Review: "Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)" by Suzanne Collins

• Title: Catching Fire
• Author: Suzanne Collins
• Genre: young adult, dystopia
• Language: English
• Series: The Hunger Games #2
• Characters: Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Primrose Everdeen, Gale Hawthrone, Effie Trinket
• Setting: District 12, Panem / Capitol, Panem (U.S.A)
• Date finished: 2014/1/31
• Stars: ★★★★☆

Review:
I had read the first book "The Hunger Games" when I went vacating in Hawaii in February 2012 during the company retreat. I thought it would be a great beach read and it certainly was!

I remember finishing the book at Kailua Beach and just starred at the ocean for awhile. Then when I got back to the city, I went to Barnes and Nobles in Ala Moana Mall and bought the hardcover version of "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay."

I don't usually buy hardcover books as they are heavy to carry and I usually don't finish books that are heavy...(except for Harry Potter). But I thought that I would give them a try as hardcover copies were the only available ones at the time.

As soon as I came back to Tokyo, I leafed through the first chapter of Catching Fire and then put it at the night stand then simply forgot about them.

Until the time when "Catching Fire" the movie came out. Ooops, I better read the book before the movie...

Unfortunately, the movie was screening in limited theatres in Japan and I waited until after the new year of 2014 to finally watching it. After I saw the movie, I decided that, enough is enough, time to finish the book!

Then I read the book in 2 days.

My favourite part would have to be when they visit the districts and Kat grow to be closer to Peeta. I understand all the PTSD effect and that they only have each other to rely on because of the trauma but the romance sure is taking a long time to grow for them. Even though Kat "pretends" to be in love with Peeta, I think it is pretty clear that she cares about Peeta more than she cares to admit.

The premises on all the victor tour and what happens to tributes after they become victors are interestingly described. In "The Hunger Games," we only get to see few victors and what they are like... namely Haymitch... and he's not the best representation you would want to see. However, the idea that they need to be "further make-over'd" is a little bit weird. But I guess that goes to prove how Capitol people are to be "entertained" by these victors, sans their own.

Of course I cried at the part when they went to Rue's district 11 and they all saluted to Kat using the same gesture when Kat said farewell to Rue when she died. It's one of the images that will haunt you as you read.

The second time around of Hunger Games, the 75th game turned out that the tributes will be drawn from past victors. Of course this is the President Snow's plan to get rid of Kat and it's obvious as she has become a symbol rebellion that has been occurring since Peeta and her have won the game last time around. It's great to see the past victors of other districts and getting to know about the other districts a bit more.

Overall, this is a good continuation of the first book, although I do agree with many people that the first book is good enough to be a standalone book.