SPOILER ALERT: This is the second book in the Hunger Games series. If you have not read it, or haven’t finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, DO NOT read this post!
I have been wanting to read Catching Fire ever since I finished The Hunger Games in August. I resisted mainly because of my huge TBR pile. However, with the holidays, I got a chance to read it. Here is the synopsis of Catching Fire (and I must say, it does a good job of meeting this hype):
After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying…
I flew through the book in three days! I would say that Catching Fire isn’t quite as compelling as The Hunger Games, but that is often the case with series; the second book has to deal with all the cliffhangers and strings the first book left hanging. But Catching Fire was certainly a good transitional book, and even though it can’t stand alone without The Hunger Games, it sets things up well for the third book.
I really enjoyed the story, and the directions that were taken in regards to the Capitol’s choices and the District’s reactions. I enjoyed the symbolism that the mockingjay took on and what it came to represent. I liked the twist at the end with District 13, the Gamemakers, and Haymitch.
I’m very glad that we have to wait at least a year for the next book because then the author, Suzanne Collins, and her editor(s) have time to work on it. I think that Stephanie Meyer lost that memo with Breaking Dawn, the final installment of the Twilight series. Although J.K. Rowling took a lot of time between the Harry Potter books and didn’t lose much hype. It certainly appears to be a delicate balance, especially if the series is optioned for a movie … which I don’t doubt it will be.
UPDATE (August 2010): Read my review for Mockingjay (book 3)
January 6, 2010 at 11:53 am
Fast scroll down to say thanks for the crystal-clear warning. Since I do think I might want to read this one day, I heeded your warning.
January 6, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I agree completely. It’s a great transitional novel and sets up the final chapter really well though dang it, I hate these cliffhanger endings.
And I’m sad you’re not a fan of Eclipse. After Twilight, it’s my favourite of the series.
January 7, 2010 at 3:49 am
Oopsie! I meant Breaking Dawn sucked. LOL
January 6, 2010 at 4:12 pm
No arguments here! I listened to the audio with my kids, and we all loved it. Nice twists and turns! And Lionsgate has optioned it for a movie, just a question of when. We have big debates in our house on who should star as who. Apparently we aren’t the only ones…just get on You Tube and search and you’ll see everyone’s opinions!
January 6, 2010 at 5:43 pm
You’re forgetting about Breaking Dawn in the Twilight series. Or are you doing that on purpose. LOL
I really felt that Catching Fire was one of the strongest second books in a triad I’ve read in a long time.
January 7, 2010 at 3:50 am
Yea I meant Breaking Dawn. Fixed it now!
I agree that Catching Fire was a super strong second book. Didn’t feel like JUST a second book bridge but it did a good job about keeping my attention and made me want MORE!
January 8, 2010 at 6:16 am
I really enjoyed this one, too. I think I liked it at least as much as The Hunger Games because you got to see more about the districts and the people living there, get a feel for the government outside the games.
And I agree about Breaking Dawn (though I didn’t necessarily hate it, just thought it was too long and anticlimactic) and I hope the last book in this series is worth the long wait.
January 12, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I can not wait for book three (out this August 2010)!