Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

“If we burn, you burn with us.”

Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But she’s still not safe. A revolution is unfolding, and everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans — everyone except Katniss.

And yet she must play the most vital part in the final battle. Katniss must become their Mockingjay — the symbol of rebellion — no matter what the personal cost.

First published: 2010 [Goodreads]

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After finishing Catching Fire, I was really curious as to how Mockingjay would be, for two reasons. Firstly; the ending of Catching Fire (cliffhanger much?!), and secondly; because of everything I heard about it, this final book of the trilogy. I heard mostly negative things, to be honest, so I kind of braced myself when I started reading. I was expecting to not like it, to be disappointed and to grudgingly read on. Not the case. At all.

I’m of the opinion that Mockingjay is the best book of the trilogy.

I didn’t completely agree with the ending, but I think it is one heck of a job to end such a story as this satisfactorily. Collins worked herself into quite the pickle with the whole love triangle storyline — there was no way everyone was going to be happy at the end, no matter what happened.

(Side note: I can’t believe how difficult it is to write this review without giving away any spoilers.)

Anyway, I really loved this book. It felt a lot more grown up than the previous two (although those were amazing as well). I was really impressed with the storyline of this novel, and with how politically charged it was. The disillusion of finding out that it doesn’t matter where you go, you will always encounter corruption, cruelty and deception. Witnessing Katniss come to this realisation was quite extraordinary. And then there’s the psychological damage that comes into play for so many characters. It’s just so intense.

I think what makes this novel so special to me is that it all becomes much more real in Mockingjay. I can see why some people might not enjoy it as much as the first two parts, since it is vastly different, but for me that made it even better. I’ve also heard some people complain about some of the more heartbreaking events, and I understand why they are sad about it, but I also feel it only adds to the story. It’s war time. Horrible things happen in war time, that’s the way it is. That sounds harsh, but it is the truth.

For me, Mockingjay was the perfect climax to an amazing story, even though the ending wasn’t completely satisfying. I’m going to leave it at that, though, since so much has already been said about this novel and the series as a whole. I think I’ve said what I wanted to say. I loved Mockingjay, and I highly recommend reading it if you loved the first two novels.