Catching Fire- the review
*****SPOILER ALERT*******
I am talking in depth about this book, so unless you have read it, don’t spoil your own experience by reading this review. Go out, read the book, and then report back to me- because it was awesome!!!!
I do not know how Collins manages to keep me so on my toes- the twists and turns left me reeling after almost every chapter. She packs a really powerful punch into such a small book. I think this is why The Hunger Games makes it onto my top five favorite books. There is no let up of the action, there’s no boring spots; it’s almost like a perfect roller coaster ride- and she’s done it again with Catching Fire. Going into the book I knew there would have to be another Hunger Games, and I knew Katniss would have to somehow be emotionally attached to them. In all honesty I thought there was going to be some sort of plot twist that involved Prim going in. Especially after she mentioned how often siblings are put in- I was completely shocked when she was called in again. Then the games themselves! Holy cow, does Collins have a good imagination when it comes to creative torture devices. I know I’m beginning with the end of the book, but didn’t you know that Plutarch Heavensbee was somehow involved in the revolution after revealing that watch to Katniss? I kept second guessing myself until we found out the games were a giant clock. Then the rest of the time I spent wondering how on earth he was going to save any of them. I just can’t believe we’re going to be waiting at least another year to find out what kind of torture they put Peeta and Johanna through, and what has happened in district thirteen for all of these years!
Anyway, I know I’m a hormonal pregnant mess, but there were exactly two times when I had to stop reading because I was crying so much (not to say there weren’t other parts of this book where I cried, just that it got progressively worse in two spots)- the first was during the Victory tour when the crowd started whistling Rue’s song. I hope we see more of Rue’s family and district eleven- I didn’t realize how emotionally attached I had become to all of them. I have to believe they can’t destroy district 11 because the capitol can’t survive without food resources. Then I lost it again when they dragged Cinna off beaten and bloody right before the games began. I just hope we don’t see Cinna as an Avox in the next book- I’m hoping that the condition can be reversed somehow, if that’s the case.
So what did you guys think? Where you disappointed with anything? I was just so thrilled at how much I guessed turning out to be correct, and yet how incredibly flabbergasted I was at the rest of it. It’s just such a great balance of horror, action, humor, love- I’ll be rereading it over and over again until the next one.
Catching Fire was released Sept. 1st and is written by Suzanne Collins
6 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Cinna’s decision to set fire to the wedding dress was awesome. I’m curious to know what happened to Gale’s family. Such a good book!
By Katrina on 09.03.09 3:01 pm | Permalink
I’ll admit, I also cried when they whistled Rue’s song. I can’t believe how much emotion can be in a book that is so action-packed! Brad kept asking me what was going on because I swear, after almost every chapter I would gasp and let out some noise of shock, put the book down, let myself breathe, and then eagerly begin the next chapter.
I can’t believe how good these books are!
By Kim on 09.03.09 7:56 pm | Permalink
I have to admit that I got a little (very, very little) bored when the next Hunger Games were announced because I knew after that interaction with Plutarch and his watch, that Katniss would be in and it seemed like Collins was just regurgitating the previous book. BUT, then she took me on a roller coaster ride during the Games and the last 100 pages or so had me completely floored. . . had to put the book down and breathe too between chapters, before picking it up again. Honestly, we have to wait another year!!! Is there any hope of Peeta coming back because, after this book, I am really rooting for him.
By Jen on 09.07.09 10:18 am | Permalink
Just finished this last weekend and can now finally read your post! That President Snow is some kind of creepy, and the fear that he and his government create in Katniss is almost palpable. Cannot imagine living like that, wondering if every move you make will get you killed. I was a little worried about the games being like the first ones, but they definitely were not and I really enjoyed the new tributes/victors like Finnick and Johanna, even Nuts and Bolts.
I did not see the ending coming, though. Haymitch as the leader of the uprising totally surprised me and I HATE that she ended it right there. Way too much left hanging, especially if I have to wait a year!
By Julianne on 09.15.09 8:59 am | Permalink
Finally got to this book and I’m so glad I did. What an incredibly intense ride. I too was a little bored when Katniss got picked for the games again but I knew something was up when the Head games guy showed her the watch. Knew there was a bigger game being played than what Katniss was aware of.
I am also amazed at the torture the author can come up with. Two Hunger Games now and and entire district destroyed.
I’m always disgusted with the center district and it’s affluence and joy in the games.
I was so mad at how the book ended though with Peeta’s life in peril. I can’t believe we have to wait to find out what is happening to him and what will happen to him. A year is too long.
By Alisa on 10.19.09 8:30 am | Permalink
I forgot to mention how mad I am at Katniss for not realizing what was going on sooner. I mean the watch and the rebellions and the kids joining up to save them. I know she was kept in the dark but I guess I’m just frustrated that even in the end she didn’t put the pieces together until Gale shows up and then the book ends. It just irritated me. I still love the book but I’m mad at Katniss and Collins for ending it like that. Can’t wait for the next one though.
There, I think I’m done.
By Alisa on 10.19.09 12:46 pm | Permalink
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>