About the Book
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Author:
- Suzanne Collins
BFF Charm: YAY!
Talky Talk: No Messing Around
Bonus Factors: Rebel Forces, Crazy Presidents, Wedding Dresses
Relationship Status: GOING TO THE CHAPEL
The Deal:
Y’all. Y’ALL. Suzanne Collins is NOT MESSING AROUND.
Okay, sorry, sorry. I will attempt to be A Professional and review this book without reducing to multiple exclamation marks and lolcat speak but IT WILL BE HARD. So forgive me in advance.
You may have heard of a little book called The Hunger Games which nooo one here at FYA is obsessed with at all. Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games, and in it, some crazy shit goes down, y’all. I’m talking political revolution, professions of love, behind-the-scenes manipulations, a president who may or may not eat humans for kicks and yet more evidence that Peeta is amazing. And then there’s Gale, all hot and broody and awesome. And, of course, Kat, one of the most kickass female characters evs.
And y’all, I am here to tell you: Catching Fire is like The Hunger Games‘ crazier, awesome, smarter cousin. You know, the cousin who drags you into protesting nuclear testing and then gets you arrested and then drops someone in the showers, just to show everyone who’s boss? Catching Fire is that cousin.
I don’t want to give too much away, because it was just released and maybe not everyone is as crazy as I am, staying up half the night to finish it before having to drive up to Austin at 6 am. BUT. Let me just say that this book goes on hyperdrive. SO MUCH STUFF HAPPENS. And maybe it was ’cause I was too busy carving out PEETA I LOVE YOU on my bedroom walls to pay attention, but Collins totally pulled the rug out from under me! So many crazy twists and turns! And lots o’ violence!
BFF Charm: Yay!
Yeah, right, like there was any doubt. OBVS Kat is already my bestest bestie evs. Look, I’m just saying, if I’m going to live in a post-apocalyptic dystopia with the Capitol severely limiting my food supply, I’m going to seek out the girl with the arrows. Plus, like Sarah already said, SOMEONE has got to tell that girl the score when it comes to boys. And then kindly offer to take whichever one she doesn’t want off her hands for her. I mean, in the name of friendship, and all.
Swoonworthy Scale: 10
I am sorry, but we’re going to have to crank this relationship status all the way to 11 10. Cause holy jeez, do things get hot.
First of all, there’s Gale, who’s just a wee bit ticked at Kat for playing out a love affair with Peeta for the cameras. But is it really just acting? Or has Kat really fallen for the steadfast, totally awesome Peeta? Kat! Do what I’d do – make out with them both, a lot, and then choose at the last possible moment!
Actually, I already know how I’d choose. Gale, you are tall, dark and handsome, but you can in no way compete with a boy who BAKES. Ever.
Talky Talk: No Messing Around
Suzanne Collins retains her frank, matter-of-fact narrative style for Catching Fire, and holy crap, she does not pull any punches. There’s basically no time to breathe when you’re reading this book, and don’t plan on picking it up at 11 pm at night when you have work the next day. Unless you like going to work with dark circles under your eyes, muttering about mockingjays and giant clocks. I mean, I do that sometimes, but I also have a reputation at work for being a total freak.
Bonus Factor: Rebel Forces
So, all-out war isn’t very fun, cause usually one country drops bombs on the other and then everyone feels really bad. But rebels! With their secret codes and hidden plans, takin’ down the Man*!! That’s ALWAYS awesome.
*note to U.S. authorities: i am not working to take down the Man.
Bonus Factor: Crazy Presidents
You guys know who else isn’t messing around? President Snow, the totally batshit-crazy ruler of Panem. He’s not too happy with Kat for subverting his Games and giving the Districts something to believe in. Not content in just hulking around the Everdeen’s study, smelling of blood, he decides to wage war on Kat, threatening her family, Gale, Peeta and everyone else Kat loves. He’s so totally malicious and crazy, I couldn’t even put up a picture of Dubya like I was going to. Evil this crazy can only go to the man who stood behind Dubya, making Mr Burns-like motions with this hands.
Bonus Factor: Wedding Dresses!
OH MAN do I love wedding dresses. So much so that I was just watching Say Yes to the Dress on my DVR today (thank you, WE Wedding Day Sundays!). What’s not to love about them? Either they’re gorgeous OR they’re horrid, and either way, that’s fun!
But few wedding dresses can be as awesome as the one Cinna designs in this book. CINNA MARRY ME. But make my dress first, okay?
Relationship Status: GOING TO THE CHAPEL
Y’ALL. You are cordially invited to the wedding of Erin and Catching Fire. The ceremony will be held in the Hunger Games arena, with a reception to follow at the Capitol. Catering provided by Peeta. We are registered at Gander Mountain and other camping and sporting goods stores.
I am pretty sure we’re going to be IN LOVE FOREVER.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received neither money nor cocktails for writing this review (dammit!). Catching Fire is available now.
