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Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2)

by Suzanne Collins

4.51 · rating details · 54,477 ratings · 13,131 reviews

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Kat ...more

Hardcover, 391 pages

Published September 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press

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

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Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, #4) by Richelle Mead

Best books of 2009

1st out of 982 books — 5169 voters

The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins

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Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead

Books That Should Be Made Into Movies

6th out of 3115 books — 7465 voters

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community reviews

(showing 1-30 of 74,265)

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Jun 07, 2009

Cara rated it

Shelves: favorites, science-fiction, series

This is most possibly the WORST (or best depending what you go on) cliffhanger I have encountered in all my reading days. It leaves you more than just hanging, you are grasping for your life on a thread that is fraying and there is nothing to do but hold on (well metaphorically of course).

One word that can sum up this book is intense . Everything is just felt more. The compassion, threats, action, betrayal, gestures, words all of it. This has to be the reason why it is so addicti ...more

like 116 likes 57 comments

Feb 06, 2009

Meredith rated it

Recommends it for: high school social studies teachers (and everyone)

Shelves: classic-young-adult, girls-rule, reviewed, utopia-dystopia, young-adult

I went to see Inglourious Basterds a couple of times this past month, and there is that scene where Eli Roth and Omar Doom are in the theater, and they dress themselves up to look like waiters and then whip around the corner and kill the two Nazi guards to some funny Ennio Morriconi(ish?), spaghetti-western sounding music. And everybody in the theater laughs, and then the film cuts to Hitler laughing, watching a movie of a Nazi soldier killing Americans. It’s one of those great story-telling ...more

like 102 likes 56 comments

Jul 15, 2009

Sophie rated it

Shelves: arc, fiction, read-in-2009, science-fiction, to-reread, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I can't review this without being spoilery, so...

1. AAAAAAAAAAAAAH

2. The one thing I didn't like about this book is the part where Katniss finds out she has to go back to the Hunger Games. I think there should have been more of a pause there--for disbelief, for Katniss maybe trying to think of ways out of it, ways to kill herself even. The book started moving at a really fast pace after that point, with Katniss and Peeta preparing for the next Games, and I was like " ...more

like 65 likes 18 comments

Jan 10, 2009

Wendy rated it

· review of another edition

Loved it!!!

Totally not what I expected, but a good story. Although not as jaw-droppingly good as the first book.

Less action, especially in the first act of the book. Action picks up later, but is still not as good as the first one. Still, a good 'middle' book, for what I expect to be a trilogy. Provided a little more backstory, and certainly a lot more foreshadowing of what will be happening next.

Can't wait for the next one!!!

like 43 likes 10 comments

Jun 12, 2009

Ash rated it

Recommended to Ash by: everyone breathing (especially Cara, Val, and Tori)

Oh, snap. She DID NOT just do that. This is not a cliffhanger people, this is inhumane. Like hanging on for dear life by a spider web thin thread totally butt naked (you know that makes it worse)! It's so worth it though.

Quick overview: Catching Fire starts up not far from where The Hunger Games ended. Katniss is living in the Victors Village with her family. You'd think that she'd finally be able to relax and live the cushy life. Well that wouldn't make a good book. There are ru ...more Oh, snap. She DID NOT just do that. This is not a cliffhanger people, this is inhumane. Like hanging on for dear life by a spider web thin thread totally butt naked (you know that makes it worse)! It's so worth it though.

Quick overview: Catching Fire starts up not far from where The Hunger Games ended. Katniss is living in the Victors Village with her family. You'd think that she'd finally be able to relax and live the cushy life. Well that wouldn't make a good book. There are rumors of rebellion and since Katniss and Peeta won the Hunger Games in defiance they have become the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol, particularly President Snow, is not happy with them. Now Katniss has to worry about looking as in love with Peeta as possible to quiet down the rebellion, but is that what she really wants?

It’s really hard to summarize a book when you’re afraid that everything you say will give away the twist. If you have not read the book DON’T read a whole bunch of reviews or comments! You’ll figure stuff out! Figuring out what’s going on and the twists is part of what makes this so good. You think you’ve got everything and everyone pegged only to find out that you only got half (if any) of it right.

I wasn’t sure what the second book was going to be about but now looking back I think “Of course! How else would it have worked?” The book starts off a little slow, but it’s important for what Collins is trying to set up. I love Katniss and I hate her. She frustrates me beyond belief, but you have to love her. I love how you see and know everything from Katniss's point of view. You’re just as confused and unsure as she is. It never feels like she’s not a real person. You feel just as scared for her family. You feel her confusion and doubt. You just really feel.I could probably name off a bunch of things that bothered me about the book (I think I mentioned how I HAAAATE love triangles with a burning passion) but you really care about the characters. You can't even hate Katniss's team of stylists, who are selfish Capitol dwellers. The book deals with so much more than who she’s going to end up with.

At first I really didn’t want to read it because I know how I am with these books. I get totally immersed, constantly trying to figure it all out. I can’t believe the twists in this book! The ending is just so…epic! How everything just falls into place and makes sense. You see the characters in a whole new light. And then you’re left with the whole butt-naked-spider-thread thing. I’m pretty sure it’s not good for my health, but they say the same thing about oreos and fried chicken.

So what do you read after a book like this? Well, you could look for a book that’s just as addictive and gripping as this (Yeah, good luck with that), or read a book about kittens chasing after butterflies in a open meadow. Then you’ll probably start thinking that there is a secret underground society of kitties just waiting for the right moment to emerge, and you find out that the butterflies are their spies! You see, this is the type of thinking you have after reading the book. It’s beyond epic. Until the third book finally comes out I’ll be hanging butt naked by a spider thin thread.
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like 23 likes 10 comments

May 21, 2009

Kasia rated it

Shelves: dystopia, young-adult

Catching Fire delivers just like The Hunger Games did. It gets this insane energy, especially at the very end, delivering kicks and punches right and left. Yeah. It does not disappoint for sure. I mean, I was so high on adrenaline that upon finishing it up last night I had to stay awake for additional 2 hours loitering around the house, trying to calm myself down a little. But that's a tiny price for such an entertaining read.

But I wouldn't say it was better than Hunger Games - just ...more

like 14 likes 13 comments

May 23, 2010

Harper rated it

Recommends it for: fans of great YA lit

Shelves: books-i-own, dystopia, sci-fi, series, young-adult

Oh, man, where to begin? The cliffhanger at the end of this book was totally brutal.

I know that some people think using a cliffhanger is “cheating,” or lazy writing, or just some kind of marketing ploy. Some people may think that the payoff is never worth all of the angst/tension a cliffhanger might cause, or that a cliffhanger is somehow tantamount to a betrayal of trust by the author just to keep readers hooked. Overall, I don’t mind them. In a scenario like this, where I kno ...more Oh, man, where to begin? The cliffhanger at the end of this book was totally brutal.

I know that some people think using a cliffhanger is “cheating,” or lazy writing, or just some kind of marketing ploy. Some people may think that the payoff is never worth all of the angst/tension a cliffhanger might cause, or that a cliffhanger is somehow tantamount to a betrayal of trust by the author just to keep readers hooked. Overall, I don’t mind them. In a scenario like this, where I know that these books are intended as part of a collective trilogy, I expect that everything won’t be resolved and tied up with a pretty pink bow until the series finale. For me, in this situation, I think it adds to the suspense and the anticipation of the upcoming book.

Do I think cliffhangers work as well in a longer series, particularly a series that isn’t necessarily a continuation of sequential events, or a series in which the time gap between book releases is more than a year? Not really. We are a society accustomed to instant gratification. I consider myself to be a fairly patient person, but if I have to wait too long for something, there are times when even I will lose interest and move onto something else. Because of this I’m glad that I just read “Catching Fire” this month so that my wait for the final book is only a few weeks.

Going back to my feelings about this book, it’s a close call, but I think I did like “The Hunger Games” better. Still, this is best children/YA series I’ve read since Harry Potter and it has become one of my favorite book series in general.

I think Suzanne Collins has such a captivating writing style. It literally sucks me in to the point where, especially in the first book, it felt like I was experiencing Katniss’s emotions right along with her. I haven’t had a reaction like that to very many books and I think it’s a sign of Collins's talent as an author. I’m eagerly awaiting “Mockingjay.” I want to see how everything gets resolved. As far as the love triangle goes, my feet are firmly planted in the Peeta camp and I hope Katniss chooses him. No offense to the Gale lovers out there, because it’s not that I dislike him or anything, but we’ve just gotten to see so much more of Peeta and gotten to know him to the point where I feel for him so much and I want him to be happy in the end. Many a tear will be shed if something happens to him in the final book. I might go as far as to say that a good portion of my enjoyment of the series overall will hinge on his fate.

I’m not even going to go into what this book is about because you can read the description - and other reviews - for that and I want to keep this review spoiler-free. I will say that my one issue was that the pacing in the beginning was a bit slow, but it all picked up and the book kept me consistently entertained. I’m invested in the characters and the story and I wish I had “Mockingjay” in my greedy little hands even as I type this. But, of course, if I had it, this review might never have been written at all because I’d be too busy reading.

If you haven’t read this series yet, give it a shot! Don’t be turned off by the fact that it’s YA, or by the subject matter, or because it’s “popular.” A truly good novel (or series) rises above the limitations of its genre. I think this series is one in which everyone can find something to enjoy. If you have any doubt as to whether or not this series is worthy of all the adulation it’s received, you really should read it and find out for yourself. (less)

like 8 likes 8 comments

Apr 30, 2009

Tatiana rated it

Recommends it for: everybody

Shelves: 2009, 2010, ala-ya-2010, dystopias, faves, series-i-still-like, ya

I'll keep this review short, mainly because I don't want to give out any spoilers. After all, I didn't read any before opening the book and I am glad I didn't, many events in the book caught me by a complete surprise and I loved it! "Catching Fire" is a sequel equal in quality to "Hunger Games." The writing is superb, action-packed, and emotional. It did lack the perfect pacing of the first book, the first half was a little slow and for some time I wasn't sure where it was go ...more I'll keep this review short, mainly because I don't want to give out any spoilers. After all, I didn't read any before opening the book and I am glad I didn't, many events in the book caught me by a complete surprise and I loved it! "Catching Fire" is a sequel equal in quality to "Hunger Games." The writing is superb, action-packed, and emotional. It did lack the perfect pacing of the first book, the first half was a little slow and for some time I wasn't sure where it was going, but it picked up immensely in the later part.

What else can I say? This book was all I wished for and even more (and my expectations were very high after rereading "Hunger Games"). I am dying to get my hands on the last 3rd book!

P.S. If before reading "Catching Fire" I was concerned whether I would be able to stay on Team Peeta with more time given to Gale, I am not any more...

Update 8/23/10. Still love it. The first half is still slow - even though a lot of horrid stuff happens in it - but intensity goes over the roof once the Quell's terms are announced. The ending left me with a feeling of sadness, but different from the sadness I felt after finishing The Hunger Games. If the 1st novel ended tragically in a personal way - Peeta's broken heart and Katniss's renewed fear for her life, the 2nd makes you think about a tragedy of a bigger proportion - will the districts be able to defeat the Capitol and how much many lives will it cost them?

I love the wider scope of this second novel - we slowly learn (along with Katniss) about what goes on in Panem. The girl hardly knows her own importance, her worldview is definitely very limited and locked onto her own and her family's survival. I can relate to that.

My opinion about the love triangle has changed, however. Really, this book is not about which boy Katniss will pick. It's about much bigger issues. Katniss can figure out who is right for her, when she is finally in a position to stop worrying about both Gale's and Peeta's safety.

The genius of this series (so far) is that I have no idea what will happen in Mockingjay. Whatever it is, I hope my favorite characters will make it, although I am sure Suzanne Collins is not the type of writer who is afraid of killing off her own creations. We shall see.

My only qualm about Catching Fire is that it's a tad heavy on dressing up. Editing one or two gown descriptions wouldn't have hurt IMO. (less)

like 10 likes 15 comments

Aug 21, 2010

~Tina~ rated it

Shelves: epic, favorites, own, survival, young-adult

O M G!!!
so, So, SO worth the long agonizing wait!!!

I probably don't even have to review this book really, everyone who has read it already knows it's made of pure awesomesauce so I'll keep this short and sweet.

Catching Fire is a crazy thrilling cruel ride that I will never forget!
It's malicious, inhuman and frustrating but in theee best way possible!
Charged with pure raw emotion with ever.single.line, my only thought after reading this book was MORE!!
...more

like 7 likes 21 comments

Jun 08, 2009

Emily rated it

Shelves: betrayal, horror, romance, sci-fi, young-adult

I think I wouldn't be feeling quite so disappointed by this book if The Hunger Games hadn't been quite so perfect. But there it is. Must be hard to compete with yourself when you set the bar so high.

Where The Hunger Games is a tightly-plotted, fast-paced dystopian thriller heaped with romance and horror, this book is... well, a lot of the same. A WHOLE lot of the same plot. Redundantly similar, at points. Too much of the story is told rather than shown -- whole months can go by in j ...more

like 22 likes 4 comments

Jul 12, 2010

Kim rated it

Shelves: 2010, post-apocalyptic, young-adult

Holy shit!

This series is amazing! We are thrown back in The Hunger Games again. Katniss, Peeta, and others I grew very fond of had to bond to fight for their lives, and then ultimately kill each other in order to have a victor for the The Gamemakers.

I do not want to give anything way, and is hard to explain anyway. The author was very creative with the Games. The last chapter is written so you cannot put it down because you HAVE to know what is going to happen!
...more

like 7 likes 22 comments

Sep 01, 2009

Michele rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Loved it! The story picks up right before the publicity tour for Hunger Games begins. Peeta is still hurt about Katniss's pretending to love him to survive the games and the two have barely spoken. Katniss's relationship with Gale is strained and she finds herself missing the little cottage she used to live in before moving into her post victory home. President Snow visits her right before she leaves and warns her the life of her family and friends is in danger unless she can convince everyone, ...more

like 21 likes 9 comments

Mar 28, 2010

Nic rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone!!!

Shelves: 2010, favourites, young-adult

Oh no! I can't believe the cliffhanger ending. ~Calms self downs and takes a deep breath~. Thankfully Mockingjay is released today. Phew! There is no way I could have waited the year for Mockingjay. I am now wondering how all my goodread friends did it.

This book is awesome. I loved every minute of it and I want to go read it all over again right now. This book consumed me. It was all I could think about when I wasn't reading it.

It was filled with plenty of moments ...more

like 6 likes 15 comments

Mar 27, 2009

Heather rated it

Shelves: 2009, ala-s-best-books, dystopian, ya

Catching Fire was one of my most anticipated books of 2009. I loved it's predecessor, The Hunger Games and was so hopeful for this intstallment. I wasn't disappointed per se, but it did fail to meet my expectations. Here's a few reasons why...

I don't know what it is with authors and their recent need to load up their books with a hundred or so pages of filler, but I really wish they would cut it out. There is lieterally about a hundred and some odd pages of this book that should h ...more Catching Fire was one of my most anticipated books of 2009. I loved it's predecessor, The Hunger Games and was so hopeful for this intstallment. I wasn't disappointed per se, but it did fail to meet my expectations. Here's a few reasons why...

I don't know what it is with authors and their recent need to load up their books with a hundred or so pages of filler, but I really wish they would cut it out. There is lieterally about a hundred and some odd pages of this book that should have died on the editing room floor. The 9 months that Katniss spends in District 12 only serves to let us know that uprisings are occuring and she has been targeted by The Captial, all of which could have been summed up in a chapter or two.

Second, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that about 90% of those of us who read and loved Hunger Games were team Peeta all the way. Though we knew Gale would be an issue, we were hoping Katniss would "wake up" and realize what a worthy, fine specimen she has in Peeta, well, it doesn't happen that way, and to say I'm bummed is an understatement. I'm kinda pissed.

Katniss doesn't grow in this book at all. She is still a brash reacter, instead of a logicl thinker. I didn't mind it so much in the first book, because who wouldn't be, but the Hunger Games taught her nothing it seems, in either the way she responds to situations or in reference to how she really feels about the people in her life.

Next, I get that Peeta was never much of a badass, but was it really necessary to injure him 10 seconds into the games? That irked me like nothing else. In hindsight, Peeta is one of the strongest characters, menatlly, if nothing else, and yet Collins reduced him to an invalid so that Katniss could rise up to the challenge. Please. It only made me roll my eyes and steam over the fact that I was going to have to read Hunger Games part duex, which wouldn't have been bad except for the fact that I was expecting something more.

Which leads me to my last complaint, the games. Though I could see everything in this book coming, I thought it was rather brilliant to send them back to the games. What wasn't brilliant however, was the games themselves. They started out well enough, but after the crazy fog and freaky monkeys, Collins sort of lost me. Who cares if there is death traps all over the place if you know how to predict it and can avoid it? Not scary.

Basically, this booked lacked the magic of the first, and failed to wow with new material as nothing new really happens. Yeah we learn a little more, and the last few pages shake things up a bit, but I shouldn't have to wait until I've read to the end to finally learn something interesting. There were moments where I would catch a glimpse of what made me love Hunger Games, and for that I give this book three stars. But I can't in good conscious give it more for it lacked character development and basically just served as a pit stop between books one and three. Hopefully the third will be better.
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like 63 likes 27 comments

Apr 06, 2010

Amelia (Imagination in Focus) rated it

Shelves: 2010, 5-------epic-favorites

Just going to jump right in:
As always, I believe in objective reviews, so I'm going to mention the things that I thought were very well-done, and things I thought could use a little work.
Even though I like both books equally, Catching Fire finally delivered on the *action* that I felt was sometimes lukewarm in its predecessor. Except for a few lulls in the story, this book went from one major event to another, and the excitement I felt was so incredible and so energizing, I literal ...more Just going to jump right in:
As always, I believe in objective reviews, so I'm going to mention the things that I thought were very well-done, and things I thought could use a little work.
Even though I like both books equally, Catching Fire finally delivered on the *action* that I felt was sometimes lukewarm in its predecessor. Except for a few lulls in the story, this book went from one major event to another, and the excitement I felt was so incredible and so energizing, I literally dreaded coming to the last few pages. Collins really does know how to catch her readers and hold their attention. This was a strong, strong sequel and I already know, unless Mockingjay totally bombs, that this is one of my favorite series of all time.
On the back cover of my edition, author John Green (while definitely accomplished, he is not somebody I admire in the least) says that CF is "brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced..." While I agree with the "brilliantly plotted" part (there were some excellent twists and the cliffhanger at the end was jaw-dropping), I personally thought that the PACING of this book was like, on drugs. It was roller-coaster fast, then inner-tube-floating-down-a-river slow, and freakishly random at times. Like, something major would happen, but because the book is so fast-paced, there was little emotional and in-depth exploration. There was one major TWIST about half-way through the book that I thought was way too fast paced. I always find it interesting to see what an author chooses to emphasize and what he/she chooses to skim over, and it seemed like quite a few aspects of the story that *I* found to be incredibly crucial were just skimmed, and rather insignificant aspects were blown out of proportion. Somebody else said this in a review, and I concur: we don't need to see THAT much of District 12 in between the victory tour and...what happens next. It made "what happens next" unnecessarily rushed and kind of chaotic.
Katniss' narrative took some getting used to. She uses a LOT of fragments, and her grammar isn't always correct. Here's the thing, though: this series is told in 1st person narrative, and therefore correct grammar and punctuation are NOT AUTOMATICALLY necessary. If it's okay for characters to cuss out the wazoo and use filthy, vulgar language in order to have an "authentic voice," it should be okay for characters to speak in fragmented sentences. Do not accuse Collins of bad grammar! Geez! Okay, just wanted to say that. However, I'm starting to get a little annoyed with Katniss as a narrator and character. I can excuse her grammar, but her tone really started to bother me. She's way to dry, detached, and matter-of-fact, no matter how dire and emotional the situation is. I like characters who have emotional depth. At this point in the series, Katniss is ignoring way too many other people and acting inconsiderate of anybody else's feelings. I also found her to be quite patronizing, especially towards Peeta. Umm, okay so Peeta obviously isn't a King Leonidas killing machine, but he's not a totally worthless loser, either. And yet, from the way Katniss talks about him, you'd think he was Bella Swann's twin brother, Bo Swann. I definitely think that Peeta is SMARTER and more "with it" than Katniss, and I so wish this series had double narratives. Oh well, maybe I'm just sensitive because he's by far my favorite character.
And now to the love story: Okay, here I absolutely LOVE the concept but am less than impressed with the execution. I think SOME of Katniss' attitude is refreshing. She's not boy-crazy and she's not leading them on, either. She's honest about her feelings (or lack thereof) and expresses fear and uncertainty about her future with either of them. Those are genuine, consistent feelings for a character like her. And I'm going to defend both Peeta AND Gale's personalities. I keep reading that the two needed to be contrasted more, and I just don't get that. To me, they contrast just fine. Gale's more the brooding, quiet, brawny type (he reminds me of Jacob from everybody's favorite series because he just seems to exude manliness) and Peeta is adorable, kind, sweet, incredibly shrewd and clever. Both are "good boys." Umm, okay when exactly did we all decide that in love triangles, you have to have one goody-goody Richie Cunningham character, and one dangerous, vulgar, oft-disrespectful bad boy? That's certainly not MY standard. I quite enjoy having two characters who were somewhat alike. It makes Katniss' decision way more unpredictable.
Because my little critiques are really ULTRA-specific, they have no bearing on my rating. Catching Fire is one of the most exhilarating, enjoyable and amazing books I have ever read, and all I can do is just implore all of you to read this incredible series! See you all a few days after August 24 for my Mockingjay review. Until then,
Down with President Snow!
(and Peeta had better the heck be alive, or ELSE!) (less)

like 5 likes 22 comments

Mar 17, 2010

Maxy rated it

Shelves: meh

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Note: I may seem even more hyper-critical than usual. You are welcome blame this on the fact that it's 11 o'clock, I'm in an irritable mood, and over-popular books just get to me. Don't judge me.

Where to start?

In short, I was rather disappointed in Collins' sequel. I admit that the book was quite easy to get caught up in at times, but the bad characterization, the juvenile writing style, and the plot in general were not at all made up for.

Katniss is such a Mar ...more

like 18 likes 5 comments

Feb 24, 2010

Jasmin rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: apocalypse, dystopia, futuristic, science-fiction, young-adult

BEWARE. You’ll catch fire (or rather be on fire) once you read this book. And there’s no turning back.

Well, not literally, but figuratively rather. As I was reading, I felt like I was on fire, for I had to finish this as soon as possible, since the fire was consuming me. But despite the licks of flame on my being, I can’t conquer the courage to vanquish the flames until I read the last page, since the fire felt good, despite it being painful.

Suzanne Collins, makes a ...more BEWARE. You’ll catch fire (or rather be on fire) once you read this book. And there’s no turning back.

Well, not literally, but figuratively rather. As I was reading, I felt like I was on fire, for I had to finish this as soon as possible, since the fire was consuming me. But despite the licks of flame on my being, I can’t conquer the courage to vanquish the flames until I read the last page, since the fire felt good, despite it being painful.

Suzanne Collins, makes another excellent job, in making us love Katniss and Peeta, and in turn, makes us loathe the cruel Capitol (especially the wretched President Snow). She also makes us sit at the edge of our seats, seeing as the book was extremely fast paced.

Winning the 74th Hunger Games isn’t enough for Katniss Everdeen to be free from the Capitol’s clutches just yet. After having a visit from President Snow, Katniss has to work doubly hard to make the people believe that her ultimate act of rebellion (attempting to commit suicide by eating poisonous berries on the previous Hunger Games) is just an act done out of love, on the victory tour. Her failing to do so, would cost the lives of the people she loves the most.

And fail she did.

Every 25th-versarry is special. But the 75th Hunger Games (also known as the Quell Games), is much more special than any other. Instead of the normal participants being drawn, previous victors are the ones who will join. And Katniss is no exception. Being the only female victor of the Hunger Games for District 12, she’s an automatic contestant.

Capitol is overly eager to get rid of her, and assassinating her, wouldn’t stop the uprisings and would rather make things worse. So another Hunger Games for her. But she’s not saving herself this time. It’s Peeta she needs to save. Peeta who is much more valuable alive than dead. Peeta, who can move crowds with his words.

Besides, the Capitol isn’t stopping unless she’s dead, so what's the use of her getting out of the games alive? Knowing the Capitol, they have tons of tricks up their sleeves.

But the rebels have one weapon up their sleeve too.

The mockingjay. The mockingjay is also one way of torture by the author Suzanne Collins. (Waiting for the 3rd book's release is painful as it is!) (less)

like 5 likes 20 comments

Sep 08, 2009

Annalisa rated it

Shelves: dystopia, sci-fi, speculative, young-adult

In some ways I liked this book more than Hunger Games and in some ways less. The suspense is stronger, the relationships deeper, and the twists greater, making this more of a page turner, but it took too long to get there. Plus it's the basic outline of Hunger Games so you're not as intrigued or enamored by the details that have to be hashed out again.

I found myself thinking too much of the Uglies, particularly the societal control and makeovers. The capital did not concern me as mu ...more In some ways I liked this book more than Hunger Games and in some ways less. The suspense is stronger, the relationships deeper, and the twists greater, making this more of a page turner, but it took too long to get there. Plus it's the basic outline of Hunger Games so you're not as intrigued or enamored by the details that have to be hashed out again.

I found myself thinking too much of the Uglies, particularly the societal control and makeovers. The capital did not concern me as much in Hunger Games because I was focused on the games, but the similarities are definitely there and even more obvious here. I also found myself questioning the validity of her forced relationship with Peeta. It bugged me a little in Hunger Games (not in the arena but afterwords) and if Collins had moved on from it quicker I wouldn't have thought so much about it. While not as contrived as other stories I've read (*cough* Eclipse), I did find myself questioning the validity of the country's stability relying on Katniss kissing Peeta for the camera. Yeah it was believable enough that she was forced, but a little too convenient to keep the love triangle going.

I wanted less love triangle in the beginning and more action in the end. It isn't until about halfway through that the story really begins and with too many details about her wardrobe and her time wandering beyond the fence. Once it did get exciting, I didn't want to put the book down and although I was anxious for the conclusion, I felt like it was rushed. I wanted more details. I kept forgetting which characters were which because I hadn't heard enough of them (which is probably the effect Collins was going for, but even with the dummy trick I had to go back and find the name).

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.

It's challenging to take the same format and mix it up enough to keep it exciting, but Collins is an excellent story teller and she does a good job keeping the plot exciting (although her overuse of periods for all forms of punctuation still bother me). She makes you feel more invested in the tributes, more angry at the capital, and more fearful for the districts, which made the book more intense. I got to about twenty pages from the end and wondered how she was going to wrap everything up. I had an idea in my head, but no, she still surprised me. And now I'm even more anxious to read the conclusion. (less)

like 6 likes 14 comments

Sep 29, 2009

Greg rated it

Shelves: books-for-kids, fiction

Preface to the review, written a day later.

I think I agree with Karen, I did make this book sound shitty by this review, and that wasn't my intention. What is shitty is the dumbness some parts of our society that reduce everything to the weekly covers of celebrity gossip magazines, and find more interest in who is sticking it into, or getting it stuck into them by who. The whole love triangle thing is so little of a part of the book, there are so many other pretty cool things goi ...more

like 20 likes 5 comments

Feb 11, 2010

Zeek rated it

Wow. Good thing I have Mockingjay ready to go! :D

Catching Fire begins soon after the end of The Hunger Games. Peeta and Katniss are favorites of the Capitol and unwitting heroes to the rest of the districts that compromise the country of Panem. But one man despises them and he’s the one who seems to hold all the power. In a surprising twist of events, it’s back to the hunger games for them- and though Kat is certain this time it truly does spell the end for her, she’s dete ...more

like 4 likes 10 comments

Oct 16, 2009

Jackie "the Librarian" rated it

Shelves: sciencefiction, teen-books-adults-can-enjoy, thriller, youngadult

In this excellent continuation of The Hunger Games, Katniss must deal with the aftermath of her defiance of the rules that got not just her, but her partner Peeta out of the arena alive against all odds. She thought once she was out of the capital and back home, it would be over, but really, it was just the beginning.
Katniss herself must decide just what her motives really were when she risked everything to save Peeta. Was it an act of selfishness, of defiance, or was it more - was it a re ...more

like 4 likes 6 comments

May 16, 2009

Bianca rated it

Shelves: books-i-own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was an AMAZING book, just like you might expect after reading The Hunger Games, the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy. I am now a Gale fan!

I am going to set my review as my past book report. We were required to write a letter about our favorite book in the first 6 weeks of school. Here is my letter:
(Yes, it's long)

Out of the books I read the first six weeks, the best one by far was Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins. It is the second book in The Hunger Gam ...more

like 4 likes 3 comments

Jan 24, 2009

Lisa Vegan rated it

Recommends it for: everyone who enjoyed the book The Hunger Games

Shelves: fiction, novels, reviewed, speculative-fiction, young-adult

I enjoyed this book just a smidgen less than The Hunger Games. I liked it enough to also give it five stars though. It wasn’t quite as heartwarming or thrilling as the first book, the latter probably mostly because some of the element of surprise was gone. This one had a bit more humor, I thought, and I liked that.

I’d been waiting to read this book for 15 months, which was way too long to have to wait. My library was so slow in having this book available that I finally caved in a ...more I enjoyed this book just a smidgen less than The Hunger Games. I liked it enough to also give it five stars though. It wasn’t quite as heartwarming or thrilling as the first book, the latter probably mostly because some of the element of surprise was gone. This one had a bit more humor, I thought, and I liked that.

I’d been waiting to read this book for 15 months, which was way too long to have to wait. My library was so slow in having this book available that I finally caved in and purchased it. I also own the first book, and I suspect I’ll buy the third book the day it’s available. (I’ll be extremely eager to read book three of this trilogy! As far as I know there’s no title or date of publication decided yet.)

I did reread the first book a couple of months before reading this, in order to refresh my memory, and I’m glad that I did. I’d remembered about 90-95% of it, but was glad to be reminded of a few things I’d forgotten. This really is a single story, even though it’s divided up into three books.

This book is riveting and fun (despite the very dark subject matter) and it’s a very fast read. It was hard to put down when I had other obligations.

This second book is divided into three parts, each of virtually equal length. I was afraid one or more parts would be weak, but they were all terrific additions to the story, and necessary to keep the whole tale moving forward. There was a short but very satisfying dénouement, preparing the way for book three, the final book in the trilogy.

I think it’s imperative to read this after reading the first book. It’s not that this book can’t stand on its own (much content from book one is written into this book) but I fell in love with so many of the characters in these books and I’m not sure I would have cared as much about the recurring characters if I hadn’t had the background information divulged in book one.

I wasn’t sure how much I’d appreciate this book because I knew there was bound to be something of a romantic triangle included, and I don’t normally enjoy romantic triangles in fiction. However, it was handled well and didn’t in the slightest overwhelm the rest of the story.

I continue to love Katniss’s voice. I fell in love with a few new characters and continued to care about the recurring characters. I knew there would be even more of a cliffhanger ending in this book than there was in the first book and so I was prepared for one.

It appears to me that Suzanne Collins has a brilliant vision for how this story will evolve and I anticipate loving book three. The difficult wait now begins. Those readers waiting to read these books until all three are published are probably wiser than I’ve been because this next wait will be even more of a “torture” for me.

A later edit: Ok, I admit that in some ways this was nowhere near as good as The Hunger Games but for my own reasons I ended up liking it almost as much, and I'm really looking forward to book three. (less)

like 7 likes 12 comments

Feb 24, 2009

Luke rated it

· review of another edition

I just read that the next book should be out around fall 2009 but god i cant wait.
I just finished the book and i wont start with all the questions
But about the name i say its rebelion or refusal to coach next in the arena
What ever happen it better be good
And SHE BETTER PICK PEETA! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !
IT IS FOR REAL WITH HIM AND IF SHE DOSNT SEE THAT THEN SHES A REDICKULES FREAK! ! ! !
gales ok but im betting when its all said in done he'll cheat on her or do s ...more

like 23 likes 59 comments

Aug 19, 2010

Kai (Amaterasu Reads) rated it

Shelves: teens

Full review at: Amaterasu reads

I have to say that Suzanne Collins raised the bar higher in this book. It's more action packed, and a lot of things seem to be happening all at once but you don't get confused. And more surprises and twists and turns as well! See in the first book, I have to say, compared to this one, the action there is nothing compared to Catching Fire. Here you really see Katniss give her all, and most of it happened in just one day!

You also see more of t ...more Full review at: Amaterasu reads

I have to say that Suzanne Collins raised the bar higher in this book. It's more action packed, and a lot of things seem to be happening all at once but you don't get confused. And more surprises and twists and turns as well! See in the first book, I have to say, compared to this one, the action there is nothing compared to Catching Fire. Here you really see Katniss give her all, and most of it happened in just one day!

You also see more of the background stories behind the characters, I think that's one of the things I love in this book. You'll have a deeper understanding, if not complete, of the characters involved. I think Katniss' character developed more in this book, and seeing her life after the games is quite refreshing. It was a very fun read seeing her cope with life so unfamiliar to her, and yet familiar in some ways. She was rich, but things in their lives weren't still that easy.

I also loved how the author was able to integrate new characters into the book smoothly. I have mixed reactions over Finnick, but I think overall he's a good guy, with a bit more character depth. Finnick has his own reasons, and he may look like it, but the golden boy is far from perfect.

I loved Haimitch. He might be a drunkard, but not without a reason, and he can say the harshest things to someone (especially to Katniss), but his words get through people. What he says is the truth. Underneath all that drunken facade is a cunning guy. Ah well, I should've known. He wouldn't survive one Hunger Games if he wasn't the type of guy that he is.

I think I've resigned myself with the love triangle going on (I don't want to analyze anymore), and I have to agree that Gale finally had more exposure in this book than in The Hunger Games, but for me that still wasn't enough for me to like him. Let's just see what happens in Mockingjay!

The ending was very much a cliff-hanger! If I've read this book the very same month this was released, I'll probably go crazy waiting for Mockingjay. That was definitely a good build-up for the last book, the type that would leave you curious and just asking for more.

And finally, the wheels have been set in motion. I can't wait to see what happens.

I have a feeling that this would be my favorite book in the series. I hope Mockingjay doesn't disappoint me because I have really high hopes for it. I try not to read reviews for the last book, and so far its got mixed ratings/receptions from readers, and I really want to be pleasantly surprised. (less)

like 3 likes 5 comments

Mar 20, 2010

Leah *~*Pherocious*~* rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Catching Fire is the second book in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series, and dare I say, better than the first one? I definitely believe that this book is the best of the series so far. The rebellion of the districts was so exciting for me, and I've been waiting for this to happen ever since I started reading The Hunger Games. This one started out slow for me, just like THG, but once the announcement about the Quarter Quell was made, it suddenly started getting verryyy interesting. I was surpri ...more Catching Fire is the second book in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series, and dare I say, better than the first one? I definitely believe that this book is the best of the series so far. The rebellion of the districts was so exciting for me, and I've been waiting for this to happen ever since I started reading The Hunger Games. This one started out slow for me, just like THG, but once the announcement about the Quarter Quell was made, it suddenly started getting verryyy interesting. I was surprised because, when I started this, I did not expect Katniss and Peeta to be part of the Games again.

Katniss was, again, a great character. She's strong, intelligent, crafty, loyal, protective. She seems like someone that I would want to be friend with. What bothered me about her in this book, though, was that she, again, could not decide whether she wanted to be with Peeta or Gale. Now, I love a good love triangle, but sometimes she just seemed so juvenile about it all. Another "bad" thing about her is that she is very quick to judge people and their actions; as soon as they do something she doesn't like, she has a negative opinion and/or attitude. Despite all of that, though, I still love her. She embraced her place in the rebellion and was willing to risk her life and die so that Peeta could return from the Games.

There were a many things that surprised/enraged/saddened me. First thing would have to be how obnoxious Gale is with his jealousy towards Peeta; he needs to get over it, I think. Katniss is eventually going to have to choose: Peeta, Gale, or neither? We'll just have to wait and see. I was surprised about the revelation that Peeta and Katniss would have to be tributes in the Games again. I was sad and angered when Gale was being whipped in the square. As much as he ticked me off throughout the novel, I do actually like him. I wanted to cry when Katniss and Finnick got stuck behind the wall during the Games and had to listen to the jabberjays that were singing the screams of their loved ones. I was extremely angry when Katniss had to watch Cinna being beaten to a pulp and it made me want to cry. I was surprised that a lot of the other tributes were so helpful to Katniss and Peeta before I learned why they did it, and while I do not approve of Haymitch not telling them about the plan, I understand why he didn't. I'm pretty sure tears actually came into my eyes when Haymitch told Katniss that Peeta had been taken by the Capitol. If you couldn't tell already, I'm Team Peeta and I get very emotional when anything happens to him, and who knows what those horrid Capitol people would do to him. Lastly, I was so sad when Gale told Katniss that there was no District 12. Everyone she knew and loved, with the exception of Gale and her family, was killed and she would never see them again.

I think the worst part, though, was the cliffhanger. Collins leaves us with Peeta taken by the Capitol, Katniss and the others headed toward District 13 which is supposed to be nonexistent, and Gale telling her that there is no District 12. Could there be a worse way to end a book? I am wishing and wanting for Mockingjay so bad that it seems like I'll never make it to August. Alas, I wait in impatient suspense for Mockingjay to arrive in stores. (less)

like 3 likes 16 comments

Jun 19, 2009

Valerie rated it

Shelves: sci-fi

When I first finished Catching Fire I was so angry with Collins. How could she leave readers hanging like that. Now that its been a few days I feel okay about it but its still unfair. Its a TOTAL cliff hanger. I absolutely have to read the third book now.

The first part of the book mostly focuses on the love triangle and I kind of knew that so I just wanted to zoom right though it. I don't like love triangles because someone is always getting hurt in the process and I usually get real ...more

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Jul 09, 2009

Jaevenstar rated it

Holy Freakin Hell! I got an ARC of this book! It is amazing!!! I was taken on a roller coaster ride of unexpected events, twists, and turns.

LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for the next book!

@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
I just reread this book and all I can say is HOLY HELL again! Wow! This book is way better than the Hunger Games and I gave the Hunger Games 5 stars too. (Where is the 6 star review when you need it!)

I am driving ov ...more

like 3 likes 4 comments

Aug 18, 2009

kari rated it

Shelves: 2009, 5-star, ya

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. Katniss has made the capitol 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.
There is growing unrest in the districts which Peeta and Katniss witness during the tour.
There book is not quite as good as the first, being something of a repeat, but there is still ...more

like 4 likes 2 comments

Aug 09, 2010

Alyssa rated it

Shelves: 2010-read, great-books, highly-anticipated, own, ya-loved

The ending killed me. It really did - the whole book built up to such a great climax...and now we have to wait. Grr.

That was really, really good. The beginning began a little slow, but it picked up in the right places, and the right characters made appearances at the right time. The second and third parts of the book broke my heart with Peeta and everyone else, but I knew that, as the pages were dwindling down, that either it would be a fast ending, or it was to be continued.

...more

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Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she p ...more

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