Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Aug 25, 2010 Christy (TheReaderBee) rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, read-in-2010, read-in-2025, ya-series, ya-dystopia

Reread Summer 2025

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Mockingjay, while being a page turner, was my least favorite book in the series. The book was a lot darker than the other books, and the ending just wasn't satisfying to me. Although I know this type of book wasn't going to have a happy ending, after all they had been through, I was left feeling sad and wanting to know MORE.

Katniss just seemed cold and distant through the entire book, totally not herself compared to the two previous books. I miss Peeta and K ...more

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Oct 03, 2010 Robin DeJarnett rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010-read

Mockingjay proved to be the book that delivered on the promise of revolution, but the carnage and games continue.

Of the three books, this one started the slowest, I think. There's a lot of anticipation, both of the battles to come and of who's going to die. After reading the first two books, I was expecting the worst, so was kind of surprised at who ended up surviving. Don't get your hopes up, though, there's no happy ending here either.

Many have spoken of the triangle between Katniss, Gale, and Mockingjay proved to be the book that delivered on the promise of revolution, but the carnage and games continue.

Of the three books, this one started the slowest, I think. There's a lot of anticipation, both of the battles to come and of who's going to die. After reading the first two books, I was expecting the worst, so was kind of surprised at who ended up surviving. Don't get your hopes up, though, there's no happy ending here either.

Many have spoken of the triangle between Katniss, Gale, and Peeta, but I really didn't feel like it was much of a LOVE triangle. Maybe a LOYALTY triangle, but I'm not sure Katniss ever will understand or feel love for anyone but her sister, Prim. The resolution between Katniss and her two beaus is believable, though, and felt right to me.

As far as the story goes, I'm reminded of a quote from a TV show (a Star Trek episode, I think, but I can't remember): Everybody dies. No, this isn't a spoiler...but as is true in any war, everyone dies in some way, be it physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Including Katniss. I think that's the saddest part about the end of this series, is that the Katniss I loved in book one is gone.

There's two decisions that Katniss makes at the end of this book that I don't understand. Well, one I understand but would have liked to know that SHE understood it, and the other didn't really make sense to me. If you're curious which ones, drop me a line. And the consequences from those decisions seemed a little contrived, but that's probably because we're stuck in Katniss' point of view and really don't know what happens behind the scenes.

The one criticism I have is the epilogue. I really feel it was unnecessary. Perhaps it was an attempt to give the reader (or the editor) some kind of happy ending, but I don't think it was in character. After everything the characters went through and the thorough destruction of their trust in EVERYTHING, what is described in the epilogue is not really believable, no matter how much time has passed. Again, if you'd like specifics, message me.

This series is not a love story, it's the story of the ravages of war and the corruption of power. I think we'll be seeing the first book, The Hunger Games, being added to high school curricula in the future, and rightly so. And after reading all three books, I have a much greater respect for our soldiers returning from war, and the demons they have to carry for the rest of their lives. ...more

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Aug 31, 2010 Mummy Cat Claire rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-novels, series, read-in-2011

I think most people would agree that this last book in the series was the hardest to read. It definitely was for me. I don't think I was as prepared as I thought I was.
Throughout the series, I enjoyed Collins' writing, so much so, that I felt she was the best. Mockingjay was just as great as the others.
I cannot begin to tell anyone how well Collins created a wonderful story. This series is popular for a reason. Collins' world of Panem is so creative. The names of her characters were thoughtful ...more

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Sep 02, 2010 Sara Heacox rated it it was amazing

My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The Capitol hates me. Peeta was taken prisioner. He is thought to be dead. Most likely he is dead. It is probably best if he is dead. . .

I read Mockingjay, no, devoured it on Tuesday and have had to sit and let it ruminate in my mind before sitting down to write this review. I cried/teared up at least five times while reading, my co-workers threw paper at me to get my attention as My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The Capitol hates me. Peeta was taken prisioner. He is thought to be dead. Most likely he is dead. It is probably best if he is dead. . .

I read Mockingjay, no, devoured it on Tuesday and have had to sit and let it ruminate in my mind before sitting down to write this review. I cried/teared up at least five times while reading, my co-workers threw paper at me to get my attention as I was still reading before a meeting, and my husband tried to talk to me on multiple occasions before realizing he wasn’t going to pull me out of the story!

I really liked Mockingjay but wanted more. More of Katniss figuring out the kind of person she wanted to be. More Katniss interacting with Peeta and Gale in her quest to figure out who she should be with. I also wanted more of the message that Collins was trying to send. What was she trying to tell her readers about a world like Panem? What was she trying to tell the young leaders of the world? This book is definitely darker than the other two with a high body count.

That being said, I still think this is a great book. Collins is a great story teller. She sucks you in and you feel the emotions along with the characters. And, her characters inspire readers to question and want to be better people. I really liked Mockingjay. I am not sure if I loved it but then again, it is always hard to live up to the hype. It was a fitting end to a brilliant series. What I am saddest about is the fact that the series is over. I have become so invested in the lives of Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, and even the stylist team that I am sad that it is over. This is one of my favorite series and one I will reread over and over again. I will tell all of my friends that it is a series that cannot be missed and can’t wait to see what Collins comes up with next!

~Sara

oh yeah, my team won :)

This review is posted at http://evesfangarden.com/blog/2010/08...

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Feb 07, 2011 Sharon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, nook, dystopian

I'm speechless...I honestly don't know what to say. I finished the book and feel as tho I'm still processing it. I would love to wax poetic about it but I just can't--it's not that type of book.

Only one word comes to mind....brutal. Rebellions and wars are brutal. There is no sugar-coating it--People suffer, people die, people who survive often have nothing left to live for. It is utterly brutal.

I was shocked at the amount of suffering in this book. Not just physical, but mental. Not just with ...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Amy rated it it was amazing

Things I loved:
•Amazing plot twists and a story that should become the new definition of a page turner
•The Peeta storyline -- didn't expect it but what a great way to "start" again for him.
•The cat.
•The ending. It felt right for the story and satisfied me.

Things I loved less:
•The violence, blood and gore. Followed by lots more violence, blood and gore. A certain amount is necessary to depict war, but for me it was a bit of overkill. (Pardon the pun.)
•Katniss' ability to verbalize and meditate o ...more

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Jun 28, 2010 Deborah Andreasen rated it it was amazing

I was so excited to read the third and final book of the Hunger Games trilogy that I stayed up way, way too late to do it. I needed resolution, and I was not disappointed in the least.

The story is as gripping and gory as ever. There are a lot of deaths, and a part of me hopes they never turn The Hunger Games into movies because I think they'd have to be rated R for violence.

Katniss has always been a character that I love and hate, and I was so confused as to how two men could fall completely i ...more

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Jun 07, 2010 Ange (Our Epic TBR List) Schmelzer rated it it was amazing

After the show stopping rescue of Katniss Everdeen from the arena of the Quarter Quell, the world has been waiting to see what's next for her. Katniss never wanted any part in a rebellion against The Capitol, but here she is...their Mockingjay! The problem? The Capitol still has Peeta. How will Katniss be able to save Panem and Peeta while also ensuring her own family is safe?
All I have to say about this one is that it was PERFECT!! I can't believe she wrote it perfectly! I was ready to be disap ...more

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