Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

From Goodreads: Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

While The Hunger Games is depressing, reading Catching Fire actually made me see a different picture on this series and begin to like it. Though I get a little annoyed with Katniss over her indecision whether her heart belongs to Gale or Peeta, but I do admire her courage, her kind heart and her love and protection for her family. Just when we thought she and Peeta can have some peace and normal life after winning the Hunger Game, the twists and unexpected turn of the event change it all. Peeta continued to impress me in Catching Fire with his brilliant mind and his courage. With the past experience, he's more prepared with what he's going to face this time.

I also like other secondary characters in this book. The author has done a very good job at developing everyone including all the secondary characters. The ending is definitely unexpected. But make a good entry point for the next book in the series.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.