Catching Fire by Susanne Collins

 

Catching Fire  is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are the newest winners of the Hunger Games and are preparing to commence in the victory tour, but not before President Snow pays a visit to Katniss (18). She now must prove to the districts that she acted completely out of love, she alone must subdue the uprisings. To prove their love Peeta proposes, yet even this is not good enough for President Snow (74).  He wants them out of the way, and to do this he sends them back into the arena. The quarter quell is far worse than the previous games. They must battle blood thirsty monkeys and horrific screams all while avoiding their opponents. Just when Katniss accepts her fate the unthinkable happens. District 13 obliterates the arena and saves the survivors, all the survivors except for Peeta, and Katniss is willing to fight to the death for him.

Most people will say Katniss Everdeen is fearless; I disagree. She is not the symbol of rebellion because she doesn't feel fear, she is the symbol because she doesn't comply to fear. When in the arena she clearly showed her ability to push aside the urge to leave, to give up. Katniss fought through her emotional pain to help Finnick when he was confronted by the jabberjays (342).She shows courage in her pursuit to please President Snow, when she knows there is an easier way. She thinks of how her actions will affect those dear to her and strives to succeed for them. Katniss does acknowledge fear, she just refuses to accept it.

 Finnick Odair is different than most tributes. He is a 'Carrier tribute', a tribute who hails from a wealthy district thus receiving extensive training and plenty of nourishment. Most tributes from these districts care only for their pride, but Finnick is different. He cares for his family, for his mentors, for his allies, and for one special girl. Finnick is known in the capitol for his looks and suave, but at home he is known for his compassion. He is different than the other Carriers because he has a back story, because he cares for more than himself.

One of the themes in this book is strength in numbers. During the victory tour Katniss confided in Peeta and Haymitch to help her. In the arena Finnick sought help from the other tributes to remain driven. All through the book characters search for a friend to confide in and when they find one they become stronger. Catching Fire illustrates the need humans have to be with one another.

I would highly recommend this book for almost any age.  I enjoyed this book, my brother enjoyed this book, even my younger sister enjoyed the parts I read to her. This book contains action for those thrill seekers, love for the romantics, mystery for the curious, even a little futuristic electronics for the geeky readers. This book contains all the aspects of the perfect book. I find it a great read no matter how many times I read it.

I got my picture from:http://www.myhungergames.com/the-75th-hunger-games-arena-map