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Reading Catching Fire

Author : Kumar Luv Blog :Vakrokti Date: 7/17/2012 6:02:00 PM

The Hunger Games had set the stage for an intense political drama to follow, or so I had thought. Catching Fire, is not that – but it nevertheless is a wonderful follow-up. Katniss is beautifully matured from where we left her, Peeta becomes much more lovable – though both are developed at the expense of Gale. Oh, he should have got some more space – he is so promising! I am sure the sequel would have taken care of that.

Suzanne Collins gives us long recap before the sequel proper starts, it almost wanted to throw the book away before the action begins. But once it begins, she paces it beautifully. The three act structure – with each act given the same space – keeps a relentless push on the plot. Though I would have preferred the first act to be longer, much longer, with political games being played out – much like Christopher Paolini's Brisingr, nothings better than see the writer mature – but then that's not what most of the young-adult readers like. Though, of course, this is a structure that Collins has mastered – no real reason to ditch it as she keeps on bettering what she achieves through it.

Another edition of hunger games – some recycled thrills, but the twist is obvious and Collins, smartly, doesn't try to outdo what she achieved in the first book. Instead the games proper are handled with a quick flourish, leaving one wanting to start the last book immediately.

Good read.