With Mockingjay, Collins takes her Hunger Games trilogy to the next level. This book isn’t another glossy, action-packed adventure; it’s a gritty and unflinching portrayal of what it truly means to be at war. I’m not going to lie—it’s one hell of a tough ride, and it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. I’ve talked to a couple of people Mockingjay and most of them either loved it or they hated it. Here’s what it seems to come down to: DON’T read this book if you’re simply looking for a good-triumphing-over-evil, pat, happy ending. You’re not going to find that here. Seriously, turn back now. DO read this book if you’re willing to be challenged by a messy, complicated, and very realistic story about a damaged seventeen-year-old trying to negotiate her way through a bloody revolution. This book is dark and difficult and, even though there is some hope at the end of it, it’s definitely not the kind of story that will leave you with a case of the warm fuzzies. That being said, I’m so glad I read this, because it was absolutely worth it.
Review by bookgal123 (LibraryThing), August 27, 2010 A real bloodbath of a book, which makes for great reading entertainment. I thought the story really evolved in this final book, and does a great job of getting the readers' distrust of the "Capital" to its zenith. As the main character struggles with what is and what is not reality, the reader similarly struggles in their own internal debates with who they believe Kat should trust.
Review by rdwhitenack (LibraryThing), December 29, 2010 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins might just be the most anticipated book of 2010, and as it brings to close the Hunger Games saga, it surprisingly lives up to the great expectations cast before it. Katniss Everdeen, Panem's ultimate survivor finds herself unwittingly cast as the people's hero - the symbol of the revolution that will destroy the Capitol's tenuous hold over the Districts. Still torn romantically between Peeta, her fellow survivor, and Gale, her childhood best friend; Katniss must face the reality that all of them have changed from the children they once were and none of them are guaranteed to survive the current war. Dealing with her own battle scars, both physical and emotional, Katniss walks the precipice between the need for survival and her thirst for revenge. Where once she killed only to live now she looks to destroy those who ruined her life and turned her into their Mockingjay. Collins crafts another highly suspenseful and emotional novel in this conclusion to her bestselling trilogy. Maintaining the gritty violence prevalent in The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, Mockingjay takes an even darker tone, as Katniss has fully shed the sliver of innocence that made her so charming as the heroine of Book One. At first, I was displeased with her transformation, but Collins takes the step toward believability by altering the protagonist and allowing her to grow up. The maturity in her character acts as the new thread connecting Katniss to readers, and Collins assures that with every turn of the page, fans are carried along on the emotional roller coaster. I can't say that there is any good way for this series to end. The simple fact that Mockingjay represents the final adventure is, in itself, a bit disappointing. And yet, rather than dragging the series out to less enjoyable books, Mockingjay was a satisfying conclusion in every way possible. Rather than fizzling out with a whimper, The Hunger Games trilogy ends with a bang, and those that followed Katniss every step of the way will be left with a fully resolved ending - until future rereads start the adventures all over again!
Review by elbakerone (LibraryThing), October 5, 2010 SPOILERS...be warned. This book had me just stopping and gasping at the words I was reading. It was crazy all the way through. Crazy in a good way of course. The only thing that I didnt love about this book...was that I couldnt fall in love with Peeta like the other two books. I had to remind myself that that wasnt really him...It didnt help either that Katniss couldnt see past the hijacked guy, and just started turning her back on him. Even at the end I didnt feel the love for him. I started falling in love with Finnick instead and then he had to get his throat ripped out. I was so shocked and sad! My heart still squeezes when I think about it. I liked the ending and thought the seperation of Katniss and Gale was written perfectly...he needed to realize that he could find someone better and that Katniss and Peeta where good together. All in all I LOVED this book and thought it was the best conclusion to the series. There were so many twists and turns I couldnt put it down. I am sad its over but it ended so perfectly...I am happy! =]
Review by Mariah7 (LibraryThing), October 3, 2010 The Games have ended and turned into a larger arena where everyone is a player. And Katniss Everdeen is more than a player now - she's hailed as the rebel's image of hope, the Mockingjay. Just like in every war, there are a lot of casualities, sacrifices to be made, politics and powerplay, and truths that everyone need to accept. Feelings are raw, emotions are high, and stakes are larger than the last two books. I had to remind myself from time to time to breathe while reading this book. From start to finish there is no time to put your guard down. Like in Katniss case where she needs to be always on the move to keep sane, while reading you feel that you are always on the move as well. Heart-stopping revelations, turn of events, and realities to live by while fighting, Mockingjay is one book that is so hard to pin a review on. All I know after is that tears start to burst out of me (thankfully I was alone) and I won't tell why. I am just happy to be able to experience reading Hunger Games, betting on either Peeta or Gale, cheering on Katniss, waiting for the book, and now trying to get over the haunting tale that Suzanne Collins have written with a ring of truth in it. Truly a must-read book that will eventually turn into a classic recommended to be read by everyone.
Review by maidenveil (LibraryThing), September 13, 2010 You've heard it all before, so I will make it quick (as possible): No matter how you felt about Mockingjay, I think we can all agree it was impossible to put down. Collins succeeds again at taking us to a different place and time and making her characters come to life right before our eyes. Yes, Mockingjay was much more depressing and gory than the first two, but you have to appreciate Collins' realistic approach. She could have taken the easy road and tied on a beautiful ribbon and a happily ever after, but would that fit this series at all? Katniss' world is a very dark world. This is about a war. Have any wars in history came out the other side unharmed? Yes, some parts I was devastated. Yes, some parts I cried my eyes out. But I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Some characters did have a shift in personality. But I feel they were still in character if you go by what they have have been through. If I had one complaint, it would be that I wish the ending was a bit longer. But that is mostly my own selfishness. I didn't want to let these characters go. However, the Epilogue was beautiful. Will I read Mockingjay again? Probably not. My heart is not strong enough. I was so emotionally invested in this story. Would I take back the experience of reading it? Absolutely not. Mockingjay will forever stay with me. If you are a Hunger Games fan, you have to read Mockingjay. But you might want to go in fully armored.
Review by YAaddict (LibraryThing), September 7, 2010 Yes, it's YA. Yes, it's sappy. Maybe even derivative. However, I'm in love with Collins' jarring, violent, and emotional storytelling. Go ahead, revoke my Man Card. Call me names. I don't care. I'm all in. I will never forget this series, nor the action that ramps up this final installment. The fever pitch makes it unassailable as entertainment. Is it literature? Probably not. But, who cares?
Review by apomonis (LibraryThing), June 2, 2016 I've now followed Katniss's tale from beginning to end, and I can safely say that I understand what all the fuss has been about all this time. Katniss returns to her role as the semi-willing catalyst for revolution, only this time it's far more direct, having been rescued by those in the secret District 13. Katniss is turned into the face of rebellion, central to the propaganda used to incite others to join the fight against the Capitol, and unsurprisingly, feels like she's being used for entertainment just as much as she ever was while participating in the Hunger Games to begin with. But she's not the type to take things sitting down, and her refusal to stay away from the front lines of battle make her loved by those who can help her, and hated by those who are in power... on both sides of the line. Katniss spends a good chunk of this book either suffering from PTSD or recovering from injury, and while that's definitely high on the realism scale, it doesn't always make for the most interesting read. I had started to play a little game with myself, predicting how certain situations would go. Katniss would demand to go help somebody, make a speech, get injured, spend time in the hospital, then go hide in a closet for a while. It's clear that Collins did some heavy research into how untreated post-traumatic stress disorder can affect people, and I have to give her serious commendations for that, but when you can turn Katniss's reactions into a slight running gag because the same routine plays out at least three times, maybe it's time to cut back on those scenes a little. Collins also managed to sum up the entirety of war within this book, quite skillfully. Lots of propaganda, and long periods of boredom followed by bursts of mind-numbing terror. One very interesting point about this book is that it stays very true to the notion of casualties of war. In many stories, you know that the people surrounding the main character are all going to live, with the possible exception of one or two of them, who will die in such a way as to spur the main character on to more decisive action. Not so here. In addition to a very literal "rocks fall, everyone dies" situation, Collins makes it clear that no named character is really safe. Characters you've come to know and love end up dying, sometimes in a way that can spur Katniss on, but most of the time they die in the background, providing a distraction so that Katniss can get away. If there are any characters you really like, be prepared for the chance that they won't make it to the end of the series. Katniss also gets the chance to really evaluate whose side she's on, and comes to the conclusion that she's really only on her own side. Flanked by the Capitol, who wants her dead, and the leader of District 13, who wants to use her and then kill her when she's outlived her usefulness, Katniss ends up using District 13 as much as they're using her. They provide her with training and access to get her revenge on President Snow, but she makes no secret of her dislike for President Coin or her methods. It's an interesting situation from the reader's standpoint, and underscores the fact that in war, "good" is often subjective, and therein brings the debate of whether the end really does justify the means. I know some people reading this are waiting for my take on Katniss's romantic situation, and here it is: I want to smack Gale. Not because I think that Katniss should end up with Peeta, but because of his reaction to realizing that he wouldn't be the one she chose. He basically takes the standpoint of, "There's nothing here for me, so goodbye." He tosses aside their years of friendship because he isn't going to be the one Katniss falls in love with. Yes, he had a point when he said that Katniss may never be able to stop wondering whether it was his plan that killed a bunch of children, including Katniss's sister, but the way he doesn't associate with her again really puts forward the impression that his romantic feelings for Katniss were actually more important to him than her safety, happiness, or their history together. Peeta tried to kill Katniss with his bare hands. More than once. And she still forgave him and managed to live with him. Gale's reaction seemed ultimately selfish and shallow, and given the character development he had over the course of the series, I really didn't think he had that in him. While I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the rest of the series, it was still a fantastic novel, and a spectacular conclusion to the trilogy that ignited the fires of justice in many young hearts. If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend that you do.
Review by Bibliotropic (LibraryThing), July 24, 2011 May11: She actually turned it around in this one for me. I think this was a great ending. Avoided a ton of cliches. Characters: Still a little juvenile, but added some real bite to them. In particular I love the "shades of grey" that come into play. I love it when authors do that correctly. Plot: Seems a little rough at first honestly. But really comes into it's own in the last half. I can say she went in directions I honestly didn't expect. Style: A young adult could really grow up with this. The book maybe spent a little too much time depicting drug-addled states, but maybe those exist in life a little too often too.
Review by Isamoor (LibraryThing), May 23, 2011 I know that reviews are mixed for Mockingjay, the last book in Suzanne Collins' wildly popular Hunger Games series. Unfortunately, I fall into the camp that is less than impressed. The rebellion in the Districts is spreading, despite the superior technology and fighting forces of the Capitol. Since the bombing of District 12, Katniss and the rest of 12's refugees have sought shelter in District 13, long thought to have been completely destroyed in the war 75 years ago. But District 13 is alive and well, its people living underground in bunkers and developing strategies to fight the Capitol more effectively. One such strategy is Katniss herself doing publicity stunts as the Mockingjay—if she'll cooperate, that is. And that's the thing about Katniss in this book. I was completely on her side in the first two books, but somehow I just didn't like her much in this one. Probably as a result of surviving two brutal Hunger Games, she has become belligerent, self centered, and calculating. I'm not saying she should be District 13's puppet any more than she was the Capitol's, but sometimes she really overdoes the paranoia and anger. I guess it's realistic, though, this emotional and mental disintegration, and she's never been a standout in the realm of emotional intelligence. Katniss often seems to be her own worst enemy. And there are some annoying loose ends. We never find out what happens to the two refugees Katniss had helped in the second book, who were going to search for District 13. Katniss remembers them in passing and thinks they must not have survived—and that's that. It seemed as if it would turn out to be important later when Katniss met the two in the woods, but apparently not. And there are other characters whose stories really aren't tied off. The love triangle is finally resolved, thank goodness, though Collins really doesn't give this the development it needs. But though I was originally rooting for the other guy, I was satisfied with the choice itself. I consider Collins an able writer and enjoyed her prose in the first two books, but around the middle of this one I got tired of the present tense and Katniss's point-by-point narration. It suddenly seemed very... staccato, somehow. I don't know where the flow went; maybe it was the meandering plot that showed the weakness of this style. The sense of urgency and tension is not sustained in this plot, and that's what makes the present tense style so effective: the reader is experiencing everything at the same moment as Katniss, and that's great when things are exciting. But when the suspense is lacking, it feels more like a trudge. I tore through the first two books in a single day (it did help that I was sick in bed, but still). It took me well over a week to finish Mockingjay. It simply did not compel me as the first two did. I didn't mind the ending as many readers seem to, but overall this is definitely my least favorite of the series. It will be interesting to reread the series in a few years and see how it holds up when I know what happens and therefore have more mental energy to reflect on Collins' craftsmanship. Perhaps I'll find more to appreciate in this last book of the series.
Review by atimco (LibraryThing), April 27, 2012 This book was painful... and I loved it for that. I believe that the mark of a good book is when you feel emotionally attached to the storyline and the characters. I was instantly sucked into the series from book one and I got more and more attached to the characters as the series when on. I read the Hunger Games in two days, but the intense scenes in Mockingjay made me have to take frequent breaks to absorb what was going on. This book was a giant grab bag of emotions: happiness abruptly turned to tears and tears turned into anger; there were MANY times in which I felt like throwing this book across the room! There is no book I can think of that compares to Mockingjay or the Hunger Games series in general. I haven't found a book so well written, emotional, and without morals being shoved in your face. This book series went there. My only critique of this book is that, like many others, I felt it was rushed. There were a lot of scenes that brushed by with, "This happened and then that happened, and now it's over."
Review by ALynnJ42 (LibraryThing), January 3, 2012 Have you ever been asked, "Is there a book you could read every day for the rest of your life?" Yeah, me neither. But if I ever get asked that question now, I know exactly what my answer will be. Do you? For me it's easy, for me it's Mockingjay. A lot is expected of the final book in a series, especially when the series is a worldwide phenomenon. Yeah, no pressure! And sure, okay, I guess there are people who were disappointed, I guess there are some people who believe that it didn't fulfil their expectations or live up to the hype, I guess there are people who complained that the ending wasn't "right". And then there a people like me; the people who take loyalty to another level, the people who let each page and every word take up their time until there is nothing left, the people who will never forget and always cherish the end that both made them smile and tear their hearts into pieces, even if it wasn't exactly what they wanted, because I am too far gone not to love every aspect and every inch of these books. There has never been a finale as spectacularly heartbreaking as the one Mockingjay features. It would be impossible to read this book and not shed a tear, even if you haven't read its predecessors. Collins has truly saved her most powerful words until last. While I may not agree with some of the choices she made for Mockingjay, both character and plot wise, I will forever admire this woman and her ability to turn an ordinary thing into some unforgettable extraordinaire. For there are so many things I will not forget about these books, like the Hob, and Buttercup the "hideous-looking tom cat", and Finnick Odair's underwear. Maybe I'm crazy. After all, the dystopia universe created in the Hunger Games excites me. I'd throw myself into that arena and fight it out, for sure. Of course, I don't support (nor really understand) the purpose of the Games themselves. I mean, who would watch masses of teenagers die for entertainment? If you’re raising your hand, I say you should rethink your priorities. And reassess your life. And maybe stay away from your friends. If you have any… But after all this time, there is one question that still remains: when and where did they go to the toilet in the arena? Did Katniss just let it fly from the tree like a bird to save getting her bottom blown to smithereens? Was Peeta really camouflaged by mud or did he just not make it to the toilet in time because he was half-dead? How on earth do you answer nature's call around people who are trying to kill you?! These are the questions I ask as a reader. Okay, a really gross, twisted reader. Long live illogically logical questions! And long live the Games (figuratively)!
Review by laurakatewriting (LibraryThing), January 3, 2012 I don't even know what to say or where to begin. I just finished the final book of The Hunger Games and I'm crying. I just can't even....wow. I mean there's no way I could even do justice to this series. It's so amazing that anything I say is simply gong to pale in comparison to it. After reading Harry Potter, I didn't think I would ever find another series that I could connect with as much. That would move me as much. I underestimated The Hunger Games. I heard all the hoopla about this series and started out the first book with average expectations but was immensely surprised. Then the second book blew me away. I wasn't even prepared for what I would encounter in this third and final book. But the end to this series is amazing and bittersweet. *****SPOILER ALERT*****IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS BOOK THEN DON'T READ ANY FURTHER BECAUSE I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE EVENTS FROM IT!!!! There are so many things I have to go over. First of all, Katniss is my most favorite character out of any series. She fully embodies the title of a true heroine. Might I even say it...I will...She's so badass!!! I felt like I could connect with her and I could feel what she felt. It was heartbreaking to watch the different emotions she went though. Her pain and her perseverance aided her to the very end. Never a character to give up, she is what I wish every character could be like. She's independent and strong. She does what needs to be done and tries to take as many people into consideration. Despite her tough exterior, she has a passionate beautiful inside. Now that I've ranted my little heart out, on to other characters. I have always been a fan of Peeta's. Even when everyone thought Katniss should be with Gale, I had a feeling Peeta and her would end up together. They balance each other out so perfectly. She's headstrong and impulsive which he thinks through the best way that things should go. Watching their relationship (if you can call it that) grow throughout the books was magical. Although they were so back and forth, you knew that they cared about each other. Witnessing Peeta going crazy because of President Snow's torture was truly heart-breaking. Although he was finally okay in the ending of the book, you never knew throughout what he was really thinking. And when Katniss sees him for the first time since they rescued him from the capital and he looks at her and just says something like "you're not very pretty are you" and doesn't remember being in love with her, it just breaks your heart. As for Gale, I did like him throughout the stories but I felt like he was completely wrong for Katniss. He tries to protect her and her family and does a great job of it but they were too much alike. Both too headstrong for each other. And I don't think I would ever be able to get past whether it was Gale's bomb or not that killed Prim. It would be too hard for Katniss to see him everyday and just wonder. And when she thinks back to what could have happened if The Hunger Games never took place for them and she would have ended up with Gale, I just couldn't even imagine it. Prim...what to say about little dear Prim. Phenomenal character and wise beyond her years. When Katniss needed comforting, she was there with some enlightening thing to say. Who knew this young girl was so intelligent? It tore me up when she died. And to find out that President Coin is the one behind this...well who didn't suspect Coin was a bad egg? I just never thought she would kill innocent children but power-hungry people do some crazy things I guess. It was hard to witness the change in Katniss after Prim died because she just basically looses all sense of emotion. It was hard to continue to read but I couldn't put the book down for anything in the world. It was also heartbreaking when Finnick died. I have loved him since we first encountered him in Catching Fire and it was with a heavy heart that I watched him pass out of the book. All I kept thinking was Poor Annie! They had just gotten married and who's going to help her now to hold onto her reality of the world. Finnick was the one who was supposed to do that. I feel so bad for that poor girl. And not only that but finding out the truth behind Finnick's heartthrob antics, that Snow was responsible for that. It was just breathtaking to see Finnick in a new light. That he was sacrificing himself for Annie and then sacrificed himself for Katniss as her friend. From the first moment Coin entered the story, I knew she was exactly like President Snow. Power-driven and hell-bent on maintaining control over others. She just wanted Snow out of the way so she could take his place, not so the districts would be better off. Katniss realizing that was just grand in how it played out. When Katniss shot her with the arrow, I wanted to throw my book down and jump around for joy. And to think that Coin wanted to start another Hunger Games with the kids from the capital was appalling. Those kids had nothing really to do with being part of either side and should therefore not be punished. I mean they are kids for crying out loud. That would basically be doing the same thing to the capital that it was doing to the districts. How is that a better world, when it's exactly the same but the power is just reversed? All in all, this book was just amazing!!! The character development was the best in this book I think. We got so much more of the back-stories of some of the characters, like Haymitch and Finnick. And Collins showed us a complete other side to all Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. We were also able to witness Prim a lot more and it really showed us why Katniss and her were so close in the first place, aside from just being sisters. The plot was constantly moving and action was always there. In the end it really took off too, I just couldn't put the book down. And there was no way that you could predict what would happen. Surprises were around every turn in this story. I don't think I will ever fall in love with another series like I did with this one. Thank you Suzanne Collins for providing this gem of a story for everyone to read!!
Review by graceschumann (LibraryThing), October 6, 2011 Could you be the poster girl for a revolution that doesn't always tell the truth? Katniss Everdeen is in just that position. District 12 is in smoking ruins after a Capitol attack, and Gale has led the struggling survivors to the mysterious District 13. There, they are taken into the hidden heart of the rebellion, where the plot to overthrow the Capitol is in full swing. Katniss knows her mother and sister are safe there, but Peeta is being held captive in the Capitol. Though she and Gale are once again spending time together, she cannot abandon Peeta, and for him as well as for her family, Katniss agrees to become the face of the rebellion's propaganda. Filmed everywhere she goes, with the video being uploaded, cut and mashed into short programs that are pirated into the Capitol's video networks, she soon realizes that what the rebellion is showing is only partially true, and sometimes completely misleading. The civil war scenes are physically violent, and the mental and emotional damage of the war makes this a thought-provoking conclusion to the trilogy. Can you survive such a time and still keep faith, hope and honor alive? Great writing, characters with serious choices who make mistakes and don't always see the clear way out, and enough action to keep readers riveted. 8th grade and up -- I'm thinking this would make for some exceptional classroom discussions in Social Studies.
Review by KarenBall (LibraryThing), September 23, 2011 Just finished this book today and I'm afraid to say the ending might be better than Harry Potter. Possibly the whole book! I CANT'T BELIEVE SHE CHOSE PEETA!
OVER GALE! I honestly didn't know who she would pick but anyone would be surprising.
Review by ennedroC (LibraryThing), August 30, 2011 “Mockingjay”, Suzanne Collins final installment in the “Hunger Games” concluded the series with heart pumping action, breathtaking suspense, and gut-wrenching heartbreak. Like the first two books, I found myself unable to put the book down. The moments I was forced to, I found my mind still filled with thoughts of concern for Katniss Everdeen. My journey kept me awake until 4 am, viciously reading with tear stained cheeks. Collins is an author who is not afraid to punish her protagonist and normally I am satisfied with this. I found myself so drawn and attached to Katniss, however, that I couldn’t bring myself to desire a sad life for her. Not since “Twilight” have I felt such an attachment to the main character. Perhaps it was the first person narrative or perhaps it was simply excellent writing on Collin’s part. Whatever brought about the end result the journey was a success. “Mockingjay” is like a modern day 1984 in the sense that Panem is in a quest for government control with little regard for human life. One night at work, forced away from reading, I was pondering how Collins might finish out the novel, going through what I thought would be reasonable conclusions to the story. Collins met and exceeded all of my expectations. By the end of the novel, I was marveling at her creativity and consistency. I could not have asked for a better ending. As I expected, Collins was not afraid to punish Katniss, which increases the relevance of this cautionary tale, but “Mockingjay” took the series to a new level as my heart was broken in ways I never expected. There were no fairy tale beginnings or happy endings. Panem is a sad world where darkness, violences, and depression follow everyone and Katniss is no exception. I applaud Collins for bringing this to the world of young readers, who may not be as drawn to a novel like “1984” or “Brave New World.” In a world where everything is accessible via television, internet, and large bookstores overflowing with teen novels, new ideas seem few and far between. It seems as if everything has been done before, in some form or fashion. Yet still, Collins has managed to bring a fresh and original storyline into the world. I think, I hope, that her book with remain a popular read for a long time and will one day become a staple on school reading lists. I felt sad in putting this book to rest on my bookshelf. While I raced to the end and couldn’t be more content with the life Collins chose for Katniss I was sad that the journey was over. I would recommend this book to everyone as it is one of the best books I have ever read. This book was a gift from Suzanne Collins to the world, wrapped up neatly in the package of a book.
Review by CuteMcGinn (LibraryThing), August 29, 2011 Okay, I'll admit it...I'm old. When I was a teenager, the raciest YA books I knew of were those written by Judy Blume. I read "Flowers in the Attic" of course (all my friends did) but that was an adult book. So when I read "Mockingjay", a book my 12-year-old daughter finished a few months ago, my jaw dropped. Sexual slavery? Incest? Torture, bloody assassination, and the murder of innocents? I guess this is the brave new world of fiction for kids. So what makes this series worth reading? I believe it's the honesty. Although the story line of the books deals with the glamorization of violence, Collins depicts these brutal acts for what they are: ugly, detestable, and heart-rending. She doesn't sugar-coat them. In 'Mockingjay' especially, this author shoves her readers' noses deep into a dystopian society that idolizes cruelty instead of working to get rid of it. There are obvious parallels in our culture to the fictional hunger games in the stories. Reality shows like "Real Housewives" (which I am guilty of watching) or even "Survivor" (again, a show I watch) tend to glamourize or make fun of mental instability and conflict rather than regard them as tragedies. I'm not one to lump our culture together and call it all bad, but I do think we need to be careful of what we believe. Reality TV is a far cry from real life. Suzanne Collins' "Hunger Games" series is the "1984" of a new generation.
Review by ufjunkie (LibraryThing), July 6, 2011 This book made me very sad. Out of the entire series, this book had the greatest effect on me. There was death, there was pain, there were tears on my part. To be honest, I loved this book but it made me incredibly depressed. And it wasn't as good as the first two. The pacing was different. I didn't really mind it too much but after talking with friends and reading reviews, I can see that others surprisingly did. The plot was shocking. Battles here, battles there, with a rather lackluster final fight at the end but worth the ending result. Katniss has changed psychologically and emotionally. You can see that the war has taken a MAJOR toll on her psyche. But she survived everything thrown at her! My heart aches for her...and Peeta. My poor poor baby Peeta. I swear, Peeta is just the honest to god good kind and thoughtful characters you meet once in a blue moon, who is completely and utterly selfless and then all the bad sh*t happens to them. I mean honestly, the boy gets his leg chopped off, kidnapped by the Capitol, and tortured. He went through so much pain and almost lost himself...but the ending for me was just right. Peeta and Katniss belonged together, although I wish Collins focused more on them getting back together. I know we all wanted to see some more interactions between the two. Overall, I loved this book, I'm just not insane about it. The Hunger Games has left a major hole in my heart and a huge impact on me. I am absolutely dying for the movie. I think Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will do an amazing job as Katniss and Peeta no matter what anyone else thinks. At least now I'll have something to look forward to that is Hunger Games related and I'm dying to see their onscreen chemistry, which better be good! Now my only problem is finding some other really good book to read in the meantime. It will be a challenge but I'll find something. Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Review by xXlovelyxladyXx (LibraryThing), May 19, 2011 This is not an easy final book on any level. It can be very dark and violent--children die, people are tortured and Katniss is overwhelmingly depressed for much of the book. Certainly, she has been shaped by her society, although she has not been defeated by it. She is utlimately accepting of her past and able to move forward in peace, if not hope. Suzanne Collins has created a compelling story from start to finish. The execution of her writing results in a straightfoward, easy to read trilogy packed with adventure. The characters ring true, the jeapordy of their society is palpable, and there is alway, always evil to be battled.
Review by blockbuster1994 (LibraryThing), May 10, 2011 Keeping my review short and sweet for this one, since there really isn't any way to describe the plot without giving away too much. In this final installation, Katniss finds herself saddled with a role she is uncomfortable playing; namely, being the official face of the revolution, for which she is dressed up in a Mockingjay costume (designed by her beloved stylist Cynna) and filmed for tv spots which are hacked onto the Capitol's programs. But are the rebels really out to do the right thing, and can she even still trust Peeta and her best friend Gale? As someone very eloquently put it, this novel is unrelentingly bleak, and there were times when I just had to put it down, though I was then compelled to spend a sleepless night trying to fly through the last few unputdownable chapters. I had to fight hard to hold back the tears in the last few pages and thought the ending struck just the right kind of note, I have to say I'm glad to have heard the last of Panem at this point. Until the movie comes out, that is.
Review by Smiler69 (LibraryThing), April 23, 2011 I’m not going to come out and do a full review on this. I honestly don’t know what to say without posting spoilers, so I’ll just say this: Katniss rocks. She seriously is one of the coolest chicks out there and an awesome female narrator. That said, Suzanne Collins is brilliant. Did the series turn out like I expected? No. Did I still love it? Absolutely. I love this series for so many reasons that I can’t even begin to list. I can’t wait to see if this does, in fact, get turned into a movie. I also hope so badly that my husband will read it. I think it’s a series that appeals to males and females, and for that I love it even more. That is all.
Review by angelicacraig (LibraryThing), April 3, 2011 The Huner Games series is one of the best i've read in a very lng time. Not since i finished the last Vampire Chronicles was i sad the series was over. Which i'm referring to Menoch the Devil. I was happy with the others but those that have read them all understand my point. Once i finished this series my thought was, i need more! Another perk to this series is if you happened on to any one of them you could read it and not feel lost. You would have some questions but they are very complete, each, in themselves. My favorite was the first one of the series; The Hunger Games. The third book in this series was my second favorite. It also screams hummanity issues and that get you thinking. You're finally brought to light about district 13. So different than you expect. It really gives a good look of community and mass community issues. Interesting view on how it's handled and of course it's downfalls. How easy it would be with human nature to end up how it is. My only beef with this book is the ending. Don't get me wrong, the climax (and a few other places) recieved a verbal, out loud reaction. The others ended so well and complete though. Now everyone i've talked to disagrees with me. I just felt that the series gave you so much information, detail and insight. The last bit of the book basically gave you a nicks notes version of weeks (literaly within a few pages) and op this is it and it was done. Like the very ending was just thrown together with not a ton of thought. Also to me it would have been better without the epilouge. It just solidified the nicks notes, generic ending. Aside from that it is a must read, excellent, can't put it down book and series!
Review by dekan (LibraryThing), March 19, 2011 I will start this by saying that I have seen many reviews over the blogosphere with people saying they were disappointed by the last book in the trilogy. I wholeheartedly disagree with that. I loved this book just as much as I loved the other two. I can see how people might be disappointed in the book because it is quite glim but that being said I think that it was a realistic portrayal of what would happen in this story. It is unrealistic to expect Katniss to change her personality and have the story turn into a love story. This is a story about survival and rebellion pure and simple. It is a story about the atrocities of war and the innocent casualties that come from it. I couldn't help but feel horrible for Peeta when the Capitol completely brainwashes him through torture. At times I have to admit that I felt like yelling at Katniss to say "He can't help it! Chill out!" Yes, I would be irritated and I would have a hard time reminding myself that Peeta is acting this way because he can't help it but I would do just that, remind myself. Katniss can be a loose canon and in those times I had to remind myself that Katniss herself is a teen who was forced to grow up too fast but at heart she is still just a teen. Like with Catching Fire, I really wanted to see the relationship between Katniss and her mother and sister develop more. Mockingjay had little glimpses of it at times but most of the time Katniss is wrapped up in getting revenge on Snow. The ending of this book was bitter sweet. I never really saw Katniss with Gale; I viewed him more of a big brother type. It was nice to see Peeta and Katniss together and with children. It was nice to know Katniss did not have to worry about her children participating in the Hunger Games. The ending also made me a little sad. I felt a big like there really is no bright future for the remaining survivors. It shows the corruption of power and in the end the leader of the rebellions was every bit as corrupt as the leader of the Capitol. Overall I really enjoyed this novel and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Review by meags222 (LibraryThing), January 27, 2011 By the time I had finished Mockingjay, I was drained, upset and not truly happy with how it ended. However, upon further reflection, I believe this is what Collins wanted. In a successful attempt to show the effects of war, reality TV culture and materialism on our society's youth, Collins wrote a finale that is utterly draining and difficult to read - in the best way possible. This story could not have ended any other way, and the social commentary it provides is worth the journey through.
Review by missnataliej (LibraryThing), January 22, 2011 A fantastic end to a remarkable trilogy that I will be rereading for years to come. It has such powerful messages that we can all take to heart and will leave you reading ravenously for hours on end.
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