Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Posted by childofthehive | Filed under Book Reviews, Sci-fi books
Catching Fire is the second book of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. In the first book, The Hunger Games, Katniss was forced to fight other children for the entertainment of the Capitol. Her actions and strategy in the arena won her the sympathies of the audience… but meant something completely different in the districts whose children were forced into this yearly sacrifice. In her method of survival, Katniss outwitted the makers of the game. She demonstrated that it’s possible to fight the Capitol. Now there is unrest in the districts and the president will make Katniss pay for her part in it.
The previous book was largely focussed on the arena and those who were being forced to fight for the death. This book delves deeper into the surrounding world. Now we get glimpses of the other districts and the level of anger that is felt towards the Capitol.
The plot is slightly more complex than the first book but no less gripping. In fact, there are some surprising plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading. There is a danger of sequels that they can sometimes feel like regurgitations of the same material but that was in no way the case about this book. I didn’t know what to expect from the storyline and the fact that by now I knew the characters just helped me get more engaged.
A lot of the things that drew me to the first book are obvious in this one: the exciting plot, the sinister background, the great characters. We see a little more of characters that are in the background in the first book such as Katniss’ sister Prim and her stylist Cinna. Katniss remains the strong central character that was there in the first book but now we see her when it’s not just her life in danger.
I would really recommend this book to anyone with a love of excitement but I strongly suggest reading The Hunger Games first. A lot of this book wouldn’t make sense without that one and reading this first would spoilt the surprises in the plot of The Hunger Games.
I’m now eagerly awaiting the final instalment.
Tags: Catching Fire, review, sci-fi, science fiction, Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games
