First I'd like to say that I have now read all 3 Hunger Games novels and loved them all. I had to read them on my kindle because I simply couldn't stand this narrator. Her voice absolutely grated on my nerves. I was only able to make it through 1 chapter before her babyish rendition of Katniss turned me off completely.

This is a work aimed at a teen audience written with limited vocabulary and short sentences. At first the rhythm reminded me of Hemingway, but it is not particularly sophisticated. The story is a Handmaid’s Tale style world wherein villages of the empire send tribute/sacrifices as reparation for an uprising that happened almost 80 years ago. The “Tributes” have to fight to the death on television. The game takes place in the woods while viewers send support and bet on the contestants. Very quick read. There are 2 sequels. They may be easy enough to read that it would be worth covering the series, but really, this is enough to know what it’s about and I’d like to go back to full sentences with grown up vocabulary.

Excellent book, loved everything about it. Story, characters, performance,... Even for people who don't like dystopian genre it's a very enjoyable listen.

My daughter talked me into listening to this book. She thought it was better than Harry Potter. Well to me it sure isn't Harry Potter. This just wasn't my cup of tea at all. Don't think I will see the movie and I know I won't order the second book. This book just did't fit to what I call entertainment or good writting. Took for ever to tell a very simple story. Suzanne Collins repeated herself a lot. She kept going over issues that I thought once said was enough. Just not for me.

Yes and no. I was curious as to the story and how it was handled, but felt that it was really a younger read. Not the depth of character or development of story that I enjoy best.

I haven't read the next in the series. I wasn't moved enough to find out what happened next.

I think it was handled well for a kid's book. I do think the death scenes were glossed over a bit, but I understand that it was trying to

Yes. Not read the next one.

I was pretty disappointed with THE HUNGER GAMES. For example, there was so much anticipation as to where the children would be sent for the games, but very sparse description once they were there. And for being Hunger games, they were never really so. You never got the idea they were suffering, it was rather ho-hum. This pretty much sums up my complaint of the book, a building up of suspense and a general letdown upon delivery. It's sad because there's a lot of potential here, but an uninteresting story. You get the idea that there's a coming of age, romantic interlude, but it's impossible to believe any of the characters actually have any feelings! If you want a good post-apocalyptic story about children participating in reality games gone too far, go for THE LONG WALK, an earlier work by Stephen King, on par with the great Orwell!

In the future America of The Hunger Games, civilization is reduced to 12 districts and a despotic, hedonistic capitol. The annually televised death games ('Survivor' meets 'Truman Show') feature a sacrificial girl and boy from each district. The heroine is one of these; a tough, resourceful 16 year old girl around whom the story flows.

The Hunger Games story is engaging and clips right along from beginning to end. It was hard for me to find a lull in which I could pause and get back to my work. The writing isn't overly complex but it's well done. It was interesting to note, while reading, how some of the most appalling aspects of this culture parallel contemporary American life.

Certain technologies were a bit too convenient to the author's objectives. However, they were also fascinating and wonderfully creepy so I didn't mind. What was repugnant in the beginning of the story, (the nature of the games and the sacrifices required) quickly became intriguing.

It may be intended for an older teen but I'd also recommend it if you're looking for a book that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.

With all the media attention the very shoddily written Twilight series has been getting, I was starting to despair for the future of YA genre fic. Not to worry--Collins spins an excellent tale in The Hunger Games. Fans of dark science fiction will eat this book up like a steaming dish of lamb stew. It touches all the bases with action, intrigue, and deep character development. And none of this gooey, sparkly, teenage-girl-esque writing. It may be written for a younger generation, but any adult reader will find it to be a riveting story as well, with intelligent craftsmanship and a reliance on pacing, not on cheese.

A rival with Libba Bray's series for the spot of Best YA Series Ever on my book shelf.

I listened to this on the advice of my daughter (28). I was pleasantly surprised as I was skeptical at first. I thought it tried too hard to bring you into the story but once you do actually get in, you can't seem to put it down. I looked for things that are expected and common but the twists and turns kept my attention very well. I enjoyed the fact that what you actually wanted to happen, didn't exactly work out that way. I will listen to the second one and see if it can do the same.

In the future the world is a hot mess. Nature went berserk and wars broke out, leaving a haven of civilization in what's left of North America called Panem. In the center is the Capitol, which is surrounded by 13 less-fortunate districts. While the districts provide the Capitol with everything they need, they are also starving to death so they rebel. The Capitol, having less man-power but more power, squashes the rebellion, completely obliterating District 13, and forcing the other 12 districts to participate in the Hunger Games.

Each year a boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen from each district to battle it out in a gynormous state-of-the-art arena which is designed differently each year and equipped with cameras for viewing pleasure. They fight to the death, the victor being wealthy for the rest of their life, and the winning district getting a variety of prizes and food.

The story centers around Katniss, a 16 year old who is the head of her family, acting as the provider since her father died in the coal mines. She's a survivor, and illegally hunts outside the borders of District 12 with her guy-friend Gale, both of them keeping their families from starvation.

During the drawing for the 74th Annual Hunger Games, the name of Katniss' 12 year old sister is drawn. Knowing her sister wouldn't stand a chance, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. The boy chosen is Peeta, a classmate who once helped her out by giving her food when her family was starving. Together they go to the Capitol, are given makeovers and paraded around before being set in the area to kill or be killed.

This book is wonderfully crafted, the world is well written, the characters are so real, the romance twist is intruiging, and the situations are woven just so that it leaves you panting for more when the book ends.

I put this book off because I didn't think it was my style but I devoured it quickly. It may be YA but it's great for adults too. 13+