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Suzanne Collins is the author of one of the most iconic and groundbreaking YA series of the 21st century: The Hunger Games. Released in 2008, The Hunger Games demonstrates her remarkable ability to captivate readers with a fast-paced and emotionally complex narrative that has clearly resonated with audiences around the world. So much so, that the story was adapted into a movie just four years later in 2012.
The Hunger Games is set in the dystopian nation of Panem, where the Capitol forces each of its 12 districts to send two teens to participate in a deadly annual event called the Hunger Games. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in the Games, she finds herself fighting for survival in a brutal, televised competition where she must appeal to the emotions of the viewers. The book explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and rebellion, while also delving into how power and control can shape society.
In anticipation of the upcoming prequel to The Hunger Games, I decided it was the perfect time to dive into the series for the first time. The prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, will shed light on Haymitch’s victory in the 50th annual Hunger Games, also known as the 2nd Quarter Quell, where each district was forced to send twice the number of tributes. The books provide little insight into how Haymitch triumphed in his Games, so I’m excited to finally learn more about his strategy and what led him to turn to alcohol after his win.
Story Recap: Spoilers Ahead!
Having never read The Hunger Games before but knowing the story from the movies, I had been hesitant to dive into the book because I knew it would be an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible. Recently, I’ve found myself gravitating toward books where the main antagonist is a corrupt or destructive government. With the upcoming release of the prequel focused on one of my favorite characters from the movies, I thought, what better time than now?
The Hunger Games is a fast-paced narrative that begins with Katniss hunting in the woods with Gale, where we learn about her survival skills and the bond she shares with what she considers her only true friend. As the story unfolds, we come to understand Katniss’s role in the society of District 12. She is the primary provider for her family after her father’s death in a mining accident, spending much of her time hunting in the woods with Gale to bring food home for both their families, while also illegally trading their kills for other necessities.
When her sister is selected as the female tribute, Katniss wastes no time volunteering to take her place, fully expecting to never see her family again but also knowing she could never let Prim endure the Games. As readers, we experience the turmoil Katniss feels, knowing she may never see any of her family again and trusting no one around her.
When Peeta publicly declares his love for her on live television, Katniss initially assumes it’s a strategy to make her appear weak, deepening her distrust of him. As readers, we know this is a sincere confession from Peeta, but it’s easy to understand Katniss’s skepticism since she barely knows him, both having been randomly chosen as tributes.
Throughout the Games, Katniss faces intense emotional challenges: surviving the arena, being hunted, making alliances that are ultimately betrayed, and witnessing the deaths of her fellow tributes. The turning point comes when it’s announced that there can be two winners from the same district, provided they are from the same district.
This is where the romance intensifies. Katniss initially uses it as a strategy to attract sponsors and secure gifts, though she doesn’t actually want Peeta to die. She nurses him back to health in a cave, turning on the romance for the viewers and receiving a few gifts to help save Peeta’s life.
In that cave, Katniss begins to experience true feelings for Peeta—emotions she’s never felt before. However, she has little time to process what this means, as she still must figure out how to get both of them out of the Games alive.
Without giving too much away, the dramatic climax of the Games occurs when Katniss and Peeta are informed that the previous rule allowing two winners has been revoked. Katniss cannot bring herself to kill Peeta, and he refuses to harm the love of his life. In an act of defiance, Katniss takes poisonous berries and suggests they both eat them at the same time, causing the Game master to panic and declare both of them the victors of the 74th Hunger Games.
Unbeknownst to Katniss, her act of rebellion sparks unrest in the districts and grows hatred toward the Capitol. The story ends with Peeta picking flowers during a stop on their way home, where Katniss admits that she is uncertain about her feelings. Peeta then realizes that most, if not all, of the romance between them—though it helped save his life—was fabricated for the viewers so that they could survive the Games.
My Review
I genuinely enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book over the last few days. If I didn’t have a full-time job that keeps me occupied for nine hours a day, I probably would have finished it in one or two sittings. The writing style is descriptive but to the point, never bogging the reader down with excessive detail while still providing enough to fully immerse us in Katniss’s perspective.
Though the story is filled with devastating and unnecessary deaths, each one serves a clear purpose, propelling the narrative forward and prompting the reader to reflect on the true consequences of an all-powerful government that suppresses and starves its citizens into submission. It’s a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it. If you haven’t already, pick up The Hunger Games and read along with me before the release of Sunrise on the Reaping on March 18th, 2025.
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
Release date: March 18th, 2025
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