astrangewind 's review for:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Mockingjay is a brilliant example of dystopian fiction. As a sequel, it draws on the previous books without replicating them, which is shockingly absent in much of YA fiction. It feels like a truly accurate representation of a true dystopia being taken down by a revolution, which is to say there cannot be a happy ending. And there isn't.

There's only the event, the grief that follows it, and the steady eventuality of learning how to live again, albeit not entirely happy.

Collins' expression of PTSD, through pretty much every character, is painfully accurate. No, the characters don't return home unscathed. It's a beautiful and necessary and heartwrenching book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis