Review : Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Series #2)

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc

Publication date: 6.4.2013

Pages: 400

Source: Own 

The Story:

Suzanne Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen in the phenomenal Hunger Games trilogy.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

- Barnes and Noble

Rating: THREE GOLD STARS!!!

My Review:

As you know, I was originally hesitant about reading The Hunger Games. I think the movies are fantastic but I know that usually film adaptations stray away from crucial parts in the novels. Simply put: I did not want to be pissed about my favorite parts of the book being left out of the film. However, much to my delight, The Hunger Games was great. The film adaptation did it justice!

Well, having said that, I recently finished reading Catching Fire. And, honestly, although I enjoyed some parts I did not get the same flutter in my stomach as I did for Hunger Games.That is not to say Catching Fire is not a good book, though.

Peeta Mellark, the boy with the bread, was still swoon-worthy and made my heartache for him. Who can resist unrequited love, right? Oh yeah, Katniss can! haha

"'Because I don't want you forgetting how different our circumstances are. If you die, and I live, there's no life for me at all back in District Twelve. You're my whole life,' he says. 'I would never be happy again." I start to object but he puts his finger to my lips. 'It's different for you. I'm not saying it wouldn't be hard. But there are other people who'd make your life worth living." [page 351].

Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire... Although I have the feels for Peeta's plight, I have to admit that I admire Katniss. I admire her strength, her loyalty and her compassion. Even with everything that is thrown at her she manages to stay true to herself and deal with the grievous circumstances with grace. She does not allow what President Snow is throwing at her take her down. Oh, for example, let's say: The Quarter Quill when the Tributes are reaped from the existing pool of victors! That is what you call a plot twist, is it not?! But the plot twist does not simply halt there. Not only does Katniss destroys the arena but Gamemaker Heavensbee was part of the revolution all along. And, yet again, Katniss survives The Hunger Games.

And that my Bookies, is the epitome of a strong female lead!

Let's go Katniss! Absolutely mind-altering work of literature that gets under your skin.

"My choices are simple. I can die like quarry in the woods or I can die here beside Gale. 'I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay right here and cause all kinds of trouble.'" [page 119].

Now, I am desperately trying to wait until Mockingjay Part 1 hits theaters to get started on Mockingjay ... but my resolve is slowly disintegrating. I do not know how much longer I can last. Need to finish Katniss' story ... Failing ... Urgh! 

"'It's like you're decomposing,' says Finnick. But I guess the itching wins out, because after a minute Finnick begins to treat his own skin, too. Really, the combination of the scabs and the ointment looks hideous. I can't help enjoying his distress.

'Poor Finnick. Is this the first time in your life you haven't looked pretty?' I say." [page 316].

*** Check out Suzanne Collins website for more information about her and Catching Fire: HERE

Happy Reading!

Thanks-Giving Thursday Giveaway #16!

Thanks-Giving Thursday is a meme I came up with to say thank you to the followers - new and old - of my blog by spreading the wealth . . . the wealth of books, that is. So every - or alternate - Thursday I will be hosting a giveaway on my blog. The prize(s) will usually include at least two books (ARCs and/or finished copies) and maybe even some sort of swag.

Enter for a chance to win The  One by Kiera Cass, Awaken by Meg Cabot & The  Jewel   by Amy Ewing  right here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES:

1. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form 
2. Provide a working email with your entry 
3. Entries point values:

        +10 for Following this blog
        +3 for Leaving a blog post comment

        +4 for Following me on Twitter

        +5 for Tweeting about giveaway on Twitter

4. All entrants must be at least 13 years old
5. Only one entry per person

6. Winners will be announced via blog post and via email
7. If you win, you must claim your prize within 48 hours or the winner will be re-drawn
8. Mailing address is only required if you win
9. The giveaway ends midnight on August 20th 2014 and a winner will be chosen August 21, 2014.

10.  Unfortunately, this giveaway is not open internationally.

The One by Kiera Cass:

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Expected Publication Date: May 6, 2014

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

Awaken  by Meg Cabot:

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Expected Publication Date: July 2, 2013

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, the dark reimagining of the Persephone myth comes to a thrilling conclusion.

Death has her in his clutches. She doesn't want him to let go.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera knew by accepting the love of John Hayden, she'd be forced to live forever in the one place she's always dreaded most: the Underworld. The sacrifice seemed worth it, though, because it meant she could be with the boy she loves.

But now her happiness -- and safety -- are threatened, all because the Furies have discovered that John has broken one of their strictest rules: He revived a human soul.

If the balance between life and death isn't fixed, both the Underworld and Pierce's home back on earth will be wiped away. But there's only one way to restore order. Someone has to die.

The Jewel by Amy Ewing:

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Expected Publication Date: September 14, 2014

The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty.

But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude.

Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel's glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence . . . and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess's petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Debut author Amy Ewing expertly crafts an enchanting story full of riches, rivalries, and riveting twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

- via Barnes and Noble

Happy Reading!

Haysel

Thanks-Giving Thursday Giveaway #15

Thanks-Giving Thursday is a meme I came up with to say thank you to the followers - new and old - of my blog by spreading the wealth . . . the wealth of books, that is. So every - or alternate - Thursday I will be hosting a giveaway on my blog. The prize(s) will usually include at least two books (ARCs and/or finished copies) and maybe even some sort of swag.

Enter for a chance to win The Young World by Chris Weitz,  The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin & The Badger Knight by Kathryn Erskine right here!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES:

1. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form
2. Provide a working email with your entry
3. Entries point values:

        +10 for Following this blog
        +4 for Leaving a blog post comment

        +5 for Following me on Twitter

        +5 for Tweeting about giveaway on Twitter

4. All entrants must be at least 13 years old
5. Only one entry per person

6. Winners will be announced via blog post and via email
7. If you win, you must claim your prize within 48 hours or the winner will be re-drawn
8. Mailing address is only required if you win
9. The giveaway ends midnight on August 13th 2014 and a winner will be chosen August 15, 2014.

10.  Unfortunately, this giveaway is not open internationally.

The Young World by Chris Weitz:

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Expected Publication Date: July 29, 2014

Welcome to New York, a city ruled by teens.

After a mysterious Sickness wipes out the rest of the population, the young survivors assemble into tightly run tribes. Jefferson, the reluctant leader of the Washington Square tribe, and Donna, the girl he's secretly in love with, have carved out a precarious existence among the chaos. But when another tribe member discovers a clue that may hold the cure to the Sickness, five teens set out on a life-altering road trip to save humankind.

The tribe exchanges gunfire with enemy gangs, escapes cults and militias, braves the wilds of the subway and Central Park...and discovers truths they could never have imagined.

 

- via Barnes and Noble

     

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin:

Publisher: Soho Press, Incorporated
Expected Publication Date: August 12, 2014

For fans of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Girl, Interrupted, and A.S. King, National Book Award-finalist Adele Griffin tells the fully illustrated story of a brilliant young artist, her mysterious death, and the fandom that won't let her go.

From the moment she stepped foot in NYC, Addison Stone’s subversive street art made her someone to watch, and her violent drowning left her fans and critics craving to know more. I conducted interviews with those who knew her best—including close friends, family, teachers, mentors, art dealers, boyfriends, and critics—and retraced the tumultuous path of Addison's life. I hope I can shed new light on what really happened the night of July 28.
—Adele Griffin

  

- via Barnes and Noble

The Badger Knight by Kathryn Erskine:

Publisher: Soho Press, Incorporated
Expected Publication Date: August 26, 2014

National Book Award winner Kathryn Erskine presents a unique novel about a sickly boy's epic journey through England and Scotland at the height of Medieval times.
 
Adrian is small for his age, even for an almost thirteen year old. It doesn't help that  he has albinism, which makes those he meets wonder if he's an angel or a devil. His father is a bowyer, and all Adrian wants to do is become apprenticed and go off to war as an archer. But that's not what his father wants for him. Since Adrian can write, his father wants him to be a scribe. That's just about the last thing Adrian wants. When the Scots invade England and Adrian's best friend Hugh runs off to find his father and fight in battles, Adrian soon follows, intent on finding Hugh and joining him in glorious warfare against the pagans invading England from the north. When Adrian finds Hugh, who is caring for a wounded Scotsman, he's horrified that Hugh would aid an enemy. But soon, as Adrian gets to know Donald, he begins to question what he's been taught about the enemy and the nature of war. In this epic journey an afflicted boy finds an inner strength he never knew belonged to him.

- via Barnes and Noble

Happy Reading!