Review of Catching Fire (Book)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The book picks up about 6 months after the ending of The Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta, now Vitctors, must relive their time in the arena by doing a Victory tour of Panem. As a reminder of the hunger games, the previous victor travels to each district to celebrate their winning. Before going on this tour, Katniss is confronted by President Snow. While Snow was mentioned in the first book, this is the first time Katniss comes face-to-face with the serpent-like leader of Panem. She describes him as smelling like blood and roses, the latter attributed to the rose in his square pocket. President Snow is a bigger presence instilling fear into Katniss, which drives her decisions throughout the book. By bringing these two characters to a head, the book gives the Capitol a face to vilify.

The book shows it's YA (Young Adult) genre by having Katniss confused about her emotions and feelings for both Gale and Peeta. But the book does a good job at not making “a boy” the primary motivations for her decisions. She tells Gale that she can't think about him (or Peeta) in a romantic way with everything going on around her. Meanwhile, Peeta tries to deal with his feelings for Katniss by being just friends, something that ultimately endears him to her. The character of Gale is more present in this book, showing the separation of friendship between two characters that are grasping to maintain their old way of life. This is where Gale starts to get more involved in standing up against the Capitol, with a differing philosophy than Katniss, something that slowly drives a wedge between the two.

What Collins does in this book is solidify Katniss' realization that she has changed everything and there is no going back to her old life. After finding out that she will be going back into the hunger games, she has to make a choice, and that is to protect Peeta, at all costs. A sign that she really does love and care for him. One of the standouts of this book are the new characters that it introduces. We get a few characters that move on to the next book, mainly Finnick Odair, Johanna Mason and Beetee. Three past victors that ally with Katniss in the arena as part of the rebellion. Finnick is one of my favorite characters from this trilogy and he's introduced here as charismatic and beloved by the Capitol.

One thing I love about this book is that it opens up the world of Panem to the reader, providing more details about the districts and their victors. With the introduction of the Quarter Quell, Collins gives details about the past Hunger Games Quarter Quells, as well as some of the previous victors and how they won their games. We learn that Haymitch is the victor of the 2^nd Quarter Quell, and we find out how he won the games and what he went through. It provides some context into who Haymitch is as a person, and why he drinks alcohol.

The narrative structure doesn't flow as well as the first book, due to inserting various scenes and information about the other districts, the Capitol and past victors. A lot of time is spent on expanding the world, which immerses the reader, but sacrifices the flow of the story. There is also more time spent in District 12 showing Katniss', Peeta and Haymitch's life after the ending of the first book. While these details are great it slows the pace of the story. The book also feels divided in two, with the first half, taking place mostly in District 12 and the second half in the arena. The story takes place over months which makes the 391 page book feel longer.

When I first read The Hunger Games trilogy, I loved Catching Fire and it was my favorite of the three. Upon revisiting the trilogy, I have come to enjoy the simplistic narrative structure of the first book more than the world building done in the second book. While there is much to love about Catching Fire, I think there are some extraneous details that are noticeable on a second reading, especially knowing where Katniss' journey ends.

Review of The Hunger Games (Book)

Review of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My first exposure to The Hunger Games was in 2011 when my sister recommended that I read the book. However, it wasn't until the first movie was announced that I decided to take her advice. I literally finished the book, an hour before I saw the movie in theatres with my sister. That's when my love for The Hunger Games franchise started. Since then I have read the books three times and have watched the movies at least five or six times each. Author Suzanne Collins created a world and a story that captures my attention and imagination. In preparation for the new book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel sixty-four years before Katniss volunteers, I decided to re-read The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Collins structures all of her books into three parts, each part represents a big change in the characters' storty. The Hunger Games parts are: Tribute, The Games, and Victor. The first part of the book sets up Katniss' character, her district and the entire process of the hunger games. This includes the ceremony, known as the reaping, where the children (or tributes) are chosen to compete in the games, the train ride to the Capital, the opening ceremony of the games and the training center. The second part is focused on Katniss' survival in the hunger games arena, making allies with a little girl named Rue and helping Peeta heal his injured leg. The third part is about how Katniss and Peeta win the hunger games and are crown “victors”, leaving the ending ambiguous.

The story is told strictly from her point of view primarily in present tense, but there are several key moments and details recalled in flashbacks. Collins does a great job to immerse the reader into the world of Panem and give a genuine account of Katniss' experience. We are introduced to each character as Katniss encounters them. The characters that inhabit Panem are a big part of what I love about the books.

The story deals with oppression and morality. The districts are oppressed by the Capital, and the Capital uses fear and the hunger games to control the districts. The book explores what happens when someone defies the Capital, the consequences both positive and negative. It raises an interesting question about a person's own moral compass when faced with competing in the hunger games. Peeta brings up the idea that if he dies in the arena, he wants to die as himself rather than be changed by the Capital. Essentially, he means that he would keep his morality, and not kill unless attacked. If the only way to win is to kill the opponent, then is it better to live knowing you killed a person, or die because you refused to? An interesting philosophical theme that reoccurs throughout the trilogy. A theme that seems very applicable in today's society.

While the main story of the first book heavily centers on the actual event of the hunger games, it also sets up the “love triangle” between Katniss, Peeta and her best friend Gale. Unlike most young adult fiction, the books don't really delve into the romance angle of Katniss' male relationships. In fact, Katniss mentions to Gale that she can't even think about being with him or Peeta in that way, until the war with the Capital is over. I find this more interesting, because it's not about who Katniss' is going to chose, but rather develops her relationships with both boys in a way that feels natural. It's not until after she takes down the Capital that she makes her decision based on the men that both Gale and Peeta have become after the events of the series.

The Hunger Games is probably my favorite series, and the first book is my favorite in the series. I think that the pacing in this book and the narrative story telling is executed very well. The book stays focused on Katniss and her mission to win the hunger games. Collins only reveals details that are essential to the story and we get only hints about the other districts in Panem. While I love the world building done in Catching Fire there is something about the simplicity of the first book that I believe makes for a great reading experience. Even the ending is left somewhat open ended. It can be read as a standalone story and that's what I love about it.

*One of my favorite quotes is from Effie Trinkett, “put enough pressure on coals, they turn to pearls”. A great quote that refers to the old saying about coal turning into diamonds, not entirely true, but it shows the level on intellect in the Capital to not correct Effie.