THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY – BOOK REVIEW BY LAUREN URSA
‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy has always been my favourite series of books. After being gifted the first of the three for a birthday upon its initial release, I became hooked on Suzanne Collins’ masterpiece.
There are so many intriguing aspects to these novels that separate them from the typical teenage fiction novel. The plot isn’t particularly original, twenty-four children are put into an arena and forced to fight to the death. However, this device has been put to fantastic use. Collins doesn’t focus on the violence, instead creates a cast of fantastic characters and a fantastic antagonist in the form of the Capitol and the tyrannical leader of Panem, President Snow.
The characters are all very likeable and realistic. However, most importantly the romantic sub-plot is realistic, original and plausible. Unlike most teenage fiction which features pathetic girl meeting strong man and falling in love so that he may protect her at every opportunity (*cough* Twilight *cough*) Collins presents a strong female protagonist and a romance which leaves the reader guessing throughout.
The setting of the novels is also incredibly well crafted. The political history of Panem is very well thought out. The Hunger Games were introduced after a rebellion of the thirteen districts against the Capitol, however the Capitol thwarted their efforts. In order to show that the Capitol has control over the districts, they order them to give up two children for the Hunger Games. The world is engrossing with fantastic detail.
‘The Hunger Games’ is a series that everyone should have experience with. See the film or read the book, just try it.
Lauren Ursa S6.
Did you know that archery is really Physics? I didn’t until I read the cover story in this month’s Flipside, which is all about the archery craze spreading across the world in the wake of the new Hunger Games film, Catching Fire. Apparently in order to be a top-notch archer you need a knowledge of how flight physics works (it’s all about the oscillation) as well as energy transfer ( potential to kinetic) and the ability to align bone structure and muscle correctly. It all looks so easy when Jennifer Lawrence does it!