Catching Fire

I liked the second book better than the first. There was still action, but less of the kid gladiator stuff. Life does get darker in this installment, but there is a spark of hope.

What I like:
- The characters are good. They are unique and grow a bit. Like Katniss, I don't want to get to know anyone who has to be killed in the games. And I don't want to like them because I want the characters I like to live.
- This series has a president rather than a king, but again I like stories that illustrate what true kingship, or leadership, looks like.
- The story. I find myself wanting to come back to find out what happens. I found some of the plot a bit easy my to figure out, but definitely not the whole. I like stories that pit fear, anger, and hatred against the power of love and respect. That's a simplistic way of putting it, but I do believe that love and respect are characteristics of God, and two of the most powerful elements in the universe.

What I didn't like:
- Some of the story was a little too easy to figure out.
- At times I find Katniss' thoughts tiresome in how much time she spends questioning the motives of other characters and what her feelings are. Some of that is normal teenager thinking. Having it builds Katniss' character, for sure. I just find myself tuning our during her musings sometimes.

Overall, a good story with action and political intrigue along the scale of Star Wars, not House of Cards.