The Hunger Games Trilogy.
Warning! Spoilers!
Warning. This is the sequel to The Hunger Games. There will be spoilers. If you haven't read the first book STOP HERE!
After winning the Hunger Games by publicly defying the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have started their new lives in District 12. Living in the Victor's Village, having plenty of food and money, being safe. Or so the Capitol would like them to think. But Katniss knows that she is not safe, that she will never be safe. Her fears are confirmed when President Snow himself shows up at her home. Katniss and Peeta's defiance could cause an uprising, something that P. Snow is not down with. He doesn't believe the whole tragic star crossed lovers bit, at least not on Katniss' end. So while she and Peeta tour the other Districts she is to play up the romance, convince people that it was not defiance but true love. But Katniss is sick of the Capitol and their games and secretly longs for an uprising. President Snow, however, has ways of making sure Katniss will comply. Like having Gale killed. So with Gale's life hanging in the balance, Katniss and Peeta embark on their Victory Tour.
Things don't quite go as planned. There are rumblings of a rebellion. When Katniss and Peeta return to District 12 they find a new, harsher Peacekeeper, the Hob has been destroyed and the fence separating District 12 from the woods has been activated. As if that's not bad enough, they find out that they will now be forced to participate in the Quarter Quell.
The Quarter Quell happens, appropriately, every 25 years between Hunger Games. Always with a twist, this year former victors compete in an island/jungle arena covered with many hidden dangers as well as force fields that'll fry your ass if you're not careful. The rules are the same though. Survive at all costs.
Unlike the first book, Katniss finds herself with a whole host of allies this time around. But can she really trust them? This is the question that plagues her throughout the book.
Her newfound "friends" and former winners of the HG include, Finnick, the athletic, attractive, adored wonderboy; Johanna, the hard-shelled gladiator girl; Beetee, the techno whiz; Wiress, Beetee's slightly off often brilliant District counterpart; and Mags, the hard to understand yet selfless elder of the bunch. But who can she count on and who is she willing to kill to ensure that her plan, of Peeta winning and taking on the Capitol with his beautiful mind and insightful words, will come to fruition.
This book, very much like the first, is so gut wrenching. I swear, with every page I read, Suzanne Collins just impresses me more and more. She has such an incredible way of making you care for these characters so deeply. I want Katniss to live. I want her to really fall in love with Peeta (Yep. I'm Team Peeta, y'all!) I want her to marry him and have adorable little baker babies. And I want those babies to grow up in a safe, Capitol-free world. And I want Gale and Prim and Katniss' mother to be ok. And Haymitch too! And I want him to lay off the sauce. And good Lord I hope Cinna is alright! See, this is why Suzanne Collins' books are so friggin fantastic! Long after the book is closed, long after the story is over, you're still thinking and worrying and yes, obsessing about these characters. Even right now as I'm sitting here writing this review I keep sliding glances over at my nightstand where Mockingjay is patiently waiting for me.
Catching Fire was a wild ride from start to finish. And Holy God, what a finish!!! What a crazy, unexpected, awesome ending! Ok, I HAVE to go read Mockingjay now. I can't stand the suspense any longer!
The Scale of Judgment says...... 5!
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