Acclaimed author Suzanne Collins captures the conflict of duty and self-preservation in her new novel, Catching Fire, a sequel to The Hunger Games.

In The Hunger Games, a country forms in the futuristic North America known as Panem. Each territory it controls separates into 12 known districts. Every district contributes something, whether a mineral or an agricultural function, to the Capitol, the control center of Panem.

In Panem, the president resides and destroys any signs of rebellion by commuting fear through disturbing hunger games. The hunger games remind everyone of the horrid war-torn past that has created the present Panem.

In the game, every citizen’s name from ages 12-19 gets thrown into a box regardless of their desire to participate. The mayor of the district then randomly chooses one boy and one girl from the box to compete in the tournament. In the dreaded competition, 24 competitors fight for their lives, with the result of one victor earning the privilege of living in the luxury of free food and money, provided by the Capitol.

When her father dies in a coal accident, 16-year-old Katniss emerges as a citadel for the family, illegally hunting and selling meat to support her family. With this role in the family, Katniss automatically substitutes herself into the hunger games to take the place of her younger sister, Prim. The rest of The Hunger Games centers around Katniss’ experience in the tournament as well as her self-sacrificing personality towards those she cares about.

After persuasively speaking to the Capitol, The Hunger Games ends with Katniss and her friend Peeta giving the wrathful government an ultimatum: either they both survive, or they both die. After surprisingly granting life to both competitors, Catching Fire describes the effect of Katniss’ defiance and disobedience to the Capitol.

In Catching Fire, Katniss continues to illegally hunt animals and disregards the consequences for disobeying the hunger game rules. Getting herself into even more trouble, Katniss hears rumors about the mysterious existence of district 13 that defied the Capitol and was removed from the map. Learning of the knowledge she gained, the president schedules a meeting with her that confirms her fears of losing her freedom and family.

During the meeting, a district breaks out in an enormous battle, known as the Rebellion, against the Capitol. The president then decides to demonstrate his authority by sending all alumni of the hunger games back into the arena. As an excuse for this action, he explains it to be a part of the Quarter Quell – an event to mark off every 25 years the hunger games have been played.

The rebellious citizens chose a mockingbird as their symbol, coincidentally the same mockingbird necklace that Katniss wears during the competition. This causes even more trouble for her with the Capitol.

Similar to the first novel, Catching Fire centers around another savage hunger game that Katniss must go through, but additionally focusing on the decision between rebellion and obedience that the players choose.

Though sequels sometimes seem to hold insignificant events, Collins surely puts every needed incident to both enthrall readers and continue the exciting story of the main character.

Katniss’ adventures explore not only the responsibilities of popularity, but the cost of it. Though she enjoys the overflowing amount of money at her disposal, a prize won as a victor in the previous novel, she often reminisces about her past enjoyable experience with her best friend Gale, especially since she was out of the limelight.

A surprising aspect of the novel is the sudden rebellion of the citizens. From spontaneous district outbreaks to interesting participants, readers will gape at the significant and fresh ideas located throughout the novel.

Though the descriptions of the emotions in the novel seemed a bit rushed, as if Collins needed to finish the manuscript, I took satisfaction in the direct continuation of the story. Instead of straying off topic, Collins expanded the plot.

Catching Fire will automatically entertain anyone who enjoys an action-filled and tense novel where the protagonist must make life-changing decisions.

Catching Fire can be purchased at most local bookstores for about $18 or through online stores like Barnes & Noble.com.

For more information on The Hunger Games series, visit the May 15 article, Book explores fallen future.