'I'm about to shut off the television, but then Caesar is telling us to stay tuned for the other big event of the evening. "That's right, this year will be the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, and that means it's time for our third Quarter Quell!"'
It has taken me a while to actually come to terms with what exactly I wanted to say about this particular book. I felt that if I rushed straight into this review, having just finished the book, that it would have clouded my judgement a little.
I was so eager, at the time, to just blurt everything out about how good this book was. However, I refused to do so. I guess you could say that I gave my brain a little freedom to just wrap itself around everything.
With 'The Hunger Games', Collins just won me over with every emotion! The creativity of such an intense story line couldn't possibly be over thrown by it's follow-up or could it?
Normally at this stage I would say something like "but Catching Fire did just that", but not this time. I feel that Collins mapped out the book in a very similar way with the first installment and didn't give herself any real chance of originality.
After finishing the Hunger Games, you enter the world of Catching Fire. Feeling a sense of hope for the Victors, maybe now they'll get the chance to live a long and happy life or even the possibility of a better future for District 12. But then to find that pulling a stunt, such as forcing the (74th annual Hunger Games) game makers to have two victors crowned winners, was never going to end well.
At the beginning of the book we find that the dust has settled and that everyone is pretty much cool with each other. But then again there is that one guy who Katniss inadvertently offended. The same guy who happens to share a name with the cold wintry weather, that has covered District 12 in a blanket of white. President Snow!
Although Katniss and Peeta continue to fulfill the star crossed lovers image, [spoilers removed], when Gale is punished Katniss risks all that when she runs in protesting, trying to save Gale's life. On top of all this she also finds evidence that District 13 may not be in total ruins after all!
Once again, Katniss and Peeta find themselves back in the arena for the 75th Annual Hunger Games known as the Quarter Quell.
Learning that this was a deliberate trap set to get rid of Katniss, Haymitch and his crew are at the ready, hoping to rescue the Victors. Whilst this takes place, Peeta falls into the hands of President Snow.
As the book draws to a close a war breaks out and a rebellion against the Capital begins!
In conclusion I thoroughly enjoyed this book although I didn't like it as much as I did the first. That said, I did prefer the arena in 'Catching Fire' to its predecessor as I thought the idea was very creative and well thought out. I also enjoyed learning about and getting to know the past Victors. If you loved 'The Hunger Games' then you will enjoy 'Catching Fire'.
I can't wait to read 'Mockingjay'.
Review by Katie Johnson (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars)
I can think of many words to describe this book, and one of them is AMAZING!!!
It starts off with a carefree everyday normal life. Things have settled down since the Hunger Games ended. Only to be disrupted again. It's hard enough for Katniss to go on pretending she loves Peeta, but a visit from President Snow diminishes any hope left for them both. Peeta proposes to Katniss in front of the nation. Later claiming they are already married and that Katniss is pregnant. Of course it's all for show but it doesn't go down well with the audience.
Despite everything they are still thrown into the heart of the Quater Quell Games. The games only last a few days but a lot happens in that space of time. It's nothing like the Hunger Games. This is carefully and purposely planned out so that the victors soon discover the true purpose of the game.
A rebellion is on the way, war has broken out. Nothing will ever be the same again. It's only a matter of time before the Capital are taken over and put in their places.
I can't wait to read the final installment Mockingjay!!
Review by Katie Ellis (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 Stars)
