a review of "Catching Fire" [15]

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
(Scholastic Press, ISBN 978-0-439-02349-8)

If you read my review of The Hunger Games, you will know I very much liked the book. Finally, my turn came up in the very long "hold list" at the library and the second book in the series, Catching Fire, came into my greedy little hands.

Now, I must admit, I was a little anxious starting it. Sometimes you love the first book and the second does not live up to expectations. Happily, this was not my experience with Catching Fire. I read it straight through in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it.

First, if you have not read The Hunger Games, do not even consider starting with this one. Stop readin, go to a bookstore or library and get the first one. Yes, this is a series that must be read in order, since it is one long continuing story and while maybe you could figure out what is going on in this book, it would be a lesser experience. One of the pleasures of Catching Fire is seeing what happens to all the characters we came to know and care about in the first.

Once again, we are in the 12th District of the Nation of Panem and I will tell you this much if you are new to the story. Our heroine Katniss has survived the deadly game of the first book, a battle to the dead of 24, 2 contestants drawn from each district...but has done so with a very unique twist. A unique twist that, it seems has started to foster discontent and possible rebellion in all 12 district. And that is not a situation the Capitol is willing to put up with.

As Katniss is about to start the traditional tour of the nation by the winner of the games, she is approach by the very evil and very creepy President Snow and told that since she is, at least in part, responsible for this growing feeling of rebellion, she will have to, by her behavior on the tour, do all she can to quell it. If she is unsuccessful, the lives of those she loves will be on the line. Needless to say, all does not go as the president desires, so he comes up with a new and shocking alternative that will lead to an even more shocking ending.
Ending of this book, but not the story, as we fans anxiously await the third and final book.

The books in this series are listed as YA book, but certainly, as many can attest, these are books that can be totally enjoyed by adults. They are well written, with interesting, likable characters inhabiting a dystopia world that is a combination of the recognizable and the some of our worse fears come to life.

A great fun read, full of twists and turns, that I found a totally enjoyable read.

I wonder if it is too soon to put my name on the list at the library for volume three, due out this summer...because I just have to know what happens next!


Yes, once again my thanks to the local library for the loan of this book.