Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire is the second novel in The Hunger Games series and demonstrates that Suzanne Collins really understands the power of the story. The novel develops the story of Katniss Everdeen and Peta Mellark following their success in the televised fight-to-the-death game show The Hunger Games.

It is immediately apparent that this is a far darker tale than the first novel and Collins creates a believable scenario of manipulation and exploitation for her characters. This does affect the pacing of the story, and the first half of the novel is slower than its predecessor, but that’s an inevitable consequence of trying to write the broader plot development that is needed to sustain a trilogy.

To my mind one of the strong points of the book is that the minor characters are given greater weight and depth than the rather one-dimensional supporting cast of the first novel. Collins manages to create an ensemble cast that engages you emotionally, and you care what happens to them. She also introduces two great characters in Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason (who will reappear in the final part of the trilogy).

Some reviewers have criticised the narrowness of her dystopian world-view, suggesting that her world-building could be stronger with a greater global sweep. I think this rather misses the point, and it should be remembered that Collins is primarily targeting the Young Adult audience. Whilst I felt that some of her symbolism was a little obvious I felt that she struck a good balance between the need to move the story on, whilst also broadening the overall vision.

As with the first novel I was again somewhat irritated by the lack of any mention of the cameras that must be filming every move within the arena for the reality show. I still felt that this was a missed opportunity by Collins which could have added another dimension to the piece, and a wider comment about surveillance, but overall this seems rather like sour grapes when considered against the many strengths of the novel.

Absorbing and compelling, this novel acts as an excellent bridge between “The Hunger Games” and “Mockingjay” and will not disappoint.