After finishing the first Hunger Games, it took me a little bit to get into the second book, Catching Fire. In between these books, I’ve been starting the Riyria Chronicles as well as wrapping up Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Era 1 series. It was in this hiatus that I came to realize my favorite books are those that are grander in scope, with a lot of moving parts. Perhaps that’s why my favorite book/movie series of all time is the Lord of the Rings. I’m always open to more recommendations along those lines! Anyways, with the Hunger Games being a more singular character focused story of survival, I wanted a change of pace after finishing the first book, so I took a brief hiatus before getting started on Catching Fire.
However, upon starting Catching Fire, I was pleasantly surprised. Catching Fire is a book that takes the opportunity to really expand the scope of the world of Panem, giving a much greater picture of what is going on. Katniss’ actions in the first book have now spiraled beyond her, resulting in a much more dynamic world where events don’t necessarily revolve around what the main character does. In fact, one of the primary transformations in the book that will likely also carry into the third book, Mockingjay, is Katniss’ acceptance that she has started something that is out of her control, and only with her acceptance of this, can she take back control and lead what she has started.
As the book develops, we hear about rebellions throughout Panem, many of which Katniss never even witnesses, only hears about. We also get our first true introduction to President Snow, a seemly calm, but threatening figure, who wants to be seen as having a grasp the situation developing in Panem. But as the rebellion continues, it becomes clear even he has lost control of the population, forcing him to retaliate. It is this invisible power struggle between Katniss and President Snow that defines the majority of the book. With the next Hunger Games considered a “Quarter Quell”, Snow orchestrates a game where previous winners from each district must compete. This means sending Katniss and Peeta back into the arena, with a clear intention of killing them off, essentially cutting out the figureheads of the rebellion.
Throughout the book, and even to the end, Katniss feels a lack of control. She seems to only see people at a surface level, resulting in confusion that is evident to the reader. As she is tossed back in the arena, she wonders why people are helping her survive, what does those outside the arena think of her, or in general, what is going on. This constant stream of confusion as to what is happening around her allows the romance established in the first book to take a backseat, with Katniss forced to protect both Gale and Peeta, not out of love, but necessity and to keep her sources of stability alive.
This book in general, feels like it is a buildup for the third book, where Katniss likely will have to accept her role in the rebellion and take charge. The invisible showdown between President and Katniss will likely come to a head with the stakes higher than ever. This is a book that got me excited to start Mockingjay and I look forward to seeing how the story concludes.
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