What do you think of the Hunger Games? When we think back on the crowds that gathered to watch gladiators fight to the death or Christian men get eaten by lions, we are repulsed. Aren't we guilty of the same when we watch movies such as The Hunger Games? The movie sets us up to cheer on certain kids while hoping others die first.

Read my review here... The Hunger Games

Dear Lyn -

A nice review! I haven't read this one. I know it's hugely popular. My current review stack is too huge to even contemplate adding more to it right now.

I did wonder about the whole kids-killing-each-other-off theme. I think I prefer to read about more encouraging topics.

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are my most beloved reads of this year. They are as good as the world of Harry Potter. I've read both of them twice already this year and I want to read them again!

The third book, Mockingjay, I wish I'd never read.

Don't stress about the plot, is my opinion. It's dystopian, so i's going to have unsavory elements. The storytelling is fantastic.

I agree with Jilly, it's clearly dystopian and is centered around an alternate future world, where killing children has clearly become a 'game' for society to watch, and what with the tons of reality shows that pop up in our TV screens these days, the storyline may not be too far off from the truth!

I see the plot as some sort of real life revelation, revealing what society is slowly turning into and might become, how one community's slow demise serves as another's source of entertainment.

I do agree that the violence is a bit of an overkill, but i would say i did enjoy the first 2 books; I'm yet to read Mockingjay though. All in all, i honestly wouldn't recommend it as a YA fiction, even though it's geared towards young adults.

Mockingjay is very, very bleak. I wish the author would scrap it and start again. If you stop after Catching Fire, just imagine it ending the way you want things to go.

It's kind of like, in my mind, there is no Aliens3 (or even ghastlier, 4). It stops right after Aliens, and Ripley, Newt and Hicks make it home just fine.

How many books are there Jilly?

The series isn't my cup of tea. Reviewing the one book for Christian Lit served its purpose....answered questions for parents who do not follow YA Literature.

Lyn, there are 3 in the Hunger Games series. I do like YA literature, especially dystopian YA, but I agree this isn't a happy story and probably too violent for sensitive teens.

It's well written, though, and deals with issues that could become excellent conversation fodder for parents and their children, unlike the Twilight Series, for comparison.

To Jilly,

Just wanted to say hy,missed you a lot.

an old friend
loong

Hi Loong! I took a bit of a break, didn't I? It's good to see you too.