Du Livre: Catching Fire Review

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and 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 even 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.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn (goodreads).

After touring all twelve districts with co-victor Peeta, the two realize that the districts are not as controlled as the Capitol makes them think they are. There are riots, escapees and somehow Katniss has become the face of the Revolution. In an attempt to squash the Revolution for once and for good, he sends Katniss back into the arena, in hopes that she won't come back.

This book picks up right where The Hunger Games left off. Katniss and Peeta are preparing to tour the districts as victors of the 74th Hunger Games while dealing with their personal demons. The story flows well with Katniss are narrator and more of the Districts being revealed. When I first read the book, I was kind of annoyed to find out that Suzanne Collins was throwing Katniss, Peeta and ten other tributes back into the Arena; it felt kind of cheap. Upon reflection, I LOVE how it was handled (one line that comes to mind is, "there is no room for a Girl on Fire) and I loved the set-up of this Arena. I think I liked this arena more than the one of the 74th Hunger Games. I also liked that Katniss gave the audience a history of The Hunger Games which helped her understand her new enemies, as well as our beloved Haymitch. What made Catching Fire so memorable are the introduction to new characters.

Finnick. Joanna. They are awesome and I am so happy that Collins created them. With the start of a new Hunger Games, comes new tributes and Game Masters. I felt more connected to these tributes (well...besides Rue and Thresh obviously) than I did for the previous book's tributes (there is a scene with a District 6 tribute that had me BAWLING). Katniss is still a strong heroine fighting a battle she didn't sign up for, Peeta is....there, we find out more about Gale, and we are given clues regarding President Snow's past. I also adored Madge, the old lady with a mean hook...literally.

I still love Katniss's point of view. She is so strong, so committed to helping others, and she is so REAL. Everythign Katniss feels, the reader feels, there is never a moment where Katniss knows more than the reader which I love. Suzanne Collins writing is still fabulous and un-put-down-able.

Overall, Catching Fire is a strong follow up to The Hunger Games and anyone who was a fan of the initial book will definitely love this one!