Ms. Gardzalla reviews a book, pt. 2

A while back, I had a discussion with a friend of mine about why second books in trilogies always seem to be the best.  Characters are well developed, so there's more room for plot. The action builds the entire way through. No rush towards a happy ending.  Catching Fire fits this model perfectly.

WARNING:  THIS POST IS FULL OF SPOILERS.

BASICS:

Catching Fire is the 2009 sequel to the 2008 young adult novel The Hunger Games.  It takes place almost immediately after the first book, with Katniss and Peeta embarking on a victory tour after winning the 74th Hunger Games. 

Katniss and Peeta haven't really spoken since the victory, since Peeta has found out that Katniss exaggerated her feelings towards him for the show of things.  You know, so they wouldn't die.  Katniss is struggling to understand her feelings not only towards Peeta, but towards Gale, with whom she has shared a kiss with at this point.  But in the post-apocalyptic, futuristic nation of Panem, Katniss has little time for typical, self-indulgent, teenage dillydallying.  She has several asses (including her own) to save.

The 75th Hunger Games is special.  It's what's known in the book as a "Quarter Quell," meaning the fabulously sadistic gamemakers decide to really rip the rug out from under everyone.  The past two Quarter Quells have involved such horrors as twice the number of tributes and I don't even remember what the other one was, but I'm sure it was equally cruel. 

This Quarter Quell, tributes are reaped from past victors.  Being the only female victor from District 12, Katniss is lucky enough to go back.  Peeta volunteers for Haymitch.  One of the things I enjoyed about this book is Katniss realizing the importance of interdependence.  At least since her father died, Katniss has been pretty much self-reliant.  It isn't easy for her to accept help from anyone.  It doesn't even really dawn on her in the first book how much Peeta is helping her.  Now she literally has an entire country on her side. 

Anyway, I'm not going to give the entire plot away this time.  Mostly because the plot of this one is really good, and I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it yet.  And if you haven't, you should get on that immediately.

I really only have a few complaints about this book.  Collins seems to backtrack a lot and go back over stuff she already covered in the first book (like what muttations are), and that slows the action down  A LOT.  I also hate how the other tributes are kind of glossed over, but I understand that Collins probably had to do this for the sake of moving the story forward.  She continues with her "ending every chapter on a cliffhanger" angle, and AUGH THE ENDING OF THIS ONE.  Very Empire Strikes back. 

I mentioned in my last review that one of the things I like most about Katniss as a protagonist is the fact she doesn't get wrapped up in that romantic triangle crap that made Twilight so popular.  Her self-esteem isn't wrapped up in Peeta's feelings for her, nor Gale's, and while she is obviously conflicted about the two, it doesn't run the story by any means.  In fact, there are many scenes where she seems downright annoyed that two very attractive men are vying for her affections.  Refreshing.

I sped through Catching Fire, unable to get enough and hungry to find out what would happen next.  The last page will leave you ready for Mockingjay.

OVERALL:

Four and a half.