I had heard of the book, but honestly only because they are making it into a movie. T.V. show? Something. Anyway, Jake's mom was a high school English teacher, so she obviously loves to encourage others to read, and after I had returned home to Annapolis from Thanksgiving, a package was waiting for me at my doorstep. She had ordered me Hunger Games!
It sat on my nightstand for a while, mostly because I have just been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to read anything. One night last week I decided that I would just "read a couple pages" to help me fall asleep.
4 hours later it was 2:45 a.m. and I was finishing the book...
It was really well written and completely sucked me in. The storyline is great and actually a little more mature for the age group which I like. It goes beyond the love story (come on, there has to be a love story) into some interesting concepts about government and the human condition which was refreshing from most tween novels.
(Maybe I also shouldn't be reading tween novels.. you know because I am turning 24...)
The only part of the book that I didn't like, or just found overplayed and started to remind me sadly of the Twilight saga was the love story. The main character, Katniss, struggles with her feelings for another competitor, Peeta, and after a while it becomes a bit over done, and begins to remind me of the torture of reading about Bella's inner struggle between her vampire and werewolf.
(Yea, I definitely need to stop reading tween novels)
However, unlike Bella, Katniss actually has a backbone and is a strong independent girl who is essentially fighting for her life in this book, which I admire.
I am definitely a fast reader, but honestly anyone could put this book back in a day if they really wanted to. I can honestly say I would really like to read the rest of the trilogy, and will probably want to see the movie... T.V. show.. whatever.