Review: Mockingjay

Suzanne Collins
YA
390 pages
The Hunger Games #3
Scholastic


Synopsis:
Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.


Review:
So this is the one book in the series that people seem to either love or not love. I think I understand why. Over the past 2 books Katniss and the rest of the people living in the 12 districts of Panem have been through so much, that I think there's a very big part of you that wants that cookie cutter HEA for the characters' finale. You want them to enjoy just a small slice of "easy" for a change. You don't get that. In my opinion, I'm happy that we didn't. I don't think it would've fit with the tone of the rest of the series.  Of course, I can't tell you how everything shakes out, but I can tell you that there is nothing simple about the turn of events in Mockingjay. And I can tell you the struggles are new this time, and continue until the very end.  Just in case you couldn't tell, I reside in the "love it" camp.  


Emotionally wise, this book brought me pretty low at times.  Katniss especially, deals with some extra heavy shockers and emotional turmoil and I went through them right there with her. You know that saying "It has to get worse before it can get better"? Well, things are definitely in the "worse" department for about 90% of the book. Her story isn't easy.  Her story isn't pretty.  And some of you aren't going to like it.  She has to sacrifice some things in her life along with everyone else.  Some are taken from her abruptly, and others break down over the course of the book.  It all worked for me though.  She's a great character, and even though it's not what I expected, I enjoyed where it went.


There are several new characters and new plot twists to keep you hooked throughout the book, and the action is nearly constant.  There a few lulls and drawn out scenes that I thought weren't necessary, but its pretty much exactly what you've come to expect from this series.  


Bottom Line: The series conclusion will easily take your breath away, whether it's in a good way or a bad way, is up to you. 


4.5 stars