Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Published by Scholastic Children's Books: London, 2011 (2009).
Book Two in the 'Hunger Games' series: 'The Hunger Games'; 'Catching Fire'; 'Mockingjay'.

It's taken me a long time to return to the world of Panem, however I have taught the first book a few times with my year 11 classes since then, meaning that the story is still relatively fresh in my mind. Although I have also seen the movie version of this entry in the series, it was only once and back when it was in theatres, so the plot was vague enough in my mind to still give some surprises.

Katniss and Peeta have both survived the 74th Hunger Games and are now living the luxurious life of victors. However, the manner in which they won has made Katniss in particular a symbol of rebellion, and it becomes quickly apparent that she must toe the line or face likely death for her and those she loves. President Snow, the leader of the Capitol, has a particular hatred for Katniss, and begins to put things in place to try and deal with the problem of this girl from District 12.

Catching Fire is an interesting book, expanding the world of Panem in ways that seem natural based on what we know from The Hunger Games. However, because there are a number of things to put in place in order for the plot to make sense, it also suffers a little in its pacing. Katniss isn't making big decisions like taking her sister's place was in the first book. Instead, she is simply forced to 'go along' with what is happening for a good portion of the story. As we are held to her perspective, this means that we are also simply 'going along for the ride', waiting to see what will happen but not really sure where the story is going to start with. In fact, it is not until the details of the 75th Hunger Games are announced on page 208 that we have a bigger sense of what is planned for Katniss by the Capitol. 

That is a long time to read without a clear sense of direction.

To be fair, Collins still kept enough happening that I wanted to keep reading, but I wonder if part of my desire to carry on actually came from my prior knowledge, as opposed to the plot in the moment.

However, Collins is still a good author. Catching Fire may not be as fast paced as The Hunger Games was, but it is still an example of a fairly readable Young Adult text. And I do want to read Mockingjay next - which for some reason I don't think I've seen the movie version of.

Completed 27 November 2021.



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