Book Bouncer Review: 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins

'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins

The 74th Hunger Games are over, and Katniss made it out alive.

There's no more needing to worry about future Reapings with her name scrawled out on pieces of paper. There's no more needing to dread being chosen to participate in the next Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen is the most recent victor, along with Peeta Mellark.

How are there two victors? In the same Games?

Well, Katniss and Peeta's love was just that believable.

But half of what was televised in the past year was for show, and now the consequences of those actions have sparked the beginnings of an uprising. Unbeknownst to Katniss, she is the face of this growing rebellion. The rebels don't believe in the love story that District 12's victors staged, and President Snow, surprising Katniss with a personal visit, has threatened her - make everyone believe that she's head over heels for Peeta. If not, everyone she loves will be killed.

Tormented by nightmares of the 74th Hunger Games, and helpless against President Snow, Katniss does everything within her power to convince everyone that she and Peeta are completely in love. When she fails, she knows nothing good can come out of all this. It's not too soon before the victors of the recent Hunger Games have to return back to the arena, and this time verse victors of the other districts.

It seems the stakes are even higher than they were before...

It seems that this book was better than its predecessor. Poo really hit the fan in this sequel, and got me thinking how awful it would be to have post-traumatic stress disorder, followed by having your loved ones being threatened, and then reliving your nightmare. Guys... It officially sucks to be Katniss Everdeen. She can't even catch a break!

It broke my heart at how she grew so desperate to save the people she loved, page by page, and then all that effort being discarded away by President Snow. But man, the guy has style. White roses and all sophisticated...

(PS: *whispering* He was talking about Katniss in that scene!)

I think Peeta was just too nice for his own good (which was exceptional given the circumstances he faced) BUT he always seemed like the damsel-in-distress, and you had Gale, who was the 'friend-zoned/inconclusive-feelings-for' guy. Then there was Katniss, who was scared and brave and confused. Oh, and she was the knight-in-shining-armor.

Overall, this book was really good, and had me captured from the first page. Suzanne Collins has this amazing way of just catching me unaware of the next thing, and then BAM! Surprise, surprise, something bad happens to Katniss... or Peeta... or some other beloved character! The sorrow and suspense just never ends, but it's extremely addictive.

So if you still haven't read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, take this review as a green card to buy or borrow this trilogy and surf through it. The Hunger Games trilogy is truly unforgettable, and some of the best books that adorn my shelf.