The problem with trilogies is that often the middle book lags because it has to follow a strong first book while also setting up for a atrong ending. Catching Fire is no different -- while it is a good step up in terms of complexity from the first book -- and it doesn't seem quite so much like a ripoff of every dystopic future gladiator story of the last 40 years -- it lags in the pacing, especially in the beginning. It also feels somewhat repetitive from the first book. None the less it was still a lot of fun to read and I'm looking forward to the last book.