Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Wednesday=Book Review Time--on fire again

Up for today: CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

Product Details

Why I bought it? It's the sequel to The Hunger Games, and I loved that book. I've been anxious to read it, since I read the first one. I pre-ordered it through Amazon, and it came at the beginning of the month.

Synopsis: I don't want this to be a spoiler for those of you who haven't read the first one, so let's just say that it continues the story begun in The Hunger Games. (Follow the link to see the synopsis I gave for it.)

What I thought? I was very worried that this would not measure up to the first book. It did though. It was fantastic. I was completely absorbed and caught up in this world again. Catching Fire was un-put-downable. It was intense and compelling. I can't wait for book 3. (Except I'm going to have to. I'm guessing it will be another year.) If you haven't read The Hunger Games, what are you waiting for? If you have, you've probably already read Catching Fire (and if you haven't because you're worried it will let you down, don't. You're good.)

My Rating: ***** out of 5, This was such an easy choice. It was that good.

Cleanness Score: 5 out of 10. This is mostly for violence. It was not as violent as the first book and didn't have as many disturbing images, but it's still not for the younger readers out there.

12 comments:

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

I'm always surprised at just how many good authors are out there that I've not heard of. I'm not keen on violence in novels or movies, so that puts me off. My Mom has a stronger stomach than me, so this may be an author for her Christmas stocking.

I like the way you rate your books BTW! Gives a good idea of what's in them.

Tess said...

I've read both Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I liked the first much better. I felt like the second was a retelling of the first...like the author couldn't come up with a new concept so reworked the original one.

And, am I the only one who sees the love triangle -a -la - Twilight resemblance? You have the strong devoted one in Peeta (that was Jacob) and you have the less certain, still loving but somehow dangerous Gale (that was Edward) and then you have the poor herione who just can't bring herself to decide and so leads them both on terribly.

Just wondering if anyone else noticed that....

And, don't get me wrong, the books are well written and extreemly compelling. For all my complaining, I couldn't put them down. Maybe I'm just jealous ;)

lotusgirl said...

Ann, thanks. I'm glad that you like the way I rate the books. I like to include that just so people are informed. It's the sort of things I like to know before I pick up a book.

Tess, Yes, I totally see the twilight triangle thing going on, but it does increase the intrigue and when I'm in it I'm not thinking about the twilight comparison. I would guess that Collins didn't do it to be like twilight (I know I've changed things in my own story to make them not be like Twilight), but I could be wrong. The love triangle has been around a long time, though. I didn't see this as a repetition of the first book. I saw it as starting on a familiar road and striking off on a new path.

Pen Pen said...

THIS sounds incredible!!!! Have u read 'Ender's Game'(Orson Scott Card)?! Cuz if u liked this, u GOTTA go get that one!! THis genre/subject matter is probably my favorite! I dunno what it is about the post apocalyptic, child sacrificial, ultimate questioning...area. :)

lotusgirl said...

Pen Pen, Yeah. I loved Ender's Game! It's such a great book.OSC really hit the nail on the head with that one.

PJ Hoover said...

100% agree! I loved it too!

celeste said...

"un-put-downable" Love it! A review in true Lois fashion, can't wait to see what's next!

lotusgirl said...

PJ, we may have to talk about the whole Peeta/Gale thing.

celeste, glad you enjoyed. Have you read anything good lately?

Alix said...

Loved this book, it really is un-put-downable! I was up till 1am with it.

I like the love triangle and unlike Twilight (Team Jacob!) I have no idea who she'll end up with. I half see her walking away form both of them or someone dying :(

Patti said...

Just started reading the book this morning so that I could catch up with everyone else and get to the second.

Kasie West said...

Loved this book. I, too, was worried it wouldn't measure up to the first. But I was so happy it did.

lotusgirl said...

Alexa, I see something happening to one of them so that in the end only one is left. It would make me really sad if it were Peeta, but in some ways I think that's because I don't really know Gale very well, so I'm not real invested in his character.

Patti, good luck getting caught up.

Kasie, Me too.