Catching Fire (Book of the Hunger Games) Review

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—In the second title (2009) in Suzanne Collins's planned trilogy, set in the dystopic nation of Panem, Katniss has survived The Hunger Games (2008, both Scholastic), a fight to the death, and learns that she is now considered a danger to the Capital because she has become a symbol of rebellion. President Snow lets her know he is out to "get her" and those she loves. After she and Peeta complete a victory tour to all of the districts and witness firsthand the unrest and force used to squelch it, she learns that in this year of the Quarter Quell (a special version of The Games), former champions are to be the competitors once again. She enters this game with one goal in mind—to keep Peeta alive. The only problem is that he has the same goal. Suspense abounds as, along with Katniss, listeners experience the games once again, with new secrets and questions about the "true" loyalty of her supposed allies. Katniss's feelings about Peeta and Gale continue to confuse her, sometimes clouding her thinking. While Carolyn McCormick's voice sounds older than one might expect for Katniss, she perfectly captures all of her moods. She is very versatile in voicing Peeta's earnestness, Gale's quiet strength, Haymitch's sarcasm, and the feelings of all the lesser characters. The ending is a cliffhanger, and fans of the series will eagerly await the next installment.—Edie Ching, Washington Latin Public Charter School, DC
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From Bookmarks Magazine

Reviewers were happy to report that the Hunger Games trilogy is alive and well, and all looked forward to the third book in the series after this one's stunning conclusion. But they disagreed over whether Catching Fire was as good as the original book Hunger Games or should be viewed as somewhat of a "sophomore slump." Several critics who remained unconvinced by Katniss's romantic dilemma made unfavorable comparisons to the human-vampire-werewolf love triangle in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. But most reviewers felt that Catching Fire was still a thrill because Collins replicated her initial success at balancing action, violence, and heroism in a way that will enthrall young readers without giving them (too many) nightmares.

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)

Review

Praise for Catching Fire:#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Time Magazine Top 10 Fiction Book of 2009
A People Magazine (Top 10) Best Book of 2009
A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice
A Los Angeles Times Best Children's Book of 2009
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2009
A Booklist Editors' Choice 2009
A Kirkus Best Book of 2009
#1 USA Today Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller


"...enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment." — School Library Journal, starred review
"Whereas Katniss kills with finesse, Collins writes with raw power." — Time Magazine
"Collins expertly blends fantasy, romance and political intrigue (so who needs vampires?)." — People Magazine
"Collins has joined J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer as a writer of children's books that adults are eager to read." — Bloomberg.com
"Catching Fire not only lived up to my high expectations, it surpassed them. It's just as exciting as The Hunger Games, but even more gut wrenching, because you already know these characters, you've already suffered with them." — Stephenie Meyer

Review

Praise for Catching Fire:#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Time Magazine Top 10 Fiction Book of 2009
A People Magazine (Top 10) Best Book of 2009
A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice
A Los Angeles Times Best Children's Book of 2009
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2009
A Booklist Editors' Choice 2009
A Kirkus Best Book of 2009
#1 USA Today Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
"...enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment." — School Library Journal, starred review
"Whereas Katniss kills with finesse, Collins writes with raw power." — Time Magazine
"Collins expertly blends fantasy, romance and political intrigue (so who needs vampires?)." — People Magazine
"Collins has joined J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer as a writer of children's books that adults are eager to read." — Bloomberg.com
"Catching Fire not only lived up to my high expectations, it surpassed them. It's just as exciting as The Hunger Games, but even more gut wrenching, because you already know these characters, you've already suffered with them." — Stephenie Meyer

About the Author

Suzanne Collins' debut novel, Gregor the Overlander, the first book in The Underland Chronicles, received wide praise both in the United States and abroad. The series has been a New York Times bestseller and received numerous accolades. Also a writer for children's television, Suzanne lives with her family in Connecticut.

From AudioFile

This story and audio fulfill the promise of the stunning debut in this series, THE HUNGER GAMES, in which a cruel contest required 24 young people to fight in mortal combat. Carolyn McCormick delivers the first-person narrative of Katniss, the heroine whose brilliant strategy in that book thwarted tradition and turned her and her partner, Peeta, into victors. McCormick's phrasing is clipped, almost staccato, a style that embodies Katniss's secretive, wary attitudes. The tension builds as the oppression of the controlling President Snow inflames rebellion in Katniss and her fellow citizens. At the climax McCormick narrates at a breakneck pace as Katniss and Peeta compete against all previous winners of the combat tournament. Listeners will be eager for the next installment. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

“I could not put this book down and read it in one day! ”katie straseske  |  1,821 reviewers made a similar statement

“The books are well written, with engaging characters and a great story line. ”A. Roesener  |  1,053 reviewers made a similar statement

“It is a good book with a good plot, a lot of unexpected turns and twist. ”thirdday  |  624 reviewers made a similar statement
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