The whole notion of the games was taken from the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. King Minos of Crete had issues with Athens. There are varying accounts of how this came to be, but the accounts agree on the arrangement that was made.
Athens was forced to send seven boys and seven girls to Crete every nine years to make a nice snack for a Minotaur, who resided in a labyrinth constructed by Daedelus. Her solution is significant here, beyond the classic story, as the unraveling of string, of a sort, figures large in Catching Fire in helping out the tributes.
Katniss Everdeen grew from a raw teen in Book I to become a warrior. She grows stronger still in Book II, overcoming her fears and miseries, growing in strength, even while accepting that her fate was likely sealed.
She is a gladiator, thrown into an arena to do battle for the pleasure and control of the rulers. And another classical notion comes in here, the slave warrior leading a rebellion. Katniss, by defying the Capitol in Book I and by her actions this time, has become the face of popular resistance, whether potential or kinetic. There are contemporary issues that resonate as well.
Collins said: The Hunger Games is a reality television program. An extreme one, but that's what it is.
And while I think some of those shows can succeed on different levels, there's also the voyeuristic thrill, watching people being humiliated or brought to tears or suffering physically. And that's what I find very disturbing.
There's this potential for desensitizing the audience so that when they see real tragedy playing out on the news, it doesn't have the impact it should. It all just blurs into one program. And then there is the romantic element. Peeta is a wonderful guy, pure soul, gifted communicator, smart, strong as an ox, loves her, but, while she may find him attractive as a friend, does she find him attractive enough to throw over her childhood sweetheart, Gale?
The pressure is unspeakable as the President, in order to save his own face, is insisting that she and Peeta make good on their cover story from their first game together. At the end of the 74th, Katniss had threatened pairs-suicide if the rulers insisted on having a single winner, and she prevailed.
But the Capitol sold it as a manifestation of her love for Peeta, while the reality had been that she had stood up against the Capitol rulers. She agreed to help sell the lie after the games in order to keep bad things from happening to her family. Peeta and Katniss have to cope with the public lie of their being a couple, but must also contend with the fact that they really are very fond of each other. Add in another hottie in the shape of the studly Finnick Odair a tribute in the 75th and the potential for emotional imbalance is considerable.
The president, Coriolanus Snow, gets to strut and fret his hour upon the stage, issuing threats mostly. Ok, I really enjoyed this book. I do have one gripe, though. Really, you knew there would have to be one. The Hunger Games story is really one long tale, and in order to keep from having to sell the book with its own set of wheels so you can tote it around, the publisher has divided it, like all Gaul, into three parts. Unlike the greedy film makers who took it a step further and made four films out of a trilogy And while it may make sense for this volume to have ended where it did, it seemed to me that it went from full on action to see ya next time in an awful hurry.
I had originally intended to make this a four-star rating, but on further consideration, in light of what Collins has done in terms of looking at real issues in a serious way, while offering top-notch entertainment, bringing in cultural foundations, and for making me root for a teenager to do something other than get a bad case of zits or run afoul of a serial killer, I am upping it to five.
Catching Fire sizzles. View all 48 comments. Well, kind of. No plot spoilers, just image spoilers. Don't read on if you do not want to see images of the actors cast in the upcoming Hunger Games movies.
I am officially designating this review as my update central for casting on the Hunger Games. As new characters are cast, I will post the actor's pictures here along with the images I find that imitate how they might look as the character they will be playing.
The best photoshopped pic I Warning!! And Suzanne Collins gave her approval, so that in itself speaks volumes. Bottom-line is: Josh is workable. As long as they work with him to LOOK the part, and give him the eyes and most importantly the hair, I think he could be good. And our Gale: A little too pretty for my image of Gale. I also didn't picture Gale so beefy but instead trim and slim. Although for me, I was never too concerned with this role anyway. Gale never stood out to me as much as Peeta did in these books, so I would have been fine with nearly any choice.
Once again, as long as they work their studio magic on his looks, he should do just fine. The guy is awesome. I think he will pull it off without effort. Wes Bentley is Seneca Crane. Ummmmmm, yeah. He's frikkin hotter than the guy playing Peeta!
Ceasar Flickerman will be played by Stanley Tucci. Excellent choice! Meet Rue and Thresh!! Amandla Stenberg and Dayo Okeniyi. They are perfect, and I am already getting emotional thinking about that infamous scene with Rue As far as the other characters, the news isn't out quite yet. It seems they will be looking for Prim and Haymitch soon. So I will post more info here once the news is out. Let me know what you think of the re-imaginings of these actors in their new character roles!
Jul 06, Melanie rated it really liked it Shelves: young-adult , buddy-reads , read-in , quarantine-reads , dystopian. Unless you just want a little fresher up in this second installment! Ah, lets get into it before I start to gush! Katniss and Peeta are both home and they both are remembering everything that they were forced to endure during the games.
It has been a year already, and they are getting ready for gosh this feels like a bad word, but… celebration. Yet, this is the real start of the Gale versus Peeta love triangle for me. And he also lets her know that they have a whole tour of all the districts, filled with opportunities to prove themselves and their love for one another. Which essentially means they have an even more wild game every 25 years.
And during the last one? Haymitch was the winner. She is also quickly realizing that she is going to be forced to keep convincing the world of her love for Peeta forever, because they will always be in the spotlight for the rest of their lives. Oh, and Peeta has an artificial leg now, and it makes me wish so desperately that they included that representation into the movies! This is also the iconic favorite colors green and orange scene and I love it a lot, honestly.
But Peeta and Katniss make their way to district 11 and they make their speeches to the people. After that grand gesture, an old man makes the whistle sound that Rue and Katniss made in the games, and he is promptly killed. Katniss and Peeta cuddle each night and try to protect themselves from the nightmares, while they go on their full tour to all the districts while being engaged.
But after that, Gale gets whipped and I felt really bad. Yet, they obviously are not going to run away any longer. And Katniss starts to really believe that maybe an uprising can spark a revolution. But we also learn about a conspiracy theory that they people are somewhere safe and waiting.
She also learns that they are hiding something in district 8 and showing the same television clip over and over. Reminder that Katniss is the only girl who can go back, and Peeta and Haymitch are the only two boys. And then Haymitch is picked, and Peeta volunteers to take his place like the good boy he always is. We get to really start to begin to see the sad truth of what it means to be a victor in the games.
Finnick and Katniss meet for the first time, and its so heartbreaking and heartwarming in the same exact instant. But Katniss and Peeta are meeting people and practicing their skills and abilities. Peeta, as always, is such a people person, who everyone loves, but Katniss just cannot bear getting close to anyone again. Even though her and Peeta put on very heartbreaking and memorable acts at the end of this chapter.
Then Katniss and Peeta have a rooftop picnic where they just spend the whole entire day together. This is truly one of my favorite chapters, and just the calm before the storm.
Or the calm before Katniss puts on the mockingjay outfit that Cinna has made for her. Then… the most heartbreaking part of this entire book happens, and while Katniss is in the tube to go up to the game, she is forced to watch Cinna be beat and killed before her.
I truly wonder if Cinna knew what would be his fate, when he made that dress and when he unapologetically believed in Katniss with a love so strong that it was his end. Katniss believes Peeta to be dead. And then she believes Finnick to be kissing him, until she realizes he is saving him. Katniss and Finnick are forced to carry the other two, until the weight is too much to bear, and the deadly fog is creeping closer and closer.
Mags understands the severity of the situation and throws herself into it, in hopes that the others will get away, safely. But the three of them are still retreating when they stumble across another small group of Johanna, Beetee, and Wiress.
But they are all somewhat injured some worse than others , but Wiress keeps saying the famous like "Tick, tock. Tick, tock" which they have no idea what that means… yet.
Basically, the map is one big clock and each hour some deadly force happens. And Katniss now believes she is hearing Prim. This is really sad foreshadowing of what is to come in Mockingjay and I gasped a little bit, truly. Oh, and Peeta is being really sweet and romantic to Katniss, because he refuses to let her sacrifice herself for him. And this time Katniss is positive that she is going to die.
She heartbreakingly finds out that people knew and were part of a rebellion plan the whole game and used her without her consent or knowledge. And they chose to save Katniss, and not Peeta, because she is a symbol, even though she never asked to be one. Katniss feels so betrayed and helpless.
And then the book ends with her finding out that district 12 has been firebombed and is gone. Trigger and Content Warnings for talk of loss of a parent, animal death s , abandonment, depression, PTSD depiction, blood depiction, alcoholism, gore, violence, murder, talk of suicidal thoughts, talk of death in the past.
View all 5 comments. Jul 15, Sophie rated it really liked it Shelves: fiction , read-in , wishlist , science-fiction , young-adult , read-in This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I can't review this without being spoilery, so The one thing I didn't like about this book is the part where Katniss finds out she has to go back to the Hunger Games. I think there should have been more of a pause there--for disbelief, for Katniss maybe trying to think of ways out of it, ways to kill herself even.
The book started moving at a really fast pace after that point, with Katniss and Peeta preparing for the next Games, and I was like "wait, what? One night of drinking didn't seem to cover it. The mockingjay imagery.
The clock arena. The rebellion. President Snow being creepy as fuck. I was yelling and yelling at them to do it, and then finally they did, and I was like "YES! I find the love triangle a little annoying but mostly interesting. Katniss doesn't really know how she feels about either of them, because she doesn't have the freedom to feel on her own terms.
I like that she has some makeout time on the beach with Peeta, though. This series is reminding me more and more of Scott Westerfeld 's Uglies series. I was hoping it'd go that way when I first read The Hunger Games. I was like, this government needs to be overthrown , Tally Youngblood-style.
Nov 13, Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it Shelves: fiction , 21th-century , romance , apocalyptic , adventure , literature , young-adult , fantasy , science , contemporary. Six months later, prior to Katniss and Peeta's "Victory Tour" of the country, President Snow visits and tells Katniss that her televised acts of defiance in the previous Games have inspired rebellion among the districts. Snow demands that Katniss convinces the country that she was acting out of love for Peeta, not against the Capitol, or her entire family and best friend Gale Hawthorne will be executed.
Katniss reveals this threat to her mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, but not to Peeta. Peeta announces that he will give part of his winnings to the families of Rue and fellow tribute Thresh, and Katniss delivers an impromptu, heartfelt speech expressing her gratitude to the fallen tributes. An old man salutes Katniss, joined by the crowd; to her horror, the old man is immediately executed. Hoping to placate Snow, Peeta proposes to Katniss during a televised interview in the Capitol.
Katniss accepts, but Snow is dissatisfied with her performance, leaving her fearing for her loved ones. One taught me love.
One taught me pain. Shelves: favorites. Oh, snap. This is not a cliffhanger people, this is inhumane. Like hanging on for dear life by a spider web thin thread totally butt naked you know that makes it worse! It's so worth it though. Katniss is living in the Victors Village with her family.
You'd think she could finally be able to relax and live the cushy life. Well that wouldn't make a good book. There are rumors of rebelli Oh, snap. There are rumors of rebellion and since Katniss and Peeta won the Hunger Games in defiance they have become the faces of that rebellion.
The Capitol, particularly President Snow, is not happy with them. Now Katniss has to worry about looking as in love with Peeta as possible to quiet down the rebellion, but is that what she really wants?
How else would it have worked? I love Katniss and I hate her. She frustrates me beyond belief, but you have to love her. I love how you see and know everything from Katniss's point of view. You feel just as scared for her family. You feel her confusion and doubt. You just really feel. I could probably name off a bunch of things that bothered me about the book I think I mentioned how I HAAAATE love triangles with a burning passion but you really care about the characters.
You can't even hate Katniss's team of stylists, who are selfish Capitol dwellers. I get totally immersed, constantly trying to figure it all out. The ending is just so…epic! How everything just falls into place and makes sense. You see the characters in a whole new light. So what do you read after a book like this? You see, this is the type of thinking you have after reading the book.
View all 25 comments. Dec 05, mark monday rated it really liked it Shelves: teenworld , rain-man-reviews , after-the-fall. View all 39 comments. Aug 12, tee rated it did not like it Shelves: e-pube , traumatically-shit. So I got bored about halfway through and because I was bored I started focusing on the irritating things. So, Katniss asks a lot of fucking questions. This book should be titled Curious Katniss and the Game that she should play is "How long can Katniss go without asking a question before we blow her skull to smithereens?
It'd be a really, really short booK and people like me would either rejoice, or be sad because Spoilers? It'd be a really, really short booK and people like me would either rejoice, or be sad because then we would have to find something productive to do with our time.
I did that! See, along with other people asking questions I didn't compile these along with the slew of 'maybes' please refer to a rundown of this later in my review and the lack of anything interesting happening - this novel is a prime candidate for, I don't know, being used as toilet paper.
Except I have too much respect for my arse to do that. Just because it's YA, it doesn't mean you get to get away with being shit. Katniss asks questions in her head and as a reader, we are privy to the inanity of her thoughts.
Then I turned and as Gale and Haelle and all the kids waiting for me, so what could I do but go along? What do they want?
Why is my mother so pale? Perhaps I wouldn't have had such a problem with the questions if Collins didn't frequently go on a mad, frenzied self-questioning rampage, like so: If he knows this, what else does he know? And how does he know it?
Haven't we for years? Those questions were all in one paragraph. And here's the rest of Katniss' internal monologue, for your reading pleasure.
Drink it? And how? Hey, Peeta, remember how I was kind of faking being in love with you? Who else will be dead if I don't satisfy President Snow? That really isn't the point, though, is it? Disappeared into the woods and never came out? Blow my lips up like President Snow's? Tattoo my breasts? Dye my skin magenta and implant gems in it?
Cut decorative patterns in my face? Give me curved talons? Or cat's whiskers? Do they really have no idea how freakish they look to the rest of us? How far south have we come in a day? If I had a bow and arrows, would I just keep going?
What do they do? Have preliminary drawings? Thresh's grandmother? One of Rue's little sisters? How did I not know that? Was it enough?
BUt what can he do? Have I? But will he even come? Didn't I do the same thing to my mother? Was that directed at me? Did he try to come to Gale's aid before I got here? District 3? From the Capitol itself? I have to try to fight? How could we do that here?
Would the people of District 12 join in or lock their doors? What do I mean when I say I love Gale? Is he really planning to go through with it? What, in his twisted brain, will that achieve? Is it for the benefit of those in the Capitol? And then he'll kill us?
As a lesson to the districts? Who else would I be? Could it be true? Could there be somewhere to run besides the wilderness? Somewhere safe? What side? Am I unwittingly the face of the hoped-for rebellion? Has the mockingjay on my pin become a symbol of resistance? Has Thread turned on the fence as an addition security measure? Or does he somehow know I've escaped his net today?
Is he determined to strand me outside District 12 until he can apprehend and arrest me? Drag me to the square to be locked in the stockade or whipped or hanged? I thought no one saw me sneak under the fence, but who knows? Or is Thread acting on his own? What does it mean? Existing pool of victors? Where to go? What could I possibly want here? Broiling themselves?
Or do I see the president fixated on me as well? That we're sorry for the other's lot? That we ache for the other's pain? That we're glad we had the chance to know each other?
Something to upset them? You, who have given your talents to the Games? Are they jealous of its beauty? The power it might have to manipulate the crowd? Keep a secret from who? Read or buy. Based on 42 reviews. Based on reviews. Get it now Searching for streaming and purchasing options Common Sense is a nonprofit organization.
Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Get it now on Searching for streaming and purchasing options Did we miss something on diversity? Your privacy is important to us. We won't share this comment without your permission. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment.
See our privacy policy. A lot or a little? The parents' guide to what's in this movie. Educational Value. Positive Messages. Positive Role Models. A few kisses between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. What parents need to know Parents need to know that this follow-up to The Hunger Games concerns a TV tournament in which 20 teens fight a gruesome battle to the death. Continue reading Show less. Stay up to date on new reviews. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox.
User Reviews Parents say Kids say. Adult Written by Justin October 29, Good for teenagers, but no younger than that. There is a lot of action and stuff, but there's also a decent amount of things that should be noticed when reviewing this for your child. First of all, th Continue reading. Report this review. Adult Written by LethargicPanda89 October 4, Great read, appropriate for all kids above There is a few kisses between peeta, gale, and Katniss, but no overly sexual content.
As a Christian mother, I ap Written by Anonymous May 4, Violent as the first but better! I really loved read this book! This book is as violent as the first one but a bit better. I loved almost Teen, 13 years old Written by hellonwheels March 23, In the book there are a lot of rebellious districts, and it's blamed on Katniss and Peeta. However, Katniss and Peeta both go back into the games, and both survive, while having a few close calls.
Each page was like a cliffhanger, making me wanting to keep reading My overall review of this book was very positive, it was a very fun, action filled book. Each page was like a cliffhanger, making me wanting to keep reading and see what was going to happen next. Nov 26, Sebastian E added it. Rebellion has broken out everywhere.
This is a good read for the thrill seekers or that want to be inspired. I recommend this book for anyone who has fears of anything. This book will motivate them to let go of their fears. Aug 19, Mikeyrussello rated it it was amazing. I read a book catching fire by Suzanne Collins. The setting is the irina ang the capital. The main character was catness everdine. The description is fantasy, it is fantasy because there are kids fighting to the death.
I rate this book 5 stars because it was exiting. View 1 comment. Jan 26, Joy added it. Amazing statement on choices we make as social beings Apr 26, Dietcokediva rated it it was amazing.
I know these books were made into movies but if you're trying to get your kids to read this is a great book to do so. Page turner and quick read. Mar 08, Sebastian rated it it was amazing. It was a great book. Jun 28, Kate Leslie rated it really liked it. Not my usual style of books but I enjoyed the story. The story kept my attention. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Angela rated it really liked it May 06, Jennifer rated it it was amazing Mar 22, Sierra rated it it was amazing Apr 15, Karen Bobier rated it it was amazing Mar 02, Teri Arledge rated it it was amazing Jan 08, Karen rated it it was amazing Sep 21, Abby Deitz rated it it was amazing Jun 03, Conor Waterman rated it really liked it Nov 19, Derek Hitchcox rated it really liked it Dec 23, Jonah rated it really liked it Oct 31, Khadeeja Imtanan rated it really liked it Oct 04, Claire Beko rated it it was amazing Dec 29, Jose Silva rated it really liked it Apr 01, Cheryl Best rated it it was amazing Jun 30, Alisa Crupe rated it it was amazing Nov 12, Andrea rated it it was amazing Dec 30,
0コメント