The Hunger Games took the blogosphere by storm and last spring bloggers traveled from all over the world to get their hands on the ARC of the follow-up, Catching Fire. It's almost impossible to write a review without a little bit of spoiling. But I really don't want to spoil this book for you at all, I think it's best gone into without much knowledge. So here's what I'll say.
Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and Haymitch all make appearances in Catching Fire. The Capital is seriously ticked at Katniss and Peeta and that is going to have consequences for everyone. The book is heart wrenching, the cruelty increases, Katniss still doesn't fully know who she is, and she's got a lot to deal with not least of which is the continuing threat and oppression of the Capital. The stakes are raised in every way and no one is safe. New characters are introduced, people die, and there's more than meets the eye.
And that's all I'm going to say plotwise. Admittedly the book started a bit slow for me, just like the Hunger Games did but once I got into it, I was really into it. And I liked it even more than the Hunger Games. The very last line of the book is sheer perfection and will leave you longing for the third book.
I encourage you to jump on this bandwagon if you haven't already. If nothing else it's loads of fun and I'm so excited to finally be able to chat with people about the book now that it has been released. Michelle and Andrea have announced a YA book club online and they will be chatting about Catching Fire as the first book!
Additionally, you can see some videos of Suzanne Collins over at the Borders media center that you might enjoy.
Have you read The Hunger Games? Catching Fire? Would love to hear your thoughts, but keep them spoiler free!
Rating: 5/5
Things You Might Want to Know: The subject matter is serious. While the content is pretty free of language and graphic sex, the heavy subject matter is something parents may want to take into consideration.
Book Source: I obtained an ARC at BEA, but this is also a buy-in-hardcover-keep-forever-book for me.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Posted by Amy at 10:28 PM
Labels: Book Reviews, Young Adult
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14 comments:
I've been begging my Scholastic rep to PLEASE find me the audio book for this one (which is the way the kids and I read Hunger Games). I was quite distressed to see that EW gave this book a "C". I am thinking that no matter what, I will love this book because I am invested in the characters. Hunger Games was by far THE best YA we read this year!
I only read The Hunger Games two weeks ago and immediately pre-ordered Catching Fire. It arrived early and I devoured it on Sunday. I preferred it slightly over The Hunger Games too as it was so clever how she sustained the action outwith the Games (and the twist within that) and the subject matter was even more hard-hitting. I also agree that the final line was perfect, shocking and emotive.
Yay, I'm glad it isn't disappointing - I hate it when sequels are! I'm just off to find some major spoilers so I can know what happens before I actually acquire the book.
I haven't read Hunger Games yet but I've heard great things.
I blogged about this today, too but I forgot to bring up the potential content concerns. So I'm glad you included it in your "things you might want to know." I usually tell parents that it sounds like a violent concept (what with the whole "fight to the death" thing) but it is not a violent or graphic book.
I'm reading this TODAY or my husband is going to come home and find a very grouchy woman. I preordered from Amazon and it shipped from somewhere close by yesterday. I also put it on hold at the library, just in case.
I'm in the middle of it right now. Can't wait until I finish work tonight so I can devour the rest! I have a galley, but I'm definitely buying a hardcover!
I haven't read either, but I'm one of those who got up at 5:00 in the morning to get a ticket to get an autographed copy of Catching Fire. I bought The Hunger Games at the airport on the way home, so I could read it first. Carl's read them both and loved them, though!
Have to get these books!
I'm waiting for mine to ship from Amazon. I hope they hurry up! I don't see myself waiting to read this one, I'll be starting as soon as I get the time!
I haven't read the Hunger Games so needless to say that I haven't read Catching Fire either. However, I have been noticing a lot of hype about the book in the blogosphere. I'm glad that you enjoyed reading it. Sometimes books that start off slow end up being the most enjoyable. Strange how that happens.
I want my copy! *sniff sniff*
A great non-spoiler review, Amy!!
ARGH! I'm seeing reviews for this one everywhere and it's frustrating because I don't have time to read it until late next week. I'm glad it lived up to the hype for you! (even though you were one of the ones creating the hype..)
I haven't read your review (I'm so scared of the smallest of spoilers). But my copy shipped yesterday. Hoping I have it in time for the weekend.
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