Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay was the book I remembered the least about because it is the one I have read the least amount of times. The other two books I had read at least twice previously before the movies released, but this one was only read once. In fact, I remember completely forgetting that (spoilers) Finnick dies when I watched the movie and was completely in tears and only got myself together right before (spoilers) Prim dies and then I lost it all again, even though I remembered her death. Luckily, for myself and my boyfriend, I remembered both deaths and was able to prep myself. All that said, because of my lack of read throughs, this book was still pretty new to me and I really enjoyed remembering all of these long forgotten parts of the story.

(Source: Kelsey Darling)

Katniss, Finnick, and Beetee were rescued from the arena and whisked off to District 13, the long thought destroyed district. However, the other surviving tributes, Enobaria, Johanna, and Peeta, as well as Annie, Finnick's girlfriend and previous tribute, were captured by the Capitol. Katniss is not handling this well at all, but she is still expected to be the Mockingjay and unite the Districts and destroy Snow. But Katniss's mental health isn't the only thing holding her back. President Coin, the president of District 13 isn't her biggest fan, and Katniss isn't too fond of her either. Katniss hopes that if Peeta can be rescued, she can be the Mockingjay, but the person brought back is a shell of Peeta who has been hi-jacked into believing Katniss is a mutt that needs to die. More lost and confused than ever before, the only thing Katniss knows to do is kill Snow. If Snow had never come into her life, none of this would be happening to her right now and Peeta would still be safe.

I just have to say this: If I thought the safety of the worlds survival was dependent on a moody teenage girl, I'd think we'd be screwed and would start saying my goodbyes and activate my "End of the World" plan (don't ask, you're not ready for it). I know that Katniss isn't the only one working on bringing down the Capitol, but they give her a lot responsibilities for a teenager. She's the face of the rebellion and if all of this goes south, will be one of the most punished. I guess that is one thing that really bothers me about this series is that while I do understand the children are our future, they shouldn't be put in positions that adults can barely handle.

(Source: Giphy)

This book does have far less action in it that the previous two books, despite it being the book with an active war going on. But the action it does have is seriously intense. I remember the first time reading this book, the scenes that affected me the most were the deaths of Finnick and Prim. However, this time, it is the bombing of the hospital that really killed me. The fact that we're in the middle of a global pandemic probably didn't help that either. And I just kept going back to how Plutarch just keeps pushing so much propaganda, it seems ridiculous. Katniss, Gale, Finnick, they all just become pawns to win people over and Coin and Plutarch wouldn't care about any of their deaths. In fact, if they die, they become martyrs which is better for the cause. I know, I'm thinking about this as an adult, but it's true and it's sad. They're using children the same way the Capitol used children.

The one thing that really bothers me is the end of the book, right before the assassination. How it is decided that children from the high ruling members of the Capitol will be used in a Hunger Games as punishment, and it is left up to the surviving victors to decide. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now: Why did Katniss rule in favor for the games? She lost so much and she know how much these Games take from people, why would she inflict that damage on other people. She's hated the games from the beginning and now she has a chance to end it all. It also is never really clear on if they do move forward with the Games after the vote and Katniss kills Coin. She does eventually have children, and she wouldn't have children if the Games were still in play. Maybe it was decided the Games really didn't need to happen. Maybe it was just a ploy of Coin's that she was going to put out there. I don't know. But it is something that has never sat right with me.

(Source: Giphy)

The books were definitely better the second time around. I think partly because I am older and have a better understanding of the world and how, despite this is a dystopia series, it is based from reality. I also have a better appreciation for Collins writing style. I think I did the first time too, I just didn't know that that is what helped bring the book to life. I could probably see myself reading the series again in a few years, just to see if I still feel the same way.

Rating: 8/10
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games (Book 3 of 3)
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Dates Read: April 12-13, 2020