The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


While stuck in an unexpected layover, picked up the Book that Everyone's Talking 'Bout (applause). Here's the good and the bad.



Bad: Katniss is a bit of a Mary Sue -- everyone loves her, she's good at everything. The science fiction elements are too soft and plot devicey: I get that Katniss is a kid and to her the tech will seem amazing and beyond her comprehension, but still. As an example of something that I found particularly lazy: the little parachuting gifts that her trainer would send while she was competing in the games. This allowed Collins to artificially do a few things: move along the so obviously telegraphed love triangle between Peeta, Katniss, and Gale by having K&P make out; introduce challenges to keep the story going and not have Katniss overwhelm the game competitors, then easily resolve the challenges that so that Katniss never suffers TOO much.



Neutral: Basically a reworking of "Battle Royale"



Good: Doesn't shy away from serious emotions and serious violence, which I think is good; don't sugar coat or dumb things down for kids. Always nice to see a powerful young girl protagonist who doesn't wilt in favor of her boyfriend. Lots of action, good pacing, quick read. Solid, enjoyable writing.



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