Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

This review is for the sequel to "The Hunger Games". If you have not read "The Hunger Games", you will not want to read this review yet.

In “Catching Fire”—the second installment of “The Hunger Games” trilogy—Katniss and Peeta have returned home after being named the victors of the 74th annual Hunger Games. Picking up where “The Hunger Games” left off, both Katniss and Peeta are traumatized by what they endured in the Games, and trying to figure out how to move on with life; but before they can even attempt to move on, they have to go on their “victor’s tour” through all of the districts, and face the families of the dead tributes. What Katniss doesn’t realize, however, is that she is being watched by the entire country, and every move she makes and every word that comes from her mouth seems to spark rebellion among the people. After an uprising against the capitol begins, Katniss is informed that she—along with her family and friends—will be held responsible; leaving her to decide whether she supports the uprising or wants it to end for the sake of her family. As she tries to promote peace among the districts, it seems like nothing she does is enough. The question of what the Capitol intends to do continues to haunt her; but the answer she gets is nothing she could have imagined.

I didn’t think it was possible after “The Hunger Games”; but Suzanne Collins somehow managed to deliver a story with equal—if not more—intensity than the first novel! With unexpected twists occurring all throughout the story, the reader can’t help but be completely lost from reality and ready to scream at any given moment.

The plot of this second book blew me away! The intense anticipation of what the Capitol was planning, the revelation of their evil intentions, and the race with Katniss and Peeta as they try to survive, had me in complete shock; and all of the plot twists ensured that I had no idea what to expect next! This novel is sure to have you screaming after every other chapter.

Collins is a master at developing characters. They seemed like old friends in “The Hunger Games” and I could feel every emotion; but in “Catching Fire”, I felt their pain more than ever. With exceptional detail and that perfect first person point of view that fits the story so well, Collins lets the reader in on every thought and emotion that Katniss feels; and connects the reader to Peeta much more than in “The Hunger Games”. The love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale is well developed and becomes much more intense in “Catching Fire” as Katniss tries to decide between the two guys who she cares about the most. Although it seems like every young adult novel has to include a love triangle now days, the added touch of being able to feel what Katniss is feeling made this one much better than others.

New fans of “The Hunger Games” will definitely not be disappointed with “Catching Fire”. The sequel is everything “The Hunger Games” was—if not more—and if you want to keep your sanity, I would advise that you already have the third book, “Mockingjay” on hand; because waiting is not an option.