Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)

I love this book I cannot wait to do a review for MockingJay

This was definitely my favorite out of the three. I thoroughly enjoy the additional characters and plot development.

So far, this book is certainly not living up to the hype. It's a great story concept, but the execution is a little disappointing, to say the least. I was slightly annoyed with Katnis from time to time with her complaints about two boys being in love with her. Pick one already, for crying out loud.

For a long while, the story was dragging along. It seemed as if nothing much was occuring for almost a half of the book, and then they are told they are going back into the game, and slowly, it starts to pick up. I think what the book is missing a lot of is suspense and that gripping tension that has you holding onto your seat.

When I read a synopsis that does nothing to capture the essence of a book, I can't help but chuckle. If you read the back of this book and never read the book itself, you would have no idea what you missed.




You hear a lot about second books in a series not living up to their predessor. "Sophmore slump" they call it. Well, there is no slump in this book. It is captivating. Katniss is still amazing, if not more so. She actually knows what she wants and doesn't flip-flop about her emotions. Things are complicated, and she owns it. Peeta is still the lovable Peeta. But now there are other characters that you encounter, and you can't stop wondering what role they will play. I honestly think this book was better than the first, and I can't imagine how amazing Mockingjay must be!




This is a short review because there is nothing left to say about this amazing series. When it was published, it was unique and fresh. I've read many dystopian books over the last several years, but they don't compare to this series. The phrase, "Often immitated, never duplicated" comes to mind... So simply speaking, if you haven't read this series, DO IT. You won't be disappointed.

I loved THE HUNGER GAMES, and I immediately picked up CATCHING FIRE to see where Katniss's story went next. While this was my least favorite of the trilogy, I still found the story compelling and heartbreaking. The arena in this book was particularly fascinating and terrifying!

I didn't love this as much as I loved Hunger Games because it felt a bit like Ms. Collins hit a "reset" button on the plot during the first half, but I still devoured this book whole. I swear this entire series is literary crack. It's addictive!

Katniss is a pawn being used without her knowledge by those who want a revolution. All she wants is to survive and to keep Peeta alive as well. She has no idea the lengths her fellow contestants will go to keep the new symbol of unrest alive and well. I won't give details away because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but the ending. OH THE ENDING. You'll want to have book 3 instantly available to you. Trust me.

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.

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

This is my new favorite series! Even though Catching Fire wasn't as fast-paced and heart-pumping as the first, it was still exciting compared to other books.

I don't know if it was just because I had a busy week and was forced to stop and start this book, but I was a little bored during some of the book. There were less plot twists, and I would've liked to have had more scenes with Gale. Peeta's great and all, but to have a full-on love triangle, she should have an equal amount of time with both guys to leave us guessing who she's going to end up with.

I loved the ending! But obviously I hated it because I can't read the third book till August! Ahhh!

Reader reviewed by Jules

Wow, where to start with this book. Right from the beginning Suzanne Collins captures your attention and holds it until the very end, even then she leaves you wanting more. You are captivated by the trials of Peeta and Katniss as they are forced to fight each other again. There are many twists in this book, but I don't want to give anything away. All I can say is to read this book if you enjoyed Hunger Games because it's a great sequel. In a nutshell, Catching Fire is about two teenagers that are trying to survive the wrath of the Capital, while involuntarily becoming the symbols of an uprising against the Capital. There lives are threatened yet again when they are thrown back into the arena to fight to the death on the 75th anniversary of the Games.

Reader reviewed by Jessica

The follow-up to The Hunger Games starts nearly a year after the first book ended. Katniss and Peeta have gotten back to their homes, but their life has changed as victors of the Hunger Games. The Capitol has it out for Katniss and she knows it. The book is a page-turner, moving quickly from one problem to another. Collins draws us in to their world and allows us to know all of the characters, and there are many. Even with so many characters, they all have their pivotal place in the story.

At times Katniss seems a bit too clueless and it comes off as annoying, especially for a character that is genuinely likable. While the plot is based on her clueless-ness, the deer-in-headlights act becomes painful for a few pages towards the end of the book. Peeta, Haymitch, and all of the other characters within the book redeem this one poor point.

The love triangle between Peeta and Gale is intensified, even with Gale being absent for most of this book. While this love triangle is slightly reminiscent of the Twilight triangle (Bella, Edward, Jacob), I dont feel compelled to take a side. Both Gale and Peeta are wonderful people and for many of the same reasons. I believe the best part about the book to be the fact that it makes me want to run out and buy the third in the series. And that I will.