Monday, July 5, 2010

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book Info:
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 1, 2009)
ISBN-13: 9780439023498
Genre: Young Adult
Source: My Shelves
Rating: 5/5

Fresh from their improbable victory in the annual Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta get to enjoy the spoils only briefly before they must partake in a Capitol-sponsored victory tour. But trouble is brewing— -- President Snow tells Katniss directly he won't stand for being outsmarted, and she overhears rumbles of uprisings in Panem's districts. Before long it's time for the next round of games, and because it's the 75th anniversary of the competition, something out of the ordinary is in order...




When everybody initially starting raving about The Hunger Games I stayed away because I didn't think it sounded like my kind of book.  Finally, after almost a year, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to see what everyone was talking about.  Once I started reading I was hooked and I couldn't figure out why I waited so long to read it.  Catching Fire was much the same way.  I knew I wanted to read it.  I bought it as soon as it came out, and it's been sitting around my house for almost a year.  Once again, I didn't know why I put of reading it for so long.

As soon as started reading I was hooked.  The characters, the setting, everything about the book worked so well.  Collins included just enough details from The Hunger Games that it jogged my memory, but not enough to feel repetitive if you'd just finished the first book. Katniss is a great character.  She's strong and brave, someone you want to be like, but not so perfect that you can't relate to her.  Peeta is still as sweet as ever, but I'd hoped to see a bit more of Gale.  I didn't know where the storyline was going since I'd stayed away from reviews, and I was pleasantly surprised. 

This series won't be put on the back burner anymore.  Mockingjay is ordered and as soon as it gets to me, I'd better be left alone until I finish it! 5 stars

7 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

Woe is me. I am number 46 in line for the audio of Mockingjay at the library. I think I'm going to have to buy it. The kids and I can't wait that long. Glad you jumped on the bandwagon!!!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I still have not read any of these books! Pretty pathetic, I know :) Glad u liked this one Melissa.

Lenore Appelhans said...

yay! another convert :)

Jenny said...

Yay, glad it was good!! I have this on TBR and hope to read it this month so I will be ready for Mockingjay. =)

Zibilee said...

When Mockingjay comes out, my husband and I will be doing a read aloud of all three books. That way we don't have to wait for the last installment! I am glad that you loved these books!

Anonymous said...

Glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did. I liked that there were details about the other districts, since the first book made me curious. Can't wait for Mockingjay!

Karen & Gerard said...

I'm reading The Hunger Games now and am just up to when the game actually starts but hoped both Katsin and Peeta would be co-winners. We have this one on order.