Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I cannot even begin to tell you how difficult it is to write about this book without spoiling.  I am trying very hard to only tell you my feelings about the book and not what happens.

The end of a series is often bittersweet.  I have been waiting all summer to read this book, and many fans have been waiting much longer.  It’s been a wonderful journey through this series, and it’s always sad to see it end.    

What did I think of the book?  That is a difficult question because of the nature of The Hunger Games.  The story isn’t happy.  It has a lot of confusion and pain that I felt as a reader.  I do think it was a beautiful series.  I appreciate the growth Katniss went through in the series.  I think she developed a lot from the the little girl hunting in the woods that we met in the beginning.  I enjoyed how this book kept me guessing.  Suzanne Collins definitely took some risks and did not go in the direction of the expected.  Bravo.  Nothing is certain in Panem from page one of The Hunger Games all the way to the final page of Mockingjay.  Along with Katniss, the reader questions who to trust and what is right.  I liked that.  Real worlds do not have happy tied up endings with no questions.  I don’t feel like the book left me with so many questions that I was frustrated though.  There is an element of the unknown without the feeling of being cheated.  I think the best thing is that Mockingjay stayed tuned-in to the theme I found most important to The Hunger Games, the affect of the media and the nature of entertainment. 

Overall, I really enjoyed the series.  I really recommend it to everyone.  I think the characters are very real and the plot is both exciting and meaningful.  It’s a page turner for sure with some really beautiful moments.  If you haven’t, I think you should read the series.  If you have read the series and want a full account of the book (Spoilers included), I really recommend reading Malinda Lo’s blog about it here.  I think she says everything I felt about the book, the series, and the fan response to both.  You should also read her blog about Why I'm Team Katniss.

Please leave comments with your thoughts on the series and your feelings about the ending!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I read this book so quickly, that I didn’t really get as excited about it as I did Hunger Games. However, as I think back on it, I feel like it was the more interesting of the two books so far. I don’t want to give away any plot points for those who haven’t read the books, but I liked how this book gave us a chance to get to know some of the other characters better.

The stakes are higher in this book as Katniss is challenged by the President of Panem to calm the people’s ideas of rebellion. While the first book was mostly about The Games and Katniss, this book digs deeper into the country and government of Panem along with the characters Katniss is in contact with. Katniss has the opportunity to meet and learn about some of the previous victors of the Games, and I really enjoyed learning about the characters from other districts. This book gives the reader the chance to learn more about Panem as a country instead of just District 12 and the capitol. This book also builds more on the relationships between the characters. The Hunger Games spent so much time with just Katniss and Peeta, but Catching Fire illustrates Katniss’ growing relationships with other characters as well.

It is a great second act with lots of excitement. It definitely builds the reader’s anticipation for book three. If The Hunger Games didn't live up to your expectations, read Catching Fire. I think that it could make a believer out of you.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In honor of the release of Mockingjay on August 24, I have decided to do a post for the first two books before I review the final installment. In a lot of ways, I came late to the Hunger Games party. I remember hearing about the first book from a librarian when it first came out and it interested me enough that I filed it away in my “to read” section of my brain. But I didn’t actually get around to reading it until this spring. I finally had the time to sit down and read the book after so many people raved about it and told me I had to read it.

In The Hunger Games we are introduced to a dystopic world in which the land and all of its resources are divided into 12 districts. The people and everything produced by these districts are controlled by the government of The Capitol. Every year, in order to demonstrate their control over the districts, The Capitol selects two children from each district to participate in the nationally televised Hunger Games. In these games, the tributes are forced to fight to the death, and the last one standing wins glory and riches for his district.

In Katniss Everdeen we are given a hero who is both vulnerable and vicious all at once. Katniss is an incredibly complicated character that I think readers will both relate to and learn a lot from. She is passionate and a fierce fighter, but still loving and kind. Katniss has to struggle with maintaining her humanity in some of the most savage situations. I love what the book has to say about the world, about government, survival, freedom, love, and most importantly about what people view as "entertainment". The idea that the entire country watches these children kill each other on television is a staggering thought. It makes you reconsider the idea of “reality” television. The characters are well crafted and the reader can truly connect with Katniss and those she loves.

What were your thoughts on The Hunger Games? What made this book so special?

Stay Tuned for Catching Fire and Mockingjay!!