![Catching Fire (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 2) by [Collins, Suzanne]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tK519fUHL._SY346_.jpg)
First, I must say this. OMG. This is such a... a... an incredible, amazing, gobsmackingly fabulous book. It was well written, well executed, with so many ideas and clever plots and twists and turns that make me want to scream abuse at the “baddies”, or tear up with pity for Peeta or Katniss, or cheer on the characters that made this story what it is. How Suzanne Collins captured the characteristics of such good people, is a mystery.
Before I read this book, I read many bad reviews saying that it was the worst book in the trilogy, and that no one would like it. I disagree with many of these insults, but, however I do have one complaint. Why why why, did she HAVE to invent the Quarter Quell? WHY? It ruins the whole story(and yes, I know I wrote that it was incredible amazing eta, but Y'no what I mean.) there is only 1 Hunger Games. She tried to make another Hunger Games, changed a few rules and called it something else. Not good, it makes it more commercial and totally makes the ACTUAL Games seem petty. The Games where the whole point. The first book revolved around the Hunger Games, and the second was supposed to revolve around Katniss being in trouble with the Capitol, not a stupid spin off of the Games. I just think that it would be a LOT better if the Capitol forces all the earlier victors to compete as a new idea, not something that has been around for a while. The Quarter Quell is a ridiculous idea.
That all said and done, the second book in the Hunger Games Trilogy was still mind-blowing, and is worth all the $7 buck it was. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go rush off to buy the third and final in the trilogy. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope it helped gather perspective. Goodbye
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Gr 7 Up--Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Bookmarks Magazine
Reviewers were happy to report that the Hunger Games trilogy is alive and well, and all looked forward to the third book in the series after this one's stunning conclusion. But they disagreed over whether Catching Fire was as good as the original book Hunger Games or should be viewed as somewhat of a "sophomore slump." Several critics who remained unconvinced by Katniss's romantic dilemma made unfavorable comparisons to the human-vampire-werewolf love triangle in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. But most reviewers felt that Catching Fire was still a thrill because Collins replicated her initial success at balancing action, violence, and heroism in a way that will enthrall young readers without giving them (too many) nightmares.
