Catching Fire

 Review # 17
Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Hardcover, 391 pages
Published September 1st 2009

Catching Fire is the second installment of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. This story picks up about six months after the games have ended as Peeta and Katniss are about to be taken on a victory tour of the other districts. When Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mallark were crowned victors of the recently concluded Hunger Games, they thought everything else would be perfect. But they were wrong. As soon as they emerged as champions in the arena, President Snow of the Capitol have targeted Katniss because of her act of defiance on the Hunger Games. This pertains to the act of Katniss & Peeta willingly swallowing some poisonous berries after the Gamemakers announced that there should only one winner in the game. But since Peeta & Katniss don’t want to kill each other, they thought of rather dying so as no victor will emerge. This act angered the Gamemakers and President Snow because Katniss has made the capitol looked like fools and were very unhappy with her performance in the games and she comes to realize what a huge price she is going to have to pay for that.

And there's Peeta's public wedding proposal to Katniss, where she had to go along so as not to anger the Capitol further. Somehow, I feel the intensity of the love triangle on this book - Peeta, Katniss & Gale. I can see the developmental difference in Katniss, an older, wiser, more observant girl while still retaining that fire. I thought her confusion over Peeta and Gale well done and age appropriate. I could feel her emotion for both boys--her respect, camaraderie, in sync feelings with Gale and her protective, guilty, grateful feelings for Peeta--and why she could not give up or disappoint either one. I enjoyed learning more about Haymitch and seeing more of the danger Katniss' district faced for her unintended rebellion. In Hunger Games I felt intense concern for Katniss where here I felt it for her whole district. Of course, with a more dangerous story, there is definitely more gore. Once again, not appropriate for younger teens.

Although the entire concept is somewhat discturbing, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are two of the most captivating books I've read recently. I can't wait to finish the next book - Mockingjay! I'm screaming for more and more! Collins has left her readers with a doozy of a cliffhanger. This had me thinking...  Will she be able to bring it together and pull it off triumphantly for the final installment?

Of course she had! So i better read and finish the series fast!

My rating for Catching Fire:  4 bookmarks!