Review: Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Genre: YA Dystopian Fiction

Pages: Hardcover, 390

Publisher: Scholastic

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, Aunwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

As with the first novel in this trilogy, I could not put this one down. Katniss is yet again faced with her fears of making the right decisions and how they will impact her future, whatever that may be. She knows that she has feelings for both Peeta and Gale and these emotions are tested greatly through her reentry into the games.

The description within these novels is what hooks me even more as I read. The way Collins describes the outfits, what the district looks like, how the wind blows or whatever it is allows the reader to visualize exactly what she sees. I have these novels on audio too and I loved going back and listening to parts that I had just read so that I could close my eyes and put myself right there with Katniss. Collins also has a way of dropping little hints, or nuggets, along that when they pop back up in future chapters you find yourself remembering that seemingly obsolete detail and seeing its importance to the plot when it resurfaces. I love that. I am a details person so I notice things that some see as insignificant and later laugh and say, “see?! I told you!!” Those things add so much to these novels. Katniss, Peeta and the other characters (like our lovely Haymitch) prove to leave us desperate for more and yet sad because we know it will be the end. This series is a definite keeper and I will be using it a good deal within my classroom.

When I read the last Harry Potter book I procrastinated so very much because I just didn’t want it to end. I think I am going to be the same way with Mockingjay. Happy reading all.

Read my review of The Hunger Games HERE.

Visit Suzanne Collins HERE.

Find more stuff from Scholastic about The Hunger Games HERE.

AND

Visit The Hob HERE for more info on the books and the movie!!

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)
by Suzanne Collins

Genre: YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Pages: Hardcover, 374

Publisher: Scholastic

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My students started after me about this series last year. Of course, I had it in my ever-growing pile but when I got my hands on the audiobook it became even harder for me to resist… not that I purposely was! I spend over an hour in the car a day traveling to and from work and I have found that audiobooks are a God-send!

These books truly are “the next Harry Potter” for a multitude of reasons. I loved Katniss as a narrator and the complete view we get of her. Collins has written her so well and I felt like I was right with her throughout her journey. Stress, fatigue, emotional outbursts, loss and just plain ole confusion were felt through Katniss as she was learning to be the citizen representing her district. Many times female authors are thought to only be able to write romance (or “the mushy stuff” as my boys say), but Collins has proved them all wrong. Yes, there is a “love story” woven throughout but it is in no way mushy.

As I was listening to Katniss’ survival in the Hunger Games I was brought back to my eleventh grade English class when we read The Lord of the Flies. That book amazed me because of the raw nature of the boys and what they did to survive and Katniss reminds me of that. She did what she had to do to survive and surprised herself most of all throughout her trials and tribulations. I am glad that I don’t have to wait for Catching Fire or even Mockingjay because I have them both on my shelf and on audiobook.

For those of you wondering… I am TEAM PEETA all the way!

Mark your calendars...
The Hunger Games will hit theaters
March 23, 2012