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A review by laci
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
5.0
This entire series has a lot going for it, so I'll just highlight some of my faves.
⚠ No direct plot spoilers here, but if you want to go into the book knowing nothing, don't read on.
Katniss is the best example of the "reluctant hero" - not only does she _not_ want the fame and the responsibility, but she _sticks_ with it. In other books, protagonists seem to be against getting involved, then just go WELP SOMEONE *HAS* TO and then just roll with it like any other hero. Maybe with a bit more moping.
Not Katniss. She distrusts her "allies", never really believes their agenda is all goodness and sparkles, but still weighs her options and makes a deliberate decision to cooperate, then goes through with it. Not once does she seem like she actually came to _enjoy_ her role.
She is also neither sympathetic nor nice. And often takes a long time to realize how and by whom she's being used and played. And has a bunch of flaws and weaknesses that make her feel wonderfully human.
Another thing I liked: the relationship between Peeta, Gale and Katniss was dynamic, unusual, and as far from a boring love triangle as you could get, while being perfectly in aligned with every one of their personalities. (So no OOC craziness on anyone's part.)
I also like the schemes Collins used to pick the character names based on where they came from. (From Katniss and Prim through Pollux and Castor to Seneca and Plutarch.)
That's it for now. If I happen to remember more, I'll add it later. :D
Update: yeah, I also like the 'pod' concept in the Capitol; a sensible way to have an arena, even when the typical Hunger Games arena would make no sense in this book.
⚠ No direct plot spoilers here, but if you want to go into the book knowing nothing, don't read on.
Katniss is the best example of the "reluctant hero" - not only does she _not_ want the fame and the responsibility, but she _sticks_ with it. In other books, protagonists seem to be against getting involved, then just go WELP SOMEONE *HAS* TO and then just roll with it like any other hero. Maybe with a bit more moping.
Not Katniss. She distrusts her "allies", never really believes their agenda is all goodness and sparkles, but still weighs her options and makes a deliberate decision to cooperate, then goes through with it. Not once does she seem like she actually came to _enjoy_ her role.
She is also neither sympathetic nor nice. And often takes a long time to realize how and by whom she's being used and played. And has a bunch of flaws and weaknesses that make her feel wonderfully human.
Another thing I liked: the relationship between Peeta, Gale and Katniss was dynamic, unusual, and as far from a boring love triangle as you could get, while being perfectly in aligned with every one of their personalities. (So no OOC craziness on anyone's part.)
I also like the schemes Collins used to pick the character names based on where they came from. (From Katniss and Prim through Pollux and Castor to Seneca and Plutarch.)
That's it for now. If I happen to remember more, I'll add it later. :D
Update: yeah, I also like the 'pod' concept in the Capitol; a sensible way to have an arena, even when the typical Hunger Games arena would make no sense in this book.