Mockingjay Review

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games) by SUZANNE COLLINS



My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost (goodreads).


1/2
Review: 

Katniss never wanted to stand for something, everything she has done has been to protect a loved one, never did she dream of being the poster child of a Revolution. Now with Katniss out of the Arena for good and the war against President Snow raging on, Katniss has no choice but to be the symbol of hope for all twelve (er, thirteen) districts. 

The final installment to The Hunger Games and it does NOT disappoint. Not at all. While I thought that there would be more action than there was (you know...there being a Revolution going on and whatnot), emotions still flared and the death count continued to rise. Some deaths and actions downright took my breath away. 

We learn more about some of the characters, a lot more. This book nicely wraps up everyone's story (unless...you're Gale) and history. Along with further developing her characters, Collins introduces a new world, District 13. Besides all of the great characterization....something changed. By the end of the book I couldn't help but think "man, Katniss is a total bitch." Which I still stand by. She makes some decisions that have me wanting to scream "no no no! this is madness" but! I understand. After all that Katniss and Peeta have gone through, it is safe to say that they are not the same people we met during the first Hunger Games. They have seen tragedy, they have killed, and all before they turn 18. Katniss is progression to instability is almost beautiful.... because it happens to subtly. 

I am still not Team Peeta or Team Gale, frankly I wouldn't have a problem is Katniss ended up alone, but I completely understand what Suzanne Collins did (well not the Gale part). Quite personally I'm a bigger fan of Finnick/Annie than I am Katniss/anybody.

I think the writing is at its strongest here. Collins creates so many crazy twists and turns and accompanies them with beautiful songs. Collins really outdid herself, especially with the epilogue. The voice and so pained that it fits the story nicely. 

Mockingjay is an incredible conclusion with an amazingly comnplex female lead. If you're ready to cry your eyes out, read this book. 

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