WARNING: There are a few spoilers...
Synopsis: Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.
My Review: First off, let me just say that I finished Mockingjay a few days ago and I am still trying to process what went on. My mind is still turning and I can't stop thinking about The Hunger Games series!! To me, that is what makes a great story- any book that makes a person reflect on the ideas and event that just took place and they can't let go of it or sometimes can't even make complete sense of it- the rest is up to us to think about and imagine.
Mockingjay took place in an entirely different setting, and I believe that the mood changed quite a bit from Catching Fire to Mockingjay. In a way it calmed down (just a little... and not for long though). Katniss is safe and in District 13, but there is still this immense fear. When "The Games" were taken place, the fear was right there in front of us, the reader was just waiting to read that someone else has died... but in Mockingjay a reader is just waiting for something, anything, to go wrong. I guess it is the "unknown" that is the scariest. The Capitol is a major threat but it is hard to tell when they will decide anything.
We also get to see a twist in character: Peeta being controlled by The Capitol (even when he wasn't under their reign)... it was hard for me perceive Peeta at this point because I couldn't get the "sweet, innocent" Peeta out of my head (yes, he has that affect on people). I felt truly sorry for him, and so it made me hate the Capitol even more.
We finally get to see more interaction between Gale and Katniss and ever Gale and Peeta. In the other two books Gale is there, but he is in the background since Peeta and Katniss are in the games most of the time. So seeing those relationships come out, transform and grow throughout the series was wonderful!
And my love for Katniss also grew. She has always been strong and courageous, but we get to see the "troubled" sides of her as well; having The Capitol against her and people who she loves being taken away... take a huge toll. I love seeing how she handles the unknown events in Mockingjay. Yes, I still want to be just like Katniss Everdeen!!
Another reason that I love this book is that the "love triangle" is not at the surface of the plot. It is there, but it doesn't take over the story.
This book will have a person gasping for breath because they forgot to breathe, clinching teeth and turning up noses, laughing, and crying; not just sad tears but happy ones as well. There are so many emotions drawn into the series and I never once saw a decline in emotion- it was always present. There are events that happen when you least expect them... some good, some bad. In fact, I had to take a break and reread the last chapter before the Epilogue because I couldn't read through my tears any more...
The ending (or rather the last 5 chapters of Mockingjay) is the part that threw me for a loop big time!! Great ending, I loved it... but I wouldn't mind knowing a little more. Especially a little more about Gale and how his life turned out; I feel like he just "vanished" at the end there.
So once again... Suzanne Collins, You did it!! Thank you Thank you Thank you for this wonderful creation of Panem and such strong vivid writing!
The Hunger Games Trilogy was phenomenal!! I can't wait to reread the series and pay attention to some of the little things that I may have missed. And of course I can NOT wait until March 2012 to watch The Hunger Games come to life : LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!
