Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (2009, Reinforced Hardcover)

I had read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins last year and loved it. Catching Fire is the next book in the series and was even better then the first book. The characters are people you care about and get caught up in. Her writing style, story and creativity make this book a must read. Anyone that likes a great story should not only read Hunger Games but Catching Fire as well!

This is a terrific book, a worthy sequal to The Hunger Games.

Being a victor in the 74th annual Hunger Games has done nothing to ensure Katniss Everdeen's ultimate survival. Her attempts to unravel her true feelings toward the two men in her life seem futile, and the Capital has made her fully responsible for the uprisings now taking place throught the districts of Panem.

Katniss begins the obligatory Victory Tour acting on instructions from President Snow, leader of Panem. He has stated frankly that she is responsible for quelling the unrest in the districts. And any weakness or failure on her part will mean the annihilation of her, her family, and all of District 12. Katniss does her best to continue in the role of a starry-eyed young girl in love, but she quickly becomes aware that turning the tide of unrest is impossible.

Katniss returns to District 12 and is shocked by the changes there. The easy-going Peacekeepers are removed and replaced by vicious men intent on crushing the populace. Katniss seriously considers fleeing into the woods with her family and friends. Ultimately, though, the public whipping of her friend Gale leads to the realization that all the people of District 12 are doomed unless the government is overthrown. She also acknowledges that she has become a symbol of insurrection, and without her visable support it is doomed.

Katniss' attempts to fan the flames of rebellion are cut short when the details of the upcoming 75th Hunger Games are announced. Every 25 years unique conditions are imposed on the framework of the Games, and the tributes for the latest games will be chosen from among the survivors of previous games.

Katniss realizes that this is a death sentence for her, courtesy of the Capital. As the only surviving female victor in District 12, she will automatically become the current female tribute. And the male tribute must be either Peeta or Haymitch, the only surviving male tributes in the districts.

Initially Haymitch's name is chosen from the reaping bowl, but Peeta immediately volunteers to take his place in the Games. Katniss resigns herself to her fate, vowing to give up her life in order to bring Peeta home safely.

After the familiar week-long Training session in the Capital, Katniss and the other tributes are deposited on an island that appears to be in the middle of the ocean. She and Peeta quickly form an alliance with several other tributes, but they are forced to battle carnivorous monkeys, deadly nerve gas, tidal waves, and of course the weapons of enemy tributes.

Then Katniss and her allies realize that the island they inhabit is clock-shaped, and atrocities unleashed by the Gamesmakers occur in somewhat predictable patterns based on that. Only the center of the island, proteced by deadly force fields, seems inpenetrable. Survival suddenly seems possible as the allies attempt to kill the remaining tributes by running an electric current in the ocean surrounding the island.

Then a massive explosion knocks Katniss unconscious, and she awakes to blood-curdling revelations. Her allies were underground rebels who staged a breakout from the Games arena for the sole purpose of ensuring her survival. Haymitch and the Head Gamesmaker were instrumental in this. And Peeta has been captured by hostile Capital forces.

Feeling like a pawn, Katniss completely loses her will to live. Only Gale and the news he brings jolts her back to life. District 12 has been annihilated.