Catching Fire (The Second Book in the Hunger Games) [Kindle Edition] review

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Catching Fire (The Second Book in the Hunger Games) [Kindle Edition] review

Starred Review. Gr 7 Up--Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists in which the U.S. accustomed to be, the Capitol holds a televised tournament by which two teen "tributes" from each from the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle for the death. Inside Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing these phones let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to discover herself more the middle of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her using a visit, and Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is split into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations to the 75th Annual Hunger Games, as well as a truncated version of the Games themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the country of Panem: its power structure, rumors of an secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as being a character. Though initially bewildered by the interest to her, she comes almost to embrace her status because the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story takes place outside of the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to thrill Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers being desperate to the next installment.
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Reviewers were pleased to report that this Hunger Games trilogy is alive and well, and many types of looked forward on the third book inside series after this one's stunning conclusion. But they disagreed over whether Catching Fire was as good as the initial book Hunger Games or ought to be viewed as somewhat of an "sophomore slump." Several critics who remained unconvinced by Katniss's romantic dilemma made unfavorable comparisons towards the human-vampire-werewolf love triangle in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. But most reviewers felt that Catching Fire was still being a thrill because Collins replicated her initial success at balancing action, violence, and heroism in the method that will enthrall young readers without providing them with (too many) nightmares.