Review Detail

Reader reviewed by darklightkid

"The Hunger Games" was only the beginning. Six months after the events of the first book, Katniss and Peeta are about to go on the Victory Tour of Panem when President Snow visits them in the Victor's Village, the ultra-luxurious neighborhood in which the two winners now live. Snow gives them an ultimatum - convince him that their actions at the end of the Hunger Games were done out of hopeless love, and not rebellion, or he will have their families killed.

During the tour, it becomes apparent that pockets of rebellion are popping up all around Panem, and Katniss and Peeta are the unofficial figureheads. They do their best to pretend they are a deeply devoted couple, but Snow remains unconvinced by the time the tour ends.

This year, for the 75th Games, the Capitol is organizing a Quarter Quell, an every-25-years special event when a different horrifying twist is applied to the choosing of tributes. This time around, the twist is that all tributes must be previous victors - a sick variation on all-star editions of reality competitions. As District 12's only female victor, Katniss will have to compete again. Even worse, Peeta tries to spread sympathy for Katniss by lying on live TV and announcing that he and Katniss were to be married, and that Katniss is pregnant.

The fight for life has begun, again, and it is most certainly a more thrilling thrill ride than the last installment. Without a doubt this is up near the top on the list of best teen novels of 2009. Read it, if you dare.