Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay
Series: The Hunger Games Book 3
Author: Suzanne Collins

Release Date: 25th August 2010

My Rating: 3/5

Blurb:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

My Review:

There isn't a whole lot I can say without completely spoiling the ending...but I will make a couple of points...

1. I love Gale
2. One of my favourite characters dies
3. Katniss does not go into another Hunger Games
4. I think some some parts of the story are drawn out too long and others were just glazed over where they should have had more attention
5. There is an epilogue that I wish wasn't there
6. One of my favourite quotes from the book is:

"If we burn, you burn with us"

While I did like Mockingjay and felt Suzanne Collins probably couldn't have finished the trilogy any other way, and obviously it is impossible to please everyone, I was disappointed in a quite a few spots, mostly relating to the ending, and overall I prefer the previous two books. Does anyone else agree? Almost every review I have read seems to be that they think it was amazing and that it ended perfectly. The shining light for me is a post I was told about by Nomes over at inkcrush. The post covers everything I think is wrong with the book (and I have since added my own comment at the bottom) so I am not feeling quite so alone. To view this post over at Forever Young Adult click here, but be aware it is full of spoilers so do not read it until you too have finished the book.

Please do not post any spoilers in my comments (obviously non-spoilery comments are always welcome). If anyone has anything to say about the ending, or wants to discuss it, send me an email at jwillis87@hotmail.com

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Series: The Hunger Games Book 1
Author: Suzanne Collins

Release Date: 1st March 2009

My Rating: 5/5

16-year-old Katniss lives with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Katniss steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she see's it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

This series was such a wonderful surprise for me. I put off reading it for months and when I finally picked it up I couldn't put it down! This is a very well written and engrossing story set in a future world full of challenges as the remaining population tries to survive against an emotionally empty and corrupt government. Fast-paced, suspenseful, gripping and heart-wrenching. This is a must read, you will not be disappointed!

Look out for the sequel 'Catching Fire' which is just as fabulous as the first book. The title of the 3rd Hunger Games book has just been announced! 'Mockingjay' will be released 24th August 2010!