Sorry, just had to get that out of my system. I finished Catching Fire last night--I had two chapters left when I got off the subway on Tuesday morning. Then I had to sit at my desk, staring at the book poking out of my purse, until the work day was over and I could devour the rest of the story. I actually thought about trying to hide the book on my lap and surreptitiously read it at my desk (because having to stop reading two chapters before the end is torture), but the intelligent, rational, non-fan-girl part of me won out. It's okay. I survived the wait.
I love how Katniss has matured throughout the two books, although she's still very realistically a teenager. I love how she's both a very honest narrator but also unrealistic, because sometimes Katniss herself doesn't know how she really feels about what is going on in her life. I was impressed that by the second half of Catching Fire, the stakes were raised even higher than they were in The Hunger Games. While reading the first half of the book, which had a little too much recapping for my taste, I wondered how the eventual action would compare to that of the Games. I didn't see the Quarter Quell twist coming, so I was totally shocked--and hooked--when that cruel surprise was revealed.
As for the whole Team Peeta/Team Gale--both are such appealing characters, and so wonderful to and for Katniss in their own ways, that it's impossible to choose. I guess I'm Team Katniss, and I hope there's some kind of resolution in which she doesn't have to choose between them. (Not in a weird polyamorous way; I have no idea how that would work. I'm trusting Suzanne Collins to figure how to honor all three in Mockingjay.)
Having a hard time waiting for Mockingjay's release?
Here's a link to a new interview with Suzanne Collins in School Library Journal--no spoilers on super-secret Mockingjay, but she provides authorial insight on the first two books and the trilogy as a whole.
And, the blog Inkcrush has done two really cool comparisons of all the different international covers for The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. It's interesting to see which characters and themes were emphasized on the different versions. They're all pretty striking, although I prefer ones that don't depict Katniss--none of the illustrations match up with how I picture her.
5 comments:
I'll have to re-read Catching Fire in preparation...
Mockingjay isnt released in Australia until late September! I know! I'll be so envious of all my international mates (hope I dont stumble upon any spoilers).
I like how realistic Katniss is too. And when I read them I didnt realise the team peeta team gale thing was so HUGE. I guess I assumed everyone was rooting for Gale, haha. Although both are compelling enough that I feel torn as a reader for all three of them.
And, how cool are all the different covers? thanks for linking my blog :)
There will be no spoilers here, I promise.
If I were on a *team,* my instinct would be for Gale. I love the dynamic between him and Katniss. But this seems like a sensitively, intelligently created love triangle, and team-this and team-that trivializes the relationships between all three. But that's just my opinion, of course!
I love your cover meme!
OMG I read this the day it came out and wanted to cry because I had to wait an entire year for the third one. I think I will reread both books now to prepare for it...
I'm foolish for having waited so long to read them, but at least I only have to wait a month now. :)
For anyone who's rereading the first two books in prep for MOCKINGJAY: Join the Hunger Games Readalong blog! http://hungergamesreadalong.blogspot.com/ There's a lot of great discussion in the comments.
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