[Book Review] Catching Fire (The Hunger Games 2) by Suzanne Collins

After the Game ...

Things have changed back home and Katniss has troubles fitting in in her new home in Victory Village. Gone are the days of hunting with Gale who now work in the mine during the day so she has to hunt alone. Gale struggles with Katniss ‘fake’ relationship with Peeta especially since Peeta’s feelings for her are real even if he now has turned his back on her.

To further complicate things Katniss defiance in the Hunger Games has begun to stir up rebellion among the districts and they are making her their symbol. So late at night the day before she and Peeta is to leave on their victory tour of the Districts she is visited by the President that threatens her and everyone she holds dear unless she can prove during the tour that she acted blinded by love.

The second book of the Hunger Games takes the action out of the arena and into the political field and we learn a lot more of the world. The world building really works for me; I just wish Suzanne would write a prequel or something that explains how we went from here to there. I am curious. Sorry for digressing. The return of the stylists was well done and added to my enjoyment of the book especially with their agenda. Another great very emotional scene was when Katniss visited District 11 where Rue her friend in the arena came from.

There is more happening in the story but I won’t spoil the surprises for you.

The characters continue to be well done and that is not only Katniss in all her lovely and frank teenagerness caught as she is in more than one conundrum. The other supporting characters also step out of the book lifelike and often with surprising depts and twists to their personalities or back stories. Suzanne really kept me captivated with this one.

Second books are though and while I enjoyed the Hunger Games greatly I think I enjoyed Catching Fire more. It has more dept to both the characters and the world building. The stakes are higher; it is not just about 24 teenagers trying to kill each other any longer.

Reading about teenagers in situations like this is really chilling especially if you are a parent yourself. Kids should never have to live through anything like this. This story made me think about the world we have out there today.

Catching Fire is a thrilling sequel with a formidable and oh so human female protagonist caught in a love triangle as her world is about to burst into a flaming war of liberation.

Rating: 9/10

Reviewer: Ove Jansson
Copy: Bought it myself

Title: Catching Fire

Series: The Hunger Games 2 (Review of book 1: The Hunger Games)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Audiobook: 10h 41 min
Publisher: Scholastic Audio (2009)
Order from: Amazon US | UK

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games. She and fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol — a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she’s afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her more is that she’s not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.