Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games series #2
(2009) 391 pages

In Suzanne Collins’ Catching Fire, the second installment of the Hunger Games series, readers are once again thrust into the dystopian world of Panem, where the Capitol exerts control over its twelve districts through fear and oppression. Building on the foundation laid by its predecessor, The Hunger Games, Collins masterfully expands the narrative, deepens character development, and escalates the stakes, delivering a sequel that surpasses expectations.

The story picks up shortly after the conclusion of the 74th Hunger Games, with Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark returning to District 12 as reluctant victors. However, their defiance during the games has sparked a flicker of rebellion among the districts, and President Snow is determined to quash any sign of defiance. To maintain control, he devises a twisted plan for the 75th Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell, which throws Katniss and Peeta back into the arena alongside past victors.

What sets Catching Fire apart is its exploration of the consequences of rebellion and the complexities of political manipulation. Collins delves deeper into the psychological turmoil faced by Katniss as she grapples with her role as the face of the revolution. Her internal conflict, torn between her desire to protect her loved ones and her growing defiance against the Capitol, adds layers of depth to her character, making her journey all the more compelling.

Moreover, Catching Fire introduces new characters and expands the world-building, offering readers a richer understanding of Panem’s society and its various districts. From the enigmatic Finnick Odair to the formidable Johanna Mason, each new addition brings a fresh dynamic to the story, further enriching the narrative tapestry.

Collins’ prose is as sharp and evocative as ever, effortlessly immersing readers in the brutal reality of the Hunger Games arena while also conveying the emotional turmoil experienced by its participants. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the tension mounts with each turn of the page.

While Catching Fire is undeniably a gripping adventure, it also serves as a poignant commentary on power, oppression, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through Katniss’ journey, Collins raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of authority and the sacrifices required to challenge it.

In conclusion, Catching Fire is a worthy sequel that not only lives up to the high standards set by its predecessor but also surpasses them in many respects. With its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and thought-provoking themes, it solidifies Suzanne Collins’ status as a master storyteller in the realm of young adult fiction. For fans of dystopian literature and gripping adventure, Catching Fire is an absolute must-read.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series #1
(2019) 433 pages

I had wanted to read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder after seeing a TV show adaptation about it being announced, and I finally did. I found the book to the quite exhilarating, since it does deal with topics such as murder. But the fact that a high schooler doing such things with people just complying is a little unrealistic to me. However, it is a good book with a romance storyline woven into it that makes it all the better. Pip, the main character, is also someone who has the perfect personality to be the successful teen detective she is. She is fearless and determined, always pursuing the truth. Overall everyone in this book had their personalities thoroughly developed throughout the story and through the dialogues that were featured, which made everything even more interesting. I also found the fact that the story featured a lot of red herrings, since it allows for the reader to be shocked in the end and continue to be engaged throughout the whole novel. Anyone who enjoyed mystery fiction and drama would surely love this book, since it is quite scary at times due to the investigation. This book is quite thought-provoking, and it is really interesting with many plot twists to continue to engage the reader’s mind.

The Wicked King by Holly Black
The Folk of the Air series #2
(2019) 336 pages
Final Rating: 9/10

Absolutely gorgeous. I love this spellbinding book full of political tactics, betrayals, mind games, war and violence, etc. It’s dark and full of logic and wit. I was hooked on the last third of the book and was biting my nails as many suspicious and evil characters worked their way against the protagonist, although I struggled to get through the first third of the book due to school and work.

I love that Jude is very morally gray and actually quite complicated. It’s so difficult to know what anyone besides her is thinking. Anyone can betray anyone here, no matter how close your ties are to them.

I’m still not completely drawn to Cardan, Jude’s love interest, because it’s just so hard to trust anyone in this book, especially in a romantic relationship where you are the most vulnerable.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The Folk of the Air series #1
(2018) 370 pages

I don’t really read or enjoy a lot of romance books, but The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is a little different. It is not just romance, it is survival, action, betrayal, and family, which I do enjoy a lot. I find the characters to be really well developed, and they have a lot of backstory to them that make them all-rounder characters. They are not just right or wrong, they are all morally grey, which I find to be quite interesting. The main character, Jude, is also not the typical romance novel main character. She is strong and selfless, and also has parts to her that aren’t all that great, but she is still quite captivating and I’m sure will steal any reader’s heart quite easily. She does have ambitions to become a strong knight and escape her fate of being a lowly human, which makes her journey all the more exhilarating. Undoubtedly they will commit crimes and such, but this book clearly represents that and allows the character to reflect and grow. It has many life lessons, and shows that people are complex creatures that have both good and bad sides to them. There are also depictions of LGBTQ in this book, with Vivi, Jude’s older sister, being bisexual and having a girlfriend, and other characters as well. That could be appealing to some people who like to see that type of representation. Overall this book is well developed and written in a way that will make you feel a wide range of emotions while reading it.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses series #1
(2015) 419 pages

When I had begun to read A Court of Thrones and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, I had high expectations due to the amount of praise it received from people. However, I found it to be quite boring. It moved at a slow pace throughout the whole story, and the main character seems to be your typical romance main character, making decisions that seemingly have no logic at all to them but making them anyways because the plot needs to move forward. The whole book features a lot of cliches, and I don’t really enjoy that, especially not in romance. A lot of the mysteries that make the book interesting at first are quickly solved by the author stating the backstories and such without any development throughout the whole book. This made it a little boring, since it would have been nice to see it be incorporated into the story for the reader to figure out. A lot of the elements of the story are childish and don’t make sense to me, so it’s not an immediate read that I would recommend to others. It isn’t as bad as people say, but it’s certainly not as good either. Overall this book is just okay, and it is suitable for people that like the conventional romance storyline with a typical main character and antagonist.