CATCHING FIRE BY SUZANNE COLLINS

Catching Fire By Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #2)
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 391
Source: Bought
Buy this book: Amazon

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge. 

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

When you think that things cannot be amped up more than they have been in the first book of The Hunger Games, then be prepared to be wrong. I have read and reviewed the first book for the site (link here), and this series is one of those well written and conceptualized works that not only entertains but is also thought provoking.

Before reading Catching Fire, I began with high expectations for the second book and not only did it meet all of them but it far exceeded them as well. The story picks up where the first one left off and you see the effects of the games on both Katniss and Peeta. They are the first ever dual survivors of the games, using it to their advantage. This is not something that happens and they both now have to face the anger of the Capital and President Snow. 

Both Peeta and Katniss try to settle into a somewhat normal life knowing that there are rumblings of a rebellion in other districts. Rebellions that they helped start, rebellions that they are now the poster children for. They are caught between wanting to keep their loved ones safe while knowing that the Capital will do whatever it takes to withhold it's power over the people. What happens next in the story left me shocked. I don't want to give any spoilers away but when you read this book the plot twist will surprise and sadden you. You will be a storm of emotion and it will be an exhilarating ride.

Suzanne Collins weaves a story as masterfully as she did the first time, (yes lightening strikes twice) building it up to suspenseful high pitch. I found myself falling more in love with all the characters, most of all Peeta who is just perfect if that is even possible. Loved this sequel to what is turning out to be a stellar series!!