Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire

Suzanne Collins

391 pages
My Rating: 4.5/5

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

My Thoughts:

I know I know.  How could I wait an entire month to write a review on the second book of this incredible series?  Well, honestly, it's taken me almost that long to gather my thoughts about it.  With lots of "OH MY GOSH?!" moments, I had to pick up my jaw and process this novel.  Occasionally, I have to do that with books.  It almost seems surreal when I read such type of book that I have to go over the book in my mind to remind myself that I read it and to decide how I feel about it.

First of all, can I just say that Katniss annoyed the heck out of me in this book?  I don't know, she just seemed selfish and different.  I mean, I can understand the development and the fact that her life had completely changed, so she as a person had to adapt to that change as well.  But she was not my favorite character in this novel.   I'm hoping she grows past this frustrating part in her development in Mockingjay.  She did not ruin the novel for me by any stretch of the imagination, but I was definitely annoyed.

Moving on:  pretty sure my favorite aspect of this incredible book is that fact that Ms. Collins again dropped my jaw and blew me away.  I was completely clueless as to the ending, and I loved that it shocked and surprised me both.  Her writing is very good and intriguing in the way she sets up the ending/major plot turning.  I don't want to go into too much detail because I'm afraid I'd ruin it for someone, but it was excellent.  Never saw it coming.


I've heard some people mention that Catching Fire was simply an in-between book in a trilogy.  Necessary, but not the beginning or middle.  I read one review that stated that the status was the same at the beginning and the ending of Catching Fire.  Um.... I disagree.  Now, I haven't read Mockingjay.  So I'll disclaimer this and say I have the right to change my mind.  But Catching Fire is so much more than the in-between book.  Ms. Collins really develops the story outside of the arena.  The Hunger Games seems to set up the setting and adds some good action inside the arena.  I got to know Katniss, her personality and quirks.  But in Catching Fire, I felt that I got to know the setting of the story.  I learned more about the going ons within the story; and through Katniss's frustrating annoyances, I saw the development of other characters beside her.  To me, Catching Fire is the book that adds the depth to make it a three book series.  It reminded me of some history that I've studied, and it gave me a personal, emotional connection to the book.  It went beyond simply being a fiction novel and characters that I was reading about.  As weird as it sounds, I experienced the novel.  I'm sure I'll do the same with Mockingjay.  But experiencing a novel in a way that affects me - makes those novels stand out above the others.  These two novels of Ms. Collins have definitely stood out with flashing lights and flying colors.


Ok, last bit of drooling before I insist that you go buy this book.  Can I just say lots of kudos to Suzanne Collins for her incredible creativity in writing the plot?  Again, don't want to say too much.  But looking back after I finished the novel, I said, "That's SOO cool!" so many times my mom (whom I was visiting) kept giving me weird looks, and I had to very literally move my mind into a different track for conversation.


Here's my pitch:  Catching Fire is every bit as good as The Hunger Games.  If you haven't read these novels yet, I don't know what else I could say to convince you beyond the fact that you will regret the time you spent not reading these books.  They are incredible.  Go to your nearest bookstore (or e-bookstore if you have an e-reader) and splurge on yourself.  You deserve it.  Probably should just buy all three and figuratively (or literally) post a sign at your door saying, "Busy.  Reading incredible books.  Don't bother."

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins

374 pages

Rating: 5/5

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Thoughts:

I am not sure what I could say about this book that someone hasn't said.  Being 2 years old, I'm sure most of you have heard about The Hunger Games and heard the hype that came along with it (especially when Mockingjay came out).  Just like Harry Potter, I put off reading these books.  Partly, because there is apart of me that does not want to be a follower but wants to be original.  Partly because I knew that something everyone talked about being "so incredible" could only bring me disappointment.  Then, this morning at 5 am, I was reading some blog posts, just browsing to wake myself up, and I stumbled upon My Overstuffed Bookshelf's review of The Hunger Games.  I can honestly relate to over half of what she was saying about putting it off.  I just kept procrastinating and putting it off and keeping it on my TBR shelf.  Well, this morning I finally said, "OK!  I get it!  I'll read it!" And I sat down and started it immediately.

What I didn't expect to do was finish it.  I believe I read this entire book in one sitting (minus one bathroom break for the puppy and myself).  I have been snuggled on my couch while it snows outside for almost 5 hours.  Not a personal record, but definitely not what I imagined the first five hours of my day to shape up to be.

Ok for those of you are don't like to be followers, who held out on Twilight (the books) and Harry Potter, don't let your pride keep you from a great enjoyable read!  What the heck was I thinking, having this book in my possession for TWO WEEKS and not reading it?!  The Hunger Games was a fast-paced, wonderful read that surprised me throughout the novel.  It wasn't all blood/guts/killing like I thought it would be.  In fact, there's a pretty great story line to it.  I was shocked at how fast-paced it was (partly because I was expecting the Games to happen throughout the three novels).  Plus, never once did I think, oh my, I've been reading for so long.  Instead, I looked up and said to Benentt, "Where did the time go?!"

Like I have said before, there have many, many praising reviews on this book.  So I will not attempt to write about literary qualities, the depth of the characters, or the sentence structure and quality of Collins' writing.  Instead, I will simply say that I loved Katniss as a main character.  I felt her struggle and brief moments of happiness throughout the whole book.  I love Peeta.  In my mind, he's completely adorable, surprisingly resourceful, and I can't wait to read more about both of them in the next novel.

I gave this book one of my rare five star ratings, because I loved it!  I can't wait to get ahold of the next book, and I am excited to see what unfolds for Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and Prim.  Perhaps it's not the most well-written story ever read or has the most suspense out of all the novels in the world.  I'm sure others could find flaws in it.  But it's not each of the individual characteristics of the book that make it wonderful, it's all of them put together.  I loved it.  I read it in one morning, and I will brag about it to most anyone I meet.  If you haven't read it, go read it.  I promise it won't disappoint.  It's one of those books you don't sigh at end because you're frustrated with some flaw, wanted it to end differently, or just were dissatisfied with it in general.  You sigh because it's over and you are transformed back to the living world.