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A review by ianbanks
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4.0
I had the same problem with this that I had with James Cameron's Avatar and Titanic: terrific films but only when people stopped talking and started doing stuff.
This final volume starts out very slowly. There is lots of exposition. Lots. I can't help but think that Ms Collins could've found another way to get across that District 13 is more repressive than what Katniss is used to. But then you get to the plot and all is forgiven...
The Good: The action. The wringer that Collins puts Katniss through. The harsh consequences dealt out to supporting/ incidental characters because they are involved in a war. The idea that Katniss is a not a very nice person but is still a sympathetic character. The clues, becoming increasingly less subtle, that President Coin's administration will not be any better than President Snow's. The writing when Collins is on song and working at the top of her game.
The Bad: why is there so much exposition? It really does arrest the action and the plot and frustrates the reader. And how the hell does Katniss do what she does in the second last chapter and get away with it? Really. And how come we still haven't heard from the outside world, or is Panem all there is?
But, aside from my ranting, I really did enjoy this once it got started. I would definitely be interested in reading more from Ms Collins. But probably something in a different setting.
This final volume starts out very slowly. There is lots of exposition. Lots. I can't help but think that Ms Collins could've found another way to get across that District 13 is more repressive than what Katniss is used to. But then you get to the plot and all is forgiven...
The Good: The action. The wringer that Collins puts Katniss through. The harsh consequences dealt out to supporting/ incidental characters because they are involved in a war. The idea that Katniss is a not a very nice person but is still a sympathetic character. The clues, becoming increasingly less subtle, that President Coin's administration will not be any better than President Snow's. The writing when Collins is on song and working at the top of her game.
The Bad: why is there so much exposition? It really does arrest the action and the plot and frustrates the reader. And how the hell does Katniss do what she does in the second last chapter and get away with it? Really. And how come we still haven't heard from the outside world, or is Panem all there is?
But, aside from my ranting, I really did enjoy this once it got started. I would definitely be interested in reading more from Ms Collins. But probably something in a different setting.