Friday, September 18, 2009

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins



Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games, and it truly is the book I’ve been most anticipating to read this year.It starts off a little slow, not that that’s a bad thing. It’s just not as fast-paced in the beginning as The Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta are back in District 12 as the champions of the Hunger Games, and while their financial lives have significantly improved, they are both haunted by the events that transpired during The Hunger Games. At least Katniss finds comfort in the fact that her family is safe and well fed, and she makes an effort to help out Gale’s family as much as he’ll let her. As you can expect, things have changed between Katniss and Gale, and matters are also still unresolved between Katniss and Peeta.

While things look good on the outside, the Capitol is furious about the stunt Katniss played in the Hunger Games that resulted in the first ever occurrence of two champions. The Capitol sees it as an act of rebellion, and there are hints of rebellion in other districts. After a threatening visit by President Snow, Katniss must decide if she will follow her heart or play the part of a girl who is in love with her fellow champion. This is when things really start getting good.

A surprise twist of events fastens the pace, leaving me on the edge of my edge until the super duper cliffhanger ending.

So, what did I think about the book? It definitely lived up to my expectations. I loved the twists and turns. I loved to see Katniss coming to terms with the way her mother acted when her father died, and I suspect that this will this develop in the third book. I also think that more of Katniss’s healing abilities to come into play, and she’ll realize that she’s more like her mother than she cares to admit.

Of course, I did not expect this book to let us know who Katniss would choose—Gale or Peeta. Just when she’s leaning toward one, she starts feeling differently about the other, so I’m excited to see how that will play out. Personally, I’m on Team Peeta, but maybe that’s because I’d probably choose a baker over a hunter.

What I thought was most interesting about the book was the detailed look at many of the districts and the fever of uprising that Suzanne Collins sprinkled throughout. I think the last book is going to be the darkest one yet, and Katniss is really going to face some difficult situations and have to make some tough decisions.

My only problem with the book is the fact that I have to wait so long for the next one. I am so not good with cliffhangers, and this one was a doozie.

Have you read it yet? What did you think?

13 comments:

  1. OMG this is the best book ever. What is going to happen to Peeta and Cinna. I think Katniss is actually pregant. What do all of you think???

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  2. I just found your blog. It's fantastic! I recommended you on our book club blog. Thanks so much for sharing. I am reading Catching Fire right now and cannot put it down. I am with you; Ms. Collins can't get the last book out fast enough!

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  3. I have to say, I was very surprised that Suzanne Collins could pull off such a great "middle" book. The 2nd book/movie in a trilogy always seems to be just a "getting from point A to point B" kind of thing, but she definitely got some good kicks in this one. Pregnant??? Eek! I can't even imagine that being thrown into the mix. I hope Katniss isn't pregnant - it would weaken her butt kicking persona, I think, and she is such a wonderfully stoic, strong, conflicted young woman...

    Sadly, I read an advance copy months ago so I have to wait even longer for the 3rd book. I even had to keep my mouth shut while I waited for everyone else to read the book so I wouldn't ruin anything.

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  4. It has never occurred to me that Katniss and Peeta did more than literally sleep together.

    I can't seem to get out of the Hunger Games world, and it's slowing my other reading down tremendously. I liked the second installment almost as much as I liked the first one, but I'm worried, because I can see Collins taking an "easy route" to finish the trilogy and I get really frustrated with authors who do that. I really don't want to be disappointed by the third book...

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  5. I too enjoyed that we got a bit more of a look at the different districts in this novel. While the predominant focus is always on Katniss, the boys, and the games I like that we got to see the world that surrounds them in bits and pieces as well.

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  6. Man, I hope Katniss isn't pregnant, and that it was all just a ruse to try to get out of the arena. I mean, it doesn't even talk about Katniss actually being in love with Peeta, so I don't see how they could have slept together. I'm now readily excited for the third book!

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  7. when is the third book coming out? does anyone know?

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  8. Great review! Yes, this was certainly an insane cliffhanger! it will be difficult to wait for the third one!

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  9. Is katniss really pregnant! Because I read the whole book and I know it was
    just a lie at first but now I'm begining to wonder.?.?

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  10. i think it would be so awesom if katniss was pregnant i think shemight actually be pregnant

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  11. NO!!! SHE CAN'T BE!!! That would weaken her and the Capitol could kill her easily while she's in labor or something, then I would hate Petta, but what if it wasn't Peeta's? What if it was gale,s? IDK how That would have happened, but i'd rather be mad at Gale for killing her than Peeta.

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  12. what chapter and page does it say that she is "pregnant"?

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