Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series: 3rd in Hunger Games

Pages: 390

Published: August 2010 by Scholastic

ISBN: 9780439023511

Source: personal copy

 

Description: 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. 

I Give This ...

 I was really looking forward to this one (as was just about everyone else).  While, I wasn't disappointed really, I think it fell short of what it could have been.  But, an author can't please everyone.  And, above else the author most follow how they think the story should go.  I do think I will have to reread this one because there was just so much to digest.

There are people who think Katniss acted out of character.  I don't think she did.  She just broadened her goal.  Instead of saving herself, she choose to save everyone.  She knew she had to be the face everyone saw even though she knew she was being used (and I do think she knew it even if she was trying to deny it).    I can't imagine the weight she carried on her shoulders.  

I was heartbroken with what happened to Peeta.  It's so hard to read when he's so different than they previous two books.  Some things he did and said actually made me wince.  It's no wonder Katniss had such a hard time with everything.  Gale, I'm still not sure on.  I think we get a better look at his character in this time of open war.  I still admire him for all he has done for Katniss.

I wasn't surprised that I disliked district 13 almost as much as I disliked the Capitol.  I think they did what they had to do to survive on their own, but I don't think they should have traded one form of total control government for another.  None of President Snow's actions surprised me.  But, I was surprised at President Coin.  Especially at what was proposed for the leaders of the fallen Capitol.

I did feel the middle was slow and dragged a little.  And then the ending was rushed.  It all happened so fast.  I don't really think Katniss was forced to make a choice between Gale and Peeta, but had to accept how she would feel about certain events and her own power of forgiveness.  My biggest thing I had to accept was this story doesn't really have a happy ending.  But then again... why should it.  It reminded me of a quote

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity." - Gilda Radner