Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)

In Catching Fire, book 2 of The Hunger Games series, Katniss and Peeta find themselves in another Hunger Games.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games book 2). Scholastic, 2009. 400 pages.

• Reading Level: Teens, ages 12-15
• Recommended For: Ages 12+

At the end of the Hunger Games (the event, not the book), Katniss refused to play by the Capitol’s rules and ensured both her and Peeta’s survival. Unknown to her, this small act of rebellion has spurred on a wide scale rebellion across the Panem. President Snow threatens Katniss and her family: if Katniss can’t sell the whole “we’re in love” bit to the Districts, her family and everyone she loves is in trouble. So, what do two people do who are in love do? They get married! Katniss and Peeta enact a pretend engagement. Things spiral out of their control, and, in a desperate attempt to safeguard all they hold dear, Peeta tells the watching world that they got married in a secret ceremony and now Katniss is pregnant.

This would all be very touching except that by now, a year has gone by since the first book and it’s time for another Games. Since this is the 75th anniversary of the first Hunger Games, it’s also a Quarter Quell, which means something “extra.” During Haymitch’s Quarter Quell, the Capitol chose double the number of tributes. For this Quarter Quell, the tributes are chosen from previous victors. Since only Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch are District 12 victors, it’s all but a sure thing that Katniss and Peeta will once again be in a Hunger Games.

Catching Fire is very much a middle-book-in-a-trilogy. If you’re not familiar with that trope, it means this book does not stand on its own. It’s essential to read The Hunger Games first, and, at the end, you will need to read Mockingjay for some closure. Fans of the series will find it interesting, but it lacks the depth of the rest of the series. Similar themes as those in The Hunger Games come up, and we meet some interesting people (like Plutarch Heavensbee, but if you read Sunrise on the Reaping before this book, you will already know these new characters). Katniss seems to spend much of the book unsure of her own thoughts and unclear about her own goals, making the book itself feel a little unsure of itself.

Considerations:

• Violence: In keeping with this series, more violence occurs.
• Sexuality: Katniss and Peeta kiss, as one would expect given their “engagement.” Gale also kisses Katniss.

Bottom Line: Fans of The Hunger Games will want to read this next installment.

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• A Review: The Hunger Games
• A Review: Older teens who’ve already read dystopian books like The Hunger Games and Catching Fire may be interested in Red Rising.
• A Resource: The Hunger Games books have all been made into movies; for more books-to-movies, see our Books About Movies list.

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