The Flame of Rebellion is Catching Fire

Catching Fire (2009)
Suzanne Collins
Science Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Warnings: graphic killing


This is the second book in The Hunger Games Series. The Districts have started rebeling against the Capitol, and President Snow tells Katniss it is her fault and she must fix it or her family and friends will pay. When she relizes she cannot stop what has already been set in motion she decides to quit fighting it and, instead, join it. Then comes the 75th Hunger Games. Every 25 years they have the Quarter Quell, which is a special Hunger Games to more specifically remind the Districts about the rebellion and how the Capitol always retains control. In this Quarter Quell they announce that 2 victors, one male and one female, will go from each district to compete. Victors are the ones who have won past Hunger Games. Seeing as District 12 only has one female victor, Katniss Everdeen is back in the games. It is more intense than the first book because she is fighting against people with more experience, but as time progresses she becomes suspicious as to the others motives for keeping her and her fellow district 12 tribute alive. She wants to know why the other tributes are putting their own safety, and lives, after that of those from her District.


A major theme from this book is the power of words. Most of the tributes have some sort of strength. Whether it be physical or mental they are each strong in thier own way. District 12's male tributes strength is in how he can so easily, in his simple honest way, take of few words and have a whole nation on his side.


It is written in first person from the point of view of Katniss. The tone is intense and pulls you in. By the end of the book you feel the need to start the next one so you can find out what happens.


The audience for the first book was more pointed toward teens, but this one includes adults as well because the author brings in the adult tributes and the reader can see from all different ages how horrible these game could be for anyone.


"Where as Katniss kills with finesse, Collins writes with raw power." -Time Magazine

"Collins has done that rare thing. She has written a sequel that improves upon the first book." -The New York Times Book Review