Review: The Hunger Games Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Katniss returns to The Hunger Games and this time she's blowing shit up.

---

@shereadsbooks.sometimes

Dates read: 04/11/2025 to 08/11/2025

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Word to describe: Nightmare Fuel

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Katniss Everdeen won The Hunger Games alongside Peeta but she doesn't feel like she won anything. Tormented by nightmares of the games and her wish to return to her normal life, Katniss is now anything but normal. Peeta is also her unlikely frenemy after is was revealed her romance with him was acting on her part, but true feelings on his. Their indifference to each other is only fuelled further by the Capitol's insisting on the duo relationship being shown on camera at as many moments as possible.

New peacekeepers cause frictions in District 12, and a tour of the other Districts leaves Katniss' fight for freedom diminishing and her soul to slowly disintegrate. Forced to keep the peace between the districts who want to fight with her and the Capitol wanting to control her Katniss is left no choice but to lawfully abide and hope for less death. But then, as we all know, in a cruel twist of fate Katniss and Peeta find themselves back in The Hunger Games. Vying for attention from the Capitol in a game of romance, Katniss and Peeta have to up the love to try and get the games stopped. And when no luck approaches they entire the arena once more.

Catching Fire is one of those catalyst episodes that set the stage for the season finale but it is also jam packed with suspense, drama, emotional turmoil, and, of course, the inevitable heartache. Katniss and Peeta navigate unlikely allies and battle with each others emotions, the make secret deals to ensure each others safety, and are witness to several more moments of blood and slaughter. Katniss in particular is a character that offers that quick--witted sarcasm that only a teenager could give. Her snarky attitude, naivety, and unrelentless desire to do what's right automatically makes her a fan favourite. After many years of The Hunger Games, its honestly not difficult to love her.

As we follow Peeta and Katniss on their journey into the new Hunger Games it becomes apparent nothing is as it was. Their relationship develops further, the games get harder, and the underground rebellion is slowly gaining traction. Catching Fire is easy to devour, a fast-paced read with plenty of action to keep any reader interested. There wasn't a dull moment and as you can see, I binge read this over the course of just 4 days!