Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: August 24, 2010
Genre: young adult
Hardcover: 390 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 3 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding. It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains--except Katniss. The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.


My Thoughts: I had pretty high expectations for this book. I felt like the second book was better than the first book, so I was expecting the third book to be even better. Unfortunately, I was left feeling disappointed and wanting so much more once I had finished the novel. For me, I felt as if Suzanne Collin's was just holding back. All of these action scenes in the book just felt mundane, as if they weren't really action scenes at all. I constantly felt like Collins was on the verge of writing a great scene, but held herself back. Another issue for me was Katniss. She was like a brain-dead zombie in the book. She complained the whole time about the rebellion. She may not have realized the part that she played in starting the revolution, but she is a part of it, and she just seemed to complain the entire time about what was going on. I just wanted to slap her and scream, "Pull yourself together!"


I also hated how Katniss was continually going back and forth between Gale and Peeta. In real life, if someone isn't sure, they typically tell everyone back and give them some time and space. Not Katniss. I understand that Collins used these two to help with the story, but it was just awful how she treated both of those boys. I also hated the ending. Katniss shoots Snow. She is locked in a tower for awhile, then gets to go home to District 12. There was no explanation of what was happening at this supposed trial! Definitely frustrating to read about.


I did like how the epilogue. I felt like Collins wrapped everything up without being too cheesey or overly sentimental. For me, this was my least favorite book in the series and a huge let down. What did you think of this one? I would love to hear other people's opinions on this one!