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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Mockingjay

Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins
3 Stars
390 Pages

Just like everyone else, I was super excited to read this book.  As it so happens I was pregnant and due about the same time that this book was to released.  I told my husband that if I did in fact go into labor on the day it was released that he was supposed to go buy me the book, ASAP after having the baby.  Well, we did have the baby, and he did try to find me the book, but instead of bringing our family a hot dinner one night, a very good friend brought me a new copy of the book instead.  Can I say awesome?!  (My friend for brining me a book instead of dinner, not the book, by the way!)

So – there was so much hype surrounding this book –and with good reason too, I loved the first two books in the series.  They were great, so I was really looking forward to how Collins was going to sum this all up.  However, I am sad to say that I was a little disappointed with the ending.

The story involves Katniss Everdeen, along with her family those of District 12 find themselves in battle with President Snow and the capital for an all-out war.  There is plenty of action in this book, but somehow there is also a lot of nothing going on as well.  Katniss is not the same Katniss from the first book.  Her attitude really bothers me and I wish she would just be normal again.  I suppose I wouldn’t be normal either if this had been my life?

I think the thing that bugged me the most about this book was the ending.  I had to read it and re-read it a few times.  Really – she just caught fire, blacked out and woke up and it was done?  I feel totally robbed by this ending!  I know that Collins is trying to make a point here and make a statement – but this is a young adult book and I think that it crossed the line a few times.  I was really sad that Finnick, after finally finding happiness, was killed at the end.  I was also very disappointed that Katniss never really choice between Peeta and Gale.

Not really sure what else to say about the book.  I enjoyed The Hunger Games.  I recommend that.  I think Catching Fire was so-so, I recommend it, but not whole heartedly, but I don’t recommend Mockingjay, and that makes me sad.

1 comment:

Kathy said...

I was fine with the ending. I think some people wanted Katniss to be more heroic at the end, or something, but I get that she was tired of the whole game and needed to just go home and get on with healing. I king of liked that she didn't turn out to be a super hero, who became the new president. I also buy the end of her and Gale's relationship. I think they both knew it was over after what happened at the capital, and so just let it dissolve on its own instead of an official goodbye. I've had relationships end like that, although not because he had bombed my sister!

Is it my favorite ending ever? No, but I can relate to the "quietness" of it, if that makes any sense. Especially compared to a a SUPER-DUPERIFIC FANTASTIC EVERYTHING IS PERFECT ending of another notable YA book.