I’ve heard from many people that Catching Fire is the best book in The Hunger Games series. It’s known for having the better Games, the addition of fan favourite Finnick and probably having the most of Katniss and Peeta’s relationship development. While I do enjoy the book, I do also have some serious issues with it.
Catching Fire is set a few months after the first books conclusion and the timeline of the book covers Katniss and Peeta's first year as victors (including the 75th Hunger Games). We follow Katniss as she settles into her new normal as a victor in District 12, before both she and Peeta embark on their Victory Tour - which commences in the months between two games. Following on from the Victory Tour is the announcement of the Quarter Quell - the Games has a 'special' celebration every 25 years with an even deadlier Games than usual. This year? The pool of existing victors will be reaped - and there's only one pre-existing female victor from District 12.
Now, before I jump into all the different elements that I love about this book, I have to tell you about my one regret. How the Victory Tour can be essentially over in under 100 pages I'll never understand. I was looking forward to visiting each of the Districts and having pictures created in my head of what each of them looked like. As I've seen the films, I know where we are going in the series, I believe that making us more invested in the people of Panem and not just those that reside in District 12 would make what's to come more meaningful for the reader.
On to the things I loved, of course if you've read my first review, you'll know how much I adore Peeta. My estimates of him have only increased, while the first book really showcased Katniss' abilities I think Catching Fire took the time to display to the reader why Peeta is very much her equal and you can see what he brings to their partnership. I really love Katniss a lot more in this one as well, while she (for me) came across a little heartless in the first book that is not the case in the second. We already know she cares for her sister Prim more than anyone, but her relationship development with other characters such as Peeta, Haymitch and Gale has a softening effect to her harsh exterior. Katniss and Finnick's relationship in particular is a favourite of mine in this book, and provides a needed dose of comedic relief - and that's all I'll say, other than that I absolutely adore Finnick.
Speaking of the other tributes/victors, I really enjoyed the ones we meet. The victors from the other districts are more fleshed out in the second book compared to the ones in the first, so when you are following them throughout the Games the stakes are higher and you care more for them. While none of them touched me quite as much as Rue did in the first book, I really liked many of the tributes this time round. A quick note on Rue, I appreciate how often Katniss' mind trails back to Rue - kudos to the author for not simply letting Rue's death drift from the reader, or Katniss', mind.
Our series villain President Snow is a larger character this time round, and you start to get an idea of just how powerful he is. He's not intimidating in the usual villain way, but he is: smart, cunning and brutal without needing to lift a finger. The relationship between the hero in Katniss and the villain in Snow reminds me in parts of Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty or maybe Harry Potter and Voldemort (book version) where they have those meetings and chats before attacking each other or simply leaving, it gives their relationship more meaning and depth.
The description and scene creation for me was on par with the first book, I think some of the chapters were slightly shorter as well which I enjoyed. Pacing wise I think it became a real page turner for me after the announcement of the Games but prior to that I was finding it a little lacking. Although I do think the lack of excitement in the earlier chapters of the book are easily made up for with a thrilling Quarter Quill.
Thanks for reading,
Rhi.
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