Catching Fire -- Book Review

**Spoiler Alert--If you have not read The Hungry Games, I may unknowingly reveal some of the suspense in this review**

After successfully winning The Hunger Games, both Katniss and Peeta return to District 12, to a Hero's welcome. Katniss is happy that she is still alive and hopes she and Gale can get back to being normal -- easier said than done. They move out of their old home and move into one of the victor's cottage. Haymitch and Peetha live in the other cottages, separately. Gale has started working in the mines and so Katniss hardly sees him and is unsure what she can say to make things ok between them. They finally meet one day in their forest. President Snow makes an appearance and informs her that he knows about the kiss that she shared with Gale and she better make her love story with Peeta look convincing. President Snow is intent on seeing the marriage between Peeta and Katniss happen. This book introduces a number of secondary characters. It starts with the victory parade as the victors of the 74th Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss, tour the districts. Katniss realizes that most people view her the person who will help them rebel against the Capitol - the mockingjay. All she wants is to keep her family, Gale, and Peeta safe which seems very selfish to her. This is followed by a series of activities that are part of the wedding preparations to mollify President Snow. Katniss sleepwalks through it all.

Just when you are convinced that that is where the story is headed - the writer throws in a twist of gigantic propotions. President Snow is not likely to forgive Katniss and Peeta for embarrassing the Capitol at the Hunger Games and so at the 75th Hunger Games (Quarter Quell) a huge surprise awaits them.

The book is just as interesting as the first and while I was so sure the author was headed the twilight way with the wedding, I was happy that it did not go that way at all. As you reach the end of the book, you gasp and want to kill the author. Seriously. You cannot believe your eyes and you realize you must read the next book to know what happens next. I was so glad I had the third book with me. Katniss seems very believable.