The Hunger Games Have Begun!

For weeks Vanguard has been abuzz about The Hunger Games. At first I thought it was just another Twilight frenzy and didn’t think too much of it. But after reading it, I must admit I was severely wrong. The Hunger Games is a unique and interesting book. I’ve never read anything like it before. Suzanne Collins definitely knew what she was doing when she came up with this story.

The Hunger Games takes place in future North America where a new country, Panem, has taken over. Panem has an epicenter, the Capitol, and twelve different districts serve it. Every year The Capitol holds the Hunger Games in which a boy and girl from each district between the ages of twelve to eighteen must fight each other to the death until there is only one survivor. Katniss, a sixteen-year-old girl, volunteers for her younger sister and must fight twenty three other tributes for her family’s well-being, her district, and ultimately her life.

What impressed me about the book is that, unlike many other post-apocalyptic novels, this one doesn’t feature any monsters, zombies or super futuristic technology that simply could never be done. It is very plausible, from Katniss’ poverty-stricken home to the intense duels within the arenas. Collins touches on the basic needs of every human being through Katniss- her need to survive no matter what, her need for companionship, and her literal and metaphorical hunger.

The battles within the book are intense and action-packed. The action is very raw. Collins gives the readers detailed and vivid pictures of the injuries as if one is there experiencing it and manages to pull it off in a real way. Of course with every action story there has to be a romance. However, Collins weaves this in a very subtle and interesting way by making the usually stoic Katniss feign feelings for Peeta to the point that they become real. Katniss has a “romance” with Peeta, her fellow twelfth district tribute and opponent. His over affectionate heart and her unfeeling one definitely adds uncertainty, which every reader needs now and then.

The only aspect of the book that didn’t sit well with me was that the book was written in present tense. It gave the reader a sense of immediacy. However, for a story that grand, the past tense would have been a better fit. Past tense would have given a sense of reflection and a sort of folklore feeling to the book. But overall, the book is an amazing read.

“Hunger Games is as good as Twilight is bad,” sophomore Helene Villareal said.

Girls aren’t the only ones that get something out of this either. Guys have also been drawn to the book’s  intense action and originality.

“The story relates to kids our age, how kids have to go through hardships,” Nick Longcob said.

With the book getting such positive reviews, one can only hope the movie will be just as good. The Hunger Games movie is now in theaters.