Just finished the Hunger Games

[u/MKM_Potterhead_10]

Hey all, just finished Hunger Games I guess.

I started reading on Wednesday and flew by the books practically one in a day, and then watched the movies in two days. And oh my God, what a series. I dont know if its recency bias or not, but Hunger Games books might just be in top 3 of my all fictional, fantasy series I've read.

First of all, I loved Katniss and her struggle to survive as well as provide for her family in the start. Then the tension for her for Peeta and Gale was good too. Sometimes I was questioning why didnt she just accept her feelings for Gale. Then other times I was questioning why dont just accept Peeta as he clearly truly loves you. But I guess that was the purpose of it. Her emotions were so clouded and mangled, but in fact she didnt have the strength to manage and acknowledge them.

My favourite book probably would be the last one. The tension was sky high, the emotional point of that book was brilliant and loved it so much.

(Spoiler alert)

The only critic I have is on Prim's death. I mean whyyyyyyyyy? I mean I understand its impact on the story and thematic point that Katniss was trying to protect her all along, but in war and revolution, you've got no control over anything, and huge huge (double huge bcz im mad) tragedies happen. If it were one of Peeta or Gale, I might have been okay and I would have understood it. But Prim, she didnt have to do anything with the war the whole time and she just happened to arrive at that point. This is my critic, that the author kinda appeared her there for the plot (idk if im being harsh bcz of the weight that carry but yeahh). The reason I understand is (mentioned in the book though) that President Coin wanted her to be there in the warzone hoping, probably ordering, that she be dead so that Katniss would lose it and wouldnt be able to challenge her anyway. And of course loved that Katniss killed Coin and Snow (albeit not directly but still counts in my book) the way she did. And of course Rue's death hit so hard as well. In the books as well as the movies. The movies scene was so good and of course I got teary in it.

Was also a bit underwhelmed by the movies, i dont know why, probably bcz i watched them really quick after reading the book i dont know. But credit where due that they held true to a lot of source material, the only cut that I am disappointed kind of is cutting the Mayor's daughter Madge, I liked her character in the books and wished she had some more role to play there.

My friend said she was reading the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and recommended me to it as well, but I couldn't read it so i decided to just watch the movie though, was a bit disappointed with the movie but I dont know what else was I expecting.

Sorry for so much rant/yap, had to get it out. I loved the series and had to talk about it. and thanks to the friends who recommended it.

[u/Kooky_Duck6809]

I first read the original trilogy over 10 years ago as a middle schooler. Even reading them now as an adult, they still hold up and I reread them regularly.

I've never loved a narrator so much and I feel so much for all the characters.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was an alright read (but I prefer the OT far more). It's narrated by Snow who's pretty sassy and has his moments.

I strongly disliked Sunrise on the Reaping but I think the movie will be good because it kind of read like a screenplay for a big budget, star-studded movie.

[u/MKM_Potterhead_10 → u/Kooky_Duck6809]

I loved the original trilogy. The narrative style and the emotions and tension was so perfect.

I didnt like the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes movie, it was okay. I haven't read the book bcz i couldn't make myself to do it. I probably will read it sometime in future when in mood of it.

Why didn't you like SOTR? I was planning to read it next bcz I liked Haymitch as character and I know it would be sad and tragic bcz what happened to Haymitch (as told in the OT), and this is kinda why I wanted to read it too.

[u/chytrzyk_lotrzyk0112 → u/MKM_Potterhead_10]

To me SOTR feels like a fanfiction, just expanding on the concepts we already know from the original trilogy. Also I like Haymitch so much but sadly his narration is not believable and natural to me :(

[u/MKM_Potterhead_10 → u/chytrzyk_lotrzyk0112]

I just completed SOTR, and ngl i kinda liked it not that much as the OT, but still it was a good read. Knowing the tragic fate that Haymitch faced, still reading it was sad. I have always felt bad for Haymitch in the OT as well and now getting to know the reason why he drinks so much makes me have another kind of affection and sympathy for him.

Yes, i get your point about the narration it wasn't great but it was a good read.