Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Feb 22, 2011 A. S. rated it it was amazing

It's taken me years, but I finally got my hands on the second book in the Hunger Games series. I'm quite pleased with it.

Catching Fire tells the story of Katniss and her friends and family after she wins the Hunger Games from the previous books. Despite winning and having her family's needs taken care of for the rest of her life, and a substantial food benefit for her district for one calendar year after her win, it's not enough to keep everyone fed. She still illegally hunts to provide Gale's f It's taken me years, but I finally got my hands on the second book in the Hunger Games series. I'm quite pleased with it.

Catching Fire tells the story of Katniss and her friends and family after she wins the Hunger Games from the previous books. Despite winning and having her family's needs taken care of for the rest of her life, and a substantial food benefit for her district for one calendar year after her win, it's not enough to keep everyone fed. She still illegally hunts to provide Gale's family with game as he goes out into the mines to support his mother and younger siblings.

Meanwhile, Katniss and Peeta suffer from nightmares due to the horror of the Games, and while Haymitch usually abates his nightmares with alcohol, the supply is unsteady. That's because there are hints of rebellion--now that there have been two winners, people have something they never had before: hope. President Snow visits Katniss and threatens her friends and family, telling her she needs to marry Peeta to restore the status quo.

He doesn't stop there; the next Games are the Quarter Quell games, which happen every 25 years and involve twice the number of tributes. Normally, victors are exempt from the games for life, acting as mentors for their districts' tributes from then on. However, Snow changes the rules, and this time, the tributes are chosen from the existing group of victors to show that no one was above the Capitol's control. Peeta volunteers in Haymitch's stead, and this time, instead of fighting for survival, Katniss decides to protect Peeta at all costs.

Katniss' feelings get a lot more complex as she forges uneasy alliances with the victors and tries to figure out if the mysterious District 13, which was supposedly blasted out of existence, really has become a refuge for the Rebellion. There's some mild romance in here, but it isn't distracting. Plus both Gale and Peeta are really upstanding dudes, so there are no bad choices here.

While the Games and action scenes only take up a small amount of the book, Collins explores the world of her characters and the extent of their suffering a lot more in this book. There is a lot of heroism going on from ordinary people, not just Katniss, and my love for Katniss herself grew in this book. There is a lot of political stuff going on, which makes me excited for the next book. ...more

Like · see review

Sep 15, 2010 Diane ~Firefly~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya

I wasn't sure where this trilogy was going to go. The first book is almost self-contained. Just when you think Katniss' life can't get any worse... I was shocked at some of the twists and am impatiently waiting for the last book (I'm 12th in line at the library). ...more

Like · see review

Jul 13, 2010 Rusty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, children-ya

Outstanding read. I think The Hunger Games can stand alone if one did not want to read the entire series. However, Catching Fire leaves one hanging so the reader is well aware that another book follows it. Excellent read with loads of action, romance and adventure. Who cannot empathize with Katniss and Peeta as they struggle through yet another series of brutal games, this time competing with previous winners? However, I do feel that this series is directed at an adult audience, if it be older y ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 11, 2011 Norma added it

Catching Fire was as good as Hungry Games and look forward to reading the third book Mockingjay.

Like · see review

Sep 21, 2010 Arow rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star, sci-fi, 2015, 2010

First Read: September 21st to 23rd, 2010 - 4 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the second installment of this trilogy. I can not wait to pick up the third book and dive right in.

Second Read: March 20th to 22nd, 2015 - 5 stars

Loved Catching Fire even more the second time around. Such a great story.

Like · see review