Monday, April 26, 2010

Enthusiasm for Catching Fire



Synopsis:  Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.  (Source)




I loved this book as much as its predecessor, The Hunger Games.  Suzanne Collins is a masterful writer who understands the art of breakneck pacing in fiction.  I literally couldn't put Catching Fire down until I'd finished the last word.


All I can say is regardless of your preferred genre, to write or read, you will enjoy this book.  In fact, I you haven't yet, pick up copies of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire and read them.  Then you'll be ready, like the rest of us, for the August 2010 release of Mockingjay, the highly anticipated third and last installment in the Hunger Games trilogy.


Have you read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire?  On a scale of one to five (with five being "On My List of Top Five All-time Favorite Books" and one being "Hated It!"), how would you rate them? 

28 comments:

JE said...

Haven't read it, but I might put on my out-the-door book reading list. Which means I should get to it in...hmmm...er....Fall of 2012. How's that? LoL.

~JD

Lola Sharp said...

I don't often read YA, but since I have a 14 y.o. daughter (who reads voraciously, and isn't nerdy) , I do occasionally pick up one of her books. I don't always finish them. I don't always make it past page 5.

I did however enjoy the Hunger Games. I found it to be well written, I cared about the characters, and the pacing was perfect. But what I loved best was Suzanne's incredible imagination.

I did like Catching Fire, but not as much as Hunger Games. It had pacing issues (IMO) where it dragged and I wanted to skim.
Still, I am looking forward to MJ.

Happy Monday!

VR Barkowski said...

Just finished The Hunger Games a couple of days ago. I'd give it a 4.3. :) Catching Fire is on my reading list for June, but I enjoyed The Hunger Games so much, I may have to move it up...

Lydia Kang said...

I loved HG, so I'm itching to read CF though I haven't yet.
Thanks for the review, it's getting me stoked for the read!

Crystal Cook said...

I love these books so much!!! 5 for me all the way!

Huzzah for Peeeta!!! ;)

Christine Danek said...

I'm reading the Hunger Games now!! :) Thanks for the review.

Anonymous said...

I loved HUNGER GAMES, but had to put down CATCHING FIRE because (SPOILERS) all the Katniss/Gale action (since I'm a Team Peeta gal). It's rather ridiculous of me. I'm picking it up again soon, though!

Unknown said...

I haven't read any of them!!! *blushes* I am ashamed because I've heard nothing but good things! I suppose they are just farther down on my list!!!

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Amy Jo said...

I seriously cannot keep these books on my classroom shelf longer than a couple of class periods. I swear they're more popular with my students than the Twilight series (maybe because boys aren't embarrassed to read them). If you haven't read them yet, you're missing out!

Talli Roland said...

I've read neither but I keep hearing so much about 'The Hunger Games' that I may have to break down and buy it!

Have a great Monday, Nicole.

Southpaw said...

I haven't read them yet either.

Sarah Ahiers said...

i would give them a 4. The pacing was a bit too fast for my preference to give them a 5.
I actually liked Catching Fire a tad more than the Hunger Games

Matthew MacNish said...

I have not read either but as I generally love your advice and blog posts Nicole, I will have to add them to my list ... or at least buy them as a gift for my daughter, as she often decides what is a MUST READ for me anyway.

Thanks for sharing Nicole.

Unknown said...

I haven't read them yet - I'm reading Beautiful Creatures, amongst others. ;)

Summer Frey said...

Nope, I'm waiting for Mocking Jay to come out. I've come into the middle of series too many times!

Kirsten Lesko said...

Sounds good, but I haven't read it. Thanks for the rec!

India Drummond said...

I haven't read it, but I'll have to take a look! Thanks for the write-up!

Jai Joshi said...

Sounds like an interesting story. I'll look out for it.

Jai

Kimberly Franklin said...

I was against these books at first, that is until someone twisted my arm and made me read them. I love them. Definitely a 10 in my book!! (I know it only goes to 5, but that just shows how much I love them!!!) :)

Lisa B. said...

First - great blog! Second... I give Hunger Games a 5 & Catching Fire a 4! They were both excellent! I can't wait for the movies!

Lisa
http://lisabrowndesign.blogspot.com/

Lindsay said...

I love both these books. I'd probably give HG 5 and CF 4. Looking forward to book three.

Patti said...

Totally loved these two books, can't wait for the third.

Terry Stonecrop said...

Thanks for the review and rec. I don't read Ya's but they seem to be getting more sophisticated so I might go ahead and give this a try. It sounds good.

Laura S. said...

I haven't read either of them, but The Hunger Games is on my to-read list!

Hannah said...

Oh! I still haven't read these! I may just have to break down and buy 'em. ;)

Little Ms J said...

Let's just say that my husband started reading them and would not put them down. I didn't have the heart to tell them they're YA. He's now waiting for the third in the installment. Hilarious.

Elliot Grace said...

...major fan:) I tore through 'em too fast. May have to go back and review "C.Fire" before August. Teenage son wants to beat feet to Barnes & Noble at 12midnight for the release. ...aww well, we only live once, and it's a book afterall:)

Elliot Grace said...
This comment has been removed by the author.