Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire

By winning the annual Hunger Games, District 12 tributes Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion.

The Second Book of the Hunger Games

Alesha Clifford

District 12 only has three existing victors to choose from. Two male. One female...

At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead. The hard part is finding the courage to do it.

Gefährliche Liebe

Die Tribute von Panem 2

Julia Krauß

 höre ich die Glasflasche klirrend zu Boden fallen. Es erscheint mir passend, denn ganz offensichtlich habe ich nichts mehr im Griff

Jeder isst drei, und wer beim Frühstück noch am Leben ist, kann über den Rest bestimmen

ugh i hate that i know what happens after this

Julie <3

Peeta rinses the pearl off in the water and hands it to me. "For you." I hold it out on my palm and examine its iridescent surface in the sunlight. Yes, I will keep it. For the few remaining hours of my life I will keep it close. This last gift from Peeta. The only one I can really accept. Perhaps it will give me strength in the final moments. 

And that's how I know that none of this is part of the Games. That he is telling me the truth about what he feels. "No one really needs me," he says, and there's no self-pity in his voice. It's true his family doesn't need him. They will mourn him, as will a handful of friends. But they will get on. Even Haymitch, with the help of a lot of white liquor, will get on. I realize only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me. "I do," I say. "I need you." 

"Poor Finnick. Is this the first time in your life you haven't looked pretty?" I say. "It must be. The sensation's completely new. How have you managed it all these years?" he asks. "Just avoid mirrors. You'll forget about it," I say. "Not if I keep looking at you," he says. We slather ourselves down, even taking turns rubbing the ointment into cach other's backs where the undershirts don't protect our skin. "I’m going to wake Peeta,' I say. No, wait," says Finnick. "Let's do it together. Put our faces right in front of his." Well, there's so little opportunity for fun left in my life, I agree. We position ourselves on either side of Peeta, lean over until our faces are inches from his nose, and give him a shake. "Peeta. Peeta, wake up," I say in a soft, singsong voice. His eyelids flutter open and then he jumps like we've stabbed him. Aa!" Finnick and I fall back in the sand, laughing our heads off. Every time we try to stop, we look at Peeta’s attempt to maintain a disdainful expression and it sets us off again.

From where I sit, I pull an arrow, whip the notch into place, and am about to let it fly when I'm stopped by the sight of Finnick kissing Peeta. And it's so bizarre, even for Finnick, that I stay my hand.

This is the point for me when Katniss can't survive without Peeta. And when she says that this is a new "hunger?" Yeah, girl a goner!

Elle

"So before he can talk, I stop his lips with a kiss.

I feel that thing again. The thing I only felt once before. In the cave last year, when I was trying to get Haymitch to send us food... This time, there is nothing but us to interrupt us. And after a few attempts, Peeta gives up on talking. The sensation inside me grows warmer and spreads out from my chest, down through my body, out along my arms and legs, to the tips of my being. Instead of satisfying me, the kisses have the opposite effect, of making my need greater. I thought I was something of an expert on hunger, but this is an entirely new kind.”

Pia 

Or I don’t understand what’s actually going on. Wait…there’s no if’s about that. I don’t understand what’s going on.

There is no questions about it. For reasons completely unfathomable to me some of the other victors are trying to keep him [peeta] alive. Even if it means sacrificing themselves. I’m dumbfounded. For one thing that’s my job. For another it doesn’t make sense.

“Maybe I would think that too Cesar,” Peter said. “If it weren’t for the baby.”

You could live a hundred liftimes and don’t deserve him

The male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors 

Katnis you are just stupid that’s the only problem here so oblivious

“But I don’t know what your favorite color is” he says “Green. What’s yours?” “Orange” “Organe like Effie’s hair?” “More like sunset”

En llamas

Ximena Cespedes

No hace falta, mis pesadillas suelen ser sobre perderte, así que se me pasa cuando me doy cuenta de que estás a mi lado. 

vinny<3

"You know, if you put enough pressure on coal it turns to pearls," he says earnestly to Finnick.

"No, it doesn't," says Finnick dismissively.

Instead of satisfying me, the kisses have the opposite effect, of making me need greater. I thought I was something of an expert on hunger, but this is an entirely new kind.

I realize only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me.

Holly

Hannah Yang

First of all, I made the mistake of watching the movie before reading the book. I know, I know, shame on me, but I reeeally hesitated to pick up Catching Fire because I reeeally didn't enjoy the movie (which caused me nightmares for weeks).

Catching Fire is another sparkling addition to the series, and I especially liked the idea of the arena. However, as with the first book, I kind of wanted more from Katniss - more life impacting decisions, more psychological pain, etc. 

Unlike The Hunger Games, Catching Fire doesn't do its characters as much justice. In the first book, even Cato, a ruthless tribute, had a character. In Catching Fire, I glossed over Gloss, Brutus, Cashmere, and many of the other tributes. 

Don't get me wrong, I loved the idea of the Quarter Quell, bringing back previous tributes, but there was so much wasted potential - the pride and vanity of older tributes could have been their doom, or perhaps some who barely scraped through could have experienced extreme terror of returning to the arena. (Bonus points for the details of Haymitch's Quarter Quell, though!)

Overall, the writing is still great, the characters are still alright but not nearly as well developed as before, but I don't think Catching Fire was as nicely put together as The Hunger Games.

Mandy

So, Peeta is kind of too good for everybody in this book, even if he's still a poor dumb bastard. I'm just going to state that upfront. The ~love triangle~ isn't the central plot of the series, obviously, but I think people get so fixated on it because that's all there is to discuss. I mean, the world these people live in is pretty much uniformly awful, so what is there to say other than, "oh god, this is so fucked up"?

I bring all this up because I want to say that what I really admire about this series is: for better or worse, people are going to naturally gravitate toward the romance, and because of that I love that Suzanne Collins wrote two genuinely good, compelling men for Katniss to choose from. I can't recall the last time (if ever) I read or watched a love triangle plot unfold where the choice for the hero/ine is actually a difficult one because the story always makes it pretty clear who the protagonist is "supposed" to be with. Kudos to Collins for making what I normally find the most trite and unnecessary part of most YA novels actually interesting.

Lauren Grey

You can read the original post here: http://thebittersweetbookworm.wordpre...

I began the Hunger Games trilogy about a year ago and I started reading the first book, because the movie was coming out. I read it in a day and thought it was amazing. I went out a bought the next book, but I couldn't get into it. The beginning was slow and I gave up after 75 pages deciding I would just stick to the movies of this series. Well after seeing Catching Fire in theaters on Friday I was totally interested. The movie was fantastic and it's cliff-hanger ending had me hooked and I had to find out what happened, so I went home found my Catching Fire book and restarted it to finish a little under an hour ago.

It was great. I liked it. Definitely not nearly as good as the first, but there has to be a book leading from the fantastic beginning to the devastating end. The book does start out slow. Going through the victory tour was very boring and repetitive, but once you get past that and the Quarter Quell picks up and I couldn't put it down even though I already knew what was going to happen.

The new characters were really well. None of her characters are super well-developed, but seeing as they are about to die it is best not to get too attached. I for one totally fell for Finnick. I thought he was adorable and super sweet and could totally put up with his cocky-attitude and good looks. I found his sugar cube remark really great. I also liked Johanna as well. I liked the unlikely alliance between the characters and how they were each able to contribute something.

The end is fantastic! You have to really be into the series to find it a serious cliff-hanger, but for me and most of the other readers it really makes you, and especially me, want to run out and by the last one to see what happens! I definitely recommend reading this, but make sure you read the first one first!

becky oh

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS A LOT OF NEGATIVE STUFF FOR THIS BOOK SO FOR THE FANS OF THIS SERIES, DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW, WHICH WILL MAKE YOU MAD.

* * *

I really loved Hunger Games. It was so good, and now, reading the next book of the Hunger Game series, I'm disappointed. Seriously disappointed. Sure, the fantasy's good enough for me to go to the end of this book, but the feel of the Hunger Game is gone, and I felt that the first book was too strong. Too strong idea, that the next book was just, POOF! Gone out of the plot. 

**Tiny Spoiler Alert**
Catching Fire made me feel, nothing. Since Katniss is trying to prove her love to Peeta, if felt pretending. Well, it is anyway. The kisses between Katniss and Peeta were forced, their love was forced, and everything. Peeta still loves Katniss, of course. But in this book, Katniss puts her love to someone. Someone I don't really like that much, but still, he's a good dude. But I can't help but give Katniss the 'you're-meant-to-love-someone-else' look. Ugh. Love is too depressing when it's just, pretending.

I still gave 2 stars for the sake of this series. But tbh, I would've gave a 1 star. Like I said, I didn't get the feel of the Hunger Game series. It's too forced for my taste. The first book of this series had a too strong point that the second book kinda lost the feel of the 'real' Hunger Games. I might go for an 'anti-fan' of this series, but still, I can't help but love the first book. Such a disappointment that this book let me down a lot. The fantasy, the plot and the romance was too forced (again) and I don't think I will read this again. 

So Disappointed.

Gabrielle Gonzaga

by far my favorite of the entire franchise, both in the novels and in the movies. the introduction of finnick odair and just the entire parallelism given to the past, present and alluding to the possible future. I love catching fire with my whole heart.

The most interesting part of this book is the game part, which is only 20-30%. So... 

I'm not mind-blown by it. I still prefer the movies since I saw them first and am only reading the books now. But I can see the appeal and would recommend it to a younger audience (basically anyone who is not my age lol). 

Mari

The most interesting part of this book is the game part, which is only 20-30%. So... 

I'm not mind-blown by it. I still prefer the movies since I saw them first and am only reading the books now. But I can see the appeal and would recommend it to a younger audience (basically anyone who is not my age lol). 

Melissa M.

The second book in the trilogy is exciting and full of twists I didn't see coming. I read the book within two days because I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. Katniss being the face of a revolution long before she even realized she played such a huge role makes her character even more genuine. Great read!

Coleman McCormick

Couldn't get into this one, really. I know these are supposed to be for young adults, but the writing just seems overly hokey and childish to me -- not to mention the cheesiness of much of the story in general (maybe this was compounded by bad narration in the audio version I listened to). Feels like a lot of missed opportunity here to tell us more about Panem as a whole. The post-apocalyptic setting is wasted in favor of what is largely a repeat of many of the events in the first book.

It picks up and gets much more interesting at the end. Hoping the next part picks up where that left off and doesn't just tell another "games" story.

Mae Erceg

What on earth was the last line. That's just heartbreaking.

Solimar Gerena 

Soooo much better than the first one. My favorite one in the series.

The second book in the ground-breaking HUNGER GAMES trilogy. After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta return to their district, hoping for a peaceful future. But their victory has caused rebellion to break out ... and the Capitol has decided that someone must pay. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless they can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. Then comes the cruellest twist: the contestants for the next Hunger Games are announced, and Katniss and Peeta are forced into the arena once more.

Surprisingly just as good as it was 10 years ago even though I knew all the plot twists this time around. I'm having such a good time rereading this series and I genuinely did not anticipate it to hold up so well after all this time

Decided to reread the series and man are these great books!

Connor Bragg

Lucy

I think Catching Fire is even better than book one: The Hunger Games. It is so intense, and so much going on all the time. The sense of rebellion, the whispers and hints of uprisings and more going on behind the scenes. Since it is all told from Katniss' POV, there is so much that you don't find out until the end, and though there are clues you really don't get a full sense of the picture.

Katniss is tough and capable, but she has changed since the last book. President Snow sucks. Finnick is funny.

I can’t wait to read the next one!

Chassity

Very very good. I finished it in less than a week, and it’s safe to say I have absolutely no regrets. It hurt so much but at times made me so happy. Also peeta in the book is ABSOLUTELY immaculate like yes that's my man.

After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. The terrifying sequel to The Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games 2. Catching Fire. 10th Anniversary Edition

Nessa Luna

Oof the end of this book still gets me EVERY TIME. The new audiobooks, narrated by Tatiana Maslany are amazing and I highly recommend you try them out.

I love how many scenes were 99% word for word like how they were in the movies tbh cause I watched them first but it makes my heart happy…but yes I did cry soooo many times!!!

Elizabeth Frencham

4,5 stars - Sequels scare me, but this one was well executed. The first book is nuts, but this one is batshit crazy. The way the Capitol messes with the tributes' heads will always leave me to want to throw hands at them myself. (The way they executed that man from District 11 in cold blood?! Oh it's WAR). 

We finally saw more of Gale, and we know more about Madge. I loved Wiress & Beetee. Rue and Thresh were mentioned multiple times and I loved that too. Johanna Mason knows how to make her entrance & I liked the Haymitch backstory. He really said "Let the revolution begin heaux" and Johanna is jumping up and down to end Santa Claus. 

Joy KBA

4,5 stars - Sequels scare me, but this one was well executed. The first book is nuts, but this one is batshit crazy. The way the Capitol messes with the tributes' heads will always leave me to want to throw hands at them myself. (The way they executed that man from District 11 in cold blood?! Oh it's WAR). 

We finally saw more of Gale, and we know more about Madge. I loved Wiress & Beetee. Rue and Thresh were mentioned multiple times and I loved that too. Johanna Mason knows how to make her entrance & I liked the Haymitch backstory. He really said "Let the revolution begin heaux" and Johanna is jumping up and down to end Santa Claus. 

Amazing! I always loved the second movie best and I have a feeling the second book will also be my favourite of the series. It's so deviating and amazing all at once

Kira Del Caro

Julia

Definitely my favorite book in the series. I forgot how impactful the last line was.

still iconic. fav book maybe? definitely favorite of the trilogy.

Shai

Sparks are igniting.
Flames are spreading.
And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol—a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before . . . and surprising readers at every turn.

The Hunger Games #2

YEP. Still a low blow and my favourite of the trilogy.

Annabella

"If we burn, you burn with us" 

YEP. Still a low blow and my favourite of the trilogy.

Amazing, started off slow in the beginning but by the end had me crying

Catching Fire

Reviews

Highlights