Because the book is written in the first person perspective, the author's tone and Katniss's tone are blended together. As Katniss's emotions shift, so does the tone of the story.
Let's use the Reaping as an example. As the Reaping approaches, the tone is definitely wary. Katniss is worried about her chances of escaping the lottery system. She has put her name in many times in order to secure more food for her family. At the same time, though, the tone is slightly hopeful. Katniss is fairly certain that her sister's name will not be called. Primrose's name is only in there once, so the chances are very low that her name will be picked. The tone goes from that mixture of hopeful and worried to a downright panicked tone when Katniss realizes that Primrose's name has been chosen. If I had to pick an overall tone to apply to the entire novel, I would pick tense.This novel just doesn't ever let up. There is always an oppressive feeling being placed upon Katniss and the reader because her life is always at stake. She's either starving in her district or she's being hunted by other teenagers.
Hope this helped.
