Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) (original 2009; edition 2009)

Not as good as the Hunger Games. Doesn't pick up speed until the second half. Predictable in places but ends well enough so you have to read the last book. ( )

I expected to feel a lot less... ambivalent about this, from what people have said. There've been those who think it isn't as good as the first book, and those who thought it was an improvement, but I'm just kind of left helplessly shrugging and saying, well, it was fun to read, and there were a few awesome moments and a few kick-in-the-teeth moments, but I wasn't really engaged by the Peeta-or-Gale argument (which to me is a) obvious and b) already decided, since I know the plot of Mockingjay) and the idea of Katniss going back into the arena again, still being narrated by her, really failed to draw much of a response at all from me.

I may even come out liking the films more than the books, at this rate. Partly because Jennifer Lawrence is gorgeous, partly because it gives us other perspectives and other voices (to a limited extent -- the camera's practically stuck to Katniss, yeah, but you do get some glimpses outside her point of view). I liked Haymitch's role here, and I sort of wish that he had been the one to go into the arena with Katniss -- that would have given both him and Peeta new roles, and given Katniss a new situation to react to.

Still, I don't feel like I got much more from this than from reading a summary, which is sort of unfortunate. Onward to Mockingjay in hopes of some further kicks in the teeth... ( )

Really enjoyed the developments in this one, it’s becoming more compact and if the first book was really addicted I can say the same about this one to. It involves you in all the characters stories and puts you begging for more. ( )

I could NOT stop reading this. Even at 2am with my eyes half closed and gritty, I was determined to read the very last page before I fell asleep. I actually liked this book better than [b:The Hunger Games|7285601|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1299041693s/7285601.jpg|2792775]. I still want to smack the ever loving crap out of Katniss...but not as often. ( )

Catching Fire is a worthy sequel that lives up to all of the hype surrounding the first book, The Hunger Games. As with many second books of a series, Catching Fire is filled with transitional information that is important for carrying the plot forward to the third installment. Fortunately the plot does not become bogged down in these details, and is still quite entertaining.

The first two-thirds of the book is a little bit slower in pace than The Hunger Games, but it gives the reader a chance to get to know more about what the characters have been doing since the end of the last book, and the stance of their relationships to each other. The last third of the book takes the reader back to the quick and exciting pace that was found in The Hunger Games, and is filled with action and a cliffhanger ending.

As for the relationship problems between Katniss, Peeta and Gale, I stand firmly in the team Peeta camp. I think that both boys have shown selfless love for Katniss, but I think that only Peeta can truly understand what it is that Katniss has gone through, and in the end I think that will make all the difference in the world. If I had to make a prediction though, I would guess that the only way that Katniss survives the third book is through the selfless sacrifices of both Peeta and Gale. (I'm not saying that they'll die or anything, just that they'll sacrifice a lot for her.) I have my own ideas about who I think Gale should end up with, and I can't wait to see if I'm right.

One thing that I forget about these books until I pick them up to read them is that they are written in present tense. Usually that annoys me and distracts me from the story, but in the case of this series the present tense works perfectly to convey a sense of immediacy, and really puts the reader in the middle of the action.

Those of you who have read The Hunger Games should love this book. If you haven't read these fabulous young adult books yet, be sure to start with The Hunger Games first. You really need to read these books in order if you want to know what is going on in the second book. ( )