All page numbers in this review are taken from this version.

THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Review Written: 22nd March 2012

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

So, where are we?

While on the Victory Tour from The Hunger Games, Katniss has to convince President Snow she's in love with Peeta, and much to a shipper's dismay, she is not quite there yet. Because of her move with the berries at the end of the last book, there are riots in most districts - she defied the Capitol, why shouldn't everyone else give it a go? Catching Fire focuses first on the aftermath of the games and the winner's tour - before moving on to the Quarter Quell - to 'celebrate' the 75th anniversary of the games. The twist - previous winners are to compete once again. Debatable whether the over all experience is worse for Katniss & Peeta. The games do change every year but they both know roughly what they're going in to and the reader does not get as many first hand deaths with the details as last book . Yet this time, they have alliances.

It's just cruel sending everyone back in there. If the first book wasn't enough to satisfy the thirst for action, the second book surely should. The book in general seemed more gruesome than the first - Gale's whipping, everyone in general just being beaten up by the "Peacekeepers" and the new surprises in the arena (it's rather clever how the game works this time around.) The ending once more leaves us with a bombshell (read the book to realise what a BEAUTIFUL pun this is) leading perfectly on to the final book.

How could I leave without mentioning the love story. There it was, page 32, the kiss I didn't want to happen. I still shamelessly ship Peeta and Katniss. Perhaps even more so. Part of me feels "what are you waiting for" at the beginning of the book but she's waiting because she is wise. Rule 1: don't rush into a relationship with someone you could lose as you are both dragged into yet another Hunger games. Page 118 the declaration of love appears from Gale just as I predicted in my previous review. Page 142 and I lose it big time "Gale is mine. I am his." It's a dreaded love triangle. Twilight, The Immortals, Wicked Lovely, Angel Fire - it's a teenage book, was I asking for anything else? I still do not believe Katniss is in love with Gale either. She states in her own way that she would not like to marry because her children would end up in the games which is a logical reason. Perhaps she should do something about these games. Book three you say?

NEXT REVIEW: SUZANNE COLLIN'S MOCKINGJAY