Young Adult Fiction for Adults discussion
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Mockingjay ***SPOILERS*** enter at your own risk!
In this group it was just someone wishing she would write about the world again and we were throwing ideas around about what she could write about if she ever re-visited the HG world. I haven't heard any rumors that she actually IS going to write about it again. If anyone can confirm or deny, that would be awesome.For me, there wasn't enough romance or even thoughts of love there at the end to make me believe Katniss and Peeta would end up together. Maybe I need to re-read it, but I didn't see anything after she killed Coin that indicated Peeta meant anything to her other than a friend she was trying to help get a grip on reality. It was like she was sacrificing herself again by marrying him so Peeta could get better. Not really the way you want to see it end. Very unfulfilling.
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Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)
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I haven't heard anything about Collins writing another book in this universe, but I have to admit I WOULD LOVE the idea of writing the rebuilding from Gale's perspective. In my head (and I only finished the book on Saturday) I thought it would be fitting if Gale's task was to help rebuild that which he destroyed. Cleaning up the avalanche area and getting all of that in working order. I thought it was would a difficult process, but hopefully also a time of healing for him, where he could at least in part return to himself and realize the war is indeed over.
Also I had a question and wanted to see what you all thought about this. Since Gale wasn't in the meeting with the tributes and Pres. Coin regarding re-instating the Hunger Games, what do you think Gale's opinion was of Katniss for killing Coin? He seemed pretty committed to District 13, but he also knew Katniss better than anyone and may have guessed her motives. I'm assuming the Hunger Games stuff didn't come up in the trial, so I wonder if Gale ever found out about it. Do you guys have any thoughts or opinions??
Gale did seem pretty buddy-buddy with Coin/District 13. Maybe thats why he took himself out of the equation?
Oh maybe that was it - I totally thought someone had read something about it but I could def be wrong on that one. I didn't really pay close attention because I thought it was stupid to continue it but I guess if she did do one from Gale's pov I would totally be in line!
I think once Gale found out how Prim died, he had a panic attack and I think he probably blamed Coin for her death as well. He probably felt vindicated when Katniss killed Coin, but we never find out because Katniss and he never interact again. I mean, he has to feel partially responsible for Prim's death since it was his idea for the trap that got her killed in the first place and he was probably pissed at Coin and planning his own revenge. Katniss just beat him to the punch which allowed him to stay at the forefront of the new society while she was tossed out on her a**.
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Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)
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Huh... I guess I never thought about it like that. I was focusing more on the wedge that out between Gale and Katniss, but I guess it would make sense for Gale to blame Coin about it. I just don't know. Even after reading Mockingjay, I still want to get inside Gale's head. There's so much going on there that I would be interested to know.
wow.. amazing book. I really liked the entire series. Will have to put my thoughts down later but was very happy with the ending.
Brittany wrote: "I haven't heard anything about Collins writing another book in this universe, but I have to admit I WOULD LOVE the idea of writing the rebuilding from Gale's perspective. In my head (and I only fin..."I so agree. So many questions left unanswered. I personally would like to know how Annie coped with her son and if Katniss and Gale ever did manage to repair their friendship. I mean the epilogue is set 15 years in the future, if she could get over her fear of having children, would she be able to forgive her friend?
I thought the ending was bitter sweet and if it DID end on a happier note, then it wouldn't have seemed real (well, as real as fiction can get). She went through hell for 2 years, she thought she was going to die twice and survived both times, she doesn't know who to trust and she is in love with two boys for very different reasons. I was actually glad for the Epilogue beause IF the book ended with "You love me. Real, or not real?" I tell him, "Real." I would have flipped my lid and sent hate mail. I was totally team Peeta, so I might be a little bias......
aaahhhgg "real or not real?"!!! I think it gets more cheesy every time I think about it.
Jaimie wrote: "aaahhhgg "real or not real?"!!! I think it gets more cheesy every time I think about it."I'm sorry in context I think it's cute. Peeta strikes me as a bit of a cheese-ball at times (and I doubt he took himself too seriously at that moment).
I'd rather someone say it to me with something kinda funny and self-depricating.
I totally agree that Peeta was a cheeseball : D I think at that point he still wasn't sure if she was playing the game still or if she just wanted comfort, or if she truly loved him, so he asked.
I kinda like the 'Real or Note Real' too. Makes sense in the book I guess. I think a litle cheesiness is important:-)
I think he already knew and just wanted to be cheesy and romantic. I loved it!
I just got Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I was at the library picking up the new Danielle Steel and the librarian held it up and said it was for me and I'm not embarrassed to tell you, I screamed! Everyone stared at me of course but I've been waiting forever to read the final in the trilogy!!!
Just finished the book last night and I was extremely impressed by what Collins chose to do with the story... I do think some of the book was over written in certain places but she never lets the plot dangle (even with Annie being pregnant, you already can imagine how hard her life will be but anyone whose lost someone knows that being able to carry a piece of that person can be its on type of therapy and yes I realize that is very ideal but it happens). I probably should have seen Prim being killed coming but I didn't, I was completely enthralled by the previous section where the combat team was trying to get to Snow in the capitol and wondering what would happen.... I was blown away by her death!! Considering everything happening with our country I thought the fact that Collins chose to discuss the effects of war, abuse of power and the human condition in the face of those things were very thought provoking. Does anything ever really change when it comes to government, can any of us really make a difference? I never believed she would end up with Gale... I didn't have a preference either way but I thought that allowing Katniss to move forward by having children was a wonderful pay off. Despite her history I think Collins showed that she would do her best to be a good parent and not allow them to live in a world where they would have to fight to the death for a game... thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!
Wow you all have some great points! This book was ultra dark, and even though I finished it last night, I am still stuck on how to rate it. I appreciate that Ms. Collins did not take the easy happy way out as some other authors, (aka Stephanie Meyers), as in the end, this is some really heavy stuff happening to all these characters. I think I just need some time to reflect on it before I give my final verdict.
Heidi I wrote: "Wow you all have some great points! This book was ultra dark, and even though I finished it last night, I am still stuck on how to rate it. I appreciate that Ms. Collins did not take the easy ..."I was suprised at how dark she went to... I didn't think that she would go down the path she did, I stayed woke until 2:00am reading the book and I realized that its very rare to read a book where your afraid of what the author might do, not because they are trying to be controversial but because they believe it will serve the story... I think its a great idea to let the book sit with you!!
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Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)
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Heidi, Now you understand why I was in need of some Georgia after this.
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Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)
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Okay, I know this is something small... and while in the midst of the story I understand why it had to be that way... but dang it I MISSED CINNA!! Collins did an awesome job of allowing him to be in the story without actually being IN the story, but OMG I wanted to see him again!
Why is it all my favorite characters always end up dying?
Brittany I totally thought of you while reading the book because I know how much you would miss Cinna!
I held out hope that they might find Cinna during the rescue mission...but it was in vain :( Cinna was def. one of my favorites, and Finnick as well...his death angered me. ><
I thought Finnick's death was unnecessary. I can appreciate what Collins was trying to do with it in that those we love are affected deeply and sometimes killed in war, but that point was made more effectively with Prim. Finnick didn't need to be sacrificed too. Oh well!And Brittany I was totally sad Cinna wasn't really there either. He was still apart of it, but what kind of good influence could he have had on Katniss if he were really there? Maybe she wouldn't have gone so far off the deep end if he were there to soothe and calm her like he was in the first two. It just made me totally sad.
I felt the same about Finnick, espically after we found out Anne was pregnant. WTF?? That was so sad.
Tanya wrote: "Heidi I wrote: "Wow you all have some great points! This book was ultra dark, and even though I finished it last night, I am still stuck on how to rate it. I appreciate that Ms. Collins did no..."It's funny you should mention the rating, I was the same. I initially gave it a 3/5, but later changed it to a 2/5.
Cassi wrote: "And on the topic of children, I really believe that the human spirit can overcome A LOT of things. Over time you learn to live with the past. I'm glad that TIME was a huge factor in their recover..."I agree with you Cassi.
Cassi wrote: "Yay Alyssa liked the ending too! You make me happy.I have always been in love with Peeta and even when he was hijacked nothing could make me stop loving him.
I think Peeta is the only one w..."
Again Cassi...I agree!
Brittany wrote: "Okay, so I just finished Mockingjay last night, have read all your comments, and here are some of my thoughts. 1) Loved that Collins had the courage to take us to the places we went. Kuddos to ..."
Some great points Brittany!
Cinderela wrote: "I'm only upset Katniss didn't end up with Finnick. Oh r.i.p. my ever so charming, green eyed, love. I respect everything S.C. did, it's her story and I still loved it.
I missed Haymitch a l..."
Some new and good points Cinderela.
Brittany wrote: "Okay, I know this is something small... and while in the midst of the story I understand why it had to be that way... but dang it I MISSED CINNA!! Collins did an awesome job of allowing him to ..."
I hear you Brittany! My favourite characters always seem to end up dead too. Tragic!
Oh, and I am STILL upset that she killed off Finnick. After all that he'd been through, he was finally happy, and then she decides to kill him off. Argh!
Amanda wrote: "I thought the ending was bitter sweet and if it DID end on a happier note, then it wouldn't have seemed real (well, as real as fiction can get). She went through hell for 2 years, she thought she w..."I agree Amanda...while I was so sad...over Finnick, Boggs and Prim...plus missing Peeta most of the book...I was always team Peeta....I don't think it could have ended happier...I think Collins did a great job of staying true to her story....and I feel that after 15 years, it was only fair and fitting and by that time realistic that they would have kids..she admitted Peeta was the one who pushed for them anyway.
Roshini wrote: "I kinda like the 'Real or Note Real' too. Makes sense in the book I guess. I think a litle cheesiness is important:-)"Me too!
Tanya wrote: "Just finished the book last night and I was extremely impressed by what Collins chose to do with the story... I do think some of the book was over written in certain places but she never lets the p..."Tanya....reading your post as well as many of the others....makes me feel so much better about the ending....I was not that surprised about Prim....I always thought something would happen to her...but I thought it would happen sooner.
Amanda wrote: "I felt the same about Finnick, espically after we found out Anne was pregnant. WTF?? That was so sad."Agreed!
Sorry about my lame comments, but everybody said it all so well...I just had to agree!
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Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)
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Heidi I wrote: "Brittany I totally thought of you while reading the book because I know how much you would miss Cinna!"Ugh... thanks for the thought Heidi! Cinna always beat out both Gale and Peeta in my book.
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Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)
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I was also upset about Finnick. BUT what I love about him is that it wasn't expected. When you think about it we had speculated about Haymitch, Peeta, Gale, and even Katniss all dying. I don't know anyone who saw Finnick's death coming. I'm very glad it wasn't predictable at least.
The more I think about it, the more I feel like he was killed for the sake of being killed. There was no reason for him to die! Other than to spark discussions like these:-)
I think the reason was to send Katniss over the edge even more at the end. She focused on his death almost as much as Prim's, so it really got to her. Poor Annie though. The pregnancy really made it a lot harder to swallow.
Heidi I wrote: "I think the reason was to send Katniss over the edge even more at the end. She focused on his death almost as much as Prim's, so it really got to her. Poor Annie though. The pregnancy really mad..."I agree. I need a companion book to see how Annie dealt with it.
Was it just me or did Katniss go all emo like Harry Potter in Order of the Phoenix? Sometimes there is a line you need to draw when being angsty.
Leslie wrote: "Was it just me or did Katniss go all emo like Harry Potter in Order of the Phoenix? Sometimes there is a line you need to draw when being angsty."She didn't bother me nearly as much as Harry's emo phase. Probably because the book was much shorter and Katniss isn't as whiny. (And this is from someone who loves Harry Potter).
I didn't see her as emo, just traumatized.
I guess Traumatized or emo is better than what I thought of her. I thought she was just plain psycho throughout the third book. That's probably overstating it and maybe a bit crass, but she didn't seem to be rational at all.
I know I am somewhat late but I finished the book a few days ago and had to find this post I tucked away..I was satisfied with the storline although at times it semeed to drag just a little. I think that Kat and Peeta can finally help each other without having to worry about outsiders messing with their lives.
I would think Annie would have help with the baby and that it could be the thing that helps her heal herself.
Although I can't help but wonder if at the end the Hunger Games had either continued or just started up again with Peeta and Kat's children were of age...
Some really great comments here, and I haven't had a chance to read all of them. So many of them spoke my feelings, contrasting though they were. The ending of this series was bitter sweet. I have always been a Peeta girl, but in this book I had times where I felt it would be absolutely impossible for them to be together and I really started to appreciate Gale. But in the end, he really did lose some of his humanity in my opinion. How could Katniss, who had suffered so much at the hands of ambitious people stand by and happily live with a man who shared those ambitions. (Of course people like Gale are essential, sadly.) I thought the resolution between Katniss and Peeta was the only beautiful thing about the ending. Peeta's question shows his vulnerability, which is part of what makes him Peeta. He always had that vulnerability, it just wasn't so childlike. Katniss gave herself to him, the ultimate gift of love. I personally feel that having children allows people a lot of growth they would never otherwise obtain. It would have required both Peeta and Katniss to reach past themselves and each other and force them to pay attention to the state of the world around them. Putting myself in their shoes, I think it would be probable that I would feel my debt to society had been paid and I had every right to live as a hermit for the rest of eternity, come what may to the rest of the world. The world needs people like Katniss and Peeta, and children force us to do things we would never otherwise do, for their sake alone.
It may have been in the Mockingjay speculation thread that got deleated but I know somewhere on this group page we were discussing it.