Book Review: The Hunger Games Trilogy

Good vs. Evil.  Star-crossed lovers.  Daring plot twists.  Beautiful, outlandish descriptions of fashion.  Brutal physical and psychological torture.  Dazzling escapes.  The power of sacrifice.  Enduring love. What more could you ask for in a series? 

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, along with the other two novels in the series, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, tell the story of Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year-old girl reaped from her village in District 12 (set in futuristic North America) to participate in a brutal, televised contest called "The Hunger Games".  The Capitol, or the seat of power in the futuristic "Panem", led by evil dictator President Snow, holds the games annually, pitting children in a brutal fight against one another and Capitol-created "mutations".  The winner of the Hunger Games is the last person left alive.

Katniss is surrounded by a colorful cast of characters-- Peeta, the sweet and kind boy who is also reaped from District 12 and becomes Katniss's ally and friend in the arena; Gale, Katniss's dark and brooding childhood friend and hunting partner; Prim, her innocent and captivating younger sister; Cinna, her flamboyant stylist from the Capitol; and Haymitch, her often drunk yet steadfastly loyal mentor in the arena.  And the list goes on.

Collins creates a stark and terrifying vision of a future in which corruption, greed, and money rule.  A future in which children are sacrificed to preserve governmental power.  It is both a cautionary tale about the atrocities of war and a hopeful story of the power of one individual (namely, an ordinary girl!)  to launch a revolution.

Collins does not attempt to sugercoat the horrors of war.  Her tale is full of brutality, torture, impossible decisions, grief, loss and despair.  And yet it is the underlying current of hope even in the darkest hour that keeps the pages turning.

I literally could not put these books down.  I admit that at the beginning, I was skeptical.  I am not a fan of science fiction and it took me a while to understand the dynamics of Panem, the Capitol, District 12, and the arena.   Yet once immersed in the world, I couldn't let go.  It was a series that I wanted to read slowly, to savor, but instead quickly devoured, leaving me hungry for more.  Unfortunately, for that I will need to wait until the movie comes out on March 23rd, 2012.

The books are marketed as "Young Adult".  Personally, I do not think I would recommend the series to my sixth grade students.  Although many of them have read (and enjoyed) the books, I think that the mature themes and graphic violence are less than appropriate for a younger audience.  In fact, one of the more disturbing scenes even gave me nightmares.  If you are a parent, I would strongly recommend that you read the series before your children do, and determine whether they are ready for the mature content.

So, if you need a good beach book for those sweltering August days, or an exciting series to keep you up late at night, go pick up a copy of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games.  And, in the words of Effie Trinket, "Happy Hunger Games!  And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Love,
Kara