Catching+Fire

Discussion page for //Catching Fire//.

I am completely in love with this series (September can't come soon enough!), but //Catching Fire// does NOT stand alone. Plus, with such a great series, why mess with the effect by reading out of order? -Lucia, Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham

I don't think //Catching Fire// stands alone, either. The pace is faster, and the characters drawn in more detail than in //Hunger Games//, but you need to have read the first book. I am also looking forward to number 3. Sally Nelson - Leach Library, Londonderry

Donna/Colebrook Public -- Although this book is definitely not a "stand-alone," it is an extremely good, action-packed adventure fantasy, complete with human interest plots and romance. The added tidbits of violence and/or gore make this novel a YA favorite, and both girls and boys seem to enjoy it. Compared with other books of its genre, I thought that it was unique. The complex human relationships are especially intriguing. This sequel is perhaps not as "exciting" as the first book, because the territory is now familiar; but it was still a "must see how this ends" story. Looking forward to the next one! ( *Yes, I do think it should be on the Final 13 list.)

Susan -Seabrook I thought this book was better then the Hunger Games with that said, if you assume most have read Hunger Games then this would be a good selection.

I don't think //Catching Fire// stands on its own for it's really meant to be read after //Hunger Games,// which is on this year's list. It's a very compelling series, though. Ann H, State Library

Danielle/Chesley Memorial, Northwood - As much as I enjoyed //Catching Fire// and am looking forward to number 3, I agree with Ann. It is definitely not a stand-alone. There are whole sections that allude to what happened in //Hunger Games//, and if someone were to pick it up with out reading the first would be extremely confused.

Not a standalone novel.....Amy Inglis, Barrington.

Great book, but not a stand alone. I agree that you really need to read Hunger Games first. Karen, Nesmith Library

Ditto on the not standing alone and has already had wide readership. Christine Tarrio Stephenson ML

Definitely not a stand alone! Barb Ballou, Whipple Free Library

Not a standalone and not as good as Hunger Games. It gets read a lot (by those who have read the first one). - Kelly Budd, KHS

Yup, ditto--not a stand alone, but a great read. Lisa Melone, Rochester

Loved it--not a standalone. Plus, I am not a fan of sequels on the list. Kathy Pearce ORHS