Catching Fire, by
Suzanne Collins, is the 2nd book in the
Hunger Games Trilogy. Katniss Everdeen has survived the 74th Hunger Games with, for the first time, another victor. Katniss and Peeta Mellark have returned, victorious, to District 12, but at the price of 22 other kids' lives. While the haunts of the Hunger Games swirl around Katniss, she goes on the Victory Tour where she visits all twelve districts and the Capital. As she goes on these half-forced visits, she realizes that she might've started a rebellion.
A rebellion was exactly what led to the Hunger Games. However, there seems to be no way to stop it from happening. On top of that, President Snow makes a horrifying announcement. For the 75th Hunger Games, better known as the Quarter Quell, victors from the other Games will be chosen to participate. That means that Katniss and Peeta are going into a bloodbath of countless lives. Again.
Just as exciting as the first book in the series,
Catching Fire tests Katniss and Peeta's abilities even further. Not against a bunch of scared kids, but a few handfuls of trained killers. It is recommended to anyone into action and science fiction.
-Reviewed by JunHyung, grade 7.
Comments
This book is an excellent addition to the story hunger games where the game gets many levels harder , as victors from different hunger games come together for the 75th hunger game. I enjoyed this book a little more than the first book of The Hunger series because the fights get better and more action takes place. Once again if you like a good fight and action this book would be great. But if you do not like people going against each other in battles and fighting till the death of each other I would not recommend this book. Other than that this book has a great flow and is very enjoyable to read.
Reviewed by Armand, grade 9
Central Library
I loved this especially because it continues after the Hunger Games. It is very interesting and if you have not read "the Hunger Games" do not read this book yet.
Reviewed by Frederick S., grade 9
Montrose Library
This book was just as good if not better than the first. I liked all of the action, the struggles, and all the rambled up emotions that you really feel when you read this. You feel what the characters feel so you might feel bad for them. If you read the first book you will really like this one two because it has a lot of the same features. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Reviewed by Christian W., grade 9
Montrose Library
Reviewed by Frederick S., Montrose Library
After reading the first book I automatically had to continue the series and it did not disappoint. When you start reading you can't help but be hooked! The story of Katniss Everdeen and her struggles with the Capitol. The love triangle also encourages the reader to keep going. The ending leaves you hanging precariously off the edge of your seat, it's the type of ending that left me searching my book making sure there were no more pages! A must read for all teens! I recommend that you shouldn't read this book until you've read the first of the series and if you don't mind some violence.
Reviewed by Nayri T., grade 10
Casa Verdugo Library
This is the second book in the series of the hunger games. If you haven't read the hunger games then you should because this book is a really good book to read. I liked this book because if gives a lot of detail to the story and it just keeps you on the edge of your seat. In this book you learn about how if you believe in something a lot don't stop because other people might have the same beliefs. If you like an action, thrilling, and interesting book then this book is definitely a really good book for you.
Reviewed by Kyle L., grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch
This book wasn't my favorite, it wasn't as good as the first. i think it was an excess of people who died and i didn't like all the bad stuff. it truly was as action packed as the first one. Your always worried about the characters. in the beginning it was surprising to hear about how everyone had turned out since we last heard about them, it was almost depressing but you cant just read the first one and not read this one, everyone is a lot more rebellious than the first book, now they know how corrupt their government is, its and okay book, and i would recommend it to people.
Reviewed by Anna K., grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch
I really liked reading Catching Fire. The storyline was very interesting and i enjoyed reading it. If you have not yet read the first book in the series, i would recommend doing that, but if you have, you should definitely read this book.
John, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch
I liked Catching Fire more than the first one, I think it was because there was more action in the second one. I loved the part when Katniss met Johanna and Finnick and I just love the series overall. There was a part in the book that went by really slow but other than that nothing was wrong in my opinion. I would recommend this book to obviously those who read the first Hunger Games and enjoyed it.
Reviewed by Elen S., grade 9
Glendale Central Library
I think this book is a complete thriller. It makes you want to turn the page and learn all about the evil plans, love, and especially DRAMA. Its a jaw-dropping book that is amazing. It is astounding how well Collins put together this book, the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Also, it is fast-paced and entertaining, it always has something going on in it. Frankly, I love this book!
Reviewed By Riya S., grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch
"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins in my opinion, is amazing. I really like that this book is not like the first. This time there is a whole new arena that the "contestants", is what I like to call them, fight in. In addition, I also think that the time zones in the arena that Suzanne Collins put in the book is very creative. I would say that the different time zones in the arena are like if you have sprinklers at your house, there are specific times that the sprinklers go off. If you like to read action and adventure, this is the book for you.
Reviewed by CK, Grade 9
Montrose Library
I really liked this book,to me it is my favorite of all the Hunger Game books. I has an amazing, mind-blowing plot. When I first read I couldn't put it down. This book would be good for people who love action and romance. It is a book for all reader's to enjoy. There are many good parts in this book but there are some bad parts. Whoever decides to read this book I do hope you enjoy it.
Reviewed by Emily V., Grade 9
Montrose Library
This was my favorite book out of the three in the Hunger Games series. Suzanne Collins will take you on an adventure and will make you think and wonder about events to come in the next book. I love this book and would recommend it to everybody. However, due to violence and disturbing themes, children under 12 probably shouldn't be reading this novel. I found this novel to be one of my all time favorites.
Reviewed by Zack H., Grade 9
Montrose Library
I didn't like Catching Fire written by Suzanne Collins very much. I didn't like Catching Fire because there wasn't much going on at the start of the story. However as the story keeps going it does pick up the pace and does become more interesting. I would recommend this book to people who like the first Hunger Games because they would want to continue the story but I However didn't enjoy this one as much as the first Hunger Games.
Reviewed AB, Grade 9
Grandview Library
I'll just keep my word neutral about this book. I think it is not too good or too bad. Yes it is true that the Hunger Games can be a real long series persay and they may have very interesting plots in each sequel, there is but there isn't necessarily a good or bad side to it. Except maybe the fact the book is about love. If this is called the Hunger Games, then it should mostly be about fighting in many battles rather than place a touch of love here because it makes me lose some interest in it. And why does the cover have to look red orange? I get how the book's second sequel is called Catching Fire but why red orange? It should've been like vibrant golden yellow or flaring orange itself not a pinch of red in there. I'm also starting to wonder why there is a bird on the cover but I don't think I'm going to question that for now. I know everyone says in general this is a very good book so if that's what all the people say, then I guess I shall recommend this book to you all. Give it a look if you're into a mix of love and battle in a typical book because I think you'll like this one for sure.
Reviewed by Hannah R., Grade 10
Downtown Central
I really enjoyed reading this suspenseful, tense book. It was a great continuation of the previous novel, and was very fun to read. The characters were all just as great as before, and it was interesting to see the larger scope of this novel - it showed other Districts and the people struggling to live in those Districts. The action was great, especially in the arena, and the idea of larger forces like Snow trying to use Katniss was portrayed well and made even the reader feel helpless. Overall, this was a great book and I would definitely recommend it to others.
Reviewed by NK, Grade 10
Montrose Library
The book was very entertaining to me. The people who are interested in science fiction should read this. I liked how the book made the presentation of another year of Hunger Games but this time not just some plain old random one but a different type with more tributes, and the victors of the game were included. Making it an even challenging Hunger Games not just for Katniss, and Peeta but all the tributes as everyone participating is as experienced as them or even more experienced. Making this a challenge, so challenging that every single tribute had to be worried. All the tributes had thought that oh the games are over! Now we can live in peace with fame, richness. But no, you are being dragged back for another Hunger Games harder than the one before. And some of the tributes aren't even teenagers! So like... I mean they don't have much of a chance to fight against the other tributes who are much younger, and have better flexibility, speed, etc. So the concept of this made it unexpected, and entertaining. I mean I was expecting not another Hunger Games with the victors but like a story of a revolution where Katniss led but she didn't join another Hunger Games. So the addition of such a thing made it unexpected, unclear, and even more entertaining.
Reviewed by Ashsmith K., Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
Honestly, I think the book was pretty good! I liked how Katniss toyed around with Peeta's emotions, yet at the same time, they got to be friends again. I think that teens would like this book because if you're not a teen it'll be a tough read and you'll struggle with the vocabulary. I felt inspired by reading about the hardships that Katniss had to go through, even though she had won the games. This book teaches us to guard our hearts and yet work with others to achieve great things. I think that the Quarter Quell was rigged so that Snow could get his revenge.
Reviewed E.Z., Grade 8
Glendale Central Library
The book, catching fire, Volume 2 of the hunger games is an amazing book to read. I recommend this book to everyone because not only is it an amazing and action filled book to read, but also because you can learn new things by reading this book, it helps people learn. I absolutely love the heading and the cover of the book it is just as better as the actual writing. It is a really good book because most of the time when I am reading other books, I tend to have the feeling of wanting to stop, but while I am reading the hunger games, Catching fire volume 2, I just feel like wanting to keep on reading and never stop, because it is super interesting. Once again, I really recommend this book to everyone because of the message it brings to people.
Reviewed by Suren, Grade 8
Brand Library & Art Center
Honestly, I think the book was pretty good! I liked how Katniss toyed around with Peeta's emotions, yet at the same time, they got to be friends again. I think that teens would like this book because if you're not a teen it'll be a tough read and you'll struggle with the vocabulary. I felt inspired by reading about the hardships that Katniss had to go through, even though she had won the games. This book teaches us to guard our hearts and yet work with others to achieve great things. I think that the Quarter Quell was rigged so that Snow could get his revenge.
Reviewed by E.Z., Grade 8
Glendale Public Library