Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) in Challenge by Choice

Oct 30, 2011 Blue rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library

As I started reading the second book in this trilogy, I did so with an ongoing love for Suzanne Collins and her writing style. I expected the book to be good as I had been told by many different people and I was fortunately not lied to. This book had me captivated from beginning to end and I was often infuriated when my life got in the way of my reading time because I simply wanted to read through the book and find out exactly what was going to happen.

Once more, Collins did not fail to disappoin As I started reading the second book in this trilogy, I did so with an ongoing love for Suzanne Collins and her writing style. I expected the book to be good as I had been told by many different people and I was fortunately not lied to. This book had me captivated from beginning to end and I was often infuriated when my life got in the way of my reading time because I simply wanted to read through the book and find out exactly what was going to happen.

Once more, Collins did not fail to disappoint. Your whole life becomes revolved around Katniss and her story and you feel so connected to her that when things suddenly take a turn for the worse, you find it nearly impossible to stop reading. Every thought that passes through her head you can understand on a different level. It may not be happening to you but you can imagine that that is where your head would go in that situation. Not exactly there but simply the way it works, you think one thing and then something happens and you have to rethink everything. Thoughts are never the same, they will always and forever change. Collins captures this beautifully and it is for this reason that you are truly pulled into the story.

Of course, the plot is also another reason that you find yourself turning page after page and I certainly didn’t see the twist at the end. I’m trying not to release any spoilers in this review and so it is hard to describe at what moments I was truly engaged in the story but in my opinion the book had just enough twists and turns, just enough shocker moments and tension building scenes that it keeps the reader thouroughly entertained. There isn’t too much information thrown into your face at once and it follows a fairly easy to follow storyline which is always a plus in my book.

The characters, just as they were in the first book, are so well written that I am just in awe by it all. Every single one feels real and alive as you read over the words that connect you to these fictional beings. Cinna is one character that will forever continue to be my favourite and while he is generally a sideline character, he still has enough character development to read as a normal person would. Katniss is a character that is strong but doesn’t acknowledge or know of her own strength and she is just a well-rounded protagonist who acts on her own instinct and not the way that other people want her to act. I love how much she cares for her family and friends and would always put them above her own life; everything she does is for them.

Finally, as a last thing to add to this review I must say something about the romance in this novel. And well, all I really want to do is take Katniss by the shoulders and scream at her to understand that the way she feels for Peeta is love. I love the connections between these two characters and I have to admit here and now that I will forever want them to be together. Peeta is definitely my second favourite character of the series and I just hope that Katniss realises how much he means to her in the third and final instalment!

While this book was not loved by me as much as the first one was, it was still a brilliant read and one that I would happily recommend to others. ...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Lea rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, dystopia

*It's more of a 3.5 stars category*

All right, this is one of those books that had both many exceptional ideas and many drawbacks- it sort of makes you feel like you're on a roller coaster. In the end, it evens out to a decent middle book.

The plot is not that different from the first book. A feeling of uneasiness is over District 12 and then- bam! another episode of "the games". However, this time, rules are changed and the stakes are higher. As always, the book ends on a sad and intruging note. *It's more of a 3.5 stars category*

All right, this is one of those books that had both many exceptional ideas and many drawbacks- it sort of makes you feel like you're on a roller coaster. In the end, it evens out to a decent middle book.

The plot is not that different from the first book. A feeling of uneasiness is over District 12 and then- bam! another episode of "the games". However, this time, rules are changed and the stakes are higher. As always, the book ends on a sad and intruging note. Thus, there isn't much worthy of note in regard to this literary device.

Now, the characters are where Collins improves. Almost all of them have more depth. Even though Katniss does not always seem realistic with her spontaneous mood changes (probably because of the damage done to her composure at the previous Hunger Games), she still is herself: determined, a risk-taker, self-dependant, and a goal chaser. She seems to always need to achieve something to continue being herself. She's willing to risk everything for what she backs. She even surprises you once in a while with her mourning for another (even Finnick was taken aback) and decisiveness to end the game at the risk of her own life. However, I think that she is making it harder on herself in regard to her feelings (and making me want to hit her upside the head). It's obvious that there is only one person that she is truly in love with- the other is and will always remain a very close friend. Katniss reminds me of this one anime character that can't acknowledge her feelings for a certain person because he is "her rival". Gale is as athletic as ever and lets his feelings rule his actions instead of his head (which causes way too much trouble at times). Peeta is still sacrificial and selfless. He seems to have one- and only one- reason to live: for Katniss. He's definitely someone Collins could have worked on some more. Haymitch is beginning to have more meaning to the story, and Cinna makes a great debut. However, I have to give kudos to Collins for introducing Finnick. He IS Catching Fire. Without him, this book could have easily been knocked down at least a full star. He seems to be the perfect mix of all the previous male characters with a teasing side to him. He is both a part of the serious tone and the comediec relief. I expect great things from him in book 3.

Overall, if you were interested in the first book, the second book is worth reading. It's not exceptional- having it's fair share of low points and high points. The most interesting part of the book (besides Finnick and Cinna) is seeing how the characters deal with the brutality they witness. How do they respond? Will one person's actions really carry that much weight on a population of thousands? How do they find the courage to trust in such devestating circumstances? How do they set their priorities? These questions are all explored in this tale of slight hope in the depths of despair.

Content advisory: nudity (a lot more than the first book), drinking, physical injuries, and sensual content (view spoiler).

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Mar 26, 2013 ◄○♦☻♦○►[faith.in.God]◘♪♪ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

i think its was a great book and it really stays on mind untill its finished. I even dreamt about it twice. I wonder how the next book would go. I'm really excited about it. And even curious how Peeta would be. And the two districtd 12&13, what the next mission and how they would defy the capitol. Its was really enjoyable and i feel sorry for Mags and Beetee. ...more

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