I was going through some old books Emmy siblings and I owned, and I came across hunger games. I’m older now, so YA fiction mostly strikes me as a bit boring or cringy overall, but I remember liking it way back when I first read it so decided to give it another read. Im surprised that it’s such a well written book. Hunger Games is one of the most popular YA books, and it’s influenced so many others to have protagonists just like catniss, except just way worse. Catnis isn’t a special chosen snowflake, but an actual person with her own flaws, and struggles. She’s shown to be, empathetic and kind, but not unbelievably, and her relationships are actually interesting. Her not being madly in love with Pita but faking it makes their interactions feel so much more meaningful when they’re genuine and not played up for the camera. The society of Hunger Games is also interesting. The society is dystopian, and we’re able to see that even during the games with the need to play up emotions for sponsors, and them actively discouraging playing safe. The people fighting and dying in the arena are reality tv stars; they’re supposed to be interesting and memorable characters, not real people. A flaw with the story is catniss’ perspective kinda gets in the way of the story sometimes, and I felt the story would have been better in 3rd person. Overall, the hunger games is a good book, and I can see why it’s so influential to the YA genre. Way better than most wannabes I’ve read ( Divergent)

  • cassowary_245@alien.topB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    It’s a hallmark of YA that the perspective is centred around one character and their experiences.

    It is a good book series. My son devoured them so that’s a plus. I’m always in favour of getting kids to read. I enjoy reading some good YA too it can be fun.

    • Chillindude82Nein@alien.topB
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Have him check out the Pendragon series by D.J. Machale. I got everyone around me into the series – my aunt included. It was my Harry Potter. They’re so much fun

      • helpmenonamesleft@alien.topB
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        I used to love those books! I remember being vaguely disappointed with the “punch the bad guy in the face over and over until we win” fight at the end, but the rest of them were fun to read. I’ll have to check them out again sometime. Thanks for reminding me these exist!