Review: CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

TITLE: Catching Fire
AUTHOR: Suzanne Collins
AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.suzannecollinsbooks.com
GENRE: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopia, Apocalyptic
PUBLISHED:  September 1, 2009 Scholastic
MY RATING: 4


SYNOPSIS:


(Courtesy of GoodReads)

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

REVIEW:


THE HUNGER GAMES’ second installment called CATCHING FIRE has really got me hooked. It is separated into three parts: Katniss and Peeta take their mandatory victory Tour around the 12 districts of Panem, the preparation for next Hunger Games, and another game played quickly, smartly and strategically that drives you to keep flipping the page. (I'm not sharing any more details... about plot!)

After reading the first book, I just thought it was a cool story. This second book brought me deeper into the characters. I care a lot more for them now. Katniss is developed even more. Even though she is a confused, emotional teenager, she at least makes some sort of choice, even though she can’t act on it yet. I’m thrilled there is a third book. Bring it on!!

This book gives a better look at the dystopia that is Panem. (dystopia=opposite of utopia) It was hard to read about this terrible nation that uses their people like slaves and punishes them like dogs. It was most of the reason I didn’t like the first book much—to oppressive. But there is hope in this book. I like hope.


RATING:


So I’d have to say this book surprised me in its overall plot. I expected something else entirely. I’m rating CATCHING FIRE at a 4: Very Good: A very good choice to read. What I’m saying is that the hype is right… great story… great ending hook… I need more!


RECOMMENDATIONS:


It's not as violent as book one and could get away with a rating of PG-13. But it is still violent and the dystopian society is gravely sad. 

More Books by Suzanne Collins:


The Hunger Games Trilogy:

Book 2: CATCHING FIRE
Book 3: MOCKINGJAY