I think Dan would also like these books, Al really liked them, he got the set for his birthday. Girls really like them because the whole 2 guys gaga for one girl is kind of a popular thing right now for some reason. Stewart.. you are too picky, just love it!
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, a man’s perspective
by Stewart
The Books We Read / Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult / The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, a man’s perspective
Filed Under: Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult January 12, 2012, 9:40 am
My wife read these ones as they came out. I remember that it seemed like a big deal as she waited for each book to be released. This happens far too often in my house for me to take much notice, sorry honey. She’ll be all excited about the new book from blah blah and it is the follow up to blah blah and I barely notice (to be fair she does the same thing when I’m telling her about some new tech geek thing). But the Hunger Games were different, bigger.
Then I saw the trailers on Facebook. The first was crap, but still all the ladies on FB swooned. I thought “what is the deal with these books?”
But then they posted the second trailer, and I was at least convinced that I wanted to see the movie.
Before you know it my wife (with some help from our Facebook friends) had talked me into reading the first book, The Hungers games.
It was good, really good. I had a hard time putting it down. There were things that kind of bothered me, the universe seemed a little underdeveloped, Katniss was a little flakey, but it wasn’t bad enough to make me want to stop or even slow down. Then I hit book 2.
The things that bugged me a little about the first book started to get more pronounced. What really started to drive me crazy was Katniss’ behavior. She started acting like a 17 year old. I know, you are thinking, “but she is.” but still it drove me crazy. She was selfish, needy, flakey and selfish. Did I mention selfish. It was hard for me sympathize with her at all. Meanwhile, she has these kind, brave and handsome young men all gaga over her. Huh? I know guys will sometime ignore neurosis for looks, but according to the book she is not really that pretty. I’m thinking “what the!?!”
It went from annoying to bizarre for book three. And then it ended. The last four pages of the book were brilliant, but everything between the end of book one and there was me trudging up hill through the snow.
Absolutely read book one, but maybe give book two and three a pass. If you need to know how it ends, drop me a note or read the Wikipedia page, it’ll save you the time of reading them.
If you want another perspective read Cindi’s review of The Hunger Games, Clarissa’s review of Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
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Stewart says January 12, 2012,10:35 am
No way for me to just love it. I think most men will feel the same way. Katniss was just too neurotic to like and it ruined the books for me. Dan will enjoy the first one, I did.
Brad says January 13, 2012,6:21 am
Stewart I have to agree with you on most of the points. I kind of read these books with a chip on my shoulder from the start. I almost didn’t want to like them but was intrigued by the story. I struggled when she started to wallow in the teenage angst of the two boy situation for the last two books. Bottom line, loved the first one, struggled after that, but will be seeing the movie.
Deb Maue says January 13, 2012,10:27 am
I completely agree with your review. I loved book one – could not put it down, read it in two days. But I really struggled with book 2. I just didn’t find the plot plausible. And then by book 3, I was so frustrated, I almost didn’t finish. The violence was horrible in the first two books, but it was mind-numbing in the third book. The deaths happened in such quick succession, I didn’t have time to process them. And I hated Katniss in the third book. She went from being a strong heroine to being a wimpy, pathetic tool. But I can’t wait for the first movie! Thanks for writing this,
Tim Wright says January 13, 2012,10:29 am
I thought it was a pretty good book, I liked the premise, I think part I didn’t care for was that the entire time it felt as though it was written to be turned into movie at some point.
I also really didn’t like how the games ended, it just turn a little weird where I would have liked a more epic fight scene.
Overall, I liked it though, not enough to go onto book 2, but I did enjoy it.
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About Us
Clarissa Foss
Clarissa is a stay-at-home mother of three. The last two years she has been wrapping up a degree in psychology after taking a six-year baby hiatus from her studies. Now that she is done reading text books she doesn't have to feel guilty curling up with some good fiction. Her favourite book is Little Women.
Cindi Foss
Cindi is a 30-year-old Kobo reading blog reviewing amateur literary critic. She appreciates all genres especially historical fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, and suspense along with a healthy dose of 'popular' so she can keep up with what everyone is talking about. She has four or five lists of books to read at any one time (but doesn't everyone?) and she loves spreading the word on good books. Cindi will be bringing you truth and objectivity ('cause who wants to read crazy irrational opinions?) from her piece of the world in Alberta Canada.
