Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 400
Originally Published: 2010
Format I Read: Hardback
Publisher: Scholastic
Rating: 
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Does this book even need introduction by now? Probably not. But here’s my little introduction to it. I read both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire in a 24-hour period last October. So, it was a given that I’d be devouring Mockingjay shortly after its release.
Here’s the best, spoiler-free plot summary I’ve read, courtesy of Raych from Books I Done Read:
Brief sum: more or less of the Districts are at war with the Capitol. Many people are for the war, and a few people are vocally against it, and some things explode. Tough choices are made all around.
I’m a bit flummoxed by this one, to tell you the truth. As I was reading it (in one portion of one day), I was quite satisfied. When I closed the cover, I thought, “What a fitting end to this series. This is probably my favorite of the three books.” Then I went to bed. When I woke up in the morning, I wasn’t quite as convinced. Below, my pro/con list for Mockingjay:
***SPOILERS ABOUND***
PRO
Katniss in the second half. Love that she’s back in form.
The ending and prologue. I loved the sad but healing vibe.
Finnick and Katniss becoming friends. Sigh.
Finnick and Annie.
The length. No third-book-in-a-trilogy syndrome here.
CON
Katniss in the first half. So mope-y. Where’s the mockingjay we loved?
Peeta being hijacked. What the what?
Gale being an ass. I knew it!
Prim getting killed. Whhaaa?
Absentee mother. Again.
Constant reminders that the war is just like another round of the Hunger Games.
Finnick’s unceremonious demise. Didn’t he deserve more than a sentence?
I guess, reviewing the list, there were some disappointments. But it still gets four stars for the pros and that initial high. What were your pros and cons?
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
Other Reviews:
Sorry, I don’t have the energy for this today. Almost every book blogger on the planet has posted a review by now.
{ 6 comments }
Finnick’s death really unnerved me too. I was so sad and, I agree that not enough was said about his death. I guess there was more important stuff for Katniss to worry about at the time though!
Stephanie´s last post ..Q&A with Helen Brown
I haven’t started the series yet, but my hubby said he enjoyed The Hunger Games the most.
I had the same response as you. closed the book and was satisfied, but the next day I had a bit of indigestion. I have been fairly indecisive, but mostly I enjoyed what Collins did with ‘Mockingjay’.
Perhaps the only real disagreement I had was Finnick’s inglorious death; especially after the emotional bolstering of his character. I realize that there was the pace to maintain, but it was really–I don’t know…maybe have done more with the mourning later?
I easily enjoyed The Hunger Games the most and can see myself re-reading it on its own later.
leslie´s last post ..&
I thought the war = Hunger Games theme was a note that was played way too often, but I was okay with most of the other stuff you didn’t care for. Finnick’s death was abrupt, and didn’t really get paid off, but it seemed like that was just because of all the other things that were going on at that point. Katniss was appropriately upset about it, and then (reasonably enough) forced to go on with what she was doing.
Jenny´s last post ..K J Parker- enigmatic military fantasist
Oh, where to start…
Finnick’s death
Gale being the fall guy for Prim’s death
Katniss marrying the guy who tried to kill her
voting on another Hunger Games
Finnick’s death
Annie being a single mom (good lord, could you make her any more tragic?)
Katniss wimping out and not shooting Gale (they had a deal!)
have I mentioned Finnick’s death?
softdrink´s last post ..The Tower- the Zoo- and the Tortoise
Stephanie – I was really sad that Finnick died, especially since he’s the only one that Annie really trusts.
Kathy – I think THE HUNGER GAMES is probably the strongest of the three, particularly if viewed on its own.
Leslie – I agree. I think more should have been done to mourn Finnick. I’m relieved to hear that you had a similar response to the book. I think it’s a testament to Collins that I was that entralled and satisfied as I was reading.
Jenny – I was okay that Katniss moved on with the action, I just wish that Collins had found a way to let us mourn.
Softdrink – Ugg! I forgot about Gale being the fall guy for Prim’s death. That really didn’t make any sense to me at all. I think it was kind of a lazy way to dispatch with him as a potential love interest.
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