Catching Fire

Catching Fire
By Suzanne Collins
1. Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games. It focuses on before, during, and after the 75th Hunger Games. In the beginning of the book Katniss returns to district 12 and goes on a victor’s tour of the Panem. Most of the action takes place during the actual Hunger Games. The 75th Hunger Games are similar to the 74th Hunger from the previous book, except it is a “Quarter Quell,” which occurs every 25 years. The 3rd Quarter Quell is more severe than a regular battle and is made up of past victors. These games are the government's way of controlling all of the districts. The first and second involved the districts having to choose their own tributes, or more people in the hunger games. As in the last book there is physical as well as emotional action. Katniss goes back to the Hunger Games and allows Peeta to win. This reveals her ability to sacrafice and that she cares about Peeta.

2. The action in the story is both realistic and imaginary. For example, there is an unreal force field in the book. However, the realistic parts of the book are identical to those in the previous book. (Real weapons and fighting situations.)

3. The author achieves suspense in the story by using a beach as a dangerous starting place and a forest that is even worse. Thunder, dangerous bugs, carnivorous monkeys, poisonous gas, blood rain, tidal waves, and jabber jays are all thrown into the story to create suspense and tension. The suspense creates a very unpleasant feeling.

4. I can’t imagine myself being one of the characters in this book because, unlike the first book, the terrible things that happen to them are much worse.

5. The story takes place in the future after the 74th Hunger Games. The book starts off in district 12 and goes into the other districts. The train is also the setting, the actual Hunger Games, and district 13 as well. The action could not have taken place in another setting. The forest is unique in that if something bad happens in that area it is very difficult to escape. On the other hand, the forest provides a sense of security because it is dense and easier to hide.

5. Nothing.

6. See Hunger Games question #6.

7. Catching Fire would do well as a film. However, like the first book, I feel it would be difficult because there is so much action occurring throughout the book.