The Hunger Games: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Rating: 

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published by: Scholastic

Publication Date: September 14th 2008

Pages: 374

Genres: Teen/YA Fiction/Dystopian/Adventure/Science Fiction

Book Blurb:  

Winning means fame and fortune.
Losing means certain death.
The Hunger Games have begun….

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before– and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Waterstones ¦ Amazon

Review:

Can’t believe I have only just read this book, even after all the teasing from my friends about how I won’t see the films till I’ve read the book, but haven’t read the book. Anyway I finished the book a few days ago and wow. It was better than I expected, even after all the dystopia’s out at the moment that seem all a little too similar, no matter how good.

I loved how the book was written in Katniss’ Point of view because she is such an interesting and brave character from a devastating background. Suzanne has developed her so well and shown that she’s not all perfect which I love in any lead because it makes them all the more relatable and lets you empathise with them and their predicaments.

The description in the games and of the dress are also so beautiful and enthralling. At some parts I felt as though I was watching like one of the Panem citizens watching it live. There were parts that actually felt quite stressful due to the pressure that was on this amazing female lead and the descriptions of the events.

I also like how, although you have the love triangle and love interests, it isn’t such a big focus like it is in some books and instead you have a strong female lead that doesn’t constantly need all the relationship dramas that some have.

Suzanne Collins should be so proud that she has written such a strong willed, independent and brave female lead that many young girls can look up to instead of the usual celebrities making young girls care about looks instead of personality.

Truly inspirational character and an amazing action packed book. A perfect read for any time.

Maze Runner: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner

Rating: 

Author: James Dashner

Published by: Delacorte Press

Publication Date: October 6th 2009

Pages: 378

Genres: Teen/YA Fiction/Dystopian/Adventure/Sci-fi/Post-Apocalyptic

Book Blurb:  When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he’s not alone. He’s surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade – a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they came to be there \- or what’s happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything \- even the Grievers, half-machine, half-animal horror that patrol its corridors, to try and find out.

 

Waterstones ¦ Amazon

Review:

As some of you may know already, I had seen the movie before reading the book. One of the few times I have ever done it or ever will do. I hadn’t been sure about the whole story before I watched the film. After the film, it was a different story. It was amazing and absolutely thrilling. I read the book as soon as I got home. It was honestly a really, surprisingly good book. Not saying I thought it would be bad, but based on the sort of books I read, I didn’t expect to like it. I loved every second of it. I managed to read this book in around four days, two during, two after school had finished for half-term. The girl, Teresa was an amazing character who was hilarious at times and managed to bring the story to life even more than it already had. This book, though having a female in the plot, was luckily, not consumed by a romance or something. This meant that, although it is nice to have some once in a while, we actually got to see plot and more story line.

Minho is another character, aside from Tomas, the main protagonist, that I loved. He is quirky, witty and just has that sort of personality that makes you instantly think he is an awesome character.

The only criticism is that the book was a little slow during the middle,though it swiftly picked up.

For any of you who think this plot or genre isn’t for you, I seriously suggest you reconsider that opinion. I for one loved it and will most definitely be reading the nest book, Scorch Trials, hopefully soon.