The physical toll of the Games on the tributes is described in grueling detail. Dehydration, burns, and starvation are just as deadly as the other competitors. Collins is realistic about the effects of trauma. This realism sets the book apart from other YA novels. To experience the gritty reality of the arena, reading the book is a must. Many readers prefer the privacy of a digital device, making a PDF of The Hunger Games a popular choice for personal reading.