Monthly Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire is the second science fiction novel of The Hunger Games Trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. This book continues the previous one, The Hunger Games, right after Katniss has won the annual event (the Hunger Game) alongside with Peeta. However, with the actions she took in saving both herself and Peeta in the game, she must now take responsibility for her actions. Only one contender could win in the game, but since Katniss and Peeta both made it through as winners, questions has spread throughout the Districts about their defiance toward the Capitol and a rebellion might rise against their oppressed ruler. Now, Katniss is back in the game alongside with Peeta, facing new and dangerous challenges that awaits them as punishment for her actions.
Catching Fire is intended for young adults, ranging from around the ages of ten through eighteen, but in my opinion, I think it doesn't matter as long as you understand and enjoy the book. However, ten through eighteen would be the best choice to introduce the book to yourself or kids, and for advanced readers you could start a bit earlier with not so many problems on the vocabulary. There could be some slow readers who are having some trouble with the vocabulary and would take a longer time to finish the book, or maybe the reader is just not that interested with it, therefore it depends on the reader's view toward it. This book mainly aims for people who are interested in science fiction, thriller/action, some philosophy, adventurous, and romance. This book is a first-person narrative story where you know exactly what the main character is thinking, feeling, and acting. For me, this book is great and I enjoy every moment of reading this, because of the great length the main character has to do in order to survive and support her family. I like the touch of survival instinct, trying to survive in a poor urban city and doing whatever you can in order to stay alive. I love the action and suspense the book brings into the story, and better yet a bit of romance to mix things up a bit. I could have never thought there will be romance into this story, because of the so many action it brings, but it's only a touch of it and not a serious romantic thing. So don't get your hopes up, for any people who are deeply into romance. The combination of suspense and adventure of this novel will definitely grab your attention as it did for me, and you'll be yearning for more. For that, I personally recommend anyone for this book if your a fan of these kinds of stuff.
The only other book that I had read from Suzanne Collins is the first trilogy, The Hunger Games. Compared with the other book, Catching Fire, I would say the first was more appealing to me, because there more things going on. Out of the whole book of Catching Fire, most of it didn't show much suspense or action until the second half of the book where the second game actually begins, unlike the first book where there were a lot. Instead it shows more about how Katniss's life has changed after her experiences in the Hunger Games and her feelings towards some of her close friends. It talks about how the games has changed her both physically and mentally even after she has won the game, having nightmares every night about her experiences in the games and remembering the bad moments that always appear in her mind. However, the second book is talking more of the main plot of the whole storyline in the trilogy, and it's only the beginning with the rise of rebellion. The first book was all about Katniss's experiences in the game and a little bit before everything all happen with her hardship of trying to survive with her family. The second book delves more about the history and politics between the Capitol and the Districts, and realizing the full length the Capitol will go through in order to crush any sign of rebellion that will start a revolution in Panem. I like how the author put in a before and after affect of the games changing the characters' views, but one of the characters that I thought haven't changed that much to me after the effect. Both of these books of the trilogy series are perfect and provide a good balance between them for the readers to still want more.
The characters I'm interested in are Beetee and Wiress nicknamed, Volts and Nuts, because of their extraordinary mind tinkering with mechanical parts and figuring out complicated things, like showing Katniss on how to spot the force field that the game makers set up. They both are older couples from District three (involving and making mechanics/technology) who won the Hunger Games earlier in their age, and now reenter the games once more alongside with other previous victors. My first impression when I read them were that they were going to be one of those people who won't last that long, mostly because of their age which has taken the fact that they cannot compete with other more young and agile people. However, with their exceptionally smart mind, it could even the odds out a bit and possibly win it for them. Wiress is extremely intelligent and skilled person in the tech arts. She proves her genius toward Katniss by revealing that the arena is arranged like a clock, occurring on a timed chart with new and dangerous disasters that awaits for them. Wiress is a very scatterbrained person and usually has a hard time getting her thoughts across to others, nicknamed "Nuts" because of the people who couldn't understand her. Beetee ends up having to finish her sentences for her and the only one who actually understands her. Beetee on the other hand, is also the same who is skilled with technology, able to invent deadly lightning rods with seemingly innocent materials out of scraps, but without the weirdness. For that reason, he is nicknamed "Volts" because of his expertise of his tech skills. Their both allies with Katniss and prove to be valuable players during the game, who figured out many things which helped their teammates in succeeding. If it weren't for them, Katniss or the others wouldn't have gotten as far as they would have without their help.