Catching Fire review

 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

⭐⭐⭐⭐- 4 stars

“Sparks are igniting.

Flames are spreading.

And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol—a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before . . . and surprising readers at every turn.”

Series: Yes, second book. #1 here. #2 here.

Oh my goodness! What a tale! I have been told that this is the favorite book of this trilogy, however I’m not sure I agree just yet. This one definitely was more emotional, heartfelt, and less action packed than the previous book. Yet, it was still page “turning-ly” enjoyable. Wait, enjoyable is not necessarily the correct term usage. The story was well done but it tore me up. To be honest, I had to take a day's break from Catching Fire because of how unjust the various scenes were. The one spot where I decided to pause and reflect was the end of Part 2. I was absolutely fed up with the Capitol, the peacekeepers, and the whole wretched world Katniss resided in. Oh, and let us not forget the conclusion of this book, which bent me up.
This trilogy is addicting, no matter how unjust the world they are inhabiting is. I would like answers and I intend to find them. So pardon me as I scour the library for the third installment.
I wish I could add more to this review yet as this is the second installment it would be full of spoilers.
Characters:

Katniss:
She has gone through so much. Gale, Darius, Cinna, Peeta, the other tributes she nearly befriended. The pain of watching those she loved suffering. The pressure from the wretched president. The stress to protect Peeta.

Peeta:
PEETA! Please, I beg of thee not to get hurt. This fellow right here was still making valiant attempts to protect Katniss. The moving speeches he had presented do something to crowds that only a compassionate, touching, heartfelt guy can do. People listen to what he has to say and he can lie extremely well, not missing a beat. (Who knew lying like that was something to admire?)

Haymitch:
Still is an alcoholic fanatic. Still is grouchy. Still comparable to Katniss. Those two really are alike in more ways than one.

Cinna:
Oh Cinna, what has happened?

Gale:
I feel so bad. Argh. Yes, I still prefer Peeta, nonetheless it does not give me a reason to hate Gale. Especially because of what he went through.