Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 400
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian fiction
Source: Library
Words cannot possibly express my joy at finally finding myself on top of my library’s hold list for Catching Fire. It seemed like everyone had read it before me, and I just NEEDED to find out what was going to happen to Katniss. So, YAY, Catching Fire! 
For those of you who have read these books, you already know the plot. For those of you who haven’t, I’m just going to say – go read The Hunger Games. Now. I’m really not kidding. These books really are as phenomenal as everyone says, and I can’t recommend them enough.
Catching Fire definitely met any expectations I may have had. I’ve seen mixed reviews for this second installment in the series, but I have to say that I may have enjoyed the experience of reading this better than The Hunger Games. (I said might. I’m still not sure which one I prefer.) The first book was more of a thrill ride, definitely, but I felt that this one had a bit more substance mixed in with the crazy, twisting plot. I loved learning a little more about the different districts in Katniss’s world, and the book definitely had a creepy, ominous feel to it that haunted me throughout my reading. It was clear that there was so much riding on Katniss’s actions, and not only that, but there was a lot more going on underneath the surface that even Katniss wasn’t aware of. I liked the feeling of trying to figure stuff out along with her. Although the first book was more insanely suspenseful, this one had more secrets and plot points were much less straightforward. I really liked that.
I always say that my favorite thing about series books is getting to know the characters, and that was definitely the case with Catching Fire. I am just as big a fan of Katniss as I was before, if not more having read the second book, and it was great to get more invested in the Katniss/Peeta/Gale love triangle. I actually would have liked to hear more from Gale – I feel like he’s one of the only characters that could be developed much further than he is. Most of the rest of the important characters are developed pretty well and are somewhat complex and interesting. But not Gale – to me, he’s very one-note and I just think Collins could do a lot more with him.
Anyway. Catching Fire, of course, made me extremely excited for the third book in the series. The cliffhanger at the end of this one was seriously crazy. What is Suzanne Collins trying to do to her readers?!
So, awesome. I loved Catching Fire just as much as The Hunger Games. This series is so much fun and I really can’t recommend it highly enough. Read it!!
I really liked this one, too, and I’m longing for more about Gale as well. I liked that there was just as much action as in The Hunger Games and more about the government and the people in the districts. I can’t believe we have to wait so long for the next installment!
I KNOW! It feels like I’m going to be waiting FOREVER to read the third book. I’m scared I’ll forget everything by then!
I’m beginning to think I’ll be the last person in the world to read these books. I even got up at the crack of dawn to stand in line so I could get an autographed copy. At least my husband’s read it and loved it.
Kathy, I don’t think you’re the last, but I am telling you – you MUST read The Hunger Games. Seriously, you will not regret it.
I have the hunger games and have heard such wonderful things about it. I can’t wait to pick them up!
Again, you MUST read that book! It is everything you’ve heard it is and more. No joke.
I had a bit of a different experience with this one, but I agree, I want to know more about Gale! I can’t wait to see what happens in the third book. Such a good ending!
I know right, that ending was amazing!! I take it you didn’t enjoy it as much as I did? Hopefully the third will work out better for you.
Hey! Just love the hunger games..bought it online from a1books…can read it any number of times..
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have’nt read this one yet..but the hunger games was amazing, i think they should make it into a movie! anyways, i can’t wait to read catching fire
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I’ll have to read the hungergames,sounds good.
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