Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)

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.

****whole review contains spoilers*****

All right, all right, all right, stay on your seats please. I was excited to read the second book. I placed this book on hold and had to wait for weeks to get it. I seriously hate that I wasted my energy for this. The first 50 pages were okay, then the author kept rambling on and on and on. This book had very few dialogue, it seems kind of weird when I put it like that. Katniss was just annoying. She simply couldn’t make up her mind about who she loved and she was a coward. I admit, only 2 chapters had me off the edge of my seat. I did not want to put it down and I didn’t want to go to sleep. Then the story just…. falls off from there.

Catching Fire. Where do I begin? The Capitol is pissed about the fact that Katniss rebelled against them. President Snow pays a little visit and tells her he knows her love for Peeta is fake; Katniss is trying to keep her calm and says what she did was real in the act of love. ‘Convince me,’ was basically all he says. He threatens her and leaves. Katniss runs to Gale about running away and Gale is excited, of course. Then she tells Gale about having Peeta and them join and Gale gets all whiny, talks about having this war with the Capitol like the other Districts and walks away. Next, Katniss goes to Peeta and basically says, ‘Hey, I told Gale to runaway with me but he said no. So now I’m asking you, screw Gale.’ Peeta, being in love with Katniss, agrees.

Suddenly, Gale is caught and getting whipped till the skin on his back is gone. Katniss is screaming and she runs to him. Now the author is going on pages and pages about how Katniss finally makes her decision and chooses Gale and she’s going to stay and fight along side him.

The author rambles on again about nothing — for pages and pages. Then Katniss walks downstairs to watch t.v. and the Capitol announces there’s going to be another Hunger Game for the victors (with the previous ones and the new ones), at this, Katniss runs out the house and starts screaming in some damaged building. She changes her mind again saying she’s going to run away, she doesn’t care about anyone else, she cares about herself now. Now I’m angry. The author repeats the same thing when the runners are eating, having meetings, and wearing amazing costumes that makes everyone go crazy. Katniss starts having nightmares and Peeta comes to cheer her up, she talks about Peeta’s warm body, smooth, soft skin and lips. What a second, Katniss is falling for Peeta? She comes up with a conclusion that no matter what happens, she’s getting Peeta out the Hunger Games alive. You’d say she’s brave, I’d say she’s stupid. Katniss is an uninteresting character.

Anyway, I had to stop reading on 225. I couldn’t go on. So I started browsing through pages and the whole thing seems as though she plagiarised her first book into this one. I flipped to the last page and she’s with Gale and he tells her, ‘Katniss, there is no District 12.’ and the book ends there. I’m afraid to pick up that third book. What else could she possibly write? She should have just finished it all on the second book. I guess you guys can say I’m crazy for disliking this book. So not enjoyable.

Just as good as the first, maybe better.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

Finally the sequel to The Hunger Games has arrived! This book will leave you begging for more, and will refuse to be put down as you read it.

Catching fire is breathtaking, even better than The Hunger Games (if that is possible). I could not recommend this book more strongly. Collins is a genius in her writing.

Possible spoilers ahead:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Katniss is back, living in Victor Village, but not everyone in the capitol is happy to see her alive. Her relationship with Peeta is strained and she is facing her first mentor job with the upcoming Quarter Quell, a special year for the hunger games in which a special surprise is given. Will she be mentoring after all? A rebellion is in sorts and everyone is facing unrest. Will Katniss stop it? Does she even want to? Questions that she doesnt even know herself&

Reader reviewed by Kellie

Catching Fire, the second book of the Hunger Games trilogy, continues where The Hunger Games left off, but takes a darker approach.  The book, though consistent with the first book in tone, is much more political, violent, and disturbing.  

Reader reviewed by Jamie

This is an amazing sequel to  book 1:Hunger games and part of an addictive action packed Ya apocalyspe series.  Katniss Everdeen is back just when she thought all her problems was solved it wasn't.  This is about  Katniss Everdeen has angered the leaders of the Capitol, who are now seeking revenge. There is threat of an uprising, which the Capitol has been trying to prevent since the dawn of Panem,Peeta and Katniss had huge affect on the crowd  after winning the games. I wouldn't want to spoil it but check this out it lives up to it's hype!

Damn. Damn. Damn. Why didn’t I read Catching Fire sooner? I did. Two years ago. But then I stopped after reading the first 5 chapters (I think) because the pacing was just slow for me. I’m glad that I picked it up again though. I. LOVE. IT. There’s way more suspense, actions, and Katniss-Peeta moments. I love it more than the first book which is good because it would suck if the first book is better than the second. It means the story is improving! Also, I love the love triangle in this trilogy. It just flows so well.

Catching Fire is divided up into three parts. You know what’s cool? Every time you turn the page, it got better and better. The first part was kind of slow for me. Maybe because there wasn’t that much action taking place. But man! When you get to the next two parts, there’s a bunch of twist that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Literally. There’s also a lot of creepy parts especially in the third part. I was reading this before I slept and it just totally freaked me out. I really hope the movie turns out really well.

I don’t know what else to say. This book left me speechless, sad, scared, happy, and I even highlighted my book because there were a lot of good quotes! I hate writing/highlighting in my books by the way. I read it in 3 days, stayed up till one in the morning. I swear you’ll get obsessed with it, and BEFORE you read it, make sure you get a copy of Mockingjay because after you read this book, you’ll want to jump on that one right away.

Reader reviewed by Julie H.

With Peeta and Katniss comfortably ensconed in their victory houses in District 12, one thinks life may have returned to a semblance of normal for these victors of the horrifying Hunger Games.  Peeta and Katniss still have to make a victory tour through the districts which is just the beginning of even more adventures for the pair.  Collins did a remarkable job with this sequel.  A must read to anyone who read The Hunger Games.

Reader reviewed by BooksObsession

When I read a series, the first book is always my favorite. However, Catching Fire - the sequel to The Hunger Games
- just broke that trend. This book was an unbelievable, unpredictable
novel that is on the top of the list for one of my favorite books. Ever.

The
novel picks up from where The Hunger Games left off, with Katniss
returning to her home in district 12 as victor. She is well-known
worldwide, and pretty soon starts hearing rumors that she might be
causing rebellions throughout Panem. One day, the intimidating
President Snow visits Katniss and what he tells her leaves her
frightened for her own life and the lives of all her loved ones. To add
to the plot, the 75th Hunger Games are approaching and the Capital has
decided to change a few rules...

The book is split into three
parts: The victory tour through the 12 districts, preparing and
training for the 75th Hunger Games, and inside the arena for the games
themselves. My favorite part would have to be the latter because so
many important, nail-biting events happened.

Even though I wish the story could've taken place actually inside the
arena more, the action was non-stop and almost each chapter ended with
a fantastic cliff hanger! The read was thrilling and exhilarating, very
enjoyable.

I was deeply absorbed in Katniss's character, and the
way she was beautifully written. Just like in the first book, I felt
like I was with her throughout the entire novel - specifically in the
arena. I could literally feel her pain, even more so than during the
first book, since I knew her character so well and everything she had
been through. While Katniss was torn between her love for Gale or
Peeta, it made my heart ache, too.

Another thing I really liked about Katniss's character was the way she was so realistic!
Even though the novel is set in the future, Katniss was just like any
other female teenager. She had her fair share of random mood swings,
like most adolescent girls do. But another thing that got brought to my
attention was her human instinct while trying to survive in the Hunger
Games arena. Even though she continuously was determined to put Peeta's
life before her own, there were split seconds when her human instinct
would slip through and she'd want to save herself instead. At first, I
was thinking that it was kind of selfish, but then I realized - hey,
even the most humble people probably have times like these. You can't
really help it, you're only human!

I loved how Katniss's
mockingjay was the symbol for the rebellions. The mockingjay played a
tremendous role in the story, and showed up during many parts. Hence
the cover - which I love by the way. The subtle message of politics and
symbolism was a nice touch in the novel and I liked how it wasn't "in
your face", like some books are.

I found myself actually talking
outloud during some chapters, or yelling at the idiotic President Snow.
That's just how much this terrific story will suck you in. You will
seriously feel like you are in the book. It made me want to pick up a weapon and join the fight!

I
am on the edge of my seat, very anxious for the third book in the
series to be published. I've never been so excited for a book to come
out, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to wait until fall 2010 when it's
released! Suzanne Collins is now on my list for favorite authors. :)

Reader reviewed by BooksObsession

When I read a series, the first book is always my favorite. However, Catching Fire - the sequel to The Hunger Games - just broke that trend. This book was an unbelievable, unpredictable
novel that is on the top of the list for one of my favorite books. Ever.

The
novel picks up from where The Hunger Games left off, with Katniss
returning to her home in district 12 as victor. She is well-known
worldwide, and pretty soon starts hearing rumors that she might be
causing rebellions throughout Panem. One day, the intimidating
President Snow visits Katniss and what he tells her leaves her
frightened for her own life and the lives of all her loved ones. To add
to the plot, the 75th Hunger Games are approaching and the Capital has
decided to change a few rules...

The book is split into three
parts: The victory tour through the 12 districts, preparing and
training for the 75th Hunger Games, and inside the arena for the games
themselves. My favorite part would have to be the latter because so
many important, nail-biting events happened.

Even though I wish the story could've taken place actually inside the
arena more, the action was non-stop and almost each chapter ended with
a fantastic cliff hanger! The read was thrilling and exhilarating, very
enjoyable.

I was deeply absorbed in Katniss's character, and the
way she was beautifully written. Just like in the first book, I felt
like I was with her throughout the entire novel - specifically in the
arena. I could literally feel her pain, even more so than during the
first book, since I knew her character so well and everything she had
been through. While Katniss was torn between her love for Gale or
Peeta, it made my heart ache, too.

Another thing I really liked about Katniss's character was the way she was so realistic!
Even though the novel is set in the future, Katniss was just like any
other female teenager. She had her fair share of random mood swings,
like most adolescent girls do. But another thing that got brought to my
attention was her human instinct while trying to survive in the Hunger
Games arena. Even though she continuously was determined to put Peeta's
life before her own, there were split seconds when her human instinct
would slip through and she'd want to save herself instead. At first, I
was thinking that it was kind of selfish, but then I realized - hey,
even the most humble people probably have times like these. You can't
really help it, you're only human!

I loved how Katniss's
mockingjay was the symbol for the rebellions. The mockingjay played a
tremendous role in the story, and showed up during many parts. Hence
the cover - which I love by the way. The subtle message of politics and
symbolism was a nice touch in the novel and I liked how it wasn't "in
your face", like some books are.

I found myself actually talking
outloud during some chapters, or yelling at the idiotic President Snow.
That's just how much this terrific story will suck you in. You will
seriously feel like you are in the book. It made me want to pick up a weapon and join the fight!

I
am on the edge of my seat, very anxious for the third book in the
series to be published. I've never been so excited for a book to come
out, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to wait until fall 2010 when it's
released! Suzanne Collins is now on my list for favorite authors. :)