Re-Reading The Hunger Games: My Thoughts

This post is well overdue since I am already into summer but- remember that YA fiction course I took where I discussed Twilight? Well, we discussed The Hunger Games too and I thought I'd do a post on it as well! This post will be comprised of all three books in the trilogy, because most of my thoughts are the same across the entire series. So, here's what it was like to re-read The Hunger Games series, eight years later!

Let me start off by saying, that when I first read the series in 2011, I hated it. I thought the first book was ok, but as the series progressed I found it boring and confusing. Come to think of it now, I honestly think that I personally hadn't matured enough to fully understand the intense political themes in the series. Now more than ever, I have a new appreciation for all that Suzanne Collins was trying to convey.

My professor pointed out that the romance isn't the central plot in this series, as opposed to Twilight, and I would totally agree. Instead, I think we get a really in-depth look at political divide, as well as some allusions to the two opposing sides of the political spectrum. Hear me out, the Capitol represents heavy spending, frivolousness, a divide between the rich and poor. In Mockingjay, District 13 is presented as radically opposed to the Capitol, everyone is equal, though their rebellious tactics aren't exactly moral. I think that Collins did a great job at capturing the difference between the two extremes of the political spectrum. It all totally makes sense to me now!

When I got to Catching Fire, I reminded myself how much I love Finnick Odair. His character development is truly 10/10 and my professor pointed out how awesome it was that he didn't really portray hegemonic masculinity as much as Gale did. Finnick should be protected at all costs.

I found myself being less interested in whether or not Katniss chooses Peeta or Gale and more on whether or not she would be swayed by Snow or Coin. The ending of Mockingjay was so unbelievably epic and should go down as one of the greatest plot twists in history. While my class did have a bit of a problem with the epilogue, and I agree, I do think it reduced the power of Katniss' character a lot, I would still say that the ending is satisfying.

Overall, I am really happy that I found a new appreciation for this series. It is political, powerful, and presents morally ambiguous characters that you can root for and somehow also end up hating. I loved every second of this re-read.

Have you read The Hunger Games? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Mockingjay Part 1 Book To Movie Review

Trying something a bit different, by reviewing books made into movies. I would love to compare the similarities, differences and which was better. ( In most cases, probably the book) Enjoy!

* this review will contain spoilers*

About the Book:
Mockingjay ( The Hunger Games #3) by: Suzanne Collins
Published: August 20, 2010 by Scholastic Press

I saw Mockingjay Part 1 in the theatre last weekend, which probably wasn't the best decision. The theatre was packed! Nevertheless, I did enjoy it a lot. Mockingjay has been the long-awaited conclusion to the Hunger Games series, about a teenage girl sent to fight to the death in a brutal game set up by her government. I will say that the book was very slow for me, so I had high expectations for the movie to be better.

The book and the movie were somewhat similar. All of the characters were kept in the movie, with the same plot of Peeta sending video messages to the rebels through the Capitol's control. The movie kept the new characters: Cressida, Castor and Pollux in the plot, and they were easy to read and follow as well. Jennifer Lawrence, once again portrayed Katniss in the best way possible, keeping her intelligence and wisdom throughout the movie and book. I loved how Gale and Finnick were very much main characters in the movie. (Liam Hemsworth and Sam Claflin, need I say more?!) I wish there was more of Joanna Mason in both the movie and book. She was taken prisoner by the Capitol, but she was still one of my favourite characters. The main difference in the movie from the book, is that it was much more suspenseful. It didn't contain a lot of boring parts at all, which is what I did come across in the book.

I really thought that the movie was better than the book (gasp!) But in all seriousness, it was much easier to follow, much more entertaining and it had the right amount of suspense. I especially loved Jennifer Lawrence's rendition of " The Hanging Tree". She has a great singing voice! What I will warn you about this movie, is that there are a lot of "jumpy" parts. There will be a very quiet moment, and suddenly, something really loud will spring up. It was very shocking! Also, like the book, it can take a while for some rising action, however once you got to the middle of the movie, I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen!

Overall, if you did not like this book that much, do not fret because the movie was very good! I would highly recommend it.

Bye For Now!
Emily @ Paperback Princess