the hunger games book review amazon

The Hunger Games

By suzanne collins.

'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins captures the dangers of totalitarian regimes through the eyes of the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen.

Article written by Neesha Thunga K

B.A. in English Literature, and M.A. in English Language and Literature.

It has a strong female protagonist who acts as the catalyst for several events in the book. The main characters are well-drawn out and the world-building is excellent. The tone of the novel reflects its gruesome contents , making The Hunger Games one of the best Young Adult novels released in recent times.

Terrors of a Totalitarian Regime

The minute we start reading The Hunger Games , it becomes clear that we are no longer dealing with the world as we know it today. We enter the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem where the autocratic President Snow has taken control, and there is no freedom anymore – merely the illusion of it remains.

This is revealed to us at the beginning when we are introduced to the history of Panem by the Mayor of District 12 during the reaping . A great amount of world-building occurs here, as we are provided information regarding the 13 districts , their rebellion, their punishment, and subsequently, the birth of the Hunger Games.

Throughout The Hunger Games , we are shown the callous nature of those at The Capitol who care for nothing other than their luxury and comfort – and of course, the suffering of those at the districts . Watching the tributes fight amongst themselves to the death every single year is what they live for, and what provides flavor and excitement in their superficial and heartless lives. 

President Snow appears benevolent but is actually ruthless. He will stop at nothing to maintain control. Everything he does is aimed at expressing dominance, to remind the people in the districts that the Capitol always wins. Most people in the districts have either accepted their fate or have resigned themselves to a life of misery. Those in the wealthier districts have deluded themselves into thinking that they are the Capitol’s favorite, which gives cause for tension throughout the novel. 

All of this showcases a totalitarian regime, but one of the major drawbacks of the novel is the fact that it does not go into detail. It is written in a matter-of-fact and superficial manner which does not quite capture the gravity of the content. Nevertheless, it achieves the kind of world-building that is required for the readers to understand the plot, and sets the foundation for the sequels well.

The Spark Lit by Katniss Everdeen

The entire story is narrated by the 16-year-old protagonist, Katniss Everdeen . As such, the novel is in the first-person point of view – something which allows us to experience the horrors of the Hunger Games first-hand.

We are privy only to those things that are related to Katniss, and as a teenager who has had to take on the role of primary provider early in life, there is not much on her mind other than keeping her family alive.

As such, the novel is more about Katniss and her thoughts, feelings, and actions per se than it is about the Hunger Games themselves. We understand the Games from her unique perspective – one that is disgusted by the Capitol and laced with sarcasm and irony. 

However, this is not how others in the novel treat the Hunger Games. For instance, the Career tributes have made it their life’s mission to excel at the hideous Games concocted by the Capitol, while those at the Capitol itself revel in the mass killings that take place.

On the contrary, Katniss’s fury at the injustice of the Games grows steadily (and subconsciously) until it ends with her “trick” with the berries. Although Katniss’s only hope behind consuming the berries was to be left alive with Peeta, the very fact that she thought of killing herself is a mark of her awareness, as well as her subtle forms of rebellion.

Katniss undergoes a remarkable change in the short period it takes to complete the Hunger Games, and she transforms from someone who cares only about her family to someone who is deeply affected by the injustice of the Capitol. There is even a point when she thinks of the death of a tribute as “murder.” She reflects on the word the minute it crosses her mind, ultimately concluding that it is a fitting word to use in the situation.

Katniss has a fire within her that is longing to burst forth. Coincidentally, she becomes the “Girl on Fire” with the help of Cinna ’s creations but the references to fire do not stop there. Katniss seems to spark a fire that spreads throughout the nation of Panem with everything she does. The spark she ignites provides an unpleasant jolt to the people of the Capitol, while it acts as a beacon of hope to those in the districts. Soon, Katniss becomes the person who everyone in Panem admires and looks up to, whether she wants them to or not.

Supporting Characters

The plot of The Hunger Games is brilliantly set forth and moves at a breathtakingly quick speed. This is more than enough to sustain the reader’s interest till the end. However, the novel is a little lacking in terms of characters. No character other than Katniss is fully developed, other than through the thoughts and feelings that Katniss has about them.

You might think that her relationships are better explained but this is not the case either. We do not really know much about her relationships with her sister, Prim, who is the very reason for all of the events in the novel. We know that Katniss loves Prim and would sacrifice almost everything for her, including herself, but we do not fully understand why.

Similarly, the other characters in the novel are not provided space for their own development. This is the case for Peeta Mellark , Katniss’s co-tribute and love interest as well as President Snow, the main antagonist of the novel.

All of this could be attributed to the fact that The Hunger Games caters to a younger audience, i.e., young adults, but the novel is still missing some crucial character development.

The Final Pages of The Hunger Games

The concluding pages of the novel credit Suzanne Collins’ ability to hook the reader in. She introduces several twists in the novel, with the final one taking everyone by surprise. The reader is taken on a rollercoaster, where they are given hope (much like the characters themselves) that both Katniss and Peeta would survive, and subsequently given to despair as that hope is snatched away by the Gamemakers .

Ultimately, however, Katniss and Peeta end up surviving, and they come back home. The concluding pages also set the foundation for the sequel, which is based on the Capitol’s fury at Katniss’s rebellion. Lastly, we are left with the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale, which takes shape in the next novel, Catching Fire .

Thus, the last pages of the novel act as a spark, much like Katniss herself, for the trilogy of The Hunger Games as a whole.

Did they kill Cinna?

Cinna remains alive by the end of The Hunger Games book 1. However, due to his transgressions in Book 2, where he creates a deceptive Mockingjay outfit for Katniss, he is tortured and killed.

Is Cinna in love with Katniss?

No, Cinna is not in love with Katniss. As her stylist, it is Cinna’s job to make Katniss look appealing to the public. He sees Katniss naked many times, but he looks at her body only professionally (to assess the outfits she needs to wear) and never romantically.

Who is Haymitch to Katniss?

Haymitch is Katniss’s mentor in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games . He is an alcoholic who drowns his sorrows in drink, but comes to care for Katniss very deeply. He tries his best to keep Katniss alive both times she’s in the arena .

Did Katniss ever love Gale?

Katniss does love Gale, but only as a friend. Though Gale confesses that he loves her, Katniss never viewed him as a romantic partner. She is closer to him than anyone else because of their hunting and poaching days, until she forms a bond with Peeta.

The Hunger Games Review: A True Young Adult Dystopian Fiction

• Writing Style
• Lasting Effect on the Reader

The Hunger Games review

The Hunger Games is a highly memorable young adult dystopian fiction. It is one of a kind and deals with several important themes that are relevant even in our world. The plot and pace of the novel are praiseworthy. It is commendable in terms of world-building and leaves an impression on the reader in an unsettling and uncanny manner. However, character development is weak and superficial.

• Incredible plot and setting
• Relevant despite being unsettling
• Good world-building
• Provides an immersive experience through the use of a first-person point of view
• Characters other than the protagonist are not well-developed
• Lazy writing at times
• Falls prey to the clichéd love triangle

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About Neesha Thunga K

Neesha, born to a family of avid readers, has devoted several years to teaching English and writing for various organizations, making an impact on the literary community.

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The Hunger Games, Book 1 Hardcover – Jan. 1 2008

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• Reading age 12 - 17 years
• Book 1 of 3 Hunger Games
• Print length 384 pages
• Language English
• Lexile measure 810
• Dimensions 15.88 x 3.81 x 21.59 cm
• Publisher Scholastic Press
• Publication date Jan. 1 2008
• ISBN-10 0439023483
• ISBN-13 978-0439023481
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From The Hunger Games

Once inside, I'm conducted to a room and left alone. It's the richest place I've ever been in, with thick, deep carpets and a velvet couch and chairs. I know velvet because my mother has a dress with a collar made of the stuff. When I sit on the couch, I can't help running my fingers over the fabric repeatedly. It helps to calm me as I try to prepare for the next hour. The time allotted for the tributes to say good-bye to their loved ones. I cannot afford to get upset, to leave this room with puffy eyes and a red nose. Crying is not an option. There will be more cameras at the train station.

My sister and my mother come first. I reach out to Prim and she climbs on my lap, her arms around my neck, head on my shoulder, just like she did when she was a toddler. My mother sits beside me and wraps her arms around us. For a few minutes, we say nothing. Then I start telling them all the things they must remember to do, now that I will not be there to do them for them.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Press; First Edition (Jan. 1 2008)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0439023483
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0439023481
• Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 kg
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.88 x 3.81 x 21.59 cm
• #22 in Children's Nonfiction on Abuse
• #61 in Dystopian Fiction for Children
• #91 in Children's Books on Violence

About the author

Suzanne collins.

Suzanne Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children's television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Collins made her mark in children's literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles, which has received numerous accolades in both the United States and abroad. In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.

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17 Sep The Hunger Games – Reviewed by Emma Ciliberti

Book review: the hunger games by suzanne collins.

The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, is an action-packed book that depicts the tribulations teenagers face. The narrative follows the experiences of Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year-old who finds herself in dire circumstances.

 Katniss is required to attend the Hunger Games alongside Peeta Mellark. Katniss did not have an established relationship with Peeta before the games, which made matters worse. The Capitol controls the summertime Hunger Games, which consists of 24 contestants entering and 1 contestant exiting. In order to win the games, you must outlast everyone else in the woods, becoming the sole survivor. Because she must leave her mother and sister Prim at home, Katniss must deal with the harsh reality that they may not be able to live without her. Additionally, Katniss believes she won’t prevail because she’s only sixteen and hasn’t had any training. However, there are eighteen-year-olds who have trained their entire lives participating. During the games, Katniss realizes she cannot stab Peeta in the back by killing him; then, she discovers that maybe she would not have to.

 I recommend reading The Hunger Games due to its inspiring heroine who changes the fate of Panem for the rest of eternity. Overall, The Hunger Games features amazing story twists and explores a wide range of emotions. If you enjoyed the first book, be sure to inquire about the sequel, Catching Fire.   

~Emma Ciliberti

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The Hunger Games Paperback – 1 May 2009

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• Reading age 9 - 12 years
• Book 1 of 3 Hunger Games
• Print length 374 pages
• Language English
• Dimensions 13.1 x 2.9 x 19.8 cm
• Publisher Scholastic
• Publication date 1 May 2009
• ISBN-10 818477169X
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic; First Edition (1 May 2009)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 374 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 818477169X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8184771695
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 kg 50 g
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.1 x 2.9 x 19.8 cm
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ India
• #784 in Children's Science Fiction (Books)
• #16,722 in Children's Literature & Fiction (Books)

About the author

Suzanne collins.

Suzanne Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children's television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Collins made her mark in children's literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles, which has received numerous accolades in both the United States and abroad. In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.

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‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Suffers From ‘Mockingjay’s Biggest Mistake

The Hunger Games prequel film was so close to greatness.

The Big Picture

• The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes suffers as a stand-alone film, lacking time to fully develop complex characters and darker aspects.
• Splitting the story between the Games and Coriolanus' time in District 12 would have allowed for a more in-depth exploration and a dramatic finale without such a jarring tonal shift.
• Coriolanus' character arc is rushed, lacking the development needed for a compelling descent into villainy.

Eight years after the original series ended, the Hunger Games franchise returned with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , which follows President Snow ( Donald Sutherland ) as a young man known as Coriolanus ( Tom Blyth ), depicting the tenth Hunger Games , and introducing the only previously unknown District 12 victor, Lucy Gray ( Rachel Zegler ). This is a tall order for a single film, but Francis Lawrence decided against splitting the story into different installments. After The Hunger Games: Mockingjay was divided, it seems odd not to do so with the prequel, but Lawrence has since admitted that he regretted his choice to make two films out of the single book by Suzanne Collins . Reluctant to make the same mistake, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes became a stand-alone prequel and suffers for it. The difference is that splitting Mockingjay interrupted the momentum of the story. Katniss' ( Jennifer Lawrence ) arc had already developed over the first two films, making it possible to fit the necessary parts of Mockingjay 's story into a single (admittedly long) film.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is different. Giving the backstory of a complex character, the film is Coriolanus' only chance to be the lead. As Coriolanus becomes more like the President from the Hunger Games , it takes time to show the process of his descent into villainy, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes doesn't have that . In addition, characters like Lucy Gray and Dr. Gaul ( Viola Davis ) get less focus than they should because the film is pressed for time. This is also true of the horrific game, which shows a different side to the tradition before it was turned into a spectacle by the government. With a clear divide in the story when the tenth Hunger Games ends, it would make logical sense to split the story. Though a single book, the novel has multiple parts providing a natural break as it changes settings from the Capitol to District 12, but the film does not take advantage of this. The Hunger Games and the events leading up to it would easily fill a movie. Meanwhile, the conspiracy in District 12 and Coriolanus' final descent into villainy would be a dramatic finale, completing the character's arc without dragging out the plot unnecessarily.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes   follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) - the last hope for the once-proud Snow family - who is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12 for the 10th Hunger Games. Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will become a songbird or a snake.

Coriolanus' Development Needed More Time in 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'

As the central character, Coriolanus goes on a journey throughout the film, developing from a starving orphan with trauma from living through a war to a cold and manipulative leader who doesn't care how his actions impact others. Certainly, Blyth plays the part well as the film details this transition, but it must be rushed to fit within the roughly two-and-a-half-hour time constraint. Coriolanus' character arc isn't simple as he goes from being in it for himself to making friends to betraying those friends and accomplishing his original goal. His disadvantages at the beginning develop sympathy, which has run out by the end . Coriolanus may have the family name, but the Snows are out of money and rely on his cousin, Tigris ( Hunter Schafer ) . Coriolanus hides this fact, dreaming of getting the prize money from the Hunger Games mentoring program to pay for continued education so he can improve his family's life. This all seems noble and completely unlike the President, who is Katniss' antagonist. This trend continues as he befriends Sejanus ( Josh Andrés Rivera ), who is looked down on by the Capitol families for being born in District 2. Sejanus' compassion pushes Coriolanus in the right direction, as does the influence of Lucy Gray, whom he begins to love.

Yet the story not only includes him developing these friendships but destroying them as well. He betrays Sejanus to earn favor with Dr. Gaul and tries to kill Lucy Gray ( although the jury is out on whether he succeeds ). It's not until the end that he shows signs of villainy. In fact, at first, his move to District 12 seems to push him to be better. While Katniss didn't need two Mockingjay films to reach her final realization about corruption, Coriolanus could have used more time to be corrupted. He essentially undergoes multiple character arcs as he first chooses Lucy Gray above everything, helping her cheat in the Hunger Games, and then chooses himself by planning to kill her to hide his association with the murders in District 12. Splitting these into separate films would benefit the character, giving the audience the chance to learn more about him and empathize with him before he succumbs to his own selfish desire for power.

'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' Easter Eggs

'the ballad of songbirds and snakes' could've expanded about much more.

With a cast made up of talented actors such as Viola Davis and Peter Dinklage , plenty of characters could have shown up more. Davis' Gaul is a prime example, as her terrifying character is responsible for much of the titular games. But the character whose time is lacking the most is Lucy Gray. Though secondary only to Coriolanus, Lucy Gray does not reach her full potential in the allotted time. The character is the first Hunger Games victor to gain the attention of the Capitol citizens, like Katniss herself. She may not be a particularly skilled fighter, but her determination helps her survive the arena. Showing many talents, Lucy Gray is the natural hero of the story. But the film speeds through many elements, and our Victor doesn't get the attention she deserves. One of the many changes from the book is Lucy Gray's victory, making it the snakes that kill the runner-up rather than Lucy Gray manipulating and poisoning him, taking away from her cleverness and determination to survive, which are vital to the character. Lucy Gray needed more time to develop her relationship with Coriolanus and show what she was really capable of when it came down to it.

Like Lucy Gray's victory, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes brushes over some of the darker aspects of Collins' book. While every other Hunger Games film that throws the characters into an arena spends the majority of the time showing the Hunger Games itself, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes does not. And this isn't because it's centered on Coriolanus, who isn't a tribute, but because there is too much story to focus on the Games. This is the first glimpse audiences have at the early Games before the spectacle of the event was used to hide its brutality , but the film doesn't highlight that aspect of the story as much as it could have. Reaper ( Dimitri Abold ), the Tribute from District 11, takes the time to line up the fallen tributes, giving them respect, similar to how Katniss treated Rue ( Amandla Stenberg ) in her first games. His monument stays the whole time, as do the bodies of the dead children. This act is dangerously close to rebellion, something the film did not have more time to explore, yet it proves that others tried before Katniss. The entire concept is dark, especially without the Capitol doing everything it can to turn the Games into something they're not. The brutality during the Hunger Games didn't have the impact it could have if the storyline and the characters had more time in the spotlight.

'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' Has a Natural Division

While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes tells one story, there is a natural place for the film to be split: when the Hunger Games end and Coriolanus is banished to the Districts. Every other Hunger Games film , besides Mockingjay ( which doesn't feature the Games), ends with the climactic conclusion of the Hunger Games, but not The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Instead, that is only the first section of the plot. After Lucy Gray's victory, there is a shift in the story. The film transitions to Coriolanus' life as a Peacekeeper after his illegal assistance of Lucy Gray is discovered. Not only is this a completely different journey for Coriolanus, but the tone seems to change as he enjoys life with Lucy Gray's Covey family , causing a distinct and abrupt shift in the middle of the film. This would provide a perfect place for one film to end and another to begin if they had split the story in two.

Not using this division is a missed opportunity. The Hunger Games and the events leading up to it, where Coriolanus promoted Lucy Gray to better her position in the arena, would have filled a two-hour movie without issue. This would have given the story the freedom to better explore the events and the horror of the Games. Likewise, Coriolanus' life in District 12 has plenty of material. From the introduction of the Covey to the rebel activity, there is much to include as Coriolanus' arc completes, and he decides to be the ruthless man we were introduced to in The Hunger Games. Even without the Games, this would have more than enough action, as Sejanus is hanged and Coriolanus kills Mayfair Lipp ( Isobel Jesper Jones ). And it would allow for a more in-depth exploration of Lucy Gray's history, which gets in the way as she and Coriolanus begin their relationship. While making Mockingjay two different movies made little sense, keeping The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes together wasn't ideal either . The prequel contains too much story to fit into a single film , proving there are reasons to divide a book, but it won't work for everyone.

The Hunger Games:The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is available to stream on STARZ in the U.S.

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