I have just finished reading the book Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. This novel was a 391 action packed dystopian literature piece that was published in 2009. It is the sequel to the 2008 novel The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins has written the Hunger Games trilogy, which has been made into The Hunger Games movie trilogy. Catching Fire has sold more than 19 million copies in the U.S. alone. Suzanne Collins is an advanced author who has also worked on the set of some of Nickelodeon’s kid shows. Most recently she was the head writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s puppy days. As soon as I had finished reading The Hunger Games I immediately wanted to read the next book. No one recommended this book to me since I chose it myself. I knew that I really wanted to read this book since The Hunger Games was so good. This book features a girl named Katniss Everdeen, a fresh winner of the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a yearly program that selects two people from each district to fight to the death. When Katniss finds out she is going back into the quarter quell because she rebelled against the Capitol she is terrified and wants to escape Panem. Katniss will have to go back into the horrific arena and fight for her life once more. One thing I really liked about how the author wrote Catching Fire is the very elaborate scheming among the characters. In this book it is very hard to follow who is lying and who is telling the truth because the characters are not simple.Each character is very unique in their own way. Take Haymitch for example, at first he seems like nothing but a drunk with no brains, but turns into one of the main people rebelling against the Capitol. Another thing I really like about this book is all of the little things that tie together in the end. There is so much random information that is actually very useful. I think the author did this so the reader could feel smart or clever for putting the pieces together. An example of this is how one of the tributes states there is a force field along the training area.He knows because something is off about a corner of space. This may seem like useless information but it comes in handy when Katniss realizes there is a force field around the arena. If she hadn’t known about this she would have died very quick. The final thing that I really liked about the author is how she made the characters so complicated. I really liked the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. It made me think and also feel sad for Katniss. Katniss’ life is so complicated, especially with Gale and Peeta. Part of the time I wanted her to go with Gale but the other time I wanted her to go with Peeta. The author did this amazing tactic by making the characters so unique and likeable, a skill that I want to learn someday. I selected this passage from the book because it basically set up the mood for the whole novel. You have to feel bad in this scene for Katniss because all she was trying to do is save her life. President Snow is talking to Katniss about how she almost committed suicide in the Hunger Games and how it is not acceptable.

“I think we’ll make this situation a lot simpler by agreeing not to lie to each other, what do you think?” President Snow says.”Yes, I think that would save time.” Katniss looks into the blank eyes of President Snow. “My advisors were concerned you would be difficult, but you’re not planning on being difficult, are you?” Katniss doesn’t know what to think, her head is clouded with thoughts. “No.” Katniss stares blankly. “That’s what I told them. I said any girl who goes to such lengths to preserve her life isn’t going to be interested in throwing it away with both hands. And then there’s her family to think of. Her mother, her sister, and all those……. Cousins.”

Katniss can tell by the way he lingers on “cousins” he knows Gale and her don’t share a family tree. “Let’s sit.” She sits in front of the desk on one of the carved, straight-backed chairs. “I have a problem, Miss  Everdeen, a problem that began the moment you pulled out those poi blown you to dust right then. But he had an unfortunate sentimental streak. So here you are.sonous berries in the arena. If the head gamemaker, Seneca Crane, had had any brains, he’d Can you guess where he is?” She nods because, by the way he says it, it’s clear that Seneca Crane has been executed.”

I would rate this book a 8.5 out of 10 because while it was a good book, it wasn’t The Hunger Games. I really like this book even if it is not as good as the first one. Reading the series was a first for me and I am very glad that I did it. I also really like how the author based her story off of a Roman tale that I already know. It was cool to see that story used in a different setting and I found this book very enjoyable. Another thing that I liked was how suspenseful it was. One thing that I would change is giving more information on the third book at the end. The end of the book barely gave the reader any information. The overall book was very action-packed.