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action, books, Catching Fire, dark, dystopian, ebooks, female, fiction, life, Mockingjay, review, suzanne collins, The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games Series, war, writing, YA
The Hunger Games Series
by Suzanne Collins
4.5 stars
Overall, I loved this series. I bought it because everyone had been raving about it. I kind of dismissed the comment and went to find out what was so good about this series. They were so good. These books were gripping and I couldn’t put them down. I originally didn’t read too much young adult but recently I have been reading more and more. It’s been a good phase so far.
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games #1
The Hunger Games was fantastic. I thought it was brilliant, original and fast-paced. That was the kind of book I had been looking for. An action packed world with a kick-ass female character. One thing that annoys me about YA in general is that the world’s often seem unrealistic and the romance usually makes me want to vomit. This one didn’t have that effect. Sure there was a love triangle but to me I think it’s more of a third wheel approach (at least to me it was obvious who Katniss would choose). Romance isn’t the height of the book which I enjoy, the main focus is the action and gripping plot.
First one is a definite 5 out of 5. I recommend it to all.
Catching Fire
The Hunger Games #2
Catching Fire was good. I didn’t really like it that much compared to the first. I felt like it let me down. I don’t want to spoil anything but I felt like the plot could have ventured in a better direction. It definitely felt like a transition book, it covers important events but it just didn’t suck me in like the first book did. I had to keep reading because of my favorite characters and the plot was still enjoyable but I was just annoyed at the direction of the story. It all makes much more sense at the end but it plot still irked me. After such a ground-breaking book #1 I thought #2 was going to be ground breaking too. It was still good but only because it had #1 to back it up.
A 3 out of 5.
Mockingjay
The Hunger Games #3
Mockingay takes a bit of time to process. I have read many people giving negative reviews for this book or at least rating this novel the worst of the three. I have to disagree, I really enjoyed it. Much more than two. The plot was brilliant. I think that some events that were summarized shouldn’t have been and vice versa but I didn’t feel like that truly effected the story or my reading journey. The main thing that I loved from this bloody-action war novel was the depressing themes. It was dark. Anyone who reads my Picture it & write posts know that I generally write dark. But I also think it’s fitting. The romance I think was a little downplayed, especially considering how it was a YA novel (where romance seems to flourish) and it was pushed in the first/second novel .
The ending left me… blank. And it wasn’t blank in a negative way it was that I was trying to process everything that happened. I reread the last passages numerous times to try and absorb the remnants of story. Those last paragraphs should have been extended because they were so rich with content.
The characters change a lot. My favourite character was Peeta without a doubt but I also liked Katniss. The characters from the first novel aren’t the ones from the third but I think that’s also appropiate. Many people think that Katniss (our main character) becomes too cold, too distant but I think that’s appropiate for the events that occur. War changes people. I loved the ending because I had such mixed feelings. Happiness, sadness. It felt real, a story of the broken. No fairy tale endings. It wasn’t the cliche YA read I thought I was going to get. It has made me think about what happened. It makes me think how war would change me, how much of the original me would be left? While it wasn’t a perfect conclusion to the series(MINOR SPOILER: I hated having to hear more about clothing, getting ready for events, food, many passing out scenes) I think it did a great job at captivating me as a reader and providing me a satisfying end.
A 4.5 out of 5.
Looking out for a new action-packed YA series? The Hunger Games Series is a definite must for those who read YA and for those who don’t. It’s on my most recently updated ‘Promote these books to everyone’ list.
What does anyone else think? Like/love/hate The Hunger Games?
– Ermisenda Alvarez
Ermilia 
Hi!
I really enjoyed reading your book review of the Hunger Games. I agree about the firstbook being fast pased and amazing. I enjoed the 2nd book but didt’t faind it as intresting as the first. But I have to agree with the others, the last book I felt let me down it had 2 stories, didn’t make sense and I just lost my intrest. Though I bet for you it was awesome 🙂 Again, very good review.
Keep up the good work 🙂
Naiela
naiela.wordpress.com (please check out my blog too thx )
Thanks for swinging by and giving your opinion on the book. I guess it was difficult for Collins to make the other two as brilliant as the first once she set the bar so high up.
I loved the first book. It left such an impact on me that I read it again just two weeks after I had finished reading it the first time. I seriously loved that one. But then Catching Fire came along and dimmed the entusiasm a little. I found the first half pretty boring and only got hooked when the 75th Hunger Games began with Katniss in the mix once more. And finally Mockingjay spoilt the whole deal. I found it really really really boring with all the whining and politics in District 13. Even here the action began pretty late but unlike Catching Fire, Mockingjay wasn’t successful in leaving me satisfied. I liked the epilogue but somehow the setup felt a little off to me.
Ironically, in Catching Fire when the 75th Hunger Games started I was let down. I just thought ‘oh, how original’ to throw her back into another Hunger Games. Yes it was enjoyable to read but it screamed… transition plot to me.
I think the first book she worked on a lot, to perfect the balance of the story and different themes (like romance). But number two and three I think she should have worked on them more. I feel that the publishers were just like ‘yes print them! they must be brilliant!’ I could be wrong in saying that but I definitely felt like the first book was much more worked. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I felt the same – I loved the first book and always will. I’m looking forward to the film!
I’m always a bit iffy with films made from books. I do want to see it but I’m also keeping my distance. 😛 I’m a Book-Movie snob, READ THE DAMN BOOKS PEOPLE! Haha. Thanks for commenting on this thread!
These books sound good, and after your review I’m going to see if I can find them in spanish. Wish me luck!
Feliz Navidad 🙂
Buena suerte, bluejellybeans! Feliz Navidad. 😀
I adored the first book, loved parts of the second but wasn’t too keen on the last. The ending of Mockingjay just seemed too abrupt, and I didn’t realise what had actually happened to Rue until I read it on the page in black and white. Also, I’m annoyed that she chose Peeta over Gale. Still… they were much better than most YA.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I personally preferred Peeta so I was glad about that but I didn’t like Katniss as much. The ending was abrupt and it could have been done better but I still liked it a lot. I love endings that aren’t happy ever afters.
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The Hunger Games are awesome! I would disagree with not liking the second and third books. Compared to the first, I get it, but in general all of them were live-changingly absolutely amazing! My favorite was the first(favorite book of all time), and mockingjay comes in a very close second. Catching Fire wasn’t as good, but it was still a great book. I feel like SC tried to make all three books feel like one book, but she split them up a good way. Personally, Prim was my favorite character. I am most like her and I can relate to her the most, with being small and sweet and everything.
The Hunger Games. Perfect. Best book ever. Oh my goodness. I own it and I read it over and over. It’s a perfect balance of action, romance, and supense. I tell myself I will read up to a certain chapter, and I end up reading ten more chapters. Collins puts so many cliff hangers in, it’s impossible to put the book down. [SPOILER!!!:
I was so sad when Rue died; she was one of my favorites. I thought that part was perfect, the way Katniss puts flowers around Rue and did the three fingers thing. I don’t know why, but I love the part when Katniss pushes Peeta into the urn right after he says he likes her in his interview. It’s just so cute, and I feel so bad for Peeta. If I were him, I would be so embarrassed. This part is heartbreaking, but I like the part when Peeta finds out that Katniss’ actions were just for the games. You just can’t help loving Peeta and feeling heartbroken for him.] All in all, this book had no flaws and it was amazing!
I honestly don’t remember Catching Fire that much, but I loved it. I think SC wanted it to be a transition book. [SPOILER!!:
It seemed so obvious when I knew, but I never guessed or thought about Katniss going back to the Hunger Games. I also thought the clock idea was really creative.] Catching Fire was a really good book.
I really enjoyed Mockingjay. It was the most dramatic and tragic of the series. [SPOILER!!!!:
Katniss’ and Gale’s friendship/relationship start to fall apart, especially after… Prim gets killed from probably Gale’s bombs.:( I was hysterical crying when Prim dies.:,( The way Collins describes it, with her little duck tail. I was so sad! I was really happy when Katniss chooses Peeta; I was leaning towards Peeta throughout the series. But I was heartbroken that Gale and Katniss weren’t even friends anymore! But I do think that it made for better and more dramatic ending. The epilogue was perfect! I’m glad Katniss ended up having kids.]
I loved this book!
I loved this series! My opinions differ from your’s, but I accept and understand your opinions. I can’t wait for the movie! I always like the book better, but the movies are really good and dramatic too. I’m angry that they cut Madge out; she was a fairly important character with the pin and everything. Oh well, I know the movie will still be amazing! I love the Hunger Games trilogy!
Go Prim! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!!!!!!!!!!!!;)
I can tell you really love this series! That’s great, I love the enthusiasm. I agree, the Hunger Games as a book and as a series is noteworthy. I was also disappointed that Madge seemed to “Fade” as a character despite being so important for symbolic reasons, the pin. Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts on the novel. One of the most badass tagline’s = May the odds be ever in your favor. 😉
i think the series was absolutly fantastic and hoocked me all the way, i just cant wait for the film and i really want her to write a fourth
It was a very addictive series. I don’t think she should write a fourth…I think it would ruin the trilogy. We already know what happened in the epilogue…although I would’ve liked that extended. The film should be good! You should come by once you’ve watched it and tell us about it 😉 Thanks for commenting, Jack.
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