A successful series has to have a bigger and better sequel where everything that was established in the first book is built upon and the potential plot points hinted at are fulfilled. Catching Fire, the second in the Hunger Games series, does exactly that – ramping up the action, the tension and the politics.
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Please note that Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games, so if you haven’t yet read my review of that, then there will be spoilers in this review of the previous book.
Catching Fire picks up not too long after the first Hunger Games book – Katniss has won the Hunger Games and is back in District 12 in her winner’s house. As expected, despite the win, it doesn’t really feel like she’s won after the way that she and Peeta dealt with everything – showing up the Capitol and, most importantly, President Snow. Snow tells her there’s going to be a special Hunger Games featuring all of the previous winners and she will be required to enter.
Catching Fire plot 4.25/5
Catching Fire is the Hunger Games book where things really start to ramp up. As I mentioned in my introduction, the first book teased a much larger thing to come and Catching Fire is where that “thing” really starts to get going. You could almost describe the first book as the match and this second book as the spark that potentially lights the flame.
The general plot here is very similar to the first, really, if you consider there’s a beginning, a Hunger Games and then an end. However, this time it is all shrouded in a lot more tension, as we know as the reader that Katniss was never supposed to survive the first Hunger Games she entered and Snow is determined that she most certainly won’t survive this second one.
The pacing feels different to the first as we know, as readers, more about what to expect from the general plot (we know what a Hunger Games is, we know President Snow’s intentions and we know there’ll be an on/off relationship between Peeta and Katniss, for example). So a lot of the book focuses on building out the world – establishing the further districts and preparing you for what you may deem eventualities.
Luckily, Collins is willing to throw in some curveballs and take some big risks with certain characters.
Catching Fire characters – 4.25/5
Catching Fire’s characters step up in this sequel in a way that really drives the story forward. Katniss is struggling under the heavy pressure of being a reluctant symbol of rebellion, all while trying to protect those she loves. Her toughness is real, but you can see the cracks as the weight bears down on her.
Peeta remains the steady, loyal counterbalance — kind and deeply devoted, yet caught in the chaos around them.
Gale’s simmering anger adds another layer, showing how the rebellion is pulling everyone in different directions.
Haymitch, rough and often drunk, proves he’s vital behind the scenes.
And the supporting characters? They all add texture to this world, making every scene feel charged with tension and stakes. This cast is what keeps the tension building and the pages turning.
Catching Fire final rating – 4.25/5
Catching Fire is a solid sequel to the first Hunger Games book. It does everything a good sequel should – expand upon the world, introduce new characters and delve us deeper into where this whole story is going. Its pacing is a little questionable at times and simply because of the format, it can feel a little samey at times but overall, it’s another great book that ticks all the boxes you’d be looking for if you were a fan of the first book. It also wonderfully sets up for a thrilling final book in the trilogy.
