The Hunger Games

Before school started I wanted to get in some last minute reading that I knew I wouldn't have time nor energy for once school began. I read the first book on Janna's suggestion a while ago. I loved it! However, I hate being caught in book two in a three book series; the authors usually wrap up book one in case it doesn't go very far and two and three never get published. Book two, however, always leaves the reader hanging. They usually know there will be a promise of getting book three published, so there's no need to wrap up the loose ends snugly. The author also usually gets busy with popularity and it takes a long time to get book three out. Therefore, I didn't read the second 'til the third came out, which was just a few weeks ago. I was going to just skim the first again, but I got completely pulled in. I just couldn't help reading it all over again.

The first book is pretty well written with a lot of powerful, yet subtle, themes. The most powerful of these was the question of what people will do for entertainment's sake and for power's sake. It's an interesting look at what motivates people and how those motivations can be positive or negative; how they can be for good or evil. Granted, she takes some liberties with the graphic nature of some sections. There are some violent deaths in there. They aren't overly depicted, but it's for an older teen audience. Some really great conversations could come out of it though, and actually have... in my life at least. :)

The second book... well... I had low expectations from what I'd heard. It was better than I expected, but not as great as the first. Still interesting and catching, but it did leave you hanging. There weren't as many powerful themes in it, nor was it as subtle. It was more of a surface read. The one theme that I pulled out of it was the question of what people are willing to give up and live with/without as long as they have something to hold on to, someone to hold on to. The things we're willing to sacrifice because others are worth it. The nobleness of the human spirit contrasted with the baseness and manipulation of the human spirit. Again, though, it took a bit of thinking to pull that idea out and clarify it.

The third book is the one that just came out, Mockingjay. The book started out well and kept up a gripping pace throughout. Like the other two books, I was riveted inside the story and the characters. I know some of you haven't read it yet, so I'm not going to go into details, but... just a warning... it gets pretty violent and graphic in there. Parents, read it first... I'm not sure I'd want my child reading it without figuring out how to talk about the themes that are in there. They are dramatic and a little heavy handed, but powerful and disconcerting. If any of you read it, please let me know what you think. I'm very curious to hear your thoughts- I may just be over reacting because of outside influences- very possible.

Anyway, I wanted to post this before I forgot all the details and get wrapped up in school on Monday. I let school stop me from posting about some awesome books I read this summer. So sad. :)  Anyway, let me know if you read them!