Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

** spoiler alert ** I was teetering between four and five stars. My main argument was that some parts seemed so unrealistic (the whole mutated wolf pack made out of the deceased tributes seemed kind of hokey to me). I don't know why the little voice inside my head kept rolling its eyes--and yes, I realize the impossibility of that last statement, ha--when I began reading about the mutts. But then I remember that it's dystopian and no one knows the future, and um, it's fiction.
I decided to give it five stars because:

a) the story, main character, Peeta, Gale, Rue, Prim, Cinna, Haymitch, action, gut-wrenching-ness, heart-twisty-ness was all fantastic. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough.

b) the interaction between Katniss and Peeta was seriously heartbreaking. It was blatantly obvious that he's in love with her and her affection for him was mostly fueled by the Games and her survivor instinct. Of course, she had the notion that she was indebted to him because of the times he stuck his neck out to save her: with the bread, with the Avox girl, how he told her to run instead of killing her when the other Careers were close behind... Also because she was lonely in the arena and was craving human companionship. Katniss was obviously not a slayer of people. She only killed district 1 boy because she was hoping to have a chance of saving Rue, and she primarily killed Cato out of pity because of the damage the mutts had already done. She was not out of her element in the environmental circumstances, but definitely in the entire purpose of the Hunger Games. Having a human companion is something that we all need, especialy in times of desperation! So at first I was quite pissed off that she wasn't sure of her feelings for Peeta. It seemed logical for them to fall in love. They saved each others' lives on multiple occasions, they shared kisses in the dark (which started as a facade but became genuine!) But then I decided that the drama of Katniss being unsure of her feelings for Peeta is unconventional in today's YA fiction and it's truly an aspect to be appreciated. It does make for interesting storytelling in books to come... the girl who doesn't know whether or not she loves her savior or loves her best friend from back home.

c) The ruthless, apathetic sociopaths that the Capitol consists of. I wanted to throw the book across the room sometimes. So, let me get this straight: they actually choose to throw a bunch of children in a pit so that they can kill each other? And further still, they actually glamorize this contest in the week prior, giving them star treatment and expect them to be excited about this? Further STILL, they expect everyone to tune in, even parents, friends, siblings, family, to witness the very likely grotesque demise of their loved one? And for what? This elaborate and pain-staking show of power? Truly makes one question if one's government wouldn't be so different in the future.

Anyway, fantastic book. Sorry for the long-winded, disorganized review! Filled me with desperation for Katniss, Peeta, and I shed many tears for Rue.

I cannot wait to read Catching Fire, and I feel like I'll only fall deeper in love with the next book. It'll be hard to wait for Mockingjay, surely!