Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) in YA and Beyond

May 10, 2009 Brigid ✩ rated it liked it

Shelves: dystopia, young-adult, sci-fi, futuristic

These books kind of … frustrate me, I guess you could say. It's the kind of book I keep waiting to get better, and it just doesn't. I wasn't crazy about the first book – It was good, but I didn't feel a burning desire to pick up the next one. But then everyone told me this one was better than the first and so amazing and so forth, and I liked the first one well enough to read the sequel. So. I read it. And my opinion still stands … Honestly, I just think these books are good-ish, maybe verging o These books kind of … frustrate me, I guess you could say. It's the kind of book I keep waiting to get better, and it just doesn't. I wasn't crazy about the first book – It was good, but I didn't feel a burning desire to pick up the next one. But then everyone told me this one was better than the first and so amazing and so forth, and I liked the first one well enough to read the sequel. So. I read it. And my opinion still stands … Honestly, I just think these books are good-ish, maybe verging on just "okay".

I mean, I think the idea is interesting, but I don't feel like it's used to its full potential. The concept is intriguing, but it lacks an organized plot line, an original narration, and strong characters. I find the plot a little hard to follow; it's like, I understand what's happening but I don't fully understand why.

Suzanne Collins's writing style doesn't really work for me, either. She uses SO MANY FRAGMENTS, and fragments are one of my pet peeves. Plus, her tone is very dry. There's not a lot of life or emotion to it. I mean, you either have to write really well or at least make it sarcastic or something – anything to make it unique and interesting. But nothing about Collins's writing really strikes me. It doesn't make me feel anything, which sort of bugs me, since she writes in first person and I want to really feel what Katniss is feeling and I just don't. It's not that I can't sympathize with her, I just wish her emotions were stronger.

… Which leads me to the characters. Okay, first of all, Katniss really bugs me. She's just the typical "Mary Sue" character like many other female main characters of YA series these days. She's the girl who doesn't know how perfect and wonderful she is, and cries all the time, and gets chased around by all the sexy male characters, blah blah blah. As for the sexy males, I'm not very interested in them either. I mean, if you're going to have some sort of love triangle going on, there should be more of a distinction between the two "options". Peeta and Gale are virtually the same "nice guy" character, and I don't have a strong preference for either of them.

So ANYWAY, sorry for the long rant. I know I make it sound like I hate these books, and I don't. They're okay, and I'll read the third one when it comes out, but I'm not dying for it. It's more like the kind of book that I'll pick up and skim just out of curiosity, just to find out what happens – rather than to have an engaging experience actually throwing myself into it, if you know what I mean. Basically, in conclusion, I think these books are good but I don't understand the big hype. ...more

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Feb 16, 2009 Seth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: re-read, 5-star-books, read-3-times

Oh my gosh . . . this was amazing! I don't wanna give anything away but . . . BEWARE OF THE QUARTER QUELL! ...more

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Mar 09, 2010 Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: if-you-don-t-own-it-you-should, 2010, ya-my-first-love

Book #2 in The Huner Games Trilogy was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. As with most books, I picked up the Hunger Games because it was a "Must Read" recommendation from a friend who shares my love of all things Harry Potter. As with HP (and no, there aren't any witches or wizards in this series), I was instantly hooked. So, I immediately went to find Catching Fire as soon as I was finished.

I don't know if I was just enjoying being along for the ride, but there were definitely a ...more

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Oct 09, 2010 Christie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library, series, ya

I really enjoyed this book...I think I connected with the charters more (maybe because I knew hem better after the first book. I like the way the Katniss becomes the naive one in this book, not know the plan in the arena. I also think that Suzanne did a great job leaving the ending such a cliff hanger...I am glad the last one is waiting for me in the library as we speak. I can not wait to see what happens and how this story comes to an end.

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Sep 26, 2009 Haley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: action-romance, the-sky-is-falling

LOVED IT. But i hate when books leave me hanging. I can'y wait till the next one comes out. Hope we dont have to wait so long this time. ...more

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May 20, 2010 Falling for Books (Tia) rated it it was amazing

Really great continuation of the story... i can't wait to see what happens next!! ...more

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Dec 12, 2009 Katelin rated it really liked it

I really liked this book. I think it took a little bit to get into to, but once I was into it, I couldn't put it down! I love a good page turner. Too bad my kids wouldn't cooperate and just let me read all day! Now I can't wait for Mockingjay this August! ...more

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Apr 21, 2011 Lori Goldstein rated it it was amazing

Sequel to Hunger Games and didn't disappoint. Can't wait to read the third. Read April 2011.

Update: Read it again, June 2013. It's as good as the original if not better in many ways. I'm impressed with the author's ability to do quick updates for those rare souls who may not have read the first in the series. Efficiently done. And she is the master of pacing. ...more

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