CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

This post is part of BOOK MAVEN’S PICKS THE HUNGER GAMES 2-WEEK EXTRAVAGANZA!

Warning: The following review may contain spoilers. Opinions contained in this review are entirely my own, unless I indicate otherwise. Read at your own risk.

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2009
ISBN: 978 1407 10936 7
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Synopsis:
KATNISS EVERDEEN SURVIVED THE HUNGER GAMES. NOW THE CAPITOL WANTS REVENGE.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are still alive. Katniss should be relieved, but now there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol—a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

As the nation may have helped Katniss and Peeta, the stakes are higher than ever. One false move and the consequences will be unimaginable.

THE SECOND BOOK IN THE HEART-STOPPING HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY.
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Review:

No wonder I won the Games. No decent person ever does.

Catching Fire is the second novel in The Hunger Games Trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. This is my favourite book in the series. I said in my previous review that The Hunger Games makes my heart feel like it’s being squeezed. Well, Catching Fire makes my heart feel like it’s being pulverized. I feel like a masochist reading this second book in the series. It’s so painful, it’s so good.

The first chapter isn’t as good as chapter 1 in The Hunger Games. But I think that there are more heart-stopping and adrenaline-pumping scenes in Catching Fire than in any books in the trilogy. I squealed like a pig giving birth when Gale finally kisses Katniss. Good thing I was alone that time or my family would finally dump me in a mental institution.

I also had a lot of “Oh sh*t” moments in this book. First is when that horrible President Snow insinuates that Katniss and Peeta should be married. The scene where Katniss and Peeta toured District 11 (Rue’s home) is painful, too. Other scenes that shocked me as well, are Gale’s confession to Katniss and Katniss’ stupid answer (Katniss, seriously?); Gale’s lashing by the new District 12 Head Peacemaker (what a douche bag!); and many more. These kind of scenes usually turn me off but in Catching Fire, they surprisingly add appeal that you wouldn’t want to put it down.

This novel has so many awesome elements. The stakes are higher and it really targets your emotions that you feel you are no longer in control of yourself. The fact that Katniss and Peeta are forced into another Hunger Games is mind-blowing. I felt murderous of that snake President Snow. I admit, however, that I like this new arena better than the one in the first book. I also think that the new characters such as Finnick and Beetee have more depth than the minor characters in book 1. And how can I forget the death of Cinna? It was the most heart-breaking scene for me. I love Cinna! He’s my favourite male character in the series.

Catching Fire ends on a cliff-hanger which I think is utter genius! If it wasn’t for the fact that it was already dawn when I finished this book and I’m an insomniac, I would’ve read the last book Mockingjay immediately. Overall, this second book in the trilogy is very upsetting but d*mn, it’s good. More than good. It’s AWESOME!
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Links:

• The Hunger Games (book review)
• Suzanne Collins’ Official Website
• Suzanne Collins’ Author Bio