The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

My Thoughts: I didn't even know what this book was about until I read it. I was told that there were these so called "hunger games" that a group of kids HAD to play... and so I was not that interested. I've recently read lots of reviews of the novel, and people either really loved it, or really hated it. This is what I thought:

I ABSOLUTELY FREAKING LOVED IT!!!

Seriously! I didn't even read the back of the book for a description. Only because my best friend let me borrow it and I left the cover slip thingy at her house so I wouldn't "destroy" it. And it pretty much left me clueless. But I got hooked as SOON as I started. Literally! When Katniss was talking about the cat she hated and her little sister, Prim. It was funny :) I LOVED IT!!!

Alright, so when I realized what the Hunger Games actually were, I was disgusted. I can not believe they would do that! Especially for a 12 year old. Its not right for any kids at all. No matter what age they are. If you don't know what I'm talking about then READ THE BOOK because I really don't feel like typing it all out. Its a lot and I already know this review is going to be long. Plus you should read the book before you read this review because its mostly a bunch of spoilers. Just know that I would recommend this book to YOU!!

**SPOILER ALERT**

When I started reading about Katniss, I immediately knew I was going to like her. She was VERY smart and brave. The things she would do for her family was amazing. She risked herself putting food on the table. Katniss hunted for her family even though it was illegal. She is not suppose to enter the woods, but she did to keep her family alive. Her mother and sister would probably starve to death without Katniss. She has mastered the bow and arrow. Which I love about her. I like how she doesn't brag or over estimate herself during the hunger games.

But I HATE how she over thinks things. For example, when she just assumes Peeta is acting and pretends to be her friend and then in love with her. I know I wouldn't last like 5 minutes in the hunger games but I do know when a guy likes me. I knew he had a thing for her when she told the story about him giving her the bread. How he purposely burnt the bread so he could give it to her. And his mother hit him on the face with something for punishment. He got smacked by his own mom so Katniss could have some bread for her family. He gave Katniss hope for her and her family. How could he NOT love her??? Katniss is SO clueless up until the very end when PEETA is surprised she was faking it. Every kiss they shared, everything they said about each other during interviews and the hunger games, everything they did was real for Peeta. He meant everything he did. And Katniss just ASSUMED he was such a great liar and was in on it. I felt horrible for Peeta when I finished the book. I knew he meant everything he did even though it seemed like Katniss was right at first. But I knew it. From the moment I knew about the bread incident. I hate how Katniss couldn't figure it out. I hate how the romance was fake for her.

She did try though, when he told her the story about him first falling for her. I kind of hope that Katniss did know, somewhere deep down she knew that he was for real. But she didn't want to believe it! I know she had feelings for him. But she ignored them. Acted like it was nothing. Puh-leez!! I would have SO jumped on that :P

Peeta is amazing. I want him and Katniss together. I read a review and when they mention Peeta, they say he was perfect and didn't like him because of it! I don't think he was. He might have acted like it. But you know at the beginning of the book when his mother came to him and said "Maybe district 12 will finally have a winner" She didn't mean Peeta because she said "She's a trooper that one". How sad is that? He had no faith in himself either. I don't think he was all that perfect. He grew up in a bakery, and only being able to eat stale bread. Katniss also assumed he ate good bread all the time. Thought he lived good. But I don't think anyone really lived good unless they won the games. And was stinking rich!

I LOVE his love for Katniss. Does that make any sense? Everything he did for her. Everything he would have done for her. He almost got himself killed for Katniss. He would have died if she hadn't found him. He was for real!! Didn't fake anything. He really loves her.

Now onto my next favorite character. Rue. Little innocent Rue. I loved how adventurous she was. She was smart, and she knew her way around. I thought jumping from tree to tree was a pretty good skill to have for the games. Rue knew what berries to eat and other very useful things. I was very happy when Katniss wanted to team up with her. They made a pretty good team. I knew that Rue was going to die eventually but I was hoping she wouldn't. But she did. It was really sad. She was killed by a spear. Someone threw it right into her stomach. Katniss got there too late but she killed Rue's killer immediately. And when Rue asked Katniss to sing for her, I started to tear up. I liked that Katniss covered her in flowers. At least Rue didn't have to die alone. She had someone there who cared about her.

**SPOILER OVER**

This book was AWESOME! Sorry about all the spoilers! So if you haven't read the book, don't read the review. Now its time to rate it. I'm giving this book a...

4.5

Why?

I love Suzanne Collins writing, it was phenomenal

I loved the characters

Katniss did annoy me with Peeta

The romance was okay

But it was an awesome book

I hope you guys decided to read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins :)