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

Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Series: The Hunger Games

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Having won the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta find themselves living in the Victor's Village within District 12. When their victory tour begins, it should have been a time of celebration for the winning tributes. Unfortunately, the Capitol has other plans for the couple.

The next Hunger Games set to take place is known as the Quarter Quell, a special event with new rules that happens every 25 years in order to remind the people in the districts of the Capitol's victory over their insurrection. It takes everyone by surprise when President Snow declares that a reaping will take place among the victors in each district. Can Katniss and Peeta survive another round in the arena? Will their deaths quench the rebellion simmering within the districts?

Review:
Book two of the Hunger Games series picks up shortly after the couple's amazing win of the 74th Hunger Games. Both Katniss and Peeta have moved into the area reserved for the victors and their families. Each have settled into their own ways of life as they await the upcoming victory tour. With all this in the beginning, I was wondering if the rest of the book was going to move as quickly as the first book had or if it would suffer the sophomore slump. Let's just say that it's definitely not affected by the slump.

I could tell that the undertone of rebellion had begun at the end of the first book. However, I had no idea that it was more widespread until the group reached the Capitol for the formal ball given in Katniss and Peeta's honor. Along the way, the author gave hints and glimpses of life within the other districts and how severe the changes had been to keep the people under control. Unfortunately, when oppression weighs too heavily, a break will happen somewhere - even with the best laid plans.

The second trip into the arena was no less eventful than their first either. In fact, it was more dangerous than the first due to the fact that other victors were in the arena with them. No amount of preparation could have taught them everything that they needed to know but there was an underlying plan. When it was all said and done, the reader is left knowing as much as Katniss did. And to be honest, it wasn't a lot nor was it pretty news to hear. Because the books are written from her point-of-view, it's very easy to slip into her character and feel/see the things that she does.

Overall, the story kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what happened to the characters, both major and minor. I sincerely cannot wait to delve into the third book. Thankfully, my fellow addict was wonderful enough to lend me the entire trilogy at one time. If you're looking for a quick, engaging and fast-paced thrill ride, I definitely suggest you get this book (and the other two as well)!


Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins is currently available at all major retailers in several forms including paperback, hardback and Kindle. Provided below is a link to Amazon.com where you can get a copy.
Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins