This is the one word that’s been on many, many lips since the third book was announced in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Forget sparkly vampires, this one is all about a dystopian world in which society as we know it has been gone for quite some time, and in its place is a controlling and abusive government called the Capitol which keeps order through horrific measures.
*You can count on me to leave out any spoilers for Mockingjay, but if you haven’t read the two previous installments of the trilogy, you might want to get thee to a library/bookstore/friend’s bookshelf before reading further.*
We first met Katniss in The Hunger Games (linked to my review), the teenager from District Twelve whose life of daily struggles changes the instant her younger sister’s name is drawn as a Tribute to be sent to the yearly Hunger Games– a televised national “competition” in which two children from each district are sent into an arena where they must fight to the death until one Victor can be crowned. Katniss volunteers in her place, and we follow her into the arena of the 74th Hunger Games.
With Catching Fire (also linked to my review), we learn that not even Victors get to live happily ever after as Katniss once again finds herself in the Hunger Games arena. The plot twists in book one have forced President Snow into an undesirable position, and the one thing he cannot have is unrest in the districts. With that in mind, it appears that the Capitol is determined to take Katniss out before she embodies the rallying cry a nation needs to rebel.
That’s where Mockingjay begins, and just to be safe, I re-read both previous books in the two days leading up to the delivery of my pre-ordered book. I was ready to jump right back into action by Katniss’ side, and I prepared myself for what I knew would be another intense experience, knowing that Katniss would have no home to return to in light of the rebellions now united by the symbol of the mockingjay. Yes, the action and intensity are on par with the others, but there’s a growing sense of hopelessness in this one that tore at my heart. The atrocities that can be justified by people in power are again overwhelming, and the socio-political statements here are as thinly veiled as ever. The irony in the “Peacekeepers” moniker is just the beginning, and there’s so much that can be dissected, discussed and pondered over in this world that Collins has created- a world that reads in horrors, so unreal and unimaginable, until tiny cracks of reality peek through. It’s beyond horrific to think that anything like this could ever truly occur, but it’s even more frightening to imagine the small events and actions that could eventually lead to something none too different.
Without revealing any spoiler info, I have been reading discussions taking place on other book blogs, and the common theme has been personal reactions to the ending. I’ve read much grumbling about the ending by some folks, but I have to say that it worked perfectly for me. Perhaps I’m easy to please, but I didn’t bristle at one aspect of Collins’ choices in the end, even though I mourned the ending of series that simultaneously horrified and fascinated me for two years.
Brilliantly conceived trilogy, so of course, Mockingjay must join its predecessors on our 5 Star Reads list!
I’d love to hear what you thought– did Suzanne Collins come through for you? Were you rooting for Gale or Peeta to win her heart (or maybe neither??)? Did the ending leave you satisfied, frustrated or just wanting more? I cannot guarantee that the comments will be spoiler-free, so readers be warned. But really, if you haven’t read these books yet, what are you waiting for?!
It was near perfect for me. I loved it. I haven’t been so impacted by a book or longing to discuss it and write about it for a long time. I’m glad you liked it.
I definitely hear you on the desire to discuss it, Amy! I’ve chimed in on a couple of book blogs of friends, but I really just want to sit down with someone (or several someones) and talk face to face about it. My husband is reading it now (literally, this moment he gasped at something), but he’s not much of a book-discusser. I may just force it on him. 🙂
Team Peeta and proud! I liked the ending. I did not expect her to end the series like that, but happily ever after really wouldn’t have worked.
Don’t you think it would be awesome to read about how the “new” Panem is developed? I wonder if she and Peeta will continue to work with the government as the democracy is built… Suzanne Collins– we want more!!
I thought I should let you know that from Thursday to early this morning I read through The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. 🙂 I probably should’ve waited until I had Mockingjay first. Now I need to know how it all ends!
Yes, Jennifer– get your hands on a copy of Mockingjay soon!!! 🙂
I’m still feeling melancholy about the book, but I thought it was a satisfying, strong conclusion to the series.
I agree Shauna– I was pleased with the ending, but I’ve read a whole lot of grumblings out there in the book blogosphere… not sure what alternatives people were looking for, or if it wasn’t so much the specifics or they just didn’t agree with how the ending “felt.” I thought it all made sense, personally.
I was team Peeta all the way so I liked the ending! True love aside, I liked that the ending wasn’t all happily ever after and that Collins stayed true to the tension she had created between Peeta, Gale and Katniss (in contrast to Meyer’s triangle and her poor attempt to keep everyone happy at the end of the Twilight series). For me, it wasn’t the ending that bothered me; rather, I thought a couple of the scenes in the book were contrived and almost cheesy. However, I like how you identified the sense of hopelessness that pervaded the book. I think we also saw the theme of power corrupting throughout all three novels, with Katniss persistently defying that corruption.
Good stuff!
Oh, and one more thing and then I will cease and desist… 🙂
As far as the ending, I personally liked that we see both Katniss and Peeta still dealing with the intensity of their experiences. There is hope, finally, in their children, but it has come at great cost and Collins does not minimize that.
“Brilliantly conceived”–oh, yes, indeed!
Guess what? I’m SO dorky that I’m re-reading it now that my hubby has finished it!! I’m overwhelmed even more by the psychological trauma and powerlessness Katniss feels in this one. A friend of mine also mentioned that all she could think about while reading this one was Post Traumatic Stress Disorder– absolutely what Katniss is going through, and so painful to read.
I had to laugh when I looked at my review of The Hunger Games– you left a comment saying something about having to check the book out. I’m so glad you did!! 🙂
I really hated the ending but for complicated feminist reasons. (I wrote all about it on my blog — won’t repeat it here in case people don’t want spoilers).
Thanks for leaving a comment, Beth. If you have read the book, please do head over to Beth’s review and the discussion going on in the comments section!
I was team Gale but I thought it was fitting that she ended up with Peeta. I also would have liked to see more of the development of Panem, and maybe some more closure on some of the deaths, like Finnick. Ah, but now it’s over. What will we do? 🙂
Oh, Finnick’s death made me so sad when it happened, but it seemed to not get too focused on. But now that I think about it, it’s beyond heartbreaking– a story of survival from his perspective would be superb, especially considering how long he’s been controlled by the Capitol since winning his games. But poor Annie. Oh dear, can you imagine that she’d survive his death??
I know I’m a bit late to the party here, but my family has just finished this trilogy. My, my fiancee, and my son have read them all. Now my neighbors are readint them as well. It has definitely made for great conversation around here. And I especially love that my son, a very reluctant reader, was so interested in the books.
My daughter is not old enough for this series, but I just found out that Suzanne Collins has a series for younger kids called The Underland Chronicles. I bought her the first one (a major gift — we get most of our books through the library) and she is enthralled.