"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."— Mark Twain
Review: Mockingjay
September 26, 2011
If you're new here, you might want to subscribe to my RSS feed, follow via e-mail (box on the sidebar), or add me to your Google+ Circles. Thanks for visiting!
***SPOILER ALERT***READING ANY OF THIS COULD SPOIL THE HUNGER GAMES AND CATCHING FIRE! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T YET READ BOOKS 1 & 2!***
Summary (from Goodreads): 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
My Thoughts: What did I think? I don’t know. I’m torn in how I feel about this book. It could have been so much better. There is so much more that could have been said about things that occurred in the middle. Oddly, I felt the ending was perfect – both the end, and the Epilogue. I’m very pleased with how it all played out. But there were many things that I think were glossed over and should have been better explained. So, that’s why I’m torn.
That is what I wrote on Goodreads shortly after finishing the book yesterday. And I’m still kinda stuck. And there’s no way I’m going to be able to review this without spoilers. So, the rest of this will enter the box.
Read It: Get your own copy HERE.(This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)
FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.
I’m glad you didn’t hate it I’m completely with you on the ending being perfect. I love when I can trust authors to take a book or series where it needs to go, even if I have no idea where that is, and Collins definitely did that.
As for your issues: I can see that. The way I saw it was that Collins really made Katniss the focus in this last book. Even when she was out of the action, Collins stuck with her, which meant readers missed a lot of what was happening on the so-called front lines. I did feel like we got a sort of incomplete version of the story, and unfortunately that included Peeta’s sort of being glossed over. So, I guess it felt ok to me based on how Collins approached the rest of the book. If that makes sense. But I do understand what you’re saying.
Re: Prim: I’m not sure. I’d like to hear from Collins why she made that choice. It makes the series rather depressing to think that, in a way, all Katniss did was for naught, if her goal had really only been to keep her sister from dying. That one decision sparked a whole series of events that spiraled beyond Katniss’s direct control and led to outcomes she probably never even imagined. But in the end, she couldn’t save Prim. Does that mean it had to happen? Not really. But the fact that it did makes me think Collins is trying to say something. Erin recently posted..Sunday Salon: Cheerleader Sign-Ups, New Acquisitions, and #wordverify!
You’re right about Katniss/Peeta. That’s part of why I was so torn about how I felt when I finished. It’s HER story, not his. If it was his, it would’ve been completely different. And, yes, we would have had more info on the rehab he went through. It still felt like things were just too easily resolved in the way she wrote it. But, you’re right that she stuck to this being about Katniss. She’s very consistent, and that’s a good thing. She’s definitely an excellent author.
As for Prim, you make a good point. That despite all that Katniss went through from the time she volunteered to go in Prim’s place to the resolution of the story, Prim still was a sacrifice. Perhaps, though, it wasn’t all for naught. They were able to get out from under a VERY oppressive system of government, and an end to the horribly barbaric Hunger Games (which, if you ask me, makes the Roman Colosseum look rather tame). So, while perhaps Prim’s destiny wasn’t completely altered, she did get a longer life – and society as a whole was made better as a result of Katniss’ actions.
Yes! Agreed re: Prim. I don’t think it ended up being for naught in the grand scheme of everything. But at the same time, in a way, I think Prim was central to why Katniss did what she did. Would Katniss have become the girl who was on fire and a symbol of the revolution if she’d known she’d lose Prim in the end anyway? Maybe, just to save her sister from having to face the arena. Or perhaps because she figured if she could postpone Prim’s death, she could find a way to avert it. I always saw Katniss as a sister and daughter first and a revolutionary only second. (I wish I’d read this one more recently! It’s been over a year and I’m hazy on details…that always happens to me!) Erin recently posted..Sunday Salon: Cheerleader Sign-Ups, New Acquisitions, and #wordverify!
That’s a good question. I do know that she seemed to be motivated by her family. She seemed to make her choices based on what would be least likely to result in harm to her family – especially Prim. I don’t doubt that she still would have done what she did, because in the end she did get more time with Prim. If she hadn’t taken Prim’s place, there’s no doubt the Victor wouldn’t have come from District 12 – unless it was Peeta. But, somehow, I don’t see him killing the sister of the girl he loves.
LOL Details get fuzzy for me pretty quickly, which is why I try to write my reviews ASAP once I finish reading!
there is so many thoughts running through my head it is hard to figure out what is what. The ending was so good. The best ending in a series because every issue was wrapped up. But I never thought about the issue with Peeta being incomplete but I was so focused on Katniss. I always kinda hoped it would end the way it did, so I just pushed him aside. Great review, you put your thoughts out there so well Namine recently posted..Weekly Money Checkup
My review comes out tomorrow so I’m overly passionate about this topic and this book.
So what I find very interesting is that there is a general feeling of unrest for readers reading this book but the reasons seem to be so different but still similar at the same time. I know that makes no sense. I attribute it to the strong connection that readers had with this series and the characters.
I loved this book but I wish Ms. Collins thought about her readers a bit more in finishing the series. I don’t really feel like I got closure. I loved Peeta and I loved Haymitch but…they were just not here. Peeta, in my opinion, is the real star of this series. So why did I get to see so little? And when he was present he was breaking my heart. So yeah. I agree with you and have plenty more broken thoughts. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic recently posted..Teaser Tuesdays: Divergent
I liked this book, but it was my least favorite of the series. I didn’t read the comments, but did anyone mention that it seemed like Katniss was passed out for a good chunk of the book? I felt like the story would get going, and boom she’s out again. LOL.
It’s been a while since I read it, but wasn’t there a scene where she had to choose to order another Hunger Games? I thought her decision was so uncharacteristic.
Finally, I felt let down with the romance. You know I’m a romance lover at heart, and this book dropped the ball on that point for me. Yeah, I’m team Peeta, and happy that she ended up with him, but I thought their reunion could have been more detailed. The epilogue didn’t really do it for me. Joy @ Edgy Inspirational Romance recently posted..Q & A with Julie Lessman (and giveaway!!!)
I’m not sure how it ranks with the others in the series for me. I know I gave it a higher rating, and I think that was largely because I felt the ending was perfect.
Yes, toward the end, she was part of the people who ordered one last Hunger Games – using the children of those who were in power with the Capitol. I think she was swayed because Snow’s granddaughter was going to be part of it – Katniss felt that was only fair since she’d lost Prim. I’m not sure, though, if they’d still do it after Coin was killed.
Yes, I wanted more of Katniss and Peeta – the romance, too. Maybe that’s part of why I wanted to see more of his recovery. I still liked the ending, though – although I would have liked to see their wedding!
AWESOME!
I could read this over and over.
Very good.
Might or might not read again.
Good, but not great.
Probably won't read again.
OK. Not good, not bad.
Don't intend to read again.
Awful ~ I wish I could
reclaim the time I wasted on this!
DNF ~ I gave it my best shot,
but I just couldn't get into it.
Namine (169)
Freda (69)
Marce (49)
PK Reeves (43)
Krystal Larson (37)
Alexis @ Reflecti... (30)
Joy @ Edgy Inspir... (23)
Kah Woei (23)
Denise Z (22)
Twitter: ErinReadsblog
**There are spoilers in this comment!!!**
I’m glad you didn’t hate it
I’m completely with you on the ending being perfect. I love when I can trust authors to take a book or series where it needs to go, even if I have no idea where that is, and Collins definitely did that.
As for your issues: I can see that. The way I saw it was that Collins really made Katniss the focus in this last book. Even when she was out of the action, Collins stuck with her, which meant readers missed a lot of what was happening on the so-called front lines. I did feel like we got a sort of incomplete version of the story, and unfortunately that included Peeta’s sort of being glossed over. So, I guess it felt ok to me based on how Collins approached the rest of the book. If that makes sense. But I do understand what you’re saying.
Re: Prim: I’m not sure. I’d like to hear from Collins why she made that choice. It makes the series rather depressing to think that, in a way, all Katniss did was for naught, if her goal had really only been to keep her sister from dying. That one decision sparked a whole series of events that spiraled beyond Katniss’s direct control and led to outcomes she probably never even imagined. But in the end, she couldn’t save Prim. Does that mean it had to happen? Not really. But the fact that it did makes me think Collins is trying to say something.
Erin recently posted..Sunday Salon: Cheerleader Sign-Ups, New Acquisitions, and #wordverify!
You’re right about Katniss/Peeta. That’s part of why I was so torn about how I felt when I finished. It’s HER story, not his. If it was his, it would’ve been completely different. And, yes, we would have had more info on the rehab he went through. It still felt like things were just too easily resolved in the way she wrote it. But, you’re right that she stuck to this being about Katniss. She’s very consistent, and that’s a good thing. She’s definitely an excellent author.
As for Prim, you make a good point. That despite all that Katniss went through from the time she volunteered to go in Prim’s place to the resolution of the story, Prim still was a sacrifice. Perhaps, though, it wasn’t all for naught. They were able to get out from under a VERY oppressive system of government, and an end to the horribly barbaric Hunger Games (which, if you ask me, makes the Roman Colosseum look rather tame). So, while perhaps Prim’s destiny wasn’t completely altered, she did get a longer life – and society as a whole was made better as a result of Katniss’ actions.
Twitter: ErinReadsblog
Yes! Agreed re: Prim. I don’t think it ended up being for naught in the grand scheme of everything. But at the same time, in a way, I think Prim was central to why Katniss did what she did. Would Katniss have become the girl who was on fire and a symbol of the revolution if she’d known she’d lose Prim in the end anyway? Maybe, just to save her sister from having to face the arena. Or perhaps because she figured if she could postpone Prim’s death, she could find a way to avert it. I always saw Katniss as a sister and daughter first and a revolutionary only second. (I wish I’d read this one more recently! It’s been over a year and I’m hazy on details…that always happens to me!)
Erin recently posted..Sunday Salon: Cheerleader Sign-Ups, New Acquisitions, and #wordverify!
That’s a good question. I do know that she seemed to be motivated by her family. She seemed to make her choices based on what would be least likely to result in harm to her family – especially Prim. I don’t doubt that she still would have done what she did, because in the end she did get more time with Prim. If she hadn’t taken Prim’s place, there’s no doubt the Victor wouldn’t have come from District 12 – unless it was Peeta. But, somehow, I don’t see him killing the sister of the girl he loves.
LOL Details get fuzzy for me pretty quickly, which is why I try to write my reviews ASAP once I finish reading!
[...] Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins [...]
Twitter: clutterboxblog
there is so many thoughts running through my head it is hard to figure out what is what. The ending was so good. The best ending in a series because every issue was wrapped up. But I never thought about the issue with Peeta being incomplete but I was so focused on Katniss. I always kinda hoped it would end the way it did, so I just pushed him aside. Great review, you put your thoughts out there so well
Namine recently posted..Weekly Money Checkup
Thank you. I think the focus was meant to be on Katniss. I think I just want to know more than Collins felt was absolutely necessary.
My review comes out tomorrow so I’m overly passionate about this topic and this book.
So what I find very interesting is that there is a general feeling of unrest for readers reading this book but the reasons seem to be so different but still similar at the same time. I know that makes no sense. I attribute it to the strong connection that readers had with this series and the characters.
I loved this book but I wish Ms. Collins thought about her readers a bit more in finishing the series. I don’t really feel like I got closure. I loved Peeta and I loved Haymitch but…they were just not here. Peeta, in my opinion, is the real star of this series. So why did I get to see so little? And when he was present he was breaking my heart. So yeah. I agree with you and have plenty more broken thoughts.
Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic recently posted..Teaser Tuesdays: Divergent
I agree, Peeta really was the star. It was Katniss’ story, but it’d be nothing without him. I’m gonna have to go find your review!
Yay, glad you enjoyed it, Heather.
I liked this book, but it was my least favorite of the series. I didn’t read the comments, but did anyone mention that it seemed like Katniss was passed out for a good chunk of the book? I felt like the story would get going, and boom she’s out again. LOL.
It’s been a while since I read it, but wasn’t there a scene where she had to choose to order another Hunger Games? I thought her decision was so uncharacteristic.
Finally, I felt let down with the romance. You know I’m a romance lover at heart, and this book dropped the ball on that point for me. Yeah, I’m team Peeta, and happy that she ended up with him, but I thought their reunion could have been more detailed. The epilogue didn’t really do it for me.
Joy @ Edgy Inspirational Romance recently posted..Q & A with Julie Lessman (and giveaway!!!)
I’m not sure how it ranks with the others in the series for me. I know I gave it a higher rating, and I think that was largely because I felt the ending was perfect.
Yes, toward the end, she was part of the people who ordered one last Hunger Games – using the children of those who were in power with the Capitol. I think she was swayed because Snow’s granddaughter was going to be part of it – Katniss felt that was only fair since she’d lost Prim. I’m not sure, though, if they’d still do it after Coin was killed.
Yes, I wanted more of Katniss and Peeta – the romance, too. Maybe that’s part of why I wanted to see more of his recovery. I still liked the ending, though – although I would have liked to see their wedding!
Thanks again for lending me your copy!
[...] Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ~ 4.5 stars [...]