The Hunger Games : 2 : Catching Fire product reviews

I picked up this book as soon as I finished the first book the Hunger Games as I needed to know what was still to come in the trilogy. As with the first book I wasn't disappointed as this book offers so much action and suspense as the story further develops and we see Katniss and Peta's characters develop even further.

I was left pondering what would happen between Katniss and Peta after the first book and how the capital would rebel against the surprising twist in the victory at the end of the games. In this book Katniss and Peta must go on tour to celebrate their victory but they must pretend they are madly in love with each other which causes a lot of stress for Peeta knowing that lives depend on her actions.

It was slow to start with the characters settling back in but it doesn't take long for the action to take off as the districts start rebelling against the capital and Peeta and Katniss are thrown back into the arena in yet more action.

Having finished this book again I am dying to find out what happens next and will be commencing the third book as soon as possible!

I wasn't too sure of what to expect for this trilogy, I LOVED the first book and as soon as I finished it, I purchased this straight away on my Kindle. (I love having a Kindle for moments like these, where you just need to know what happens!) I read this book within a couple of days, having trouble putting it down.

These books deal with a dystopian world, where everything is extremely distorted and I had not anticipated the main event of this book. It was a heart wrenching, nail biting journey throughout the book. I enjoyed the development of Katniss as her character developed and anticipating where her relationships and loyalty's lay. I felt like I was alive in the book, the imagery, sounds and settings are magnificently described.

I feel this book offers so much for teenagers, it is pretty much readable by anyone as the themes are so diverse and the storyline so compelling and gripping. This is not the genre of books I would ever normally read, but from my great experiences reading the Hunger Games, I believe that I will look into other books of this genre. Here's hoping Mockingjay is as fantastic as this and the first book.

Unless I simply can't stand it, or it is a series of books longer than three, then I don't bother reading any further beyond the first book. Whilst the first book didn't feel like anything great or fantastic enough to me, it was a quick and easy read with a decent storyline. So, I decided that based upon that, and my plans to watch the movie adaptations, I borrowed Catching Fire from the local library.

Katniss is trying to return to a semi-normal life, but her memories of the Hunger Games and her relationship with Peeta and Gale make this harder than she had hoped. She then finds out that she helped incite the riots against Capitol and she must now once again prove to everyone that she is in love with Peeta whilst being thrust back into the Hunger Games arena.

I rather enjoyed Catching Fire as to me there was a lot more going on than this poor girl thrust into a terrible game torn between two boys. In Catching Fire she learns more about who she is whilst coming to terms with just how much things need to change. For me it was a faster paced book and more enjoyable.

I managed to read this within two days of starting it, and whilst I did like it I feel no need to own it nor read it again, though I may depending on how far away the movie is.

I thought that the first book in this series was excellent, but this one blows that right out of the water - I think I'm in love. Seriously! I understand why the publishers got Stephenie Meyer to comment on the front cover. This story has all the tension and romance and heart-wrenching love-triangles of Twilight, with a main character I actually like!

Katniss is so believable, completely devoted to her family and has such a strong sense of what is right. She doubts herself but then manages to rise above those doubts to do what she must. She is 100% the hero and I just love the way Suzanne Collins is building her heroine towards leading a massive rebellion to bring down the evil Capitol.

Peeta is equally awesome as a character and stands on a par with Edward (of Twilight fame) as an amazing romantic male lead. He is selfless, completely in love with Katniss and willing to give his life up for her - despite her being unsure whether she loves him in return.

I would recommend this series to anyone - as long as you don't mind a little gore and a heart racing thriller. Collins' world is so immaculately created and the tale unfolds with such precision. I love all of her characters - they feel completely real - flawed and heroic in their own ways. Especially Cienna, Katniss' wardrobe manager, who manages to make dire poltical statements through simple choice of fabric and clothing design!

The ending of this installment is definitely a cliff hanger so I am dying to read the final book. This is verging on being my favorite series and I haven't even finished reading it yet!

Future reality TV games, and they have you backed into a corner. What do you do, fight or give in?

For our heroine, Katniss, the problem is: To fight and loose everything you hold dear, or give in and be made a puppet of by the evil Capitol, who wants her dead no matter what it takes.

It's the quarter quell time, the 75th anniversary of the rebellion that destroyed District 13. Every 25 years there is a special "Hunger Games".

With dissent in other districts becoming more open, who will it be for the reaping this time, and do you trust your partner enough to risk it all? As 'Haymitch' says, "Trust me, I know what I'm doing... Yeah right!"

I loved it, bring on book 3 of the series, it's going to be a humdinga.