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GLIMMER'S GAME
"Glimmer’s Game” invites readers into the captivating world of Hollywood through the lens of actress Leven Rambin and her remarkable journey in the industry, starting at just 14 years old.
Rambin delves into the intricacies of her exciting career, with a spotlight on the pivotal moment of landing the coveted role of Glimmer in The Hunger Games. This book offers a heartfelt behind-the-scenes account into the making of a cultural phenomenon and bringing to life a story that still resonates with fans worldwide.
In the book, Rambin unveils the challenges and triumphs of navigating fame, mental health, and highs and lows as a young actress and the impact of her experiences both on and off-screen. "Glimmer’s Game” is a compelling memoir for aspiring artists, Hunger Games fans everywhere, and anyone captivated by the magic of Hollywood.”
Rambin delves into the intricacies of her exciting career, with a spotlight on the pivotal moment of landing the coveted role of Glimmer in The Hunger Games. This book offers a heartfelt behind-the-scenes account into the making of a cultural phenomenon and bringing to life a story that still resonates with fans worldwide.
In the book, Rambin unveils the challenges and triumphs of navigating fame, mental health, and highs and lows as a young actress and the impact of her experiences both on and off-screen. "Glimmer’s Game” is a compelling memoir for aspiring artists, Hunger Games fans everywhere, and anyone captivated by the magic of Hollywood.”
- GenresNonfictionBiography
127 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2024
8 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 22, 2024
this is a) a biased rating and b) a love letter to leven, because this entire book felt like a love letter. and yes, to me personally.
the hunger games was The defining moment of my adolescence. i've written many a thinkpiece on that series, the first film, its impact on me as a person and the direction i've taken with my life because of what endeavors it placed in my lap so i'm certainly not about to rehash all of that. read it here if you care. what i will say is that reading this book actually brought tears to my eyes because the excitement i felt, going back to 2012 and reliving all of the moments that 14 year old emily held so near and dear to her heart, was the same sort of excitement i had in 2012 when it happened for the first time. reading the lore, the little tidbits that felt like gold being found in an otherwise empty mine i'd picked over to death from ages 14-17, the tea (THE TEA, HONEY!) — it felt like being 14 again. when people talk about healing your inner child, i think this is what they mean. it's feeding that part of yourself again, feeling your heart palpitate in your chest as you panic-text a group chat of people you've known since 2012 (people you've met because of this very thing) and then facetime call them with tears in your eyes. it's the relax of those stretched out heartstrings. it's coming back home, to a place where life just seems simpler. where things are safe and cozy.
a lot of people in the fandom were drawn to jen, josh, liam, the more "major" characters of the series spanning across the 4 movies. i was drawn to the tributes, in the same way that leven was. i followed every single project leven, isabelle, jackie, jack, dayo, alexander, and amandla were in. i still do. i kept a note in my phone chronicling the number of times we'd interact on social media because THAT! friends, was my roman empire. the way they do feel like friends, in that parasocial way, or like your older cousin who you've only had a few really good interactions with at the family barbecues over the years but they stick with you because they made you feel valued and important in that moment. that was the tribute cast for me. reading this was like sitting across from your friend that you haven't seen in 5 years and revisiting all the good old days. reading this made my heart hurt and then explode with joy.
most of all, reading this just made me proud. proud that i have been in this woman's life to some degree for the last 12 years and she has been in mine, such a pivotal human who, through her own experience, helped me kick open every wall of the box i found myself confined in. sure, maybe i would've written a book at some point, but i wouldn't have 4 available for purchase on amazon, all of those stories coming to me in the way they did. the experience wouldn't have had the same magic in it that it does *because* of the hunger games, because of these people. it's the butterfly effect, right? because leven decided she wasn't taking no for an answer (ps girl so glad you fired those shit agents i hope they're weeping at night) i've traveled all across the country — and yes, stayed in that same less-than-glamorous doubletree inn in asheville with some of my best friends that i only have because of this franchise — i've done things on my bucketlist, i've met incredible people who have changed my life forever, and i am so much more than what i was at 14. the feelings leven talks about throughout the book are feelings i was going through at the same time (despite the 7 year age gap) and to know it's the universal human experience lessens the feeling of being alone. it normalizes it. it validates 14 year old emily, it wraps her with grace and a hug and sends her off to bed with a hunger games fanfiction and lets her know that everything at 26 glimmers brighter than she ever thought it could.
leven, thank you. 12 years to ♾️
the hunger games was The defining moment of my adolescence. i've written many a thinkpiece on that series, the first film, its impact on me as a person and the direction i've taken with my life because of what endeavors it placed in my lap so i'm certainly not about to rehash all of that. read it here if you care. what i will say is that reading this book actually brought tears to my eyes because the excitement i felt, going back to 2012 and reliving all of the moments that 14 year old emily held so near and dear to her heart, was the same sort of excitement i had in 2012 when it happened for the first time. reading the lore, the little tidbits that felt like gold being found in an otherwise empty mine i'd picked over to death from ages 14-17, the tea (THE TEA, HONEY!) — it felt like being 14 again. when people talk about healing your inner child, i think this is what they mean. it's feeding that part of yourself again, feeling your heart palpitate in your chest as you panic-text a group chat of people you've known since 2012 (people you've met because of this very thing) and then facetime call them with tears in your eyes. it's the relax of those stretched out heartstrings. it's coming back home, to a place where life just seems simpler. where things are safe and cozy.
a lot of people in the fandom were drawn to jen, josh, liam, the more "major" characters of the series spanning across the 4 movies. i was drawn to the tributes, in the same way that leven was. i followed every single project leven, isabelle, jackie, jack, dayo, alexander, and amandla were in. i still do. i kept a note in my phone chronicling the number of times we'd interact on social media because THAT! friends, was my roman empire. the way they do feel like friends, in that parasocial way, or like your older cousin who you've only had a few really good interactions with at the family barbecues over the years but they stick with you because they made you feel valued and important in that moment. that was the tribute cast for me. reading this was like sitting across from your friend that you haven't seen in 5 years and revisiting all the good old days. reading this made my heart hurt and then explode with joy.
most of all, reading this just made me proud. proud that i have been in this woman's life to some degree for the last 12 years and she has been in mine, such a pivotal human who, through her own experience, helped me kick open every wall of the box i found myself confined in. sure, maybe i would've written a book at some point, but i wouldn't have 4 available for purchase on amazon, all of those stories coming to me in the way they did. the experience wouldn't have had the same magic in it that it does *because* of the hunger games, because of these people. it's the butterfly effect, right? because leven decided she wasn't taking no for an answer (ps girl so glad you fired those shit agents i hope they're weeping at night) i've traveled all across the country — and yes, stayed in that same less-than-glamorous doubletree inn in asheville with some of my best friends that i only have because of this franchise — i've done things on my bucketlist, i've met incredible people who have changed my life forever, and i am so much more than what i was at 14. the feelings leven talks about throughout the book are feelings i was going through at the same time (despite the 7 year age gap) and to know it's the universal human experience lessens the feeling of being alone. it normalizes it. it validates 14 year old emily, it wraps her with grace and a hug and sends her off to bed with a hunger games fanfiction and lets her know that everything at 26 glimmers brighter than she ever thought it could.
leven, thank you. 12 years to ♾️
May 18, 2024
i really enjoyed this book, it was a great insight on so many aspects of the hunger games
August 7, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up! I flew through this book in like an hour or so, and it was cool to read about the behind the scenes of filming the Hunger Games. The whole book is written in a very causal tone, almost like a love letter to Glimmer as a character.
While I enjoyed the breakdown of the audition for the movie, and the other tidbits about filming certain scenes (tracker jacker attacks and Glimmer’s death, and the wardrobe and sets of the movie from a new perspective),,, I simply couldn’t ignore or get past the writing style. It was juvenile, like a book report. It lacked flow, direction, and clarity. I know movies aren’t shot chronologically and maybe she was trying to write the experience as it happened to her,,, but the chronology and organization of this book made legitimately no sense. She would be talking about filming a scene, and then out of nowhere she would bring up her boyfriend at the time or anecdotal moments with the cast that weren’t relevant to the scene she was talking about previously. Then in the next chapter we are back discussing the filming of the scene. I also found a ton of typos, and while I get that the production of this book is definitely casual and an answer to demand “for the people,” I was a little surprised that it wasn’t better? Like don’t get me wrong I still bought it and read it so clearly I wanted to know what was discussed in the book. It gave off the vibe that this was a pivotal moment in her career and she is gonna milk the experience and name drop heavily for all it’s worth.
I would recommend as a really quick read, but not by any means supplemental to literally any other media available on this topic!
While I enjoyed the breakdown of the audition for the movie, and the other tidbits about filming certain scenes (tracker jacker attacks and Glimmer’s death, and the wardrobe and sets of the movie from a new perspective),,, I simply couldn’t ignore or get past the writing style. It was juvenile, like a book report. It lacked flow, direction, and clarity. I know movies aren’t shot chronologically and maybe she was trying to write the experience as it happened to her,,, but the chronology and organization of this book made legitimately no sense. She would be talking about filming a scene, and then out of nowhere she would bring up her boyfriend at the time or anecdotal moments with the cast that weren’t relevant to the scene she was talking about previously. Then in the next chapter we are back discussing the filming of the scene. I also found a ton of typos, and while I get that the production of this book is definitely casual and an answer to demand “for the people,” I was a little surprised that it wasn’t better? Like don’t get me wrong I still bought it and read it so clearly I wanted to know what was discussed in the book. It gave off the vibe that this was a pivotal moment in her career and she is gonna milk the experience and name drop heavily for all it’s worth.
I would recommend as a really quick read, but not by any means supplemental to literally any other media available on this topic!
June 17, 2024
Quick and interesting biography read from the perspective of Leven Rambin who played ‘Gilmmer’ in the first Hunger Games movie. I enjoyed it overall!
June 2, 2024
Quick and interesting read!
June 19, 2024
I want to start my review by saying I wanted to like this book. I had total respect for Leven as an actress before reading the novel. However, after reading it... this book gives off Capitol Behavior. Trying to monetize off of a loyal fanbase with a book that is barely even 50% THG content? I personally believe that's not the spirit that The Hunger Games fandom represents. I have been a loyal fan of THG ever since the first book came out. I will do literally anything to keep the fandom alive, including contributing to actors/actresses in the original series (aka watching their movies... buying their books... and engaging with them and their careers in any way possible).
Glimmer’s Game is tone-deaf and undermines the lessons that Suzanne Collins was trying to teach us in the series. THG series by Suzanne Collins tackles the idea of poverty, starvation, and oppression.. which Leven Rambin literally MOCKS in the book, Glimmer's Game. She talks about willingly starving herself to “look the part” (I know Leven mentions how she appreciates Jennifer Lawrence being real about her body... but please don't go on in detail about how you starved yourself. A memoir trying to encourage an audience is not the place to give unsolicited and dangerous weight loss advice- no matter if you discourage it or not) and compares a hotel to living in the districts. The book flatly gives Capitol vibes.
As a dedicated Hunger Games fan, I found this "novel" unremarkable and extremely short. Much of the content was already familiar, and there was nothing so intriguing that I'd recommend purchasing it. Honestly, there is more free behind-the-scenes content (particularly from Jackie {FoxFace} & Amandla {Rue}) that you can find on YouTube.
The marketing of this book is particularly misleading. The author had a minor role in the first Hunger Games movie, appearing in just four or five scenes—barely five minutes of screen time. Dying a solid hour and some change into the first movie out of four movies (not including TBOSAS).
Yet, the book is marketed as a Hunger Games memoir, which feels deceptive. Around 40% of the book is about Leven Rambin's prior career to the Hunger Games. Since the book is only 105 pages, the amount of Hunger Games content is seriously lacking (especially with how much hype there is surrounding it, in regards to THG).
Had it been presented as a comprehensive memoir of her career, I wouldn't be as disappointed or feel misled. The book is riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies (Katniss pulls a knife off Glimmer? What? As a major THG fan, it is beyond frustrating to read inaccuracies... in a book... marketed to THG fans???!!!)
The whole novel feels like an amateurish attempt to capitalize on the recent resurgence of The Hunger Games fandom since it is following the release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The movie that the Author was in was released in March 2012.. (over 12 years ago!).
Final Thoughts
This book should not have been marketed solely as a Hunger Games memoir. It’s short and contains much more than just Glimmer’s story, making the marketing feel unfair. It would have been more honest, and I would not have been as disappointed if it had been marketed as a comprehensive memoir of the author’s entire career. The author has no right to use Glimmer's name in an attempt to sell a memoir that does not exclusively discuss Glimmer or The Hunger Games.
For $10, the book isn’t worth it. The Kindle formatting is odd, and the best part is the photos at the end. There's probably like 20 or so BTS pictures which was nice.
To the author, Leven- I know you wanted to share your journey into acting, what it was like being Glimmer, etc. I appreciate your time and insight. I just feel extremely misled and disappointed by the marketing and the undermining of the crucial lessons taught in THG... but those lessons are mocked in your memoir.
Glimmer’s Game is tone-deaf and undermines the lessons that Suzanne Collins was trying to teach us in the series. THG series by Suzanne Collins tackles the idea of poverty, starvation, and oppression.. which Leven Rambin literally MOCKS in the book, Glimmer's Game. She talks about willingly starving herself to “look the part” (I know Leven mentions how she appreciates Jennifer Lawrence being real about her body... but please don't go on in detail about how you starved yourself. A memoir trying to encourage an audience is not the place to give unsolicited and dangerous weight loss advice- no matter if you discourage it or not) and compares a hotel to living in the districts. The book flatly gives Capitol vibes.
As a dedicated Hunger Games fan, I found this "novel" unremarkable and extremely short. Much of the content was already familiar, and there was nothing so intriguing that I'd recommend purchasing it. Honestly, there is more free behind-the-scenes content (particularly from Jackie {FoxFace} & Amandla {Rue}) that you can find on YouTube.
The marketing of this book is particularly misleading. The author had a minor role in the first Hunger Games movie, appearing in just four or five scenes—barely five minutes of screen time. Dying a solid hour and some change into the first movie out of four movies (not including TBOSAS).
Yet, the book is marketed as a Hunger Games memoir, which feels deceptive. Around 40% of the book is about Leven Rambin's prior career to the Hunger Games. Since the book is only 105 pages, the amount of Hunger Games content is seriously lacking (especially with how much hype there is surrounding it, in regards to THG).
Had it been presented as a comprehensive memoir of her career, I wouldn't be as disappointed or feel misled. The book is riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies (Katniss pulls a knife off Glimmer? What? As a major THG fan, it is beyond frustrating to read inaccuracies... in a book... marketed to THG fans???!!!)
The whole novel feels like an amateurish attempt to capitalize on the recent resurgence of The Hunger Games fandom since it is following the release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The movie that the Author was in was released in March 2012.. (over 12 years ago!).
Final Thoughts
This book should not have been marketed solely as a Hunger Games memoir. It’s short and contains much more than just Glimmer’s story, making the marketing feel unfair. It would have been more honest, and I would not have been as disappointed if it had been marketed as a comprehensive memoir of the author’s entire career. The author has no right to use Glimmer's name in an attempt to sell a memoir that does not exclusively discuss Glimmer or The Hunger Games.
For $10, the book isn’t worth it. The Kindle formatting is odd, and the best part is the photos at the end. There's probably like 20 or so BTS pictures which was nice.
To the author, Leven- I know you wanted to share your journey into acting, what it was like being Glimmer, etc. I appreciate your time and insight. I just feel extremely misled and disappointed by the marketing and the undermining of the crucial lessons taught in THG... but those lessons are mocked in your memoir.
June 21, 2024
El primer libro de Memorias de Leven Rambin sobre todo lo que tuvo que hacer para llegar al papel de Glimmer de Los Juegos del Hambre, lo que sucedió durante la grabación y los momentos compartidos una vez que acabó la filmación.
Si bien es un libro entretenido escrito de la forma más sencilla en primera persona, la información no parece especialmente reveladora ni muy detallada respecto a la historia de Suzanne Collins. Y si bien aborda temáticas complicadas mientras nos relata la historia (como la ansiedad, el ataque de pánico y las dietas insalubres en la industria) no llega jamás a profundizar en ellas, sino a pasarlas como si fuera una anécdota.
Está fácil de leer si no quieres pensar demasiado en lo que estás haciendo, sino para pasar el rato y ya.
Ah, como está autoeditado llega a haber algunos errores de impresión.
Si bien es un libro entretenido escrito de la forma más sencilla en primera persona, la información no parece especialmente reveladora ni muy detallada respecto a la historia de Suzanne Collins. Y si bien aborda temáticas complicadas mientras nos relata la historia (como la ansiedad, el ataque de pánico y las dietas insalubres en la industria) no llega jamás a profundizar en ellas, sino a pasarlas como si fuera una anécdota.
Está fácil de leer si no quieres pensar demasiado en lo que estás haciendo, sino para pasar el rato y ya.
Ah, como está autoeditado llega a haber algunos errores de impresión.
September 7, 2024
It was good, and very interesting! As someone who wants to do acting, I enjoyed reading this short book about life on set. The pictures in the back of the book was very fun to look at :)
There sadly though, was some language. Not just the D word or saying Hell, it was the S word and the F word once or twice. As a teen and a Christian, I prefer not to read something that has that.
Other than that, it was an amazing book and found it very captivating! (Granted, I read it all in one sitting, staying up way past my bed time.) I would recommend this to any Hunger Games fan, who wants to know what life was like on set, and doesn't mind the words.
There sadly though, was some language. Not just the D word or saying Hell, it was the S word and the F word once or twice. As a teen and a Christian, I prefer not to read something that has that.
Other than that, it was an amazing book and found it very captivating! (Granted, I read it all in one sitting, staying up way past my bed time.) I would recommend this to any Hunger Games fan, who wants to know what life was like on set, and doesn't mind the words.
January 9, 2025
As a Hunger Games fan, I really enjoyed all of the insight into the behind the scenes. I both liked how it was solely focused on THG, but I also would have been interested in reading more on her other projects and having a more wholistic memoir, which she does plan on writing, but will there still be THG content? It will be interesting to see how the two books compliment each other
June 21, 2024
such a fun read for THG and leven fans!! getting the personalized copy was so worth it <3
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews