I just finished "The Hunger Games" trilogy. Outstanding books!

 

Anyone else read them? (or even just the first one)

I've heard about these. Heard they were excellent. Can you give a brief synopsis of the trilogy? May have to be what I move onto after I complete the Song of Ice & Fire series.

First of all, let it be known that I put off reading these because I hate reading what's "trendy". But once I started I was quickly hooked.

 

"The main character is sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where North America once stood. This is where a powerful government working in a central city called the Capitol holds power over 12 districts that failed in a rebellion. In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl from each district to fight to the death. The Hunger Games exist to demonstrate not even children are beyond the reach of the Capitol's power."

 

It's a quick read. I did it in a day, but I went back to read several parts because the plot and the characters were so good.

Jennifer Lawrence, of Louisville, will be starring in the Hunger Games movies. Pretty good for a Kentucky girl.

Jennifer Lawrence, of Louisville, will be starring in the Hunger Games movies. Pretty good for a Kentucky girl.

 

And from the photos I've seen, she really looks the part. Movie will be out next March.

 

Also, her co-star, Josh Hutcherson, who will play Peeta, is from Union, Kentucky.

Jennifer Lawrence, of Louisville, will be starring in the Hunger Games movies. Pretty good for a Kentucky girl.

 

Isn't she in the new X-Men movie as well?

Yes, as the blue girl (I forgot the character's name)

Yes, as the blue girl (I forgot the character's name)

 

Mystique

I have only read the first one. I thought it was very good and will likely read the next two also. I am looking forward to the movie.

Read the first and loved it! Just started the 2nd and am hoping it's at least half as good as teh first... Sounds like it is.

Any further thoughts?

I've read them, loved the first one the sequels were just so so. Some things are better left to the imagination than for the author to force the story on. When I read the sequels it was much like watching the Matrix 2 and 3, the ending to the first one left so many great possibilities that it was better left alone.

I read the first one last week, and I'm about half way through the second right now. I thought the first one was entertaining...and as a "young adult novel", I guess there is some room for discussion of several ethical issues to be brought up by the whole thing.

 

After reading the book, I looked back and realized it was as if the author took The Most Dangerous Game, Fahrenheit 451, 1984, Lord Of The Flies, A Brave New World, and Great Expectations and mixed them into one story. Anyone else get that feeling?

I've read the whole series, and I thought the first one was fantastic, the second one less so, and wish I could have the time back that I used to read the third one. The premise of the first is outstanding, though I agree with Colonels_Wear_Blue that it definitely feels like a mishmash of some older premises taking place in various post-apocalyptic or utopian societies. I think the problem is that the author really had nowhere to go but down after the first book. The second manages to not nosedive, but really, isn't that because it (SPOILERS - highlight to read) has another games that Katniss is in? While the situations and some of the characters inside have changed, it's basically Hunger Games v 1.5. (END SPOILERS).

I've read the whole series, and I thought the first one was fantastic, the second one less so, and wish I could have the time back that I used to read the third one. The premise of the first is outstanding, though I agree with Colonels_Wear_Blue that it definitely feels like a mishmash of some older premises taking place in various post-apocalyptic or utopian societies. I think the problem is that the author really had nowhere to go but down after the first book. The second manages to not nosedive, but really, isn't that because it (SPOILERS - highlight to read) has another games that Katniss is in? While the situations and some of the characters inside have changed, it's basically Hunger Games v 1.5. (END SPOILERS).

 

 

I agree for the most part. I will admit that the third book, for me had plenty of potential. The problem I had was that I don't think that the author really has a grasp of how to write that kind of story. The first one was excellent, the second was good and the third not so much. She probably would have been better served to have enlisted the assistance of another author more familiar with the genre that she was venturing into.