I just finished reading Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. If you guys know me at all, I’m always the last to jump on the bandwagon of anything. I kept thinking, ‘I don’t want to read a book about kids forced to kill one another in some twisted appalling game’. Everyone kept telling me to just read it, it truly wasn’t focused on that, etc. So I finally gave in, threw caution to the wind and read it. And let me just say, they were right. Hunger Games, as I’m sure you all already know, was fabulous. I like strong female characters but don’t really go for the whole ‘girl-power’ deal. Truly I think girls have had a lot pushed their way for decades now and I’m a smidge disappointed at the way males (stupid, inept and talked down to) are portrayed in everyday media today. Okay, can someone come help me down off of my soapbox; my knees aren’t what they used to be. Oh, thanks, where was I? Ah yes, I loved Katniss. Her power and intelligence really speak to girls today, I believe. She not only had physical prowess but an intellect than carried her through. I also loved the message that it’s not about your social standing in life or maybe the book smarts that you’ve acquired over time but so much more than that.
The love story deftly woven within was amazing. I’m so looking forward to going on in the series. Will it be Peeta or Gale? Either sound like enviable suitors for a young lady. I’m kinda on the fence about who I’m rooting for. I want to see what Catching Fire offers up in the way of information about both of the guys. Especially now that we’re back in District 12. Maybe I can decide where my allegiance lies among its pages.
Ms. Collins kept my on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t get through the pages fast enough. The suspense was epic. She did a fabulous job making you want to move through the story. The imagery was so vivid, the reader could really feel a part of the story. I personally liked the fact that I knew Katniss came from coal mining territory and the Capitol was in the Rocky Mountains. Living in Colorado it gave me a real feel for their surroundings.
I don’t think anyone needs me to tell them this book was terrific or to recommend it. It was and I do, just in case.
I loved both Hunger Games books! I'm so glad you read them! I can't wait for the third installment, I can barely breath!
ReplyDeleteawe.some.book. I loved every second of it. And I kind of picked it up kicking and screaming too! It did NOT sound appealing to me--all the violence? But it was super amazing =)
ReplyDeleteI, too, have avoided this book, but maybe I'll read it now. Thanks for posting the review! :)
ReplyDeleteI would suggest this book to everyone as well. I really enjoyed it - and Catching Fire too. Can't wait for Mocking Jay!
ReplyDeleteIt's on my to-read list. Thanks for the reminder to inch it towards the top.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to get to Catching Fire before too long, so I can be ready for Mocking Jay. ;)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everything you said--I loved this book, although it is not the kind of thing I normally read and you were spot on about the characters. Let me know what you think of Catching Fire when you read it!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading several of your reviews on The Weight of it All blog, I think you might enjoy my newly (self) published YA fiction novel, during your next review cycle. Your review of "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins displayed the depth of insight that I am seeking for an early reviewer.
My book, Perfect Imperfection, centers around the adventures of a not-too-smart, over-weight young man with a receding hairline who stumbles onto and into a secret benevolent society of scientists, called Perfect Imperfection or PI. With assistance PI’s accelerated learning and artificial intelligence technologies, Billings trains to become a virtual secret agent that helps humanity in the face of accelerating scientific, ecological and social evolution. The antagonist, Blackbeard, an elite black hat hacker, employs cutting-edge tech to land the biggest score of his career. An epic virtual game of cat and mouse ensues, with everything in the balance.
I've tried to give hope to the reader despite the path the world is on, that there is a way to save us. The point behind the story is to show we can overcome the trivialness of our imperfections, be they physical, social, intelligence or economic. I will donate all profits of the book to causes that are consistent the book’s key themes.
Lisa, by way of introduction, my name is S. E. Gould, and I’m a recovering software entrepreneur and corporate finance executive, looking to spend the best part of my life writing fiction that may help inspire the world to choose a better path.
If you are interested in reviewing, I am happy to send you a paperback version. Lastly, if you want an interview or run a giveaway for your followers, I can help you out there as well. If you are on a reviewing pause, please keep me in mind when you restart. I appreciate your consideration.
Regards,
S. E. Gould
segould at outlook dot com