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Catching Fire

 

Catching Fire 
(The Hunger Games Book 2)
Written by Suzanne Collins

Originally published in 2009
About 390 pages
Rate: 4.9/5

My summary of Catching Fire (warning there are spoilers for book 1)

After winning the hunger games Katniss and Peta have to keep up with the star-crossed lovers act in front of the cameras, but for Peta things aren't just for show. Peta and Katniss tour the other districts as per usual. However, once they get to Rue's district things change. An uprising begins because of Katniss and Peta's actions and words. 

After a threat from President Snow, Katniss realizes that they have already lost. The victors from the previous hunger games are sent back into the arena after uprisings start in multiple districts, because Katniss is the only girl from district twelve to win, she enters the games again. 

My thoughts on Catching Fire

First off I just wanted to talk about how oddly inaccurate the summary on the back of the book is! Peta and Gale aren't the main plot of the book and I'm glad for that. However, because they were important enough to mention on the back of the book I did consider which one I liked more for Katniss so far. 

So far no question, it's Peta! This boy is in love with her and says the cutest things. I thought it was so annoying how every time something would happen with Peta Katniss would talk about how much she's never felt that way before and how good it was, then randomly bring up Gale. That's why I didn't give it a solid 5/5 because the Galeness of it all was so random!

Aside from the romance there are way more important factors at play.

I like Katniss in general, she's a strong female lead and has always proven to be self reliant and selfless. It's true that she doesn't realize the effect she has on people, she humble, but aware of how good she is at certain things. I like the way she makes friends with all the underdogs, she's not doing it out of pity, she just appreciates being around them more than people who are vain.
I also like the whole mockingjay Katniss comparison.  

I liked the new characters who were introduced, they had some fun personalities that added some much needed humor. Finnick was the comedian when Haymitch wasn't there, it was as if he was stepping in for a time. Of course Cinna has been around since the first book, but I also like how much Katniss and his friend ship has grown.

The plot was also very interesting and captivating. The book leaves on a pretty big cliffhanger, but I loved that it did, it gives purpose to the next book. I don't feel like any part of this book was rushed, but I also don't feel like there was many slow parts. 

Quotes

"A spark could be enough to set them ablaze."
"A mockingjay is a creature the Capitol never intended to exist. They hadn't counted on the highly controlled jabberjay having brains to adapt to the wild, to pass on its genetic code, to thrive in a new form. They hadn't anticipated its will to live."
"We had to save you because you're the mockingjay. While you live, the revolution lives. The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay."

Links

Buy it at Barnes and Noble
Author website
Youtube: Tributes Unite

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