any stretch of the imagination, and the story is well told. The characters are interesting, Katniss is a good protagonist. But overall it is an average enough book. And, imo, it is let down by the love-triangle aspect.
This next part is not hugely specifically spoilery, but it is in terms of plot so I’m going to hide it, just in case. Show Spoiler ▼
Love triangles. I just hate them. But maybe that is just me and my being all old and stuff. And this is aimed at teenagers, so maybe they think that’s fascinating. WHo knows with young peoples these days ;)
So I liked it. I didn’t love it, and parts of it annoyed me. I will however be reading the others in the trilogy. So that should tell you that I enjoyed it enough, or maybe wasn’t annoyed enough. And I know the whole of the book isn’t about the love triangle aspect, but I don’t know, it just felt as though having that made the book less. It disimproved the book. And, again, totally imo, it made Katniss less of a great character.
Other reviews: Capricious reader ; My friend Amy ; Parchment girl ; Dear author
I am so sick of love triangles. I just get annoyed when they appear in books. I actually reviewed a book for Saturday that had not even any romance in it, so of course I had to point out there was no love triangle. It is refreshing from a young adult book when they can write something readable and leave it out.
It refreshing isn't it. More of them should leave the romance out, or have it as a sub-sub-plot.
love the comment about the love triangles.
it's one of those things you are like.. not again!! but then.. it still draws you and everyone else in. though I did get annoyed at katniss… make a decision already!
I enjoyed the book but had to remember that it was aimed at teens. The fact that I thought there was something…. missing probably annoyed me more than the love triangle, such that it was lol!