Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games: Special Edition Box Set

The Hunger Games 0

elizabeth ❀

“…Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to ... to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games,” says Peeta.

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

The Hunger Games

Cassidy Nolan

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Peeta extend his hand. I look at him, unsure. “One more time? For the audience?” he says. His voice isn’t angry. It’s hollow, which is worse. Already the boy with the bread is slipping away from me.

I take his hand, holding on tightly, preparing for the cameras, and dreading the moment when I will finally have to let go.

“I guess the real question is what’s going to be left when we get home?” he says.

“I don’t know. The closer we get to District Twelve, the more confused I get,” I say. He waits, for further explanation, but none’s forthcoming.

“Well, let me know when you work it out,” he says, and the pain in his voice is palpable.

That’s when I know that even though both of us would have eaten the berries, I am to blame for having the idea. I’m the instigator. I’m the one to be punished.

When I left the arena, when the trumpets played, I was supposed to be safe. From then on. For the rest of my life. But if what Haymitch says is true, and he’s got no reason to lie, I’ve never been in such a dangerous place in my life.

I run for them and surprise even myself when I launch into Haymitch’s arms first. When he whispers in my ear, “Nice job, sweetheart,” it doesn’t sound sarcastic.

The redheaded Avox girl has not returned since the feeding, my scars are disappearing, and do I imagine it? Or do I hear a man’s voice yelling? Not in the Capitol accent, but in the rougher cadences of home. And I can’t help having a vague, comforting feeling that someone is looking out for me.

But I’m held here both by the hovercraft walls and the same force that holds the loved ones of the dying. How often I’ve seen them, ringed around our kitchen table and I thought, 

Why don’t they leave? Why do they stay to watch?

And now I know. It’s because you have no choice.

I lift my hand to my mouth, taking one last look at the world. The berries have just passed my lips when the trumpets begin to blare.

The frantic voice of Claudius Templesmith shouts above them. “Stop! Stop! Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! I give you—the tributes of District Twelve!”

I loosen the top of the pouch and pour a few spoonfuls of berries into his palm. Then I fill my own. “On the count of three?”

Peeta leans down and kisses me once, very gently. “The count of three,” he says.

We stand, our backs pressed together, our empty hands locked tight.

Yes, they have to have a victor. Without a victor, the whole thing would blow up in the Gamemakers’ faces. They’d have failed the Capitol. Might possibly even be executed, slowly and painfully while the cameras broadcast it to every screen in the country.

Now it seems the other tributes were just minor obstacles, distractions, keeping us from the real battle of the Games. Cato and me.

But no, there’s the boy waiting beside me. I feel his arms wrap around me.

“Two against one. Should be a piece of cake,” he says.

I know I’ll never marry, never risk bringing a child into the world. Because if there’s one thing being a victor doesn’t guarantee, it’s your children’s safety. My kids’ names would go right into the reaping balls with everyone else’s. And I swear I’ll never let that happen.

But secretly I’m wondering if Haymitch sobered up long enough to help Peeta and me because he thought we just might have the wits to survive. Maybe he wasn’t always a drunk. Maybe, in the beginning, he tried to help tributes. But then it got unbearable. It must be hell to mentor two kids and then watch them die. Year after year after year.

“Haymitch. How do you think he won his Games?” I say.

Peeta considers this quite a while before he answers. Haymitch is sturdily built, but no physical wonder like Cato or Thresh. He’s not particularly handsome. Not in the way that causes sponsors to rain gifts on you. And he’s so surly, it’s hard to imagine anyone teaming up with him. There’s only one way Haymitch could have won, and Peeta says it just as I’m reaching this conclusion myself.

“He outsmarted the others,” Peeta says.

“What was that you were saying just before the food arrived? Something about me . . . no competition . . . best thing that ever happened to you . . .”

“I don’t remember that last part,” I say, hoping it’s too dim in here for the cameras to pick up my blush.

“You have a . . . remarkable memory,” I say haltingly.

“I remember everything about you,” says Peeta, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re the one who wasn’t paying attention.”

“So that day, in music assembly, the teacher asked who knew the valley song. Your hand shot right up in the air. She stood you up on a stool and had you sing it for us. And I swear, every bird outside the window fell silent,” Peeta says.

“No, it happened. And right when your song ended, I knew—just like your mother—I was a goner,” Peeta says. “Then for the next eleven years, I tried to work up the nerve to talk to you.”

As we settle in, he pulls my head down to use his arm as a pillow; the other rests protectively over me even when he goes to sleep. No one has held me like this in such a long time. Since my father died and I stopped trusting my mother, no one else’s arms have made me feel this safe.

This is the first kiss that we’re both fully aware of. Neither of us hobbled by sickness or pain or simply unconscious. Our lips neither burning with fever or icy cold. This is the first kiss where I actually feel stirring inside my chest. Warm and curious. This is the first kiss that makes me want another.

“Maybe I did it for myself, Peeta, did you ever think of that? Maybe you aren’t the only one who . . . who worries about . . . what it would be like if . . .”

I fumble. I’m not as smooth with words as Peeta. And while I was talking, the idea of actually losing Peeta hit me again and I realized how much I don’t want him to die. And it’s not about the sponsors. And it’s not about what will happen back home. And it’s not just that I don’t want to be alone. It’s him. I do not want to lose the boy with the bread.

“No! Just don’t, Katniss!” His grip tightens, hurting my hand, and there’s real anger in his voice. “Don’t die for me. You won’t be doing me any favors. All right?”

“The bread? What? From when we were kids?” he says. “I think we can let that go. I mean, you just brought me back from the dead.”

“But you didn’t know me. We had never even spoken. Besides, it’s the first gift that’s always the hardest to pay back. I wouldn’t even have been here to do it if you hadn’t helped me then,” I say. “Why did you, anyway?”

“Why? You know why,” Peeta says. I give my head a slight, painful shake. “Haymitch said you would take a lot of convincing.”

“I always knew you were his favorite,” says Peeta.

“Please, he can’t stand being in the same room with me,” I say.

“Because you’re just alike,” mutters Peeta.

I absolutely adored this book! Katniss’ voice is so well-written and realistic for a traumatised teenage girl. I enjoyed her interactions with Haymitch, who is hilariously pitiful and undoubtedly tragic. I also really enjoyed Katniss’s relationship with Peeta. It gives off a black cat girlfriend and golden retriever boyfriend vibe. Peeta is honestly a breath of fresh air as a love interest; he’s not moody or abusive, he’s kind and is surprisingly mature for a sixteen-year-old boy. I know there’s a shipping war amongst the fandom over Team Peeta and Team Gale, but honestly, Gale currently doesn’t seem like much competition. Maybe that will change in book 2. 

The description of the capital and the behaviour of its residents really emphasises how effectively the city’s propaganda has dehumanised the districts in their eyes. I hope to see more of that in book two as well. 

This was one of the BEST first books of a series I’ve read, I can’t wait to read more!

Carly Goldy

I absolutely adored this book! Katniss’ voice is so well-written and realistic for a traumatised teenage girl. I enjoyed her interactions with Haymitch, who is hilariously pitiful and undoubtedly tragic. I also really enjoyed Katniss’s relationship with Peeta. It gives off a black cat girlfriend and golden retriever boyfriend vibe. Peeta is honestly a breath of fresh air as a love interest; he’s not moody or abusive, he’s kind and is surprisingly mature for a sixteen-year-old boy. I know there’s a shipping war amongst the fandom over Team Peeta and Team Gale, but honestly, Gale currently doesn’t seem like much competition. Maybe that will change in book 2. 

The description of the capital and the behaviour of its residents really emphasises how effectively the city’s propaganda has dehumanised the districts in their eyes. I hope to see more of that in book two as well. 

This was one of the BEST first books of a series I’ve read, I can’t wait to read more!

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weight survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games #1

“I just don’t want them to change me. If I’m going to die, I want to still be me” 

A few steps into the woods grows a bank of wildflowers. Perhaps they are really weeds of some sort, but they have blossoms in beautiful shades of violet and yellow and white. I gather up an armful and come back to Rue's side. Slowly, one stem at a time, I decorate her body in the flowers. Covering the ugly wound. Wreathing her face. Weaving her hair with bright colors.

They'll have to show it. Or, even if they choose to turn the cameras elsewhere at this moment, they'll have to bring them back when they collect the bodies and everyone will see her then and know I did it. I step back and take a last look at Rue. She could really be asleep in that meadow after all.

"Bye, Rue," I whisper. I press the three middle fingers of my left hand against my lips and hold them out in her direction.“

Elisabeth Price 

“I just don’t want them to change me. If I’m going to die, I want to still be me” 

A few steps into the woods grows a bank of wildflowers. Perhaps they are really weeds of some sort, but they have blossoms in beautiful shades of violet and yellow and white. I gather up an armful and come back to Rue's side. Slowly, one stem at a time, I decorate her body in the flowers. Covering the ugly wound. Wreathing her face. Weaving her hair with bright colors.

They'll have to show it. Or, even if they choose to turn the cameras elsewhere at this moment, they'll have to bring them back when they collect the bodies and everyone will see her then and know I did it. I step back and take a last look at Rue. She could really be asleep in that meadow after all.

"Bye, Rue," I whisper. I press the three middle fingers of my left hand against my lips and hold them out in her direction.“



The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes, to participate. The twenty-four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. Over a period of several weeks, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins. (Quelle: Buchdeckel verso).

This was soo fun to listen to and revisit. I remember reading this book in one sitting when I was like 12 or 13 but feel like the movies killed my love of the series. I completely forgot that it is actually a compelling story and Katniss is a fun character. Also, reading it as an adult really makes the whole concept far more disturbing! What do you mean Rue was TWELVE?!?

Movie producers I'll never forgive you for making this franchise center on a love triangle 

Julia Rivera

This was soo fun to listen to and revisit. I remember reading this book in one sitting when I was like 12 or 13 but feel like the movies killed my love of the series. I completely forgot that it is actually a compelling story and Katniss is a fun character. Also, reading it as an adult really makes the whole concept far more disturbing! What do you mean Rue was TWELVE?!?

Movie producers I'll never forgive you for making this franchise center on a love triangle 

What I love the most is every bits that is associated with Rue :^) 

Saffy

Alexis Esposito

Welcome to another edition of reading a book way after its released and after thinking for years that I was never going to enjoy the books after watching the movies, I’m now on the other side of the book asking myself why I didn’t read these growing up as I think that this would have kick started my love of Fantasy!

In a post-apocalyptic future, life has turned extremely hard. Fighting poverty and hunger every day, sixteen years old hunter Katniss does absolutely everything in her power to have enough for her defenceless little sister, and a barely lucid mother. Life is hard, yet not impossible, until the one fateful day arrives. Once every year, the ever-vigilant all-powerful Capitol of Panem celebrates for their entertainment the “Hunger Games”, a yearly tournament where a handful representatives of each district are forced to fight in a massive arena, to the death. In a sad turn of events, young Katniss will have to fight not only for herself, but for the future of her starving family.

This was book that I couldn’t put down, I also must admit that it’s been years since I last watched the movies so that didn’t tint my experience, so it was like reading this all for the first time and experience every twist and turn that there is within the story and there are lot. When I had to put the book down all I wanted to do was pick it back up again to get lost again

The story has just the perfect combination of action, drama, and romance. It has a great message that you can stay human even in the most inhumane conditions. The world Collins created is extremely believable, and the dilemmas that are presented are engaging and sometimes just painful to watch, but she pulls this off with ease. People just must read the book themselves to comprehend what I'm trying to say.

Ian Brakspear

Welcome to another edition of reading a book way after its released and after thinking for years that I was never going to enjoy the books after watching the movies, I’m now on the other side of the book asking myself why I didn’t read these growing up as I think that this would have kick started my love of Fantasy!

 

In a post-apocalyptic future, life has turned extremely hard. Fighting poverty and hunger every day, sixteen years old hunter Katniss does absolutely everything in her power to have enough for her defenceless little sister, and a barely lucid mother. Life is hard, yet not impossible, until the one fateful day arrives. Once every year, the ever-vigilant all-powerful Capitol of Panem celebrates for their entertainment the “Hunger Games”, a yearly tournament where a handful representatives of each district are forced to fight in a massive arena, to the death. In a sad turn of events, young Katniss will have to fight not only for herself, but for the future of her starving family.

 

This was book that I couldn’t put down, I also must admit that it’s been years since I last watched the movies so that didn’t tint my experience, so it was like reading this all for the first time and experience every twist and turn that there is within the story and there are lot. When I had to put the book down all I wanted to do was pick it back up again to get lost again

 

The story has just the perfect combination of action, drama, and romance. It has a great message that you can stay human even in the most inhumane conditions. The world Collins created is extremely believable, and the dilemmas that are presented are engaging and sometimes just painful to watch, but she pulls this off with ease. People just must read the book themselves to comprehend what I'm trying to say.

Now I can jump right into Book 2!!

This Special Edition of The Hunger Games includes the most extensive interview Suzanne Collins has given since the publication of The Hunger Games; an absorbing behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the series; and an engaging archival conversation between Suzanne Collins and YA legend Walter Dean Myers on writing about war. The Special Edition answers many questions fans have had over the years, and gives great insight into the creation of this era-defining work. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Still, if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games: Special Edition

The Hunger Games could never be anything less than a 5 😭

Megs

Wow. Peeta was so much more full fledged and such a good character. I LOVE Haymitch. And Katniss is such a conflicting character it’s perfect. This book is so good. I can’t wait to see the story develop. 

Keira 💫

˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

Nala

Loved it the first time and still love this book now. Nice to refresh on the book when all I do is rewatch the movies 

lily

I knew what happened before I read the book because I’ve seen the movie and heard spoilers but somehow it still didn’t disappoint. I still couldn’t put it down. Very well written.

Bushra Yenice

high schooler me wouldve cried for days reading the last few pages bc omg?/!?/? GAGGED ME!

turtle

This is a re read for me and I am so glad to be in this world again!!! 

Brittany Peterson

Diana Vicario

Still just as good as the first time I read this 

Brianna Hickey 

The Hunger Games 1. Special Edition

It was a school book. But it was good! (Peeta was so fucking cringe tho, and it was predictable like I knew what would happen like half the time. Read it when it first came out btw!)

Ari 😚

My favorite quotes because I cannot write a comprehensive review on how much I love this book

“She has no idea. The effect she can have.”

“It’s weird how much he’s noticed me.”

TO BE LOVED IS TO BE KNOWN. TO BE LOVED IS TO BE REMEMBERED.

““If he did, it was probably just part of his act. You know, to make people think he’s in love with me.”

“Oh,” says Rue thoughtfully. “I didn’t think that was an act.”

my girl Katniss, you’re literally the only one who thinks every thing Peeta does is an act

“I remember everything about you. You’re the one who wasn’t paying attention.”

““So now that you’ve got me, what are you going to do with me?” “Put you somewhere you can’t get hurt.””

not me feeling kilig and shi knowing what will happen next (I watched the movies)

“I guess the real question is what’s going to be left when we get home?” 

Lindsay Ornedo

My favorite quotes because I cannot write a comprehensive review on how much I love this book

“She has no idea. The effect she can have.”

“It’s weird how much he’s noticed me.”

TO BE LOVED IS TO BE KNOWN. TO BE LOVED IS TO BE REMEMBERED.

““If he did, it was probably just part of his act. You know, to make people think he’s in love with me.”

“Oh,” says Rue thoughtfully. “I didn’t think that was an act.”

my girl Katniss, you’re literally the only one who thinks every thing Peeta does is an act

“I remember everything about you. You’re the one who wasn’t paying attention.”

““So now that you’ve got me, what are you going to do with me?” “Put you somewhere you can’t get hurt.””

not me feeling kilig and shi knowing what will happen next (I watched the movies)

“I guess the real question is what’s going to be left when we get home?” sighs

The Hunger Games: Foil Edition

Amelie

My fav book EVERRR 

I would give it 6 stars but oh well

★★★★★★

This book broke me. 

Hunger Games

౨ৎ | “although for all i know, i am killing you.” “can you speed it up a little?” “no. shut up and eat your pears.”

reading this after watching the movies countless times really made me feel way more emotions than the movies did. 

knowing katniss on a more deeper level was everything. i loved her persona and how you could tell she was just a sixteen year old girl trying to survive. 

being able to see the slight (and major) differences from novel to movie was so important to me. 

i loved the slight romance part even though initially it was just for the games you could clearly get more of a grasp on how katniss actually felt compared to the movies. 

also i fear i cried more in the deaths than i did in the movies. it just felt way more intimate reading it. 

admittedly the writing felt off? like i don’t know what it was but something was different. 

overall i enjoyed this way more than the movies and im so excited to dive into the next one.

౨ৎ | “although for all i know, i am killing you.” “can you speed it up a little?” “no. shut up and eat your pears.”

— ★ 3.5/5

reading this after watching the movies countless times really made me feel way more emotions than the movies did. 

knowing katniss on a more deeper level was everything. i loved her persona and how you could tell she was just a sixteen year old girl trying to survive. 

being able to see the slight (and major) differences from novel to movie was so important to me. 

i loved the slight romance part even though initially it was just for the games you could clearly get more of a grasp on how katniss actually felt compared to the movies. 

also i fear i cried more in the deaths than i did in the movies. it just felt way more intimate reading it. 

admittedly the writing felt off? like i don’t know what it was but something was different. 

overall i enjoyed this way more than the movies and im so excited to dive into the next one.

The book had a lot to live up to (expectation-wise). I grew up watching the franchise and I finally decided to jump into reading the book. It was worth every second. Katniss is much more enjoyable in the book then in the movie. It was easy to root for her. You get to know Katniss better in the book. The relationship between Peeta and Katniss was also enjoyable to watch unfold. Even if Katniss was too dense to realize that Peeta truly does have feelings for her. I would most definitely recommend.

trix

finally read the hunger games!! it’s as great as everybody says it is. 

while you’re reading the book, you can’t help but wonder how anyone could allow such violence to happen to children? then you’ll remember that this level of violence does happen to children in real life and it makes the book even more haunting. 

finally read the hunger games!! it’s as great as everybody says it is. 

while you’re reading the book, you can’t help but wonder how anyone could allow such violence to happen to children? then you’ll remember that this level of violence does happen to children in real life and it makes the book even more haunting. 

It was amazing and I loved the part of the games and in general in was a really enjoyable books and the character and the writing style was amazing. 

Ashley Lively

the hunger games would be a classic read in english classes one day. i'm calling it

The Hunger Games: Special Edition Box Set

Reviews

Highlights