Book Review : Catching Fire (2nd Book of The Hunger Game Trilogy)

Assalamualaikum..

Hi peeps... I know its been awhile since the last time I did a book review here : ) not that I havent been reading any books lately... I have...lots of em.... its just that I have been busy and I dont think that they are GREAT and AMAZING enough to write a review on it.... Not to underestimate the authors... its just that I have been missing something freash enough to be excited enough to write a review about.... Do you guys understand me here?... Lets just say, I have been missing Harry-potter like series... Different and yet fresh storylines...

Since my last book review... Diary of a Wimpy Kid... Ive been reading lots more Diary of a wimpy kid series... also book by Sophie Kinsella (Remember Me?).. and also have been reading lots of non-fiction books.. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T Harv eker... Hot to Get Rich by Donald Trump...Rich Dad Poor Dad....How to get from Where You are to Where you want to be.... and more... Cant list em all... but thats not Im going to write about here...

In this entry I want to share to you one of the most intriguing, brutal yet engaging and cant-put-down YA (Young-Adult) book since Harry Potter.... I present to you....

THE HUNGER GAME SERIES.....

I dont remember how I got dragged into reading this... bcoz this book isnt even in the top list in Popular book or MPH book...dunno why... it should be tho.... how did I got dragged into reading this eh? owh probably becoz of Amazon.com... You see before I buy a book, I always read the review there first.. and somehow I jump from one book to another and I stumble upon The Hunger Games... The summary of the book itself just dragged me into wanting to know more... so I flip thru the reviews by the readers.. and its just amazing... and when I read along the reviews Ive found out that there was going to be a movie coming out in march... so I go to youtube and watch the trailer....

How can you not like 'that'???!!!!.........
I check at Popular Book Store (Bintulu) but no Hunger Game book... so a week ago I went to kuching so I stop at Times Book Store to get the book...sadly enough no The Hunger game (book 1) but there was catching Fire (Book 2) left... so I just grabbed it, pay and back to hotel I read it...
I was sooo hooked!!.. okay before I start with the review lets do a brief summary on the book... keep in mind this is the 2nd book...not the 1st...

Synopsis

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

Katniss Everdeen

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. So for the next Hunger Game (75th Hunger Games) it was the Quater Quell, it had past victors from earlier Hunger Games compete for a second time. This action was made to destroy any bonds the districts had with each other and to make them feel weak. It was meant to be a reminder to the citizens of the districts that "even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol." It is believed that this twist was not planned at the founding of the Hunger Games, but was decided specifically to force Katniss Everdeen back into the Games.

Peeta Mellark

So once again, Katniss was to represent the District 12 as the female tribute. Along with her, Haymitch (past victor, also her mentor in the 74th hunger game) was also chosen (randomly) but Peeta Mellark volunteer to replace Haymitch as the male tribute. Its for the sake of saving Katniss in keeping her alive in the game. Peeta was willing to be the victim of the game in order to keep Katniss alive and for her to win the game entirely. Both were traumatized at first when they heard the news about Quater Quell but they know its the Capitol doing.

If you have seen Survivor (yes the reality tv show) then you can imagine how the games works. except the difference with survivor is that you are voted off instead in hunger games you are being killed and die.. so its not just a GAME, its more brutal. All 24 tributes from 12 districts then released into the arena where they meet with many dangers not just from each other but also from the arena it self which was designed by the Capitol to kill.
So im not going to spoil you with all the important parts in the book you need to buy it and read it urself. but i must tell you.... worth every penny and time... go to the nearest book store and buy one!!!!


The Review

You know what I like about the book? well so many...

First is the game it self.. its like Survivor game where 24 tributes from all 12 districts are thrown into the arena and try to survive from each other and from the dangers in the arena designed by the capitol. Before they were thrown into the game, they were trained by their mentors from each district. The mentors were the past Victor (Winner) of the past Hunger Game from their own district. How heart breaking it is that kids from the age of 12-18 are forced to kill each other in order to survive and win. Only the last to survive the arena can get out of it victorious. During the game, the people of Panem are able to watch the whole game on TV (like I told you, Survivor). And during the game the popular tribute constantly receive package or present from their sponsors (capitol people). So they (tribute) have to make an impression in order to get lots of sponsor during the game.

I love how it is so believable... and real....

And then there is the relationship between Peeta-Katniss-Gale.... some might think it the twilight trio all over again but no... this is noooo Twilight... I hate twilight love relationship... it is soo heavy on the vampire..what was his name again.. i dont remember..
I love Peeta character.. Peeta has a very likable personality. Peeta is bold, having announced that he was in love with Katniss to the whole nation; smart, figuring out strategies to use in the Games; and willing to go to extremes to keep Katniss alive. However, in the first book, Peeta told Katniss that he did not expect he would win. He is a great public speaker and is very brave. Peeta is also loving and cares about the people around him, and hates killing unless the pursuer is a threat to himself or Katniss; selfless, for sacrificing his own life for Katniss'; funny, for making those around him laugh even when times were tough; and he always knows exactly what to say to make you feel better and to cheer you up. He is able to work with Haymitch on goals and strategy and unlike Katniss, he is able to keep secrets and is trusted by Haymitch. It is noted throughout the series his deep understanding of situations such as the Hunger Games where he says "I don't want to be just a piece in their Games." It took Katniss much longer for her to understand the same concept. In Catching Fire, Finnick Odair states that Peeta is one of the only truly good people to survive the arena Peeta is usually the more sentimental of any of the main characters, "feeling" things more than everyone else. He doesn't have Katniss or Gale's "fire" but isn't soft.
Great character building thru out the novel especially for Katniss, Peeta and Finnick (Catching Fire in particular).

Overall I love it!!!... I already ordered Book 1 & 3 thru MPHonline... cant wait to get my hands on it : )