Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Released: August 24, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Rated: YA Dystopian
Series: The Hunger Games, Book 3
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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 plans -- 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.

What I thought

This was stellar, up until the ending. I flew through the pages, having to know what happens. Like the first two, Mockingjay is just as thrilling and engaging. The ending left little that I actually liked, but the rest, was emotional and shocking. It felt real. It didn't have that Batman TV show feel going on where no one, including the bad guys, ever really get hurt. I tend to get disgruntled with other YA novels that have that feel, that everyone will last to fight another day. Well, here, that is not the way things go down. Prepare yourself, stock up on tissues and whatever you do, don't blink.

We get the epic conclusion of the war between the districts and the Capitol. It didn't turn out like I thought, which is probably a good thing. I was riveted through all of the conflict and trials that Katniss had to face. She's tough, doing what it takes to survive, even if it leaves her in a tailspin. But I do admire that about the character. She's hard to stop. Once she gets going.

The ending felt off to me. I wasn't expecting some Partridge Family ending, but I was expecting something a little better. Something that didn't make it feel like Katniss ended up right back to square one. I was left with plenty of lingering questions that weren't answered and I found myself trying to figure out what those answers might be. It might have been left that way intentionally, but it was still left me feeling deflated. After everything that happens, of all the trouble, and I felt like the ending was a flop.

I did love the series. I thought it was great and I do realize why people compare almost all other dystopians to this. It's dark, gritty, devastating, and very emotional. Very well written. The planning that must have gone into this series is phenomenal and it shows through the pages. This series is definitely a must read.

My Rating

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