Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Catching Fire

My review might contain spoilers so be warned‼️‼️

Things I liked about the book:

•Peeta/Haymitch/Katniss trio dynamic
The reason why I'm putting this here is that it sets up a big twist in the end of the book that creates a BIG emotional turmoil and development in the third book

•Katniss' Mom finally has character!!
Rather than Katniss telling what she does, her mom actually does the nursing!! Yehey!!!

*Gale
Although I dislike him, he actually has use here and sets up Katniss questioning her morality not just in this book but in the third book as well

Things I did not like:

•The "I'm not like any other girls" is really annoying. I don't want to say the pages but it is highlighted on 3 pages

•I think as tho as Katniss in this book has gotten dumb. She has gotten so reckless to the point of not thinking that the government won't punish her family

•The whole subplot for love was stupid to me. I know that Suzanne was forced to add it but still

•There was this whole chapter/s about the victors being friendly with one another and while it is the last time they can be friendly with one another...since alot of them will die, I just think it should not have been added if there wasn't even a single emotional turmoil

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emzilia's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Getting through my first reread of the series since I read them years ago. So much I had forgotten, and just like the first novel, so so so easy to read, the pages turned themselves.

Suzanne Collins is a master with her words, and I pray to the gods I don’t believe in that she releases a new work separate from this world of Panem. Not that I am sick of the Hunger Games, but just to be able to read more of her writing.

One aspect that did grate on me a little was the way Katniss’ obliviousness and staunchness was conveyed. Not that these are bad flaws to give a protagonist, but that I wish it was written out more as an unreliable narration and not dramatic irony. In my opinion the reader could too easily see through Katniss’ flawed assessment of many moments. It was done SO WELL when the wire snapped and Katniss was genuinely confused about Joanna and the situation at large.

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valereads's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is definitely the weakest book in the trilogy. I did not finish this book the first time I attempted to read the series and I had many of the same problems on this read through.

I'll begin with the positives; I appreciate the way Collins discusses how the trauma from the events of the first book has affected the protagonists and the accurate and thoughtful way it is portrayed (with a couple of exceptions). In addition the feeling of hopelessness Collins creates in the reader even when you know where the series is going, felt real and all-consuming in parts of the first half.

The pacing of this book was off. The first half was boring and tedious, enough that I gave up 1/3 of the way in on my first read through. The second half is much more fast paced but forgettable and never seems to be going anywhere until the end and the ending was weak.

Continuing from the first book, the romantic relationships were once again one of the weakest aspects of this novel. The only reason I do not consider them the weakest part overall is because the rest of this book was lacking.

Honestly, I can't say I recommend this book unless you really want to read on to Mockingjay.

Content warnings: animal death, death, gore, violence, medical content, police brutality, violence, addiction, alcoholism, animal cruelty, child death, ableism, drug abuse, drug use, slavery, suicidal thoughts, torture

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kaylamoran's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I think Catching Fire might be my favourite of the Hunger Games trilogy. I'll probably never be able to tell you because I can't find my copy of book one anywhere so I likely won't be rereading it 😂

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