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WE HAVE a copy of this book on the school library, which is weird since when I look up at the database there were no copies of “The Hunger Games” or “Mockingjay”. Not to mention, we are over several thousands of students in the school and I manage to get my hands on “Catching Fire”, one of the trendy series this days and is evident on the upcoming film adaptation. I guess I’m destined to read this book. (Ha! Dream on.)
Recap: Hunger Games is the annual activity of the capitol, the government, which showcases 24 tributes as they kill each other for everybody’s entertainment. The one who survives simply gets the liberty of living his life.
After she survived the Hunger Games, Katniss and her family have the luxury to sleep on a well-kept house, eat three times a day, drink a clear water, watch television (television is a rarity on poor households) and in some days, hunt in the woods. Since Katniss victory, there are some unsettled events such as Peeta’s affection, Gale’s identity, and most of all the capitol’s reputation. The capitol, specifically President Snow, is disturbed with Katniss’ recent action in the Hunger Games, her act of rebellion gives hope to defy the capitol. It is in this reason that Snow visits Katniss and warns her that she should act amiably about the situation or else . . . you know the drill.
One of the common traits of a compelling storyteller is his ability to conjure conflicts. Harry Potter, for instance, has to face the greatest, wicked wizard of all time. Ender Wiggin has to defeat an entire fleet of alien warships. Suzie Salmon has to reconcile with her past and move one. The closest writer I have ever come across to provide genuine conflicts is Suzanne Collins. She torns Katniss for suspense and still manages to grace her for sympathy. Katniss is entitled to mentor in this upcoming Hunger Games and the soon-to-be tributes will once again break her heart. If you guess her younger sister or her childhood lover, I’m sorry but your hunch is wrong. I dare say the next participants are beyond your wildest imagination.
I’m glad that despite the intense events, “Catching Fire” doesn’t losses the touch of being a young adult. You still see Katniss as a teenager, confused whose love to accept and to reject. She is still emotional and can’t rationalize actual events. In short, she is flawed and I’m grateful with that. At least, despite the gender differences, I can still relate.
Fan Art by ~cococheese
There are many new characters, both witty and cunning. A hunky man that can swim like a dolphin and strike like a shark. A smart inventor that makes a good use of electricity, guess the waterstreams and ponds are now unreliable sources for drinking.
Remember Haymitch, the good-for-nothing drunkard? You will learn how he survived his Hunger Games and what he’s capable of. What has been under the District 13, the exiled district. Secret association to overthrow the capitol. A never ending revelations.
Collins doesn’t have a wonderful prose but she is definitely a storyteller, like that of Rowling. Just one thing of advice, don’t stop reading until you know who are the next participants, again, it will blow your mind away.
Katniss has become an instant celebrity and the face of rebellion. And any sign of resistance would surely send a spark for war. The capitol does everything to prevent any of these and I must say they haven’t run out of ideas for murder.
Be Vigilant. The fire is catching.
Rating: ★★★★★
Magic of Ice Cream 
Great review! I didn’t enjoy this one as much as The Hunger Games but I still really liked it. I was particularily impressed by the arena in this book, clever gamemakers. I would love to have Collins’ imagination!
Haha! Likewise, I enjoyed the theme of the arena. It was one of those “Oh Really?” moments. It was just great.
This was my favourite book of the trilogy. The arena thing was so smart, and I just loved the end of the book. Besides, some parts where full of suspense and there were lots of surprises that left me literally mouth-opened. I am intrigued by what you’ll think about Mockingjay, cause after I read it I didn’t actually know what I thought about it. To say the truth, I don’t even know it yet!
Me too! I love “Catching Fire” probably it tops in my fave list next to the Harry Potter series. Yes, Collins really knows how to pull a cliffhanger.
Mockingjay? Erm I’ve read it immediately after I finished “Catching Fire” but I was really disappointed when I did. Mockingjay is my public enemy number one. Grrr!
Did you ever like the Mockingjay? (The first part to the climax is all good but when it hits the climax that is when it gets crazy.) XD
I read Mockingjay during the summer (which, remember, where I live is from December to March). I didn’t HATE it, but I didn’t love it either. What happens with Prim: Arggggggggggggggh! And the same with Finnick, a character I was really fond of. I didn’t even like the way the love triangle was solved. I didn’t write a review of the book because I was so confused about my feelings towards it. Maybe I’ll read it again some day and write the review, I don’t know.
Right? That was a complete nonsense. Prim dying all of a sudden. I never really saw her character like that. The most disappointing was Katniss and Snow didn’t have the final face-off, except when the time where Snow was maniacally laughing. Katniss just shuts down and wakes up in a hospital.
I’m really furious when I finished it. Its like in HP where you get a feeling of relief, a feeling of completeness. <_<
My daughter has had to read these in school. She is NOT a fan, but they’re touting this as the next BIG franchise to hit the multiplex, so she’s in the minority it seems!
That’s really sad, forcing someone to read a book. But I hope she’ll like it. I mean most people did.