Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My mother, a literature teacher, often says that literature is a reflection of reality.

Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

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Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

So I think I get your drift, Suzanne Collins. You have made Katniss Everdeen an unlikeable character - selFish, undecided, stubborn, impulsive - as your heroine to drive a point that imperfection is real. And that in itself has made Katniss, and the enTire trilogy, one comMendable story - a reflection of the society we live in, flawed, but undoubtedly real.

Mockingjay is the last book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. In Catching Fire, I decided I don't like Katniss that much. And that opinion still holds true even after I finished Mockingjay. Katniss is the same selFish, undecided, stubborn, and impulsive 17-year old girl from District 12, but this time she is recuperating in District 13 after being rescued by the rebels from the arena during the Quarter Quell. Yet despite her imperfections, she is still perfect for her role as the lead character. Or rather, it is because of her imperfections that she is perfect for the role. Wouldn't it be boring to have a perfect proTAGonist? No thrill there.

Mockingjay speaks prominently about war. From the start of the story, there has been war, not just the war being prepared by the rebels against the Capitol, but the war that is raging inside Katniss's being. War, indeed, no matter how noble the motives are, does not offer the best solution to problems. It is a win-some-lose-some way out of any dispute, and more often than not, it hurts the innocent ones the most.

***SPOILER STARTS HERE***

TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. This is probably the best I can describe Mockingjay. Most of my predictions turned out wrong, such as who will die and who will live, who's the traitor and who is not. I have been rooting for the Gale-Katniss loveteam ever since Book 1 but then it turns out, Suzanne Collins had other plans.

One thing I noticed though is how some scenes that I think deserve more attention were a little bit rushed. I believe Finnick's death deserves more page-time, if there is such a word. And Katniss's trial, too. But then again, as I've said, the turn of events are totally unexpected. Which makes Mockingjay all the more an extraordinary story.

I especially love the ending. Of how it speaks of hope and the anticipation of a more perfect world. It is such a bittersweet finale that more than compensates all the dislike I felt with Catching Fire. The Hunger Games Trilogy may be imperfect, but it is its imperfections that make the series worthy of acclaim.

Mockingjay is one great read most especially for its intelligent plot. I may not be the ultimate YA fiction fan, but this is one book, or make that the trilogy, which I will not easily forget.

Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

One thing about waiting too long to read a book so deliriously talked about by most people is that you get to read more about the reviews and how everyone is raving about it, and so you set your expectations much too high.

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

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Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire is the second book in The Hunger Games Trilogy, and almost 6 months after I read the first book, I get to read the sequel. I voluntarily restrained myself (with much effort, of course) from buying the last two books because of a self-imposed book challenge (where I'm failing miserably, as of the moMent) I set at the beginning of the year.

Catching Fire begins with Katniss Everdeen back at District 12 preparing for the Victory Tour. Now and then, she sneaks into the woods and meets up with her bestfriend Gale as she usually did beforethe Games. Katniss is finally beginning to enjoy her victory from the Games-a new and much comfortable house, plenty of Food on the table, and an opportunity to help some of her neighbors. But things are starting to change in her District-the activation of the electric fence surrounding the District, the appointMent of a new Head "Peacemaker, the demolition of the hob. Katniss then gets a visit from President Snow himself, who directly threatened her if she does not act according to the wishes of the Capitol. Rumors of uprising in the surrounding districts are heard and Katniss is caught in the midst of a rebellion she has not planned to get involved in.

I know, as I've said, before I got to read Catching Fire, I already have high expectations about it. Who will not, when almost allI see in Goodreads ratings are 5 stars. Sad to say, though, I do not share the same elation.

Catching Fire does not have the same Fast-paced action and suspense as The Hunger Games. I find the first half of the book dragging and boring, and this is where I start to get annoyed with Katniss. She just cannot make up her mind. Though, I must concede, she's been through a lot, not to discount the fact that she has been through near-death experiences in the Games. Still, a 17-year old can make decisions for herself, right? Like when she decided to take the place of Prim during the reaping, or when she decided to eat those berries "towards the end of the Games. Why then can't she make up her mind what she feels towards Peeta? Or to Gale? Then again, that really happens. Being torn betweentwo lovers. Haha. But still, I expect a wiser and more determined Katniss, after all that she went through while she was fighting for her life at the arena. And all that kissing. I may be a little prudish here, but a 17 year-old girl who goes about kissing a guy she says she does not have any romantic feelings for, is for me, a little overboard. Katniss may have been doing it for the cameras, but I think Suzanne Collins here is trying to force the romance angle for more publicity.

If I can divide and rate the book in two parts, I give 2 stars to the first part before the Quarter Quell, and 4 stars to the second part-the Quarter Quell itself. I love the genius idea of a game that ' simulates a clock. I love the action and the suspense and how you cannot know who are the enemies andwho are the allies. There are characters too from the first book that I have grown more fond of like Cinna and Haymitch and President Snow. I love that President Snow has more appearances here than in the first book. His character is very interesting.

Catching Fire, despite its seemingly sTAGnant peace, gives a lot of promise. It provides just the right amount of suspense-teasers-to urge me to immediately read the last book in the trilogy. I am willing to overlook the apparent (and probably, intended) lull in the pace of the story and find out whether Suzanne Collins can actually deliver the perfect conclusion to this amazing saga.

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins