I enjoyed the series, moderately, when I read it three years ago. This second book continued the critique of the Bread and Circuses system, shown in the first book, that pulls resources from the Global South (i.e. particularly Districts 10, 11 and 12) to the developed former colonializing nations (Capitol), still protraying the USA as imperial Rome.

This second book brings into relief the details of the Roman Gladiatorial system, which readers and viewers may not identify with modern life. Perhaps football players and ballerinas 'ruining their bodies for the entertainment of others' comes to mind, similar to the most popular gladiators in Ancient Rome.

But, the revolutionary scenario neglects the difficulties of persuading the elites and semi-elites, Districts 1 and 2 being like some developing countries in terms of rising access to resources, and Gramscian alliances with the Capitol to prevent revolution in the first place.

Overall, while appreciating the references to PTSD, I found the second book more of a thriller than the first book, and a bit less interesting.
ShiraDestinie
U.N. Date: Monday, October 23, 12014 H.E. (Holocene/Human Era)