Review: Mockingjay (Yes, there are spoilers)

Mockingjay

By Suzanne Collins

Published August 24, 2010

Scholastic Press

I bought this book

5 out of 5 stars


I was late to the Hunger Games party, but after reading all the Mockingjay pre-release buzz, I decided I needed to see for myself what everyone was talking about. I flew through The Hunger Games and Catching Fire in two days each and was blown away. I couldn't stop talking about these books and went on a major campaign to get everyone I know to read them. So come release day, I had no other thought save diving right into Mockingjay to see just what was going to these characters I had become so invested in.

I will be honest. Mockingjay wasn't what I expected (but isn't that a good thing?) but I was still more than satisfied with it. Yes, there were times when I felt like the heart of the story was being sacrificed for the action scenes (was Collins maybe writing for how things would play out on the big screen rather than in our imaginations??) BUT I don't think she ever intended for this to be sweet, fulfilling romance novel. The 'real or not real" theme, evident in all three books, was the guts of Mockingjay and it was expressed in downright heartbreaking ways.

I think everything played out in a realistic, if sometimes disappointing (for my sentimental soul) way. The death of Prim? BROKE MY HEART. But in real life, war doesn't discriminate in favor of who we love. War is tragic and death doesn't play favorites and I thought Collins made a bold and real choice in allowing Prim to be a victim.

I have read some comments around the internet from people who were upset that Katniss agreed when Coin suggested a new Hunger Games. I don't believe Katniss WAS really agreeing at that point. I think THAT is when she decided what her course of action would be and the moment when she decided to take her destiny and her choices back into her own hands. She realized at that point she could no longer be The Mockingjay, that her voice would be her own again. And I loved that moment when she let the arrow fly!

I DO wish we had seen a little more of who would eventually become president and been given a chance to root for someone. I would have liked to have been emotionally invested in that character...how sad that I can't even recall her name =(

As for the ending, yes, I was happy with it. I felt Peeta was the right choice for Katniss and I LOVED that last "real or not real." LOVED. And I was happy that despite everything they had been through, they still came out of it with hope for the future.

Have you read these books??? What did you think??? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts....