The second book of Suzanne Collins’s stunning and tense “Hunger Games” trilogy continues the story of teenage Katniss, who is becoming a symbol of resistance to many in Panem (formerly the United States) since refusing to play by the rules in the government-sponsored, fight-to-the-death Hunger Games competition the year before. Katniss knows it’s only a matter of time before the government punishes her for refusing to kill or be killed. Her defiance is a dangerous quality for any citizen to possess, let alone one who has become a national hero. But Katniss, who made it out of the Hunger Games arena with her life and her conscience, is still shocked when she learns what’s now in store: She and her co-victor, Peeta, must compete again, this time against all of the champions from prior years. Once again, alliances among the players are critical to survival, but whom can Katniss trust? She doesn’t care about her own life, but Peeta’s goodness—and his potential as a leader for the resistance—are things for which she’s willing to fight—and die. Collins’s complex, action-packed, emotionally rich story is breathtaking, with a cliffhanger ending that will have readers clamoring for book three. (Age 12 and older)

第七十四届饥饿游戏已经结束，凯特尼斯出人意料地活了下来，她和“恋人”皮塔将会过上安定闲适的生活然而，噩梦才刚刚开始此时，十二个区也暗波涌动，凯特尼斯竟然成了反叛的象征情窦初开的凯特尼斯陷入爱情的纠结中不能自拔，狩猎伙伴盖尔和竞技场“恋人”皮塔让她难以取舍盖尔和皮塔都深爱着凯特尼斯，为了不让凯特尼斯痛苦，他们不约而同地冷落疏远她第七十五届饥饿游戏“世纪极限赛”的赛制是，选手是历届获胜者，他们中只有一人能存活凯特尼斯又将重返杀戮赛场凯特尼斯没有未来，她只有一死，才能挽救皮塔，这是对皮塔深情的最后报答，爱情与友谊，真诚与猜忌，血腥与牺牲，越来越扑朔迷离……