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

Mockingjay The Hunger Games Book 3

In the third and final book of The Hunger Games, Katniss has once more escaped the warrior's arena with her co-tribute Peeta, for whom she has feelings but cannot quite put them into words, and yet she is now called on to lead the revolution as the Mockingjay.

Mockingjay The Hunger Games Book 3

Mockingjay The Hunger Games Book 3

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Mockingjay The Hunger Games Book 3

Mockingjay The Hunger Games Book 3

In Book 1, Katniss and her co-tribute Peeta, are sent to The Hunger Games Arena as representatives of District 12 and they make it to the winner's platform and are thanked for their survival. Katniss and Peeta were to have settled down and lived a quiet life of safety and contentMent.

However, as we later found out in Book 2, President Snow and Panem see Katniss and Peeta's victory differently. There are rumors of rebellion in the Air and they seem to swirl around the pAir of Hunger Games winners knowrather than their quiet, safe life together, Katniss and Peeta are pulled into a world of more intrigue as President Snow and company try to determine if Katniss is, indeed, the leader of the revolution or just an innocent dupe. Indeed, the President makes a special trip to District 12 to see Katniss, whose home District also happens to be the poorest area that sends its tribute to Panem and The Hunger Games.

After planning the 75th Anniversary "Games," Katniss and Peeta have to savage their opponents again to attain victory again.

Book 3, opens with Peeta suffering from an apparent case of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome) after two rounds of nearly constant battle and fear. All he wants is a little quiet and some understanding, however, Katniss becomes the> Mockingjay-the real leader of the revolutionary moveMent.

It does make sense as Panem is very upset with the Katniss/Peeta team for surviving the trips to the arena and President Snow and his circle are equally as upset. The only welcome Katniss receives is from the revolution and being a natural leader she takes over as the Mockingjay. By worrying about Katniss and her partner, Panem and Snow have driven Katniss, now the ultimate warrior, into the arms of the revolution. It is a classic self-fulfilling prophecy.

In Book 3, we also find best-selling and award-winning author Suzanne Cole changing direction. Not only is she starting to wind things up to their conclusion, but she is broadening the characterization of all of the parties involved giving Katniss tolarger-than-life persona and role and leaving her real love, Peeta, to suffer through bouts of PTSD alone. Another love interest appears but when one is finished, one realizes that Peeta is her soul-mate.

Peeta's soul-mate, on the other hand, is now almost a universal soldier, committed to the savagery and war. She has become the ultimate warrior and Panem feels her anger.

Author Collins used her considerable writing skill to make Katniss believable, as well as the situations in which she finds herself. Overall, Book 3 is a fitting lid for The Hunger Games. Collins is able to bring things to a successful conclusion that, as the old ads used to say, will "leave you at the edge of your seat." She does that and more in her crowning achieveMent in the Hunger Games.

Mockingjay The Hunger Games Book 3