1, 2 and 3...Check!

I can now check The Hunger Games book series off my list of books to read. My friend, Alicia, recommended I read the first book a few years ago, but I was in school at that time and hardly had time to read what was required for class. The recent movie revived my interest and I read them together with my husband (he has a great voice for narrating). Here are my comments/reviews of all three books:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My first impression leads me to label the book as a definite teen read or mind candy--perhaps more of a negative connotation than intended. I sense that Collins intends to relay a message, but I find her attempt unsuccessful. According to the book jacket, the author's writing "[explores] the effects of war and violence on those coming of age;" the idea is blatant enough after reading the book, for the Hunger Games are games of violence for "those coming of age." The deficiency appears with the lack of message at the end of the book. Obviously the reader senses a negative vibe when contemplating the violence the kids go through, but I don't think Collins adaquately portrays the effects of the savagery until her third book Mockingjay. That being said, I did actually enjoy the book very much. In fact, I found myself sucked into the characters' lives and their world. I liked the book so much I forced Zac into reading the next book right away (I pretty much burned him out and had to read the third book on my own).

Catching Fire

Collins' second book in the series wasn't quite as interesting as the first, but just as before, I find myself stuck in the world of Katniss. Collins creates a fascinating future to consider. I would suggest that Collins' adeptness at writing in first person is best realized when contemplating which character, Gale or Peeta, Katniss should be with. Throughout Catching Fire (and The Hunger Games) Katniss flip-flops between the two characters. Ultimately, she wants to remain single, but she does feel tied to the two boys, but experiences confusion as to which one she truly feels the strongest emotions toward. The reader also feels confused and conflicted. Unlike other books where the author helps sway the reader one way or another, I felt I was in the very shoes of Katniss Everdeen and I couldn't decide which boy should be the one. I find that Suzanne Collins' ability to allow the reader to experience her characters' emotions expresses her skill at writing.

On another note, I was surprised that Katniss and Peeta ended up in a predicament similar to the first book (fighting again). Although I still didn't sense a clear message or point being made by the author, I began to feel the strain on Katniss--so much stress and pressure to succeed, yet not really knowing how or what to succeed at--and contemplated how the strain related to the violence inflicted upon her life.

One last thought about Catching Fire: The cliffhanger ending was a brilliant ploy to make the reader buy the next book, but frankly, it was just downright cruel.

Mockingjay

My first thought: chaos interspersed with dull reflections. However, Katniss did appear more human in this book (almost ironic as she is set on a pedestal as the symbol of the rebellion--the one who can withstand it all). Collins' finally starts to show how violence can take a toll on a person. Katniss, the unbreakable fighter, begins to crumble internally--emotionally. She hides her physical body in closets, etc., and tries to hide her inner feelings, but eventually they spill out uncontrolled. The violence she's experienced overwhelms her ability to thrive. An interesting dichotomy unfolds between the public and private personality. Although she tries to keep her personal thoughts and feelings away from the public eye, people register affection for her when they see glimpses of her true self. A lesson perhaps? Don't hide your true self; people seek out the real you--that's what makes you loved.

Overall, I believe this book has more depth than the other two books in the series. I would still suggest that the first, The Hunger Games, is the best of the three, but I'm glad I read the entire series. I am now prepared, and excited to go see the movie. I hope it lives up to the excitement of the books.