All page numbers in this review are taken from this version.

Review Written: 21st March 2012
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Never call a book “the new Twilight.” When said, those three words instantly alienate that group of people who happen to dislike the saga. It is also not accurate to give The Hunger Games that title.

There is no escaping the fact that this book is huge. Everywhere I look, it is suggested that I read it and everyone online appears to have read it. Usually, I completely steer clear of books people are making me read. It means entering at a bias, as I’m expecting it to be brilliant.

Before I start, here’s one of my famous short synopsis. Set in the future in Panem (formally known as North America), children between the ages of 12-18 live in fear of being picked every year to compete in The Hunger Games, a live television show which sees 24 of them fight to the death. Each District 1-12 has one male tribute, and one female. You’re not sure what event led to this, but you are aware that 1) it was tragic and 2) District 13 was destroyed due to a rebellion so this is the Capitol’s form of punishment. Our main character Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12. It is a mining district and known as being pretty terrible as many die from hunger. When her sister, against all odds gets chosen, she volunteers instead. Her fellow District 12 tribute? Peeta Mellark.

Page 29 and I’m already feeling tearful at the gesture District 12 are giving Katniss as she volunteers and is eventually led away to the Capitol. I shipped Peeta and Katniss instantly. I couldn’t help it. I may moan about cliché romance in teen novels, but Katniss is already portraying herself to be very different from cliché teen girls in books so I have hope here. The flash back to the bread scene (page 37) confirms my ship. Although Katniss has doubts about Peeta’s feelings throughout the book which therefore places doubts in the readers mind, I do not question them for a second.

And here is where I answer why. Male characters tend to be my favourite. The ending, which tore my heart in two (no spoilers here I’m afraid), made me think that although Katniss is an excellent example of how females should be in teen novels, my favourite has to be Peeta. I do not for one second ship Gale and Katniss. I fear that when I read the next two books it will be revealed that he has feelings for her. (Suggestions already beginning on page 48 when Gale gets dragged away saying “remember I-“. Remember I what? It’s like a 10/Rose Doomsday moment.)

Although the subject isn’t, the narration is young in tone. Believable young. Believable – that’s how I sounded as a sixteen year old rather than the boy obsessed, whining, dependent kind of girl I have so often read about and for that matter, so often complained about.

This is all sounding a rather positive review for a rather oh-so-depressing book. To think of, I can find no negatives. I enjoyed it. It had more action in one book than most teenage book series have put together. The characters you are supposed to like, you do and hatred is directed where it’s meant to go – the Capitol, President Snow, Cato etc. A refreshing idea in the midst of vampire, werewolf and angel books that are common for teenage books now and I am very much looking forward to reading the next two.

Extra note: After now allowing myself to be excited for the movie, and checked the cast list, I believe it is very well done. I do hope the film does not disappoint.

NEXT REVIEW: SUZANNE COLLIN'S CATCHING FIRE