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A review by yajairat
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I remember not liking this book at all when I was younger, but after this reread I have a new appreciation for it. My only gripe with it is the fact that we are told a lot of what happens rather than being in the action since we are only viewing Katniss's perspective. But overall, this was a... not nice conclusion but an appropriate one for this series. Some things that stuck out to me:
- Collins gives us an unflinching view of the effects of war throughout this book. War is devastating, the loss of life unimaginable, the trauma that it causes is deep. No one comes out on the other side unscathed.
- Like the previous two books, I think this one (and the entire series as a whole) is just so well thought out. I used to dislike the fact that Katniss loses a lot of her agency in Mockingjay, but I realize now that this was most likely intentional. It's still not pleasant to read, but you realize that this shows just how she kind of becomes a piece of the games again, used as a pawn by this new president. And it has us questioning throughout the book, "once this war ends and if this new government takes over, will things really change? Or is this a never-ending cycle?".
- Can't say that this ended on the brightest note, but I do appreciate the hope that it gives us. Even though Katniss suffered through tragedy after tragedy, she learns to find small moments of happiness in her daily life.
These books were truly an influential part of my adolescence, so glad I reread them and found new things to appreciate.
- Collins gives us an unflinching view of the effects of war throughout this book. War is devastating, the loss of life unimaginable, the trauma that it causes is deep. No one comes out on the other side unscathed.
- Like the previous two books, I think this one (and the entire series as a whole) is just so well thought out. I used to dislike the fact that Katniss loses a lot of her agency in Mockingjay, but I realize now that this was most likely intentional. It's still not pleasant to read, but you realize that this shows just how she kind of becomes a piece of the games again, used as a pawn by this new president. And it has us questioning throughout the book, "once this war ends and if this new government takes over, will things really change? Or is this a never-ending cycle?".
- Can't say that this ended on the brightest note, but I do appreciate the hope that it gives us. Even though Katniss suffered through tragedy after tragedy, she learns to find small moments of happiness in her daily life.
These books were truly an influential part of my adolescence, so glad I reread them and found new things to appreciate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts