Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) Mockingjay discussion


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The ending... how did it leave you feeling?

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Gwynn White I guess the series could not end any other way. Coin had to die because she was just a female version of Snow. But the ending - even with Peeta - was still very dark. I almost feel let down. Perhaps it was too realistic and maybe I just wanted something inspiring after so much horror. I'm left feeling slightly depressed by it. What do you think?


Alex Mueck I thought it was a let down as well. Good series, but the entire basic looked clipped from the Japanese novel Battle Royale.

The end seemed rushed/forced for me.


Gwynn White Second reference to Battle Royale that I've seen. Maybe I should check it out.


message 4: by Jay (new) - rated it 5 stars

Jay the ending was cool


Nya Tomlinson-Horan-Malik-Payne-Styles wanting more. it didnt really go into detail about katniss and peeta's lives with their kids. about gale's new job in district 2. and whatever happened to haymitch? did another war begin? questions open to be discussed. i think she did that on purpose.


Gwynn White Were you happy that Gale - Gale??? - just gave up on Katniss and went to some flash job in District Two. It seemed so out of character. And how was Peeta so miraculously healed when they couldn't miraculously heal Katniss of her depression. I kept wondering if Peeta would have a relapse and turn into a mutt again. And how come she never got to choose which guy she wanted. It all just happened. And why didn't she motivate her action in killing snow to the world? Why didn't she defend herself at her won trial. The girl on fire would have. I was really disappointed.


Obi loves Chewy Idk I liked in in someways yet hated it in others and I agin I read these a long time ago so I would have to look back and see


Brooke I didn't love the end. I think it dragged a bit. And I was actually disappointed that she eneded up with Peeta. I didn't think she would end up with either guy and I think that's the way it should have been.


Natalie I was sad for like two weeks. I remember walking around my house and thinking, "Why am I so sad? Oh yeah, because all my favorite characters are *dead!*"
All in all, though, I don't really think it could have ended any other way. I know some people were mad about not knowing what happened to Gale, but it's told from Katniss' perspective, and if there were even a small chance one of my friends (even one I'd known for a long time and trusted) could have killed my little sister, I wouldn't care what happened to them. So really, Katniss' reaction makes sense. As for her ending up with Peeta, well, I kind of expected her to go it alone, like Brooke said, because that's what she always said she wanted. But if she had to end up with someone, I'm glad it was Peeta. Katniss herself, well, I'm not sure I loved how she came out, but if I'd been through what she had, I would probably be the same or worse.


Charlotte After reading it, I think I had a lot on my mind hahah, I just had to remind myself it isn't real.


Remeral Vhett I didn't like the ending because it skipped over a lot of years. Why did Peeta and Katniss end up together? What happened to her mother? Did Gale ever try to come back for her?


LiteraryMary95 I hated it (I don't usually hate endings). Katniss should have been with the opposite guy. From the beginning everyone knew she was meant for Gale and Gale for her. She probably would have been more willing to have kids than with Peeta. She probably would have more too since he had a big family and the Hunger Games were over. Her family would probably had more kids in it if Katniss' father didn't die, too.


Monica well i really shouldn't be answering this question since in the middle of the book I got bored and skimmed through the rest to see what happen but her ending up with Peeta was too me out of obligation more so than love. I think if I had went through what they went through I would feel bonded with that person especially if the guy did the things for katnisss that peeta did for her. I wish though she would have ended up with gale bc he also had alot of strength to me and they just seem more compatible. Peeta was obsessed with Katniss in a way and that kinda creep me out although I do like the character.
With that said I will go see the movie because I absolutely loved the first book


LiteraryMary95 Monica wrote: "well i really shouldn't be answering this question since in the middle of the book I got bored and skimmed through the rest to see what happen but her ending up with Peeta was too me out of obligat..."

I also thought Peeta was creepy. I am also excited to see the movie. The movie will be probably the only movie that I'll be able to see and try to this year in theaters since I'm busy a lot. I'm going to form a giant group of my friends, who read it and maybe some that didn't read it yet, to see it. Hopefully, the 1st showing.


Monica Marilyn wrote: "Monica wrote: "well i really shouldn't be answering this question since in the middle of the book I got bored and skimmed through the rest to see what happen but her ending up with Peeta was too me..."

I plan to take my cousin who is my movie partner although he had mix feelings going to see a YA book movie until i told him what happens during the hunger games and he was all in then. In the area I live there is a theatre that show non3D matinee movies for six dollars we usually go during those times.


message 16: by Paulette (last edited Jan 25, 2012 05:43AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Paulette Yes it was a disappointing ending. I wanted Katniss's reasons for killing Coin - bombing children, proposing another Hunger Games, the fact that she was no better than Snow to have been championed by her defenders, instead she was painted as a helpless shell shocked lunatic- perhaps, in a real life trial that might be the best defence but in a book I want my heroes to be rewarded for their righteousness so we can cheer for them. Good triumphs over evil and all that.

I loved Gale too much to like the way Katniss wrote him off. Perhaps if Collins had written Prim as a stronger, more central character it would be different, but she didn't. Katniss's friendship with Gale was much more strongly developed so I wanted her to show him more loyalty. He had no way of knowing Coin would turn out to be so ruthless. (That argument loses some of its punch I know, when you think of what Gale proposed in District 2)

I'm glad Katniss and Peeta ended up together even though I was team Gale for quite a while... but I wish it felt more like Katniss really loved him and not that he won by default simply because he made the choice to live in 12 and Gale didn't. He had always put her first and it would have been nice to feel like she gave him something real in return. It was a bit of an anticlimax.


Ala'a So many people say they hate the ending or it's disappointing to them, but I loved the whole book. What happened to the characters is just so real and it leaves you thinking. Many people complain about Katniss being all depressed, and they don't like her by the end of the book, but I think she had to break down at some point. I mean, look at what she went through. Two Hunger Games and everyone keeps using her. Also, Peeta, who she loved even then (she said one time she was seeking Haymitch's arms because he loved Peeta TOO, implying she loved him) was taken by the Capitol and was being tortutred. Peeta, who may have been the only tribute to win the Games on luck, one of the nicest and sweetest guys. Everything that happened to them at the end left me feeling so depressed over their situation because they'll never be the same again. Peeta was never "miraculously healed". In fact, his condition just improved over time and the author mentioned that in the book. He often had relapses where held on to chairs that anchored him to reality. Both he and Katniss still had nightmares and could never completely trust anyone after all they'd been through.

Suzanne Collins actually says a lot more in her ending than some people may realize. She doesn't have to answer every question directly. Readers have to make their own inferences, and the best books are the ones that leave you thinking about them hours, days, weeks, months after you've read them. Some books are meant for you to ask questions not get answers.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm just saying I honestly loved this book. I think it was written the way it was on purpose. It had yo make the reader feel Katniss's emotions and I know I truly did. There were so many times I just wanted to jump in and kill Snow and even Coin myself. I hated them. I just want people to actually think about this book and how it was written. Maybe the reason so many people dislike it's outcome is because it's too real. But that's life. It's real.


Jacob The ending was good i thought because Peeta was still like messed up and Katniss brought him back because she knew they needed each other if anything was bad about it it was that it was a little short but im not complaining


message 19: by Cat (new) - rated it 5 stars

Cat happy


Viktoria I think the ending went too fast. She definately could have expanded on the ending a little. But other than that I had a feeling that Gale would give up on life with Katniss. But I was surprised that Prim died. That was horrible. And the fact that their mom never even said good-bye to Katniss. That was depressing. I was surprised that Peeta talked Katniss into having children. Not just one, but two.


Lea (Peeta's #1 Fangirl!) Ala'a wrote: "So many people say they hate the ending or it's disappointing to them, but I loved the whole book. What happened to the characters is just so real and it leaves you thinking. Many people complain a..."

I totally agree. It was real, never felt like it was suddenly a happy ending, because it wasn't. I liked that it was real, that everyone wasn't instantly better.


Kylie I loved the ending, I liked the bleakness of it. To me the book is about a fictional world - but also about the world around us. The fact that the world destryoed itself to get to that stage meant that it couldn't suddenly be happy ever after, sunbeams, unicorns and rainbows. People don't change. And that is why Katniss was the way she was - depressed etc, because she didn't cahnge, not really. You knew at the start that she was not a typical female hero, and she never painted herself as anything more than waht she was. Gale could never be with her, because as important as she was, the conflict was more important. And much the same as katniss could never get past Gale having a hand in Prim's death (which he would have been well aware of and left so that they could both move forward), so would her mother (who hardly showed herself to be the nurturing tpe when it came to Katniss anyway).

Finnick was the saddest loss for me.


message 23: by Liz (new) - rated it 3 stars

Liz I was very disapointed with this ending. It seemed like the whole book was a level 50, and then within the last five pages it dropped to a 0. I adored Hunger Games and Catching Fire, but was sadly disapointed by this ending. I understand that Peeta and Katniss have both been through so much that they can only really understand someone else who has gone through the same, but I can't help feel that Gale was better for Katniss.


Patrice The ending was most definitely depressing, rushed, and lacking. It's like the author got as fed up with the series as I did and wanted it over as soon as possible... So she just stuck her outline for the rest of Katniss's life on as the epilogue. It would have been better if the wrap-up weren't there.


message 25: by Veronica (new)

Veronica Diaz I felt the ending unrealistic in a way that its what we all wanted to happen but it just dint feel right


message 26: by Dee (new) - rated it 5 stars

Dee It left me feeling hollow, and humble at the same time.


message 27: by Lisa (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa  Wasn't happy with the ending. I kept creating alternate endings in my head. Left me wanting more.... or something different.


message 28: by Kate (new) - rated it 3 stars

Kate SPOILER! (Just in case)


There were alot of things I didn't like about the ending. It felt rushed/forced, as many of the previous people mentioned. One thing that still actually angers me, is how Prim's death was left. In the Hunger Games book, Katniss managed to give Rue an honorable send off, yet when her own sister was blown to bits, there was no memorial, no honor. It was only answered with the death of Coin, which was great in a political sense, but it felt...abandoned. She moped and moaned about everything that happened, but there was no grand gesture in memory of her sister. Prim deserved more.

But, I did like that she ended up with Peeta. I think the diversion between Katniss and Gale seemed fitting. They grew up together, and it may have been a "first love" situation, but they grew apart. Peeta was sweet and endearing, and he and Katniss worked hard to stay together, much like in real life.


message 29: by Dee (new) - rated it 5 stars

Dee Kate wrote: "SPOILER! (Just in case)


There were alot of things I didn't like about the ending. It felt rushed/forced, as many of the previous people mentioned. One thing that still actually angers me, is how ..."


agree!


Kimberly I loved the ending. I didn't think it could really have gone any other way. I never really saw much of a love triangle either. I think as soon as Katniss volunteered to save Prim, any chance her and Gale had was lost. As the story went on, it seemed more and more clear to me. I cried when Prim died. That was one death I didn't see coming. All of this happened to save her, and she died anyway. On the comment about how Rue got an honorable send off, but Prim didn't- to me by this point Katniss was broken. I think Katniss killing Coin was as good as it could really get.

I enjoyed how realistic it was. War is hell, right? There was so much that happened, a happy, detailed ending I think would have ruined what the story was truely about.


Kirby well, at least peeta gave prim a memorial...


Mckenzie I think it was very dissapointing. After all the sadness and horror she went thru it ended like that? There is 2 much evil in the world the author cldnt give its character a good ending after everything she went thru even tho life is never fair. In real life or in books, bad things happen to good people.


message 33: by [deleted user] (new)

I liked the way it ended for the fact that it wasn't happy. Nowadays, people expect stories will always have happy endings that it's almost unrealistic. It ended sad but it was realistic and that's what I loved about it. I did find it unnecessary for Katniss to kill Coin, by Katniss killing her it showed people that she really was insane which I don't think she was. Another thing, Katniss moved away from her original character, when she voted that the 76th Hunger Games should continue, I felt that was wrong. Katniss never liked it in fact she spent the past year of her life fighting to get rid of it. And she knew that Prim didn't like it either. For her to say yes was completely out of character and just plain wrong. And I think I would've preferred that Gale died instead of Prim but that's my own personal opinion. The Hunger Games are probably the best book series I have ever read and I cannot wait for the movies to come out! I <3 THE HUNGER GAMES!


Kylie Christina wrote: "I did find it unnecessary for Katniss to kill Coin, by Katniss killing her it showed people that she really was insane which I don't think she was. Another thing, Katniss moved away from her original character, when she voted that the 76th Hunger Games should continue..."

Katniss voted for the games to continue purely to show the true side of Coin and why she needed to be killed - Coin as leader was just going to continue the horror of the previous rule. It also ensured that she would be allowed to get out there to have the chance to kill Coin, by pretending to side with Coin.

Using the statement 'for Prim' is the key there - it was Coin who killed Prim, not the capitol.


Ala'a Lea (Peeta's #1 Fangirl!) wrote: "Ala'a wrote: "So many people say they hate the ending or it's disappointing to them, but I loved the whole book. What happened to the characters is just so real and it leaves you thinking. Many peo..."

Thank youu! So many people like it when books end up all happy, but that's not what's going to happen in real life. People like things that make them believe what's not true. I think the sadness and reality of the book made it stay with me longer. It's more precious.


Yvonne Danko I loved the ending. It was sad, but not predictable, which makes a book exciting and fun to read. I have to say though, the beginning was very boring, i even stoped
reading it for a couple months because i thought it would be like that for the whole book! Thankfully, i started reading again, and loved every minute of it. Shockers on every corner, sad, but very entertaining. My favorite part was the last pages, when Peeta and Katniss were with their kids. For all of ya who didnt like this ending, i have 5 words for you, IT WAS MEANT TO BE!


Ethan I was totally ok with all of the people dying. I was even ok with Gale just giving up on Katniss. I was not ok with how quickly the events happened that ended the book. It seemed like Collins was trying to fit 200+ pages of ending material into just a few chapters. I wish she would have spaced it out a little more. But it was still an amazing series.


message 38: by Ellen (last edited Jan 21, 2012 10:02AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Ellen there could have been a little more information and action on how it ends.. I as expecting a little more 'epicness'

I loved the part were she shot the other person though..
also loved that she ended up with peeta.. it's one of the good parts of the books.. as lets face it.. who we love is depents on the situation.

also that she voted for the games for other children.. I never really got to understand that.. but it made me hate her, which is quite an accomplishment in the book ;)


Captmashpea Gwynneth wrote: "Were you happy that Gale - Gale??? - just gave up on Katniss and went to some flash job in District Two. It seemed so out of character. And how was Peeta so miraculously healed when they couldn't m..."
I completely agree


LiteraryMary95 Ellen wrote: "there could have been a little more information and action on how it ends.. I as expecting a little more 'epicness'

I loved the part were she shot the other person though..
also loved that she..."


Katniss only voted for the Hunger Games to see what and how Coin react because of Prim's death. She used Coin's answer to help her decide whether to trust her or not. That's why Katniss puts the arrow through Coin's head instead of Snow's, plus Snow was going to die from blood loss anyway.


LiteraryMary95 Gwynneth wrote: "Were you happy that Gale - Gale??? - just gave up on Katniss and went to some flash job in District Two. It seemed so out of character. And how was Peeta so miraculously healed when they couldn't m..."

I agree, too. I found it odd and I want a better ending to it with some changes like her choice of the guy (Gale) and other stuff like that.


Yvonne Danko I agree that the last part in the book as very rushed, Collins should of spaced it out. I am sda the series is over, the books were so good.


LiteraryMary95 I agree. It should have been longer and spaced out


message 44: by Guy (new) - rated it 4 stars

Guy Apart from the fact that these books wreck you on an emotional level I wasn't really satisfied with the last installment of the series. The ending feels rushed. Katniss presumably tries to save or rush into the fallout of the explosion that kills Prim and after that everything is handled extremely quickly without looking back at the events. That is why the deaths of Finnick and Prim did not impact me at all, because Katniss did not really seem to care at least not how she cared for some of the others she hasn't even witnessed first hand (father, Madge, Cinna). In the moment I get it, but enough time passes afterwards for her to think back. Of course she is a wreck and drugged but even during all this she has the presence of mind to kill Coin in what I think is revenge. I do not believe Katniss has an idea about the political landscape and what the consequences of some of her actions will be. Her actions happen in the moment without thinking of repercussions and speak to the people of Panem, it's what makes her so instrumental for the rebellion. Her actions might be non scripted but they are nudged in a certain direction all the same (most of the time by Haymitch). In the end Katniss is a 17 or 18 year old girl that has been used as a pawn for the past couple of years.

On the love triangle front. I think Peeta has been her choice all along. Gale has been her best friend since she was 11 or 12 years old. I don't doubt she has feelings for him, but I do not think they are actual feelings. They have been growing further and further apart and each new confrontation only widens the gap that has been growing between them ever since she volunteered as tribute. Gale hasn't fought for her either, at least not in the way Peeta has consistently fought for her over the course of the story. A big clue would be that we only see them go out hunting once after they have been given permission in 13.
Peeta, even after he has been hijacked still shares some tender moments together and slowly but surely Peeta starts to piece his memories back together. Still I would've loved if the author had described the process of them falling more and more in love and Peeta getting a better grip on reality, since my guess is they go hand in hand.

Katniss has had no real control over her life and destiny and even when she wants to take control (in the end), Peeta is there to stop her. The problem with the ending is that when Katniss is finally free to make the choices she wants the story stops and fastforwards 15-20 year laters. When the old regime is gone and she is free and clear of everyone who wants to see her dead what happens then? That is what I wanted to know most of all. Once this weight has been lifted what does she do then? That is the side of Katniss I would've loved to see and we only see the end result for a very brief moment.


Elena Collins totally rushed the ending, practically the whole book infact. :(


Patrí I hate the ending, but I still love the book. I hate the fact that all characters changed. And the change wasn't good.


message 47: by [deleted user] (new)

I don't know, I liked the ending. i thought it was nice.


Kelsey Sparks I thought the ending was sort of depressing, but I thought it fit well.


message 49: by Angela (last edited Jan 28, 2012 01:40PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Angela Guy wrote: "When the old regime is gone and she is free and clear of everyone who wants to see her dead what happens then? That is what I wanted to know most of all. Once this weight has been lifted what does she do then? That is the side of Katniss I would've loved to see and we only see the end result for a very brief moment."

I agree with almost everything Guy said, especially his point in the end paragraph. Are we to assume she picked to stay away from the Capitol or did they not bother her anymore? Also - how does the government change? Does life in the Capitol and the District really change? Or is the biggest change the removal of the Hunger Games?

My opinions on Katniss's reactions to Prim and Finnick's deaths, I don't think she had time to truly register them when they happened and even until after she assassinated Coin. At that point, she just wanted to be dead. I think that's how she processed her grief. I think she had to process all of what happened in the Capitol and in 12 until she could really let go - and seeing Buttercup triggers that release. (Heck, I didn't fully process or grieve the deaths until Peeta planted the primroses.)

One more thing: Peeta and Gale. I agree with what's been said that if nothing changed Katniss would have eventually married Gale. However, war changes people. Gale, Katniss, and Peeta were not the same people they were at the beginning of the books. Too much went on in their lives for it to be so. In the position Katniss was in her changes combined more-so with Peeta's changes which tied their fates together somehow. It felt right for her to end up with Peeta and have a somewhat happy life because they can understand each other. Gale, I love Gale, but she'd never be able to get over the parachutes that killed Prim, knowing he might have had a hand in that attack. Plus, he was offered a whole new life with a job he probably never even dreamed he could have had before the revolution. So he took that opportunity that would never have been presented in his old life. After that would he have wanted to go back to 12?


Anastasia The ending definitely wasn't tied together neatly, but I enjoyed it because the last line left a lot to ponder on.


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