[Review] Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: September 1st 2009

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Series: The Hunger Games (Book #2)

Source: I purchased a copy from a bookstore.

Blurb from Goodreads: Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge. 
Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss shoul be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol -a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped created.
Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.
In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

Review

First thoughts: After reading The Hunger Games, and being blown away by it, I just needed to start Catching Fire right away. I was afraid, though. Because with such a powerful first book, there's so little to do in a sequel. So I started this one feeling a little bit uncomfortable, hoping it wouldn't ruin the whole story. And it didn't. It just blew me away some more. I read a comment from Stephenie Meyer, the Twilight series author, which describes pretty much the exact feeling I have about this book: “Catching Fire not only lived up to my high expectations, it surpassed them. It's just as exciting as The Hunger Games, but even more gut wrenching, because you already know these characters, you've already suffered with them.”

About the plot: This book is divided in three parts and each of them show a different stage in this story. Each one is full with excitement and unexpected turns. 

In the first one, we get to see what's been going on since Katniss and Peeta won the 74th Hunger Games. We learn about the others districts when the couple goes to visit them for the Victory Tour. It shows the consequences of what Katniss did in order to stay alive in the Games. Some of the districts are starting a rebellion. And President Snow knows exactly who is to blame. Besides, things are really mixed up in Katniss love life. Peeta won't talk to her if there isn't a camera shooting them, because of what she said on the train, about everything between them being a just-to-survive kind of thing. And Gale suddenly throwing his heart out to Katniss. So, our girl is pretty confused. On top of that, the President threats Katniss friends and family, so the girl on fire has to keep pretending that Peeta is the love of her life and that everything she has done so far was just because she's insanely in love with him.

The second part was the most unexpected one for me. We can almost see the feelings shifting from fear to pure rage on Katniss behavior. The Quarter Quill is coming and everything that Katniss and Peeta has being trying to forget is starting all over again. But this time, Katniss has made a commitment to herself: she will keep Peeta alive, whatever it takes, even if it is her own life what's on the line.

The third part is the coolest. I love it so much! We get to know some new characters like Finnick  Odair who is the sexiest guy who has ever walk on the face of Earth. Johana Mason the girl who won the Games a few years ago pretending she was all scared and then turning into a killing machine. 

About the writing: The first part of the book is a little bit slower that the first book. But then it all starts spinning around so fast that you don't have time to worry about it. The story is told from Katniss point of view like the first book, but now that you already know her, you understand why she thinks and does everything and sometimes you are able to predict what she's going to say next, like she is one of your best friends and you know her that well. I found that pretty amazing, because I love to feel related to the character I read about.

About the ending: I was NOT expecting that. God! I don't know how Collins manages to keep amazing me that way. Picture the most unfortunate turn of events and there you go! 

I would recommend it for: If you read the Hunger Games and liked it. You can not miss this one. And if you haven't read the first book, what are you waiting for?!

Rating:

Quotes:

“My nightmares are usually about losing you. I'm okay once I realize you're here.” 

“I realize only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me.” 

“Really, the combination of the scabs and the ointment looks hideous. I can't help enjoying his distress.
"Poor Finnick. Is this the first time in your life you haven't looked pretty?" I say.
"It must be. The sensation's completely new. How have you managed it all these years?" he asks.
"Just avoid mirrors. You'll forget about it," I say.
"Not if I keep looking at you," he says.” 

“The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol's plans. The symbol of the rebellion.” 

“At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead.The hard thing is finding the courage to do it.” 

About the author: 

Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.
While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.
Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles.
Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.
She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.
The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are the Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.
Website: http://suzannecollinsbooks.com/

[Review] The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: October 31st 2008

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Series: The Hunger Games (Book #1)

Source: I purchased a copy from a bookstore.

Blurb from Goodreads: Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before -and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Review

General thoughts: I had been fighting the need of reading this book. Mostly because whenever a book becomes really popular like this one, when I get to read it, it's a let down for me, and I'm tired of those books. But I gave in to temptation. And I'm so glad I did that I felt the need to slap myself for not reading it sooner. I was trapped since the very beginning of it, and I think it took me like five or six hours to finish it. I read it in one sitting, I couldn't stop. Whenever I needed to make an interruption  just because I'm human and I need to pee and eat and live, I couldn't stop thinking about the book. The world this book describes is so captivating that makes it impossible not to get caught in it.
This is a dystopia set in a post-apocalyptic world. Its a vertiginous reading with a pretty understandable language -no fancy words- and if there's some word you haven't heard before it has its meaning explained through the story. This is one of the things that makes so easy to picture the entire world of The Hunger Games. It contains some harsh scenes (let's not forget that this is a book about a bunch of teenagers killing each other to survive), but it never gets too gross. And being a person who can't stand the sight of blood, that's pretty much saying that it is completely bearable. I never even felt disgusted by the sharp descriptions of blood and wounds. 

About the plot: Katniss has to support her family in the best way she can, under the constant watch from the Capitol. The protagonist risks everything, everyday along with her friend, Gale, to go on hunting trips to the woods. That's the only way they're able to survive in the Seam, the poorest part of district 12. 
Despite their efforts, every year, the inevitable reaping day comes for the Capitol to take a girl and a boy from each district, so they can fight for their lives in "The Hunger Games", which is some kind of bizarre reality show where people of Panem have to watch their kids killing each other. The winner (the survivor) earns an "easy life" (if you can overcome the awful experience of seeing the kids around you getting killed or killing them yourself). 
With everything the way it is, Prim, Katniss' sister is in danger, because this is her first reaping. Katniss and Gale are even worse, because they agreed to enter their names repeatedly in the reaping in exchange for food. 
Odds don't seem to be on their favor, however, Katniss' only consolation is that Prim's name is entering only once. But she couldn't have been more unlucky, because it happens: Prim is selected to be the tribute for District 12. So, Katniss who would do whatever it takes to keep her sister safe, takes her place and volunteers to be the tribute. But as if that wasn't bad enough, the boy who is selected as tribute for district 12, is Peeta Mellark, the boy with the bread, and Katniss already owes him her life. Sweet!
When the tributes are taken to the Capitol, a team is supposed to take care of them and make them look pretty enough for the cameras. But they're obsessed with the idea of presenting district 12 tributes as a couple and Katniss is already sick of Peeta's kind and sweet act, because she's certain that she can't trust anyone, can she?

About the characters: 
Katniss, the girl on fire, is a sixteen-year-old girl who has been -for many years- the support of her family after her dad died. She's strong, brave, caring, independent and has a huge heart.
Peeta, the boy with the bread, is the sweetest boy you can imagine. Selfless, caring, sensitive, genuine and completely in love with Katniss.
Gale, the best friend. He's intriguing, a rebel, good friend, the king of the snares and the support of his family, just like Katniss.
Prim, the little sister, is a twelve-year-old, sweet and kind and lovely. She has her mothers skills and sometimes works with her in the apothecary.

Haymitch, the drunk mentor, he was the one who won the 50th Hunger Games. Often sarcastic, he's intelligent and sharp when he manages to stay sober.
Rue is a small 12-year-old from district 11 that was chosen as the girl tribute. She can climb well and jump from tree to tree. She and Katniss became allies in the Games when she pointed out a tracker jacker nest to Katniss that saved her life.

About the writing: This book is much more than just fast-paced. You get so involved with the story that you can't even tell when you have finished it. It is narrated in first person, from Katniss point of view and you can almost see whatever she sees. I love the writing, mostly because I didn't felt the need of skipping descriptions or anything, because it has the exact amount of details to understand the world and the plot, without boring you with explanations. I loved it, I wouldn't change a word of it.

About the ending (it contains spoilers): First of all, I have to say that I couldn't resist and after six hours reading The Hunger Games non-stop, I had to start "Catching Fire" right away.
We have to separate the end of the games and the ending of the book. 
The end of 74th Hunger Games, God! I was about to die when the last announcement is made. And then I cried at the reaction of both Peeta and Katniss. It was pretty exciting when everyting seemed to fall in place and they defeat the Capitol. Katniss & Peeta: 1 ; Capitol: 0
The ending of the book was sad. I felt everything that Peeta was feeling. I just wanted to hug him and tell him that Katniss was insane and she didn't deserve him. 

I would recommend it to: Oh my God! I don't care about genres or who you are anymore. You HAVE to read it. Like... NOW!

Rating:

Quotes:

“I can feel Peeta press his forehead into my temple and he asks, 'So now that you've got me, what are you going to do with me?' I turn into him. 'Put you somewhere you can't get hurt.” 


“District 12: Where you can starve to death in safety.” 

“Only I keep wishing I could think of a way...to show the capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than a piece in their games.”

About the author: 

Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.
While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.
Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles.
Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.
She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.
The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are the Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.
Website: http://suzannecollinsbooks.com/