The second book of the Hunger Games series is cleverly titled Catching Fire. The book builds on emotions that linger from the Hunger Games which makes you feel even more invested. The book does climax but ultimately is leading you into the third book so the story can come full circle.
Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins
Scholastic
September 2009
Katniss and Peeta return home where they realize more and more how the hunger games have affected not only them, but the other districts as well.
Katniss struggles to sort out her feelings between Gale and Peeta. She fights the flame that burns inside her for Peeta by still insisting everything in the arena that happened between them was just for the cameras and survival. Having Gale around just causes more confusion for her. She tries to be so strong and not let her feelings get in the way, but she can’t help feel something for Gale… and for Peeta. Katniss of course never really addresses these problems but the readers pick up on every one of them, which makes Katniss’s every decision even more heart wrenching.
Just as the tributes get settled in and feel like life may return to some sort of normalcy, they announce the Quarter Quell. Another game that will send more tributes back to the arena. As the tributes are paraded around throughout the districts, Katniss slowly realizes what is happening. Subtle clues and reactions get her thinking about how her actions will affect everyone’s future.
The tributes are then faced with more life altering decisions, this is the game that will make or break everyone’s future. This is the game that threatens the Capitol. This is the game that unites the districts.
I loved this book. This second installment in the series reveals even more about Katniss and gives insight into her emotions, making her an even more developed character. A great continuation of the story.
