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

 

Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins

   

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins         
Published:  Sept. 1, 2009 by Scholastic Press
Pages: Hardcover 391
ISBN: 0439023491

 Description: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta.  But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

I Give This Book 4.5 Stars!

I had high hopes for Catching Fire, and it did not disappoint. But, I did not feel it was as exciting and fast paced as The Hunger Games. I still love Katniss and her courage and strength. She is a wonderful lead character and shows much more development that a lot of stories out there. I am more team Peeta than I was after The Hunger Games.  He is amazingly self sacrificing.  But, I would love to have more knowledge of Gale.  He seems much more important to the story than the author indicates.  I was still instantly pulled into the story which is what I was hoping for. I was not expecting the turn of events that took place at the hands of the capital.  Although, I should not have been surprised given the knowledge of how cruel the capital can be.  The theories about district 13 were especially intriguing!  The ending confused me a little and I had to reread to make sure I understood what happened. It left a great cliffhanger to this story that has me eagerly awaiting book 3!

In My Mailbox (2)

First off, In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alexa of Pop Culture Junkie

 

So it was a calm week for me.  I didn't buy anything, nor did I recieve anything in the mailbox.  Until I made a trip to Costco today and scored the following

    

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins!!

These two books were hiding from me.  I love finding books at Costco because they're almost always cheaper than anywhere else.  I've already read The Hunger Games, but I wanted to own it.  I'm so excited to read Catching Fire!!

What book did you first discover on a blog?

Let’s talk about that book you know, the one you discovered only because you read about it on a book blog and then you realized you couldn’t live without it!  And then you read it and you loved it!

    

   For me, that book was The Hunger Games.  How this book managed to escape my attention is beyond me.  I'm sure I first saw it over at Debbie's World of Book.  I didn't pay much attention to it then.  But, it kept showing up on almost every blog I found.   So, I looked it up on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.  I immediately noticed the fantastic reviews it received.  So it went on my TBR list.  But, I didn't jump out and buy it.  I was browsing the library one day and found it on the shelf.  I picked up and haven't looked back since!  I loved it!!!  I haven't read Catching Fire yet, but intend on buying copies of both.  I know I'll read them again, so I would rather own them!  Now, I'm sure I would have discovered this series eventually.  But, I'm so glad I was introduced to it through the book blogging community!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I give this book 5 Stars!!!

Description:  Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

Walk..wait maybe you should run...to the bookstore, library or wherever you gets book and pick up a copy of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I've read many wonderful things about this book.   And if you look at ratings on Barnes and Noble or maybe Amazon, you can see it gets overall fantastic reviews.   This made me hesitant, because I don't want to be disappointed.  It's why I put off reading the Twilight and Harry Potter series for so long. But, I'm glad I didn't wait for this one (or least wait too long).  Tthis book was everything I hoped and was looking for in a new series. I've read a lot of books this year, and only one other has captured my attention the way this one did. I borrowed this from the library, but you can bet I will be buying my own copy now.   I have to warn you though, its part of a supposed trilogy.  Apparently there were quite a few people who were upset by this (some people don't like books in a series while others didn't realize and were disappointed by abrupt ending).  The sequal "Catching Fire" just came out on September 1st.