Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Main Characters: Katniss, Peeta, Primrose, Gale

Summary:

Under cut since it contains spoilers :)
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Anna’s Thoughts:

After reading The Hunger Games I had really high hopes for Catching Fire but at the same time I was weary. I was right to be, but just barely. The problem lies in that from the very beginning of The Hunger Games to the very last page it’s completely 100% action-packed. There’s hardly anytime to gain your barrings, you start reading the book one second and the next you’re thrust into an adventure that keeps you turning the pages until there’s no more pages to turn. Catching Fire isn’t like that, it’s slower, with a steadier pace that eases you into the story instead of throwing you into it.

Most of Catching Fire is information, mostly about the characters that were left back in District 12 when Katniss went into the Games; her mom and her sister, as well as Gale and his mom, and Peeta and his parents. We also learn a lot more about the Capital, the President, Game rituals, as well as how controlling the Capital is of it’s citizens, even after the games. This is what the beginning and the middle of the book are made up of, and then the end comes and it’s like you’ve just been shoved off a cliff. There’s a huge twist, that is almost predictable, and then directly following there’s one that you’d never guess.

Catching Fire fell short of the glory The Hunger Games came into but only barely. It’s an amazing follow up that still left me turning page after page wondering what was going to happen next. The action is mostly reserved for the last fourth of the book, but it’s still very present in little bity pieces throughout the entire book.

Overall, it doesn’t quite live up to The Hunger Games, but it’s still a strong and amazing sequel that left me wanting more and praying for August to get here faster.