Book Review: Catching Fire

Review:  #326
Title:  Catching Fire
Series:  The Hunger Games - 2nd book
Author:  Suzanne Collins
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  Catching Fire is as addictive as the first book; maybe even more so once the ball has started rolling.  Like The Hunger Games, the book is split into two distinct parts, where the first half sets up the second half.  I’ve heard people complain how the first half focuses too much on Katniss’s feelings towards Gale and Peeta (a classic love triangle...), and it feels like nothing is happening.  I guess when it is compared to the ending, then that’s true.  I still found it quite intense and enough happened for it to be worthwhile.  Most people would know that this book is where the population starts to revolt thanks to Katniss’s actions in the previous book.  I was very surprised when it turns out that the book covers another round of the Games.  The bombshell of a twist comes right in the middle of nowhere.  It was unexpected and I thought it was done well (although a bit contrived if you think about it).  I kept thinking there might have been a mistake, but no, the Games went ahead.  While I somewhat feel cheated that the author decided to retread by covering the Games, it was very different to the first book’s that it was a completely fresh experience.  The tension built up, and the hinted mystery as to why everyone was acting strangely made you rush through the pages of the book.  The deaths were even more terrible and twisted.  It was sick (in a bad way) if you stop and think about it more carefully, little wonder the people are revolting.  The deaths are also even worse here since most of them die either nobly or you feel like you’ve known them for a while.  The explanation even at the end was kinda disappointing, purely because it was so short.  It ended on a cliffhanger, making you want to read the next book immediately.  Unlike the first book, Catching Fire feels like it is written in mind for a sequel.  Nevertheless, I still feel The Hunger Games is marginally better, but this is a great book too.

Rating:  8/10