Imagine being thrown into an arena where killing every other person in that place was the only path to survival. Imagine co-winning that contest with a friend only because the whole society believed you were a lovestruck couple bent on getting out together or dying. Then imagine being thrown into that arena again. Suzanne Collins' Catching Fire took me on a wild ride of adventure and imagination.
Katniss and Peeta have just won the hunger games, an annual display of blood and gore used by the Capitol, the main city of this country called Panem, to scare the "districts" (somewhat like states), into submission. Normally only one victor emerges, having killed all of the other candidates, but in an attempt to both win, they attempt to commit suicide together so the Capitol would be forced to crown them both victors. The Capitol was not happy. That is what happened in The Hunger Games, the first book in the saga, Catching Fire is the second chapter in the Hunger Games saga.
Catching Fire is set in a country called Panem, a new place which rose out of the ashes after the United States fell into chaos and fell to destruction. There were originally 13 districts, somewhat like states, which all bowed to the Capitol, the main city in this new land. But, when the 13th district rebelled against the Capitol, district 13 became no more. Now there are 12 districts, each specializing in making a good for the use of the rich Capitol, while the people of the districts lie on the fence between starvation and survival.
All irony aside, Catching Fire has the theme of standing up to the man, if you will. The people of Panem are on the verge of rebellion, and the flame started by Katniss and Peeta has just enough power to ignite an inferno of rage inside the hearts of this country's people.
I would recommend Catching Fire to anyone who likes a good futuristic "What if?" book and enjoys being suprised. Catching Fire, like most other books I read, will glue readers to the edge of their seats, and keep them waiting for the next chapter in the Hunger Games saga.
400 Pages -- 2 Books
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