Catching Fire

Please, for your own sake, don’t read this review of Catching Fire unless you have already read The Hunger Games. If you haven’t, check out my review of The Hunger Games here: http://bibliophilesupportgroup.blogspot.com/2008/09/hunger-games.html

Also, if you are looking for my contest, simply scroll down or click here: http://bibliophilesupportgroup.blogspot.com/2009/10/vampires-assistant-contest.html

Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games blew me away, as it did many. I mean, wow! I was left breathless, stunned, and in a state of suspense when it came to a close – Katniss clearly not as safe as she (and we) hoped she’d be after winning the Games with the sweet, every-girl’s-dream-guy Peeta.

The Capitol, she had found out, was not happy with her pulling one over on them. But, what she didn’t realize at the end of The Hunger Games was just how much the final seconds of the Hunger Games impacted all the other districts. Katniss’ actions roused in the citizens’ weary, tired bodies an inspiration that maybe, just maybe, the Capitol could be defeated. An idea that had only been a distant fantasy for the past many decades.

In the meantime, Katniss finds herself torn between a strong bond and confused feelings for Peeta, whom she feels she betrayed, and her loyal, Capitol-hating best friend Gale, whom she also feels she betrayed. Somehow, Suzanne Collins makes these relationships so starkly realistic and painful – not at all angsty or of a different nature than who Katniss is. In other words, she doesn't become a pile of girly-goo when it comes to good-looking, interesting guys. Um refreshing much? Yeah.

But none of Katniss’ heartache regarding Peeta and Gale can overcome the terrible, utter fear of President Snow’s seemingly omniscient knowledge of her and her family and the damage he can do. She finds herself desperate to prove to all of Panem that she was just a love-struck flake when she and Peeta (at her suggestion) took out the poison berries instead of kill each other.

But will it work? Or will things only get worse, and her loved ones be put in even more danger?

I’m not sure if my synopsis really does the basic plot justice. In fact, I'm sure it doesn't.

Catching Fire is truly a magnificent novel, capturing the exact same level of emotion, tension, and character development as the The Hunger Games. Every page and every chapter brought another surprise – I honestly did not have any idea what would happen next.

The guesses of even an experienced bibliophile like me, who has read hundreds of books, could not believe where Catching Fire went, and where it ended.

It was unbelievable, incredible, and astonishing!

Don’t get it yet? Here’s some more adjectives for you: Poignant, shocking, heart-rending, horrifying, and inspiring.

I don’t know what else to say but to READ Catching Fire! For the characters, the plot, the thrills, the tears, the romance, the shocks, and the genuinely original story!!!

Suzanne Collins, you are one hell of a writer. I’m astounded, and frantic for the final novel!!!