Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, Book 3) (edition 2010)

This last novel in The Hunger Games trilogy is, by far, the most powerful. Katniss has survived the Hunger Games. Twice. But her world has been destroyed and she's drawn into a war that she's not ready for and may not survive. She struggles emotionally, mentally and physically. She suffers more loss than anyone should have to know in a lifetime. She has to trust her instincts when she's no longer certain of whom else she can trust.

This book is gripping and I couldn't put it down. I cheered for Katniss and I feared for her and I cried for her. While the cheering and the fearing may have been done silently, the tears rolled down my face. Literally. It's not often I'm moved to tears by a book. I really loved this series.


( )

What a disappointing end to an outstanding series. This isn’t to say Mockingjay was bad, it’d be almost impossible to live up to the previous two books, but being mediocre only made the let down sting worse. Far too much time was spent on descriptions of making propaganda, called propos in the book, along with an extremely dull build up where the protagonist, Katniss, was reduced to a spectator role. This was the book’s fatal flaw, where instead of making decisions, right or wrong, Katniss was forced act depending on the whims of others, either oppositional characters or dangerous plot devices. This was quite a disappointment considering the first two books relied so heavily on her decisive, if sometimes foolish, choices.

Thankfully, by the third act, Katniss sheds this role of a spectator soldier to take charge before the final confrontation. Though, even here, the book hits a hard turn with a forced surprise ending that I found difficult to believe. I sympathize with the cynical theme of everyone in war is manipulative and evil, but this detachment only worked to diminish the power and tension behind Katniss’ final decision.

Overall, the thematic swing from “survival at all costs” to “throw in the towel and damn them all” felt forced and quite jaded. Unlike many of the other heroic tales dominating the YA fare, I applaud Collins for attempting such a gloomy and distressing subject, but in the end, I’m not sure it worked in the manner she desired. Themes aside, Mockingjay was an entertaining read and a terrific shakeup of the YA genre. ( )

I was absolutely riveted by these books and I can't really tell you why. I didn't even like the main character very much, they are incredibly dark and entirely dystopian. But I couldn't put them down.
There is much in these to ponder. I am going to give them a second read through before I write a real review but I will say I can and do recommend the series highly. ( )

I read all 3 Hunger Trilogy books in less than a week and even though the author did successfully answer all questions, the ending was kind of a curve ball and was certainly not expected. Not sure what I was expecting but it certainly wasn't that! Still, extremely glad I took the time to read these books. They were, as a whole, extremely enjoyable. ( )

Speechless.

That’s how this book left me.

The ending to this amazing series left me wanting more. But I loved every second of it!
I will never forget this story and I feel crazy for having such a strong attachment to these characters.

Thank you so much, Mrs. Collins!
( )