Because I know not everyone has had a chance to read this trilogy, I am not going to go into great detail, nor will I give away the end to any of the three books. But I want to jot down my impressions of the series before they completely escape my brain. Before I tell you what I think, here's the main idea behind the books: America has been destroyed, and in its place is a nation that is divided into 13 districts and is ruled by The Capitol. After an uprising from one of the districts, The Capitol has instigated a yearly reminder that The Government has supreme control of the nation in the form of what is called The Hunger Games. All children from age 12 to 18 are eligible to be chosen to participate in a competition in which a boy and a girl from each district fights to the death. It is brutal, violent, and cruel. The books follow the story of one of the participants, and the effects the games have on her and those around her. I am not going to say more, because if you've read it you already know the story, and if you haven't, I don't want to ruin it for you. I think best in lists, so here are my basic reactions and thoughts in list form:
1. I spent the entire first book angry. The book is written in first person, allowing you to see into the mind of one of the victims of The Capitol's cruel treatment. Collins' writing engages you and brings you into the world she's created so successfully that you find yourself wanting to fight The Capitol and everything they stand for. You feel deeply for each of the characters, and want to jump in and save them from the cruelty they are sure to face. And these feelings carry you through the second and third novels as well.
2. I love fluff books. Anyone could tell you that if they've seen my bookshelves. But it was good to read young adult fiction that had some depth to it. Every night after I read, I found myself thinking over what I'd read. There's not a lot to think about when you're reading about vampires or a 14-year-old British girl who's obsessed with kissing (which is part of the appeal), so my rusty brain was happy to be put into use as I read these books. I think I will be rereading them in a month or two, just so I can process them again. They address topics such as grief, war, compassion, and humanity.
3. One word for Mockingjay. Wow.
I seldom spend the cash on hardback books that I haven't read yet, but these books were all the rage, and I figured they were a safe bet. I am so glad I invested in them, because I will be reading them again and again, and if you haven't tried them yet, let me know and you can get in line for my copies.
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3 comments:
I will add my wow to your wow. ONe of the most compelling stories and some of the best writing. When I tell people that it's YA fiction they sort of roll their eyes. But they're seriously some of the best books I've ever read.
Thank goodness you sent me Hunger Games so it could inspire me to read them all. 3 days, all 3 books, I was THAT captivated. I thought book #3 seemed a little drawn out, but overall I thought the books were awesome.
My copy of Mockinjay just arrived. Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow instead of cleaning my house.... :)
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