Catching Fire:: by Suzanne Collins

           Catching Fire is the second book in “The Hunger Games” trilogy. I really loved this book. I liked the first book “The Hunger Games” pretty well and I was excited to get my hands on this one. If you are going to read this series I suggest you try to have all of them when you start, or you may very well go crazy waiting. Catching Fire starts off kind of slow, filling readers in on what happened in the first book and since then (so if you want to read them “stand-alone”  it’s possible, but I doubt you will.) However, once it gets going, you won’t be able to put it down.  It is packed with nonstop suspense and surprises. Collins gives you some excellent foreshadowing, but you still won’t believe the stuff she comes up with. This book is a great combination of all my favorite flavors love, murder, heartbreak, betrayal, and don’t forget rebellion. It even has some laugh-out-loud funny moments.  I could hardly sleep last night for thinking about the story and what would happen next. When I did sleep, it was filled was some pretty messed up dreams. I’m pretty sure I had the nightmare Katniss does about “tongues”. After you read, you will know what I mean.
          Once again, I LOVED this book. I would definitely recommend for ages 14 and up, depending on the kid. There are no sex scenes, only kisses. However, the death scenes are mildly graphic, so do be advised.  But don’t assume these books are only for teens, no, I think a lot of adults will enjoy them as well. I know, I let the 50 something year old secretary at work borrow my copy of  The Hunger Games, she read it in one day and is waiting (impatiently) for me to finish Catching Fire.  Which I did about and hour ago, now I am ready to start Mockingjay.

Ages: 14 and up

Genres: Fiction, suspense, youth fiction

Warnings: Lots of murder

Series: Yes

Thanks and enjoy,

Happy Reading J