I’ll keep this book recommendation short and sweet since I already placed “Catching Fire,” the second book in the astounding, amazing, out-of-this-world, Hunger Games trilogy, as one of my top reads for 2009. But let’s just go a tad bit more in depth here as to why this book rocked my world and will likely do the same to yours if you haven’t read it yet. (And yes, you should read The Hunger Games FIRST!)

The story starts after Katniss and Peeta have returned to District 12 as unlikely victors from the 74th Hunger Games. Their life should be easy now – they’re rich because the oppressive Capitol showers gifts and money on its victors. But the Capitol is displeased with the act of defiance that won them the Hunger Games and if the pair of “star-crossed lovers” can’t prove they’re madly in love then trouble will come to both of them.

But there’s already trouble brewing across Panem, the future North America at the heart of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series. Because other districts are starting to rebel too. With rebellion comes a stiff price though and Katniss is learning that lesson as citizens, including her beloved Gale, are tortured around her. Then midway through the novel, Katniss must confront the unthinkable. To reveal this plot twist would be a sin of the highest order, so let me conclude by saying Collins keeps you guessing about everything until the end, and even after, because she ends this story both with a wholly satisfying finish and with a whopper of a cliffhanger.

What works so well about Catching Fire is that it’s one long spark with countless twists and turns until it combusts on the final page. Collins ends each chapter on a cliffhanger and you literally cannot keep turning the pages. Inventive, philosophical, brutal and against-all-odds romantic, Catching Fire is a masterpiece. And if you are looking for me on August 24, you won’t be able to find me. Because I will be spending the day devouring the final story in this series.

And for a fun discussion on the Team Peeta v Team Gale debate, check out this post by the Page Flipper.