Catching Fire: Suzanne Collins

SUMMARY (Courtesy of Borders.com)

Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark. But it had been a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion.

OPINION: 5 STARS

I actually liked this book better than the first. The idea of the Quarter Qwell was a great addition- another downright cruel activity of the government to keep things going their way and a perfect mimicry of abuse of power. I also like how the different Districts are reacting in response to the one act of rebellion Katniss unknowingly did- and the backlash it is creating not only for her but for those she loves.

But as for Katniss herself- her character bothered me in the first and it did here too. I felt like she just didn't grow and continued to act rashly and illogically. Even in her relationships with Peeta and Gale, I sometimes feel like she isn't really trying to go one way or the other. That particular love triangle, although something often seen in books, is a much needed one in this story I think. It creates tension as well as makes the reader feel for all three involved although because Peeta plays a bigger part in the story, I think most readers will side with him out of ease and access.

This book transforms the story from people trying to survive to the full extent of the tyrannical, oppressive government they live under- and how to fight back on it. The ending played into this perfectly and set the stage for what is likely to be an amazing and explosive final novel and while the first book didn't leave me breathless and eager for the next, this one certainly did.

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