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Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2
- By Suzanne Collins
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Sequel just as gripping -- and brutal -- as the first.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this follow-up to The Hunger Games concerns a TV tournament in which 20 teens fight a gruesome battle to the death. The violence, while not gory or graphic in detail, is plentiful. Fighting involves primitive weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, poisoning, and spearings and stabbings. The futuristic government that sponsors the event terrorizes and tortures citizens that revolt.
What's the story?
Katniss and Peeta, rich and famous from having won the annual Hunger Games, are reluctanly embarking on a Capitol-sponsored victory tour through the 12 districts of the dystopian world Panem. They are now seen as a threat to oppressive Capitol, having defied the Gamemakers with their subversive victory. This act of rebellion has ignited growing unrest within the districts. To her dismay, Katniss is looked upon as the leader of this uprising. Katniss briefly considers escaping with her family and friends before reluctantly assuming her role as rebel leader. The insidious President Snow is prepared to do whatever is necessary to quash this budding uprising.
Is it any good?
Collins does not disappoint in this enthralling, entirely satisfying sequel. The pace is a little slower and the emphasis more on character than plot -- Katniss grows considerable as a character -- but readers will find CATCHING FIRE as much of a gripping page-turner as The Hunger Games. More of the story takes place outside the arena than within, but there is plenty of action-packed combat.
Collins offers readers intriguing insights into the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and the spreading rebellion. The story is equally rich in provocative political and social commentary, and exploring epic themes of morality, obedience, oppression, rebellion, redemption, sacrifice and, of course, survival. The author also creates a tantalizing and unresolved love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale that will leave questioning readers desperate for the next installment. This novel can stand alone but readers will have a much a richer experience if they begin with The Hunger Games.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about all the rich themes in this book. Considering current reality TV offerings and America's cultural obsession with violence, how hard is it to imagine people killing one another as entertainment? What are some examples from the past in which such "entertainment" did exist?
Are there any TV programs or video games that remind remind you of the Hunger Games tournament? How are they similar?
What does the Capitol do to people in the distrcits that can be called oppressive? Are there governments in the world today that could be considered as oppressive?
What lengths would you go to in order to survive?
Why is Katniss the best person to be the symbolic leader of the uprising? What are Katniss' true feelings towards Gale and Peeta?
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Teen, 13 years old
August 10, 2010
AGE
Sparks have ignited!
Okay, here is my Catching Fire rant.
W.O.W. Part one of the book, the victory tour, had plenty of (fake!) romance. On the train, Peeta and Katniss sleep together, but nothing happens. He's just there to keep away the nightmares. The romance just kept getting better and better. I must refer again to twilight here. The love triangle of Catching Fire is so much more complex. Katniss is confused and very indecisive about who she should choose. She has never been in love before, nor plans on it, because she doesn't want kids, at least not while she lives in Panem, anyway. In twilight Jacob never really stood a chance, whereas it could go either way in Mockingjay.
The announcement of the Quell calls for some drinking between both Haymitch and Katniss. It also describes the after effects, which sort of encouraged the fact, don't ever do it! And when they arrive in the capitol, one character is found naked twice. No one shows any signs of discomfort but Katniss. Once the games begin, they are just as violent as ever, with a little more nudity. One line in the book says, "Our house has been so full of naked men this year." The ending was where a lot of loose end were tied, but more revealed as well. This book has it all -- action, thrill, suspense, romance, twists and turns that almost seem to make the page turn themselves. This brilliantly plotted, perfectly paced novel will not dissapoint. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers breathless and highly anticipating the next installment, Mockingjay. Excellent, absolutely excellent.
^ I rant about these books WAY too much. P.S. Team Peeta. Don't fight it.
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Adult
August 14, 2010
AGE
Simply epic. What more, it's full of HUMANS!
Its one of the best books I've read in a very long time. Its honestly impossible to put down. Katniss is an amazing teen heroine and her story is amazing. This book had me laughing, crying, gasping... everything I need!
It was actually quite educational! If I ever get stranded in a rainforest, I'll know exactly what to do :P
The only thing that annoyed me was the ending. It left too much of a cliffhanger for my taste, although I will be at the bookstore the day it opens to by Mockingjay, the sequel and last part of the trilogy.
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Teen, 13 years old
September 19, 2010
AGE
I think it was 10 times better than 'Twilight'. Katniss's pain was so strong after loosing the people she cares for, I can feel her agony and grief through the pages. All Bella did was worry of everyone's safety when she never lost anyone too close like how Katniss lost her father and so many other people. She has reason to worry. Pick up Mockingjay, the story just gets better and sadder.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 12, 2010
AGE
Parts a little gory for some adeunces
In a part of the book, there is a part where Katniss is talking about and discribing a nakes girl. she also talks breifly about sex. And I don't know why common sense media diddn't say anything about this, but there is a part where a main chricter is brutily beaten with a whip and then vividly discribes his wounds and recovery. And if you ask me, that my be hard for some people to handle.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 29, 2010
AGE
Very very good!
Not as good as the first but still very good. Some people below have put that it is not appropriate for teens but I disagree. One the best books I have ever read. It made me laugh and cry.
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Parent of 7 and 9 year old
September 6, 2010
AGE
First of all I must say that one shouldn't review this book unless they read it. A reviewer below gave a long negative review of this book by reading only one page of the book. I find that ridiculous.
I am parent of 3 children under the age of 10. I am very strict about what my kids can read, watch and play.
When they reach the appropriate age....which I think is close to the actual age of the character Katniss, I can only hope my kids will read this book and we can discuss the incredible themes of this story. Themes of war, survival, friendship, politics, thinking for yourself and loyalty.
I highly recommend this book. There is so much educational philosphy to be gained from this story.
Its a horrific story......but the good in the human spirit prevails.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 4, 2011
AGE
READ IT!!!!!
BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!
I read the hunger games series in the middle of fifth grade. I loved it sooooo much! Some parents may say that it is too violent, and it is very violent, but I thought that it was not too terrifying in that way. As long as you keep in mind that the series is totally fake, you won't get scared.
I fell in love with all of the characters- especially Finnick Odair. I thought that the group of characters who go into (SPOILER ALERT) the second hunger games (the Quarter Quell) were absolutely hilarious.
Collins' writing was great! The way she narrated the story (in Katniss' voice) was very funny.
I put down good role models because throughout the series, the main characters are trying desperately to save their family and friends, even if it means risking their own lives. For example, in the first book, Katniss volunteered to be a tribute in the Hunger Games instead of Prim. Even though, towards the end of the series, some of the main characters become weak and may only think of themselves, I still thought that they were good role models, showing us that we are only human.
I have read some reviews saying that the book should be 16 or 17 and up. I completely disagree. Many of my friends have read the series along with me, and we did not read it just to watch someone get impaled with a spear. We understood the book, had long conversations about it, and everyone I have talked that has read it has had one or more dreams about the amazing series.
I honestly think that anyone who loves science fiction and adventure and who is at least 11 or 12 should read THE HUNGER GAMES SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Teen, 15 years old
October 26, 2009
AGE
Ages 12+, Awesome!!!
I totaly loved Catching Fire. My class had to read the first book in the series, Hunger Games, and I checked it out of our local library, and couldn't wait to finish it. I already finished Catching Fire, and can't wait for the next in the series. For all the parent out there, his book is appropriate for kids, proabably ages 12 or so up, and for kids who won't take the violence seriously. There is quite a bit of violence, killing, etc., but a whole lot less then the first book. This one is more about how people don't like the government and what it is doing. BUt the book is great, and I think everyone should read it, even if they don't like sci-fi or fantasy!!!
Hey don't pay attention to the age thing I am only 15!
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Parent of 14 and 16 year old
July 23, 2010
AGE
A great read for teens and adults
This book (and Hunger Games before it) was hard to put down. Of course you know the heroine will survive, but it was still very suspenseful. My teenagers gobbled these books up. Due to the violence I wouldn't recommend this book for elementary aged kids. Anxiously awaiting Mockingjay......
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Teen, 13 years old
January 5, 2011
AGE
Tweens are ON!
My MOST favorite book in the Hunger Games trilogy! About everyone else' too. Crammed with action, suspense, and the terror of an evil government, this is probably one of the best books for teens in the bookstores. It gives teens a good beginners lesson on corrupt governments and thoughts about a dark future where the Constitution was a thousand years ago. The action would definitely be to boys liking, though the ongoing and torn romance would definitely make them disgusted. What drove me, past the darkness of rebellion and the shadow of the Capitol in this book, was the thirst for justice for the lovable characters that were killed for terrible reasons and all the devastation caused by the Capitol. Despite the deep depression and consequence embedded in the pages of this book, the readers will be driven to finish this epic tale of Katniss Everdeen to seek the truth of peace and justice.
On the bad side, this book, like its precedor, carries some heavy and mature themes. Katniss has to return to an arena where children, and this time adults, have to kill each other in hideous ways to win the games and survive. The main character also has pretend, though she truly is, in love with another victor in the Hunger Games and some of the ways this was expressed I didn't consider appropriate. Haymitch, one of the characters, is a HEAVY drinker. The book is overall very dark and at times VERY depressing. You often feel as if the main character and everyone around her was sinking deeper and deeper into a black hole and unable to get out. Almost all the characters have distinctive flaws that play a lot in their actions and thoughts. A few are sweet and long-suffering, but this is not a good role model book.
Despite these flaws, this is a GREAT book for tweens and teens alike. They will be glued till the end and then they'll think, "Wow, that was prize-winning!"
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| Author: | Suzanne Collins |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Press |
| Publication date: | September 1, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 400 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 12 - 12 |
| Read alone: | 12 - 12 |
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