Hi! I’m currently reading Hunger Games #0 (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), which came out pretty recently, so I thought that it would be a good idea to write a review of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It’s rather popular, so a lot of people have probably read it, but some may not have, so bear with me.
The first book of the Hunger Games trilogy starts at the reaping of the 74th Hunger Games. When the district rebels lost the war to the Capitol, there were a number of consequences. The food that districts get is controlled by the Capitol, which means that in the poorer districts, starvation is not uncommon. Another consequence is the Hunger Games. Every year, two tributes from each district (one girl and one boy), get picked to take part. All 24 kids get thrown into an arena and are told to kill each other on live television for the entertainment of Capitol citizens. The last one alive is crowned the victor. In District 12, the lowliest district, sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen hunts with her friend Gale. Even though it is illegal, it gives them something to trade and something to feed their families with. Even with the extra meat, they are constantly hungry. This is why they sign up for tessera, “a meager year’s supply of grain and oil for one person.” However, to get the tessera, you have to put your name in the reaping more times. Katniss is worried that if she is chosen, her family might go hungry. If her name gets drawn, she may never come back. Although Katniss’s name is in 20 times, her younger sister Prim’s name is only in once. Katniss signs up for tessera for her mother and Prim so Prim won’t have to. Yet, when girl tribute from District 12 is called up to the stage, the name on the slip is Primrose Everdeen. Katniss, barely able to think, comes forward and volunteers to take her sister’s place. This could be the last time she sees her mother and sister.
Sorry it’s so long, it’s just kind of hard to explain everything about this dystopian world and still get to the story in one paragraph. Thanks for reading it. Again, if you’ve already read and liked the Hunger Games trilogy, you should probably get The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes. All of the books in the Hunger Games world are great. Also, please feel free to give book recommendations in the comments below. Talk to you next time!
Nora's Summer Reading 