The Hunger Games Vs. Twilight: Which Books Are Better?
Katniss Vs. Bella; Peeta Vs. Edward; Suzanne Collins Vs. Stephenie Meyer
How does The Hunger Games Trilogy compare to The Twilight Saga?
If you liked Twilight, are you certain to like The Hunger Games? What if you hated Twilight or refuse to read anything having to do with vampires? First of all, The Hunger Games is not about vampires. Also, Suzanne Collins is a much better writer than Stephenie Meyer. So if you hate Twilight because you're not into vampires or because you can't stand Meyer's writing, there's a decent chance you will like The Hunger Games. If you like Twilight only because of the Bella-Edward-Jacob love triangle, and skip over the handful of violent, action-packed parts of the stories, you probably would not enjoy The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. There is a love story in The Hunger Games, but you'd better be prepared to wade through a lot of bloodshed and heartache to get to it.
Spoilers below!
Let's compare Katniss Everdeen and Bella Swan, the teenage heroines of The Hunger Games and Twilight, respectively. Do these girls have a single thing in common? Tenacious, crafty, bad-ass Katniss wins the Hunger Games and inspires a nation of slaves to revolt. Awkward, klutzy, pre-vampire Bella wouldn't last two seconds in the Hunger Games without Edward or Jacob to save her butt. She and the Cullens and their friends kinda-sorta-almost defeat the Volturi. Big deal. Why do hot guys fight over Bella? Why?! Isn't that what's so appealing about Bella, though, to the girls reading Twilight? To think that a normal, boring girl like her could attract a sexy "vegetarian" vampire like Edward Cullen and a hunky motorcycle-repairing wolf like Jacob Black? I have to admit, that's why I enjoy living vicariously through Bella.
I wouldn't want to live in Katniss's world. I'm not tough. I couldn't shoot an arrow to save my life. My survival instincts are weak, at best. I can't relate to Katniss the way I relate to Bella, but I respect her. I'm not sure I respect Bella; the feminist in me thinks she gives up too much to be with Edward. Katniss, on the other hand, is a fighter and a survivor who has little time to analyze her feelings for the two possible love interests in her life. The Katniss-Peeta-Gale love triangle is more realistic and, I think, more satisfying in the end than the Bella-Edward-Jacob melodrama. Katniss and Peeta are just right for each other; with Bella and Edward, I always, always wonder why the sublime Edward bothers with dull Bella. I know she's mysterious to him because he can't read her mind, but he could do so much better! Edward Cullen plus Maria Roth equals match made in heaven, baby. What was I talking about?
The boys! Peeta and Gale from The Hunger Games ; Edward and Jacob from Twilight . Who is the hottest of them all? Who is the sweetest? Based on their descriptions in the books, I'd have to say that Gale and Edward are the hottest of the bunch. Since Edward is a vampire, he'd naturally beat out even the most attractive mortal man. Sorry, Gale.
Peeta is the sweetest, hands down. (It's unfortunate that his name makes me crave falafel and hummus.) He gave bread to Katniss when she was starving and continually risked his life to protect her. And even after he was brainwashed and burned, he clawed his way back to Katniss. One could argue that Jacob and Edward risk their lives to protect Bella, but they both have superhuman strength, and Edward is, technically, already dead. Peeta stands out as a completely-human hero. He holds on to his sanity and compassion in ungodly circumstances, making a new life possible for Katniss. He's a saint. I want to reach into The Hunger Games books and hug him.
Which books are best? The Hunger Games Trilogy or The Twilight Saga? Based on plot, character development, style, pacing, action, suspense, and everything else that makes certain books un-put-down-able, The Hunger Games trilogy is better than the Twilight saga. Way better. But which books did I enjoy the most? Oh, it's so hard to decide. In Meyer's Twilight series, Twilight and Eclipse are my favorite books. They're not perfect, but Edward is. My Edward. Sometimes he's a jerk, but I forgive him.
I absolutely loved The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, but merely liked the final book in the trilogy, Mockingjay. Mockingjay is still much better than Stephenie Meyer's New Moon and Breaking Dawn -I wish I could edit those two books, but I'd probably still leave Edward alone. My Edward. Now why don't I feel like that about Peeta? Peeta's a good guy. The best kind of guy. But I still want Edward!
Which book wins the grand prize? Hmm. It's a tie! Catching Fire and Edward Cullen must share the award. Edward Cullen isn't a book, you say. I know, but he's the only reason I like the Twilight series. I've read all of the Twilight books twice, except for New Moon (because Edward disappears for most of the book). Will I re-read The Hunger Games trilogy? Probably not, but I still highly, highly recommend Suzanne Collins's books and feel no shame in doing so. If you read Twilight and hate it, I completely understand why. If you read Twilight and love it, even though it kills you to love it, I'm right there with you. You do know that Edward is mine, right?
Which movies are best? As I write this, filming hasn't even begun on The Hunger Games , but I can't wait to see it. You can read more about The Hunger Games movie and check out pictures of the confirmed cast here. We'll have to wait till November to see the movie release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 . Read more about this next installment in the Twilight movie series at Imdb.com or breakingdawnmovie.org. Meanwhile, we can all go see Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants this weekend.
Related Articles by Maria Roth:
Preposterous Moments in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series
Why I Think The Twilight Saga: New Moon Movie is Going to Suck
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Movie: Most Anticipated Scenes
Angel and Edward Cullen Discuss Love, Fame, and Sucky Vampire Stuff
Edward Jacoberg: a Horror Story
Which Popular Fantasy Series is Best? Harry Potter, Twilight, or His Dark Materials?
Sources:
Collins, Suzanne. The hunger games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.
Collins, Suzanne. Catching fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. Print.
Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010. Print.
Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2005. Print.
Meyer, Stephenie. New moon. New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2006. Print.
Meyer, Stephenie. Eclipse. New York: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.
Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking dawn. New York: Little, Brown, 2008. Print.
Published by Maria Roth
I love popcorn, cashews, cheesecake, Jane Austen, my husband and children, and Conan O'Brien. Why should you be jealous of me? I am double-jointed in both thumbs, I live in Kansas, I'm tall, and I'm modest... View profile
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30 Comments
Post a CommentI have to say, I just finished the Hunger Games and though I think that everyone has their own taste (which is of course acquired) I disagree wholeheartedly. I found the Hunger Games to lack the passion that the Twilight Series ecompassed from beginning to end. I found Meyer to be a much better writer and thought that the Hunger Games was not nearly as well developed. I was left feeling that something was missing from each book. The first was my favorite. Everyone I spoke to about the series loved "Catching Fire" but I was not in agreement. I will admit the only thing I found to be refreshing was the full circle (unanticipated) ending, in which I refer to the results of the bombing for those who have no idea what I'm talking about! Finally, I found the movie to be lacking many important elements of the book. I was bored. I despised some of the Hollywood changes. Though, I will say I also found the same with the Twilight movies. New Moon was awful when compared to the book. The series was meant to break your heart. You were meant to agonize over it. That's why people connected to the books so much. I think if you were a die hard fan of the Twilight books, you did not like the movies nearly as much. I would never say the Hunger Games trilogy was bad, but I was not nearly as happy with it as I was the Twilight series. Personal opinion only. I'd love more suggestions considering it appears we are both avid readers!
Just the second time I've even heard of the Hunger Games trilogy. A friend of mine was reading it recently. You and she have convinced me not to read it, and I already knew not to read Twilight.
For an entertaining easy read, Hunger Games was a really great series. I thought the Twilight books were so boring (and Stephanie Meyer can't write!!! Grr!!!) that I never read them completely. I kinda skipped through so I could tell the person who lent them to me that I read them. Hunger Games I read in 2 days- very easy to follow read. A lot of parts were a bit too out-there and "never would happen in real life", sci-fi'ish for me, but pretty good all the same. Can't wait for the movie.
Thanks for the great review! I've read all the twilight books and watched the movies! 5*
Great work!
Interesting, thanks, Maria!
Thanks for the great review and comparison of these two different series of books! I probably will not read either series, but maybe should watch the first Hunger Games movie!
I will never voluntarily read any of these books, but now I know that if I am ever captured by terrorists and part of my punishment is being forced to read either of these series, I will choose The Hunger Games.
I'll have to check out the Hunger Games, looks interesting.
thsnks