Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book: Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release: September 2009 (hardcover)
Source: previously bought
My Summary (SPOILER FOR 1st BOOK!):
After surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta both try to live their lives as normally as they can. Only problem is that everyone is supposed to believe they're in love, some Districts are starting to unsettle and rebel, and it all just might be Katniss's fault.

Katniss struggles with her feelings before she's off for the victory tour, unable to truly love Peeta, but things with Gale aren't going well either. Yet she has more important things to worry about, like just what does President Snow plan to do if she fails to help smother the unrest in the districts?
Review: More shocking than a bolt of lightning, Catching Fire lives up to it's predecessor.

With a slow-moving beginning, we find Katniss and Peeta both living in ease after surviving the Hunger Games. Yet, Katniss isn't happy. She's got a lot to deal with in this story. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is expecting something from her, and she just doesn't know if she has what they want and what it takes. The stakes, the risks, and consequences are so much higher in Catching Fire.

What I noticed the most was how Collins managed to make me really care about each character. I was on the edge of my seat, literally worrying about some of them, and whether or not they would be okay. I could connect better with them this time around. 

The pacing does pick up, and once it does, it's a non-stop thrill to read. I still cannot believe where this story went, I'm still stunned even months after reading it. I dare you to read Catching Fire, and to put it down halfway through (because it really just isn't possible without curiosity getting the better of you).

Highlights: The twists! The turns! The "Oh my gosh, did that really just happen" moments! Collins far exceeded my expectations of this story, and it's very obvious that she really does think about everything and plots it smartly. I can't wait to see where Mockingjay goes when I get it! :)

Lowlights: The beginning fails to really get going, as I said earlier. It was slow to spark my attention. Yet, I think the halfway point through the ending really made up for it. 

Rating:   

Reviews of other books in this trilogy:



Lea

9 comments:

  1. Glad you like this book. I can't wait for Mockingjay. Nice review :)

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  2. The other day I ran around the house dancing and cheering "Mockingjay".

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  3. Fantastic review! Haha, is it possible to not like this series? I haven't read the first book yet, though. I feel like I'm missing out big time!

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  4. Absolutely!!! CF grabs you in and never lets you down. I absolutely love this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. Would you really say the beginning was slow. I'm beginning to think I must really love slow-moving things because I didn't think the beginning was slow at all.
    But then, I'm not done with it yet.

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  6. Since I have just read this series (well almost finished the third) I was curious to read others opinions about them.

    I definitely couldn't put down any of them, and am staring at mockingjay at this very minute wanting to read the last hundred pages but knowing its is going to be heart breaking!!

    Ace Review, definitely how I feel about them!

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