Catching Fire // Suzanne Collins {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
Well, I can’t stop in the middle, now can I?

Where I got the book
Greenwich, Overdrive, etc. etc.

Expectations
Not really sure what The Hunger Games is going to be after the Hunger Games are over. Politics and rebellion and ass-kicking, I presume.

So how was it?

Okay, so, I guess the Hunger Games aren’t over.  

Catching Fire kicks off with the victors, Katniss and Peeta, going on tour to all the districts. It’s traditional, but President Snow is also using the tour (and their shmoopy fake relationship) to relieve the unrest inspired by Katniss’ defiance in the previous book.

Aaaand suddenly there’s such a thing as a “quarter quell,” an extra-special version of the games that happens every 25 years, and involves special rules… yup, Katniss and Peeta are dumped right back in the arena. I know, it's so ridiculous that they can't believe it, either. But in a shocking turn-up, this second trip to the arena actually wasn’t boring or repetitive. It’s an entirely different situation, with entirely different tributes -- other past victors, at various ages and levels of preparation -- and everyone’s acting oddly.

On the Team Gail / Team Peeta front, Katniss becomes even more conflicted; I continue to prefer Peeta. (Which, from my experience with Korean TV dramas, usually means she'll end up with the other one.)

Recommendation
Same as the first book: there’s fighting, survival, romance, a little bit of a psychological thrill (like a spy novel), family drama, and pageantry.

Feels
About the same as the first one in terms of gritty YA plot/action, but the tone is no longer one of immediate immediate desperation. Katniss continues to have no idea what's going on.

Favorites
Finnick Odair, hands down. Of course that means he’s probably going to die. I also continue to like Haymitch.

Least favorites
The Gail/Peeta wishy-washy gets on my nerves, but I knew what I was getting into.

So what did I really think?

Click "read more"... massive spoilers ahead!

Now that Katniss spent several weeks on TV being the perfect symbol of rebellion, President Snow decides to poke it with a stick. Seriously. He does literally everything he can to make her even better fuel for revolution.

• He threatens and punishes her, instead of just letting her chill out and do her thing in the woods, forgetting about any of the Capitol's drama. 
• He makes her continue the ruse with Peeta, which is only going to make them (and the unity they represent) more endearing to the people. Did he actually think anyone was going to say “ohh, she only acted selflessly and defied the Capitol because she was in love, I guess we have absolutely no reason whatsoever to rebel!” 
• He sends her on a whirlwind tour of all the districts. Are you shitting me? You are giving her the perfect networking opportunity (and she didn't even use it!)
• He puts her back in the arena, and back on TV. 
• He puts a bunch of other victors back in the arena, when even the Capitol citizens have clearly become emotionally attached to them. 

Cinna is indeed revealed as a rebel -- called it! -- and dies. Violently and suddenly. Which… really sucks.