A review for Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Posted by Donna

Published Date: August 24th, 2010

Finished Date: June 12th, 2011

Format: Kindle

Pages: 390

The Blurb from Goodreads: 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.

The Review: I finished this book late last night and I have woken up this morning still trying to decide how to rate it. I bet your wondering why I am having such a hard time deciding. Well here’s why.

Mockingjay starts with President Snow declaring war on all the districts leaving district 12, Katniss’s home…destroyed. With know where else to turn, Katniss find herself being taken in by district 13 to prepare to become the mockingjay, the voice that will give all the districts hope and hopefully join the battle against President Snow together. As the war starts can Katniss manage to keep all her family and friends safe and can she rescue Peeta from the Capitol?

I was completely shocked when I first started this series and found out I loved it, I read both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire in a matter of days, so you could probably expect my excitement to start Mockingjay with it being the final book and all. But with Mockingjay, I can’t help feel…..a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I do feel this is one of the best series I’ve read but I can’t help feeling Mockingjay got a bit lost along the way.

I honestly didn’t like the whole army type feel of the book. I found parts confusing and it just reminded me of something from an action movie as you can tell, action movies aren’t my favourite. I found myself losing interest in the plot of the story and ended up focusing on Katniss’s and Peeta’s relationship, and let’s be honest; Peeta is not himself for the most of this book. There were a few deaths in this story that felt a little out of place…Finnick and Prim. I just don’t see why they had to die. I just didn’t feel emotionally attached to them to cry…both of their deaths felt a little rushed and it was only the last few pages I did feel something.

You all know I’m 100% a Team Peeta fan and like I said before Peeta was not himself during this book and although it was a great story line, one that kept me guessing and honestly my heart was breaking for both Katniss and Peeta, I can’t help feel that Peeta wasn’t even present in this book. I missed him! Whether this is the intention of the author, I’m not sure but I really thought there should have been more moments between him and Katniss. Although I’m completely over the moon that Katniss ended up with the right person, it wasn’t the ending I was expecting. Yes, I loved the epilogue but I guess I was expecting a big reunion between them and…..it just never came. Peeta was the one of main reasons I read this book, I completely fell in love with his character and the way he feels for Katniss is amazing. I know deep down Katniss new she was in love with him but just didn’t realise it until the end but I think this is why I feel so disappointed.

Saying all this, I’m going to rate this book a four because Suzanne Collins still manages to write a book that is completely dangerous, intense and full of emotion. I do think this is the least favourite but I still think it’s worth a read. This series has left me more excited to watch the movie and I think it’s going to be a long wait until March 2012.