Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

                       ***5 HUGE stars***

I have been anxiously awaiting "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Colllins for so long!  I count "The Hunger Games" as one of my all-time favorite reads and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it's sequel.  This book was definitely worth the wait!  Suzanne Collins has created a world that draws you in completely.  I became totally invested in each character and read the book at a furious pace in order to see the outcome for all of them.  The book has so many plot twists that I didn't see coming!

The book begins shortly after the last Hunger Games ended.  Katniss and Peeta are preparing for their"victory tour" through the districts.  In order to survive the last games, Katniss and Peeta convinced the world that they were in love with one another and challenged the Capitol by forcing them to declare two winners or they would kill themselves and there would be no winner.  The scheme worked and they were both crowned victors.  Unfortunately, forcing the Capitol's hand to do anything has dire consequences!  Katniss realizes how dire these consequences could be in "Catching Fire".  While preparing for her tour she gets an unlikely visitor who informs her of potential rebellion in the districts.  This is said to be a result of her and Peeta's actions in the arena.  She now must convince the world that the love between her and Peeta is real or everything and everyone she loves will suffer.  Katniss had hoped to return to her 'old' life after the games- one that included Gale, her best friend/soulmate, but once again the Capitol is controlling her life.  She is forced to publicly profess her undying love to Peeta and become a pawn in the Capitol's game again.

The journey this book takes you on is intense!  It is a roller coaster of action, anger, manipulation, rebellion, romance, betrayal and suspense.  While reading I felt like I was there in Panem.  The author has created a vivid world and the characters are so well developed that you feel strongly for them.  I loved every page of "Catching Fire" and am once again on pins and needles waiting for the next one!