Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)

by Suzanne Collins

The second book in the ground-breaking HUNGER GAMES trilogy. After
winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta return to their
district, hoping for a peaceful future. But their victory has
caused rebellion to break out ... and the Capitol has decided that
someone must pay. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the
districts on the Capitol's Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than
ever. Unless they can convince the world that they are still
lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.
Then comes the cruellest twist: the contestants for the next
Hunger Games are announced, and Katniss and Peeta are forced into
the arena once more.

• ISBN13: 9781407153346
• Publish Date: 2 October 2014 (first published 15 August 2009)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 4 April 2017
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Imprint: Scholastic Press
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 448
• Language: English

Reviews

[Leah]

Catching Fire is unputdownable. I literally have no other words to describe how amazing this novel is. It's so good that I finished it in 4 hours. I just couldn't bear to put it down. Utterly, utterly amazing. It's blown my mind and I'm now going to go and read Mockingjay. (Boy am I pleased I made sure I had the final book before I read Catching Fire because that's one heck of an ending.)

[inlibrisveritas]

So after I finished the first one and directed my boyfriend's mom to it she immediately made me borrow this one. I love having someone with the same taste in books.

Anyway, this one starts right where the first one leaves off and you hit the ground running. In a way the pace really helps you to understand just how Katniss is feeling throughout this. One moment you're relaxed and fairly calm, and the next you're on edge and anxious because you're life is in danger again. I personally think that it makes the story that much more enjoyable because it has that ability to pull you into the story and make you feel the actions and emotions. It also matches pace with the first one so the story doesn't feel uneven. The plot has an interesting twist to it as well that I wasn't expecting at all. The harshness of the world is still there of course and so is the violence, so there is absolutely not loss in the gritty nature of the first.This like the first also has clear character development as well. I really enjoyed how Katniss becomes a sort of idol even though she did nothing but try to survive, I also enjoyed learning about the other contestants like Finnick who has such a raw story that I immediately adored him. As the book continues you realize just how these Games take their toll on people and how much acting goes into helping them survive both in the arena and out.

The ending will definitely leave you wanting more and I suggest having Mockingjay near by when you finish.

[Jo]

After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying... The terrifying sequel to The Hunger Games. From Amazon UK

Seeing as I had received my review copy of Mockingjay, but hadn't yet read Catching Fire, I thought I should get a move on sharpish. I absolutely adored The Hunger Games, but for some reason, wasn't all that enthusiastic in picking up Catching Fire. But now I've read it, I wish I hadn't waited so long! This book is so amazing, I am quite literally speechless.

As some people on Twitter will know, when I first started reading, I wasn't pulled in right away. I still had reservations for unknown reasons - probably scared it wasn't going to match up to the first book. I have to say, although it was never boring, it did take a while for Catching Fire to pull me in, but once it had, that was it. I rarely put the book down. And it was sooo exciting!

And you know the worst thing? I have no idea how to talk about this book in the detail I'd normally go into without spoiling it. So much happens, so much you don't expect, and it all starts from the beginning! I can tell you that the characters are still amazing. Katniss is just as awe-inspiring as she was in The Hunger Games. Peeta has grown on me considerably; I never disliked him, but I didn't love him either. Now he's just the sweetest guy. But I'm still a big fan of Gale's. He's just so determined to do what's right, he's just amazing.

The action is just as good as in The Hunger Games, but in a different way. I really can't say much more than that. It's exciting, and has you on the edge of your seat, and is just completely wow! And the cliffhanger! Oh my god! The cliffhanger makes me glad that I did wait this long, so I can now pick up [b:Mockingjay|7260188|Mockingjay (Hunger Games, #3)|Suzanne Collins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1282388315s/7260188.jpg|8812783] to find out what happened. Just amazing. I cannot recommend this series enough!

From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog

[Linda]

OMG!! I can't believe how well written this book was, and the surprises. I never saw where the intrigue was going. I'm so glad Mocking Jay is already out, so I can start reading!

[mbtc]

Didn't think this was quite as good as The Hunger Games, but still another fascinating, captivating read. There were quite a few plot twists I didn't expect and I really can't wait to read [b:Mockingjay|7260188|Mockingjay (Hunger Games, #3)|Suzanne Collins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1282388315s/7260188.jpg|8812783] when it comes out.

[ibeforem]

This was a highly anticipated book, and it definitely did not disappoint. I actually pre-ordered this, something I haven’t done since Harry Potter #5. The story picks up almost a year after the Hunger Games ended, with Katniss and Peeta now living in the winner’s village and trying to recover some semblance of a normal life. Katniss still isn’t sure how to deal with Peeta and Gale and definitely isn’t sure how she truly feels about either of them. And worse of all, it will soon be time for another Games, and no one knows what the Capitol has planned for the Quarter Quell, the 75th anniversary of the games. Katniss knows she is still on the President’s naughty list, and there’s no way she can feel safe.

I refuse to post any spoilers, but I assure you that it’s not what you expect. This book is a lot more political, as we learn more about the districts and how life truly is throughout Panem. There’s not quite as much suspense or heavy violence here as in The Hunger Games, but the ending will leave you breathless and dying for the next book.

[sstaley]

2nd Reading: I think I liked this better the 2nd time. I also enjoyed listening with my older kids and to see their reactions to the events in this book.
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1st Reading: I loved the book "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. I gave it 5 stars and could not put it down. It is now on my top 10 list of books that I love. So I was so excited get my hands on the sequel, "Catching Fire".I had heard so many varied responses to "Catching Fire"; all the way from, "Wow it was so good!" to "I can't believe it ended that way!". I knew ahead of time that the end was really going to leave you hanging. Well I am here to say, yes, it does leave you hanging way out over the edge.

I really like this book, I gave it 4 stars, but I did not like it as much as "The Hunger Games". Much of "Catching Fire" does not have a lot happening, where the first book has action throughout most of the book. I was a little frustrated at this aspect of the story. I realize, that many middle books of a trilogy have transition filler to get you ready for the third book. "Catching Fire" does have many surprises for the reader. I still truly love the main female character, Katniss, and her determination to protect her loved ones. The character development was good in this 2nd book. I felt like I grew to know and care more about Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch.

Overall, this is a very good read, but there may be many of us out there that like the first book, "The Hunger Games" better. I am looking forward to the third book to ease the pains of the killer cliffhanger Suzanne left for her readers.

[rakesandrogues]

I was so lucky to have acquired an Adanvced Reader's Copy for Catching Fire. I loved it so much. I couldn't stop reading the moment I opened the book. I honestly thought that the first half of the book was a bit slow but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I think that my jaw dropped too many times that I could count. There were endless surprises that had me clinging on to every page. I think readers will be very happy with the next book in the series. It's worth the wait - though I'm sure that as soon as you're done with Catching Fire, you'll be counting down the days until the final book in the series. I know that I can hardly wait!