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Mockingjay

Mockingjay is the last book in the Hunger Game trilogy.   Suzanne Collins has done it again with this book.  If you have enjoyed the previous two books, Mockingjay does not disappoint.  The last book is filled with much bravery and suspense. 

The book begins where Catching Fire leaves off.  Katniss has been transported out of the arena and to District 13, which has turned out to be an underground city.  Once, Katniss has awaken she learns that rebellions against the Capitol have sprung up in the majority of the districts after she shot the arrow into the force field.  It turns out that there has been a lot of planning and everyone seemed to know something, except for Katniss and Peeta (Peeta has been captured by the Capitol).  The leaders of the rebellion wants Katniss to become the Mockingjay, the face of the rebels; a leader.  Katniss has an influence on the people, an influence that can change the way things are.  But we find Katniss struggling over whether or not to become the Mockingjay.  She weighs what could happen if she becomes the Mockingjay and what could happen if she doesn't.  She puts much thought into this decsion and goes back and forth as to what she is going to do.  When Katniss learns of all the sacrifices that have been made for her, she accepts the role of the Mockingjay.  I don't want to give away too much more.  If you want to know what happens check out the Mockingjay Wikipedia article.  What follows Katniss' decision to be the Mockingjay is war, loss, triumph, death, and love.

With Mockingjay being the final book, I wanted to reflect on what makes this trilogy so great.  It is Katniss that draws the reader to the story.  As she narrates the story we see everything through her eyes.  As the reader we are able to see things about Katniss that she does not see about herself.  What makes Katniss so likable and admirable, is how strong, brave, and self-less she is.  She really is all of these things without really knowing it.  She's confident yet not confident in herself and her abilities.  She doubts and questions herself and her decisions and intentions.  And she is ever so loyal about keeping her word.  She is very smart too.  Too keep her real though, she is comfortable being who she is and being looked up to.

I must admit, Mockingjay was not my favorite book of the series.  It had a very different feeling to it compared to the first two books.  The focus somewhat shifts to a different storyline.  It was still a good read and worth reading if you've read the first two.  My favorite part of this book was the last chapter when Katniss realizes what she needs in life to survive. 

In case you were wondering, Catching Fire, in my opinion is the best book of the trilogy.