In most series — especially for trilogies — the first book is the best, the second book is good, and the third book is usually the worst. Although, for The Hunger Games, I don’t think it’s true. All the books are good but in the original trilogy, Catching Fire beats the other two out. Read on to learn more!
The Main Action is Already Set Up
The main action is the Hunger Games and the first book is amazing at showing us what it’s like. The heart of the story is when the rebellions fight back, chipping away at the Capitol and it doesn’t start until the second book. The third book is already deep in it; it gets a bit confusing and overwhelming at times.
The second book shows us how everything is set up. For example, how one event led to the next on this dangerous mission was thrilling to read. I remember being excited and filled with anticipation for whatever would happen next. From the victory tour to the reaping to the arena and the dramatic finale, it was the most riveting book in the series.
Plot Twists and Conflicts
The entire series is full of surprise twists and turns, but perhaps none more so than Catching Fire. From what happened in District 11 during their victory tour, the sudden change in Peacekeepers in 12, victors thrown back into the arena, all the disasters within the arena, and 12 being wiped out, there was a lot of surprise information to handle.
Not to mention smaller conflicts that added to the drama, like the love triangle or Katniss and Peeta being forced to get engaged (as well as Peeta’s surprise lie about their baby). It’s like a dangerous, non-cheesy, not cliché soap opera that we can’t look away from.
Badass New Characters
There were some cool characters in the first book, like Cinna and Thresh, but there were a lot of badass characters who debuted in the second book. Finnick, Mags, Johanna, and Beetee, just to name a few. So many of the other victors were cool too, but they didn’t get a lot of screen or page time.
The premise of the Games is the same as in the first book, but it’s also so much different because of the tributes. Not only are they older and more experienced, but some of them are risking their lives to protect Katniss and Peeta, to protect the rebellion. This added a new layer of complexity, but it was amazing to see them fight for survival and for the betterment of Panem.
Katniss and Peeta
We knew from how the previous book ended that their relationship was going to be strained and messy. Watching them in the beginning was beyond painful, knowing they were both right in how they felt and seeing how they had to act in front of others. Overcoming their feelings and situation brought a depth to their relationship.
They finally have time to actually get to know each other and they grew together in the second book. Their relationship in the first was fine, but it was rushed — understandably so — and it was difficult to read/watch in the next book/movies. Watching them go from not talking to friends to really caring about each other was the only levity in Catching Fire and it changed both of them.
The series is a wonderful masterpiece, and every book and movie is well done. But the second one is still the best!
Click here for a quiz on the differences between the movie Catching Fire and the book.
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