Mockingjay

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

Beryl's Review

This review may (actually it will) contain spoilers. Avert your eyes if you don't want to cry.

It took me a day to cool down and get my thoughts straight so I could rewrite this review. I'll be honest and say that even if the two previous books were amazing, and even if this third book had everything to stir a roller coaster of emotions in the readers, I didn't enjoy this read.

The Hunger Games was generally an excellent serie, with lots of meaning and passing a clear message. It wasn't never a book, that, personally, 'inspired' me. It was just a jolly good sandwich of action and romance and drama.

The message portrayed throughout the entire series was the most clear in this last installment, 'Mockingjay'. It's true that Collins got what she wanted; show that in war no one wins, and that it breaks people to no repair. But it was sad. It was misery all over, it was painful and heavy and I disliked that. Hey, I've read so many books that end on a dramatic note, but none of them have made me so tired and depressed as much as Mockingjay did. You'd say 'that's great it made you sad, it means the book was good!' Well, it was good, on the part where we got the meaning and the cruelty of the world and people. But I didn't like reading Mockingjay. I was annoyed, irritated.

I disliked that Katniss was so weak. I disliked the fact she couldn't assume her role of the Mockingjay, that she couldn't inspire anyone, that she couldn't get over her morphine and collect the broken pieces of her heart to do something useful. I didn't mind she was distressed at first, but after she continued whining past the 200 page, I got tired. She also always ended up in the hospital instead of fighting, and that simply wasn't the Katniss I knew.

I didn't like the fact the love triangle wasn't solved, that Katniss kept switching from Gale to Peeta, that Gale had to end up badly and that at the end it feels like Katniss still doesn't know how to love.

I hated that Prim had to die, even if I both agree and disagree on her death. I disagree because it defies the point of saving her at first, but agree because it doesn't mean that you've once met a magical unicorn that you'll survive a war. For Finnick's case, though, I am totally against it. I think that what Collins missed to show is that even if a war is going in, even if everyone gets broken and hurt and bashed and stumped at, love still exists in times of chaos, and it can go on. Finnick should have lived and been an example.

That's why I didn't like Mockingjay. Too much useless deaths, too much drugs, too much giving up. In a war, people should never give up. Katniss never put her heart in her role. Yes, she was manipulated, yes, she's still just a girl and a child, but she could have rejected her role of Mockingjay and still taken things in hand in her own way, and it would have been alright, because she would be doing something.

In the end, people may say this book was epic, and I guess it was in some way, but I didn't like the way things went. It wasn't inspiring. It was, on the contrary, depressing. Things made sens, though. Just like Aithen kept telling me when I whined on and on: "It makes sens, so deal with it, wimp." But I didn't like reading it. I really didn't, and I want to forget this book as quickly as possible.

I won't even rate it, and let Aithen do it.

-Beryl

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Aithen's review

I let Beryl write the first part of the review, since she was the one to review so well the other two tomes in the trilogy. And though I have to admit I do agree with her on most issues she raised with this book, I actually enjoyed it.

My review also contains spoilers.

Even if I understand that Katniss was in a great mental pain after everything that happened to her in the two previous books, I have to agree with Beryl. At one point, she just should've picked herself up and done something with herself. Her being so down throughout the whole book, though understandable, really irked me at times, but I could get over it and see how good the rest was.

My first reaction to reading Mockingjay was fascination. Fascination with the whole world Collins built, but also with how she toyed with my emotions, pulled me into the story without letting me the chance to think of anything else. The absolutely unpredictable plot made it all the more interesting. Every detail was explained, and the characters grew throughout the book. Even the secondary characters, tertiary characters, rather unimportant characters.

Something I loved was the emotional roller coaster I was on all throughout the book. Every single event roused a strong emotional response on my part. Like Annie and Finnick's reunital, their wedding, their child. Finnick was probably my favourite character, and I really don't understand why he had to die too. As Beryl said, that was cruel and useless.

Unlike Beryl, I think the love triangle was actually resolved. I actually understood why Katniss chose Peeta over Gale. It was a good reason. It was also a good thing that they fell in love all over again. Before, Peeta was just too crazy about her to notice she wasn't the perfect princess of his dreams. After this book, it didn't feel like he didn't see her flaws anymore, because he did see them.

I have to say my appreciation of this book was enormous. People say it was too dramatic, too sad, too exhausting, but I liked it. It was a perfect conclusion to an amazing trilogy, filled with morals everyone can learn from.

If it were only up to me and my love for Mockingjay, I'd rate this book 10. But there are flaws in this book, which is why it received a lower rating. That doesn't prevent me from telling you to read this book. It was truly excellent.

-Aithen

Rating: 8,9/10

Catching Fire

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Catching Fire, the sequel to The Hunger Games, is just another amazing piece of drama, romance and gore. I can't say it was better than THG, the previous volume dealing with much heavier issues and having more of an impact to the reader, but has its own share twists and turns.

I think that Catching Fire's story line wasn't as good as THG's, it was repetitive actually with Katsa and Peeta going back into the arena for the 75th anniversary of The Hunger Games , this time called the Quarter Quell. I thought this second book would be more about political issues, yet it is pretty much of a recap from the first volume; ceremonies, interviews, training and then the games. Only the good action, the new dangers in the new arena, the drama, twists and the cliffhangers payed that off and so I was at ease with the rest of the reading.

Katniss is as strong as ever, and she's probably the strongest female protagonist I got to meet in a long time. Even if she weavers between her feelings for Peeta and Gale, she's determined, strong, and straightforward. She's sometimes as naive as Peeta and also, as he says, pure. It's really a pleasure to read through a book where the protagonist is so well mannered and actually witty.

Peeta is as adorable as ever, and even if Gale is the handsome brooding manly type that also fits my liking, I prefer Peeta. He's just so sweet, loyal and protecting. Makes you go all bwaaa. The book also covers a lot of Katniss' love triangle, which I'm sure many have and will enjoy, but I personally want it to end. I hope that in the third book, Katniss will finally decided for who she goes, and that she chooses Peeta.

I also loved Finnick, a previous Game winner and the new addition to the character crew, with his enchanting beauty but strong mind. Cinna and his crazy crew come back, and so does Effie and Haymitch with his sarcastic humor. We also get to know a bit more about Haymitch in this book!

The action is constant and Collins never seems at loss for dramatic and amazing events. Her writing is as good as in the last book, and maneuvers all the action amazingly. I don't know how someone can be bored with Catching Fire's reading. This book also contains the worst cliffhangers ever. Or maybe the best. Depends how you see it. It's literally a pain to try not to devour the book down and every chapter has you standing on edge for what comes next. It's as if Collins enjoys torturing us with all the suspense and her own characters that can't seem to have enough drama and action. The ending leaves you gasping for the sequel and the last book. I don't know how I'll survive through those months of wait for The Mockingjay, the last book in this trilogy.

-Beryl

Catching fire by Suzanne Collins
Rating: 9,2/10

Read The Hunger Game's review here, the first volume in this serie.

The Hunger Games

In an unspecified future, all what is left after the destruction of North America is a super high-tech and rich nation called Panem. Panem is divided into twelve districts, each subduing one of the country's economical activity (such as mining, agriculture, etc) and surrounding the Capitol.

The citizens of the those twelve districts live in poor conditions, suffering from starvation and persecution, their freedom limited with strict rules and grave punishments. The Capitol, on the other side, shines with wealth and luxury.

Their once used to be thirteen districts, but the thirteenth was destroyed when they all rose against the Capitol. Since then, 'The Hunger Games', a very prevailed televised event, take place each year. One boy and one girl from each district are chosen at the reaping and then sent, by force of course, to an outdoor arena where they have to fight to death until only one victor is left. The Hunger Games are to remind the districts of their failed rebellion, and what rebelling against the Capitol costs.

Katniss, a fatherless sixteen year-old despises the Capitol and The Hunger Games. She's not the only one, but there isn't much she can do. Speaking disapproval publicly can result into severe punishments. Even death. Instead, Katniss focuses on hunting and feeding her family and living through the hard days with her best friend Gale. Only, on the seventy-fourth Hunger Games, Katniss' twelve year old sister Prim is chosen as District 12's girl 'tribute'. Katniss volunteers herself instead, and joining her is Peeta Mellark, a boy who once saved her life back when she had nothing to bring back home. From there on start their journey to the Capitol and into The Hunter Games, where all that matters is to say alive and make sure the rest isn't.

Amazing books seem to fall into my hands these days, and here's another book I read in less than a day! The Hunter Games by Suzanne Collins is an amazing page-turner, where action, drama and romance combine magnificently!

I don't think that many who read The Hunger Games can disagree with the fact that Katniss is a very lovable character. She's strong-minded, quiet and a rule-breaker. She's smart, but not cocky, independent and humble. She's one of these characters who care for their family and friends, but aren't afraid of relying on themselves. I couldn't find anything in her that I disliked.

Oh and Peeta. He's such a nice and smart boy. He's probably my favorite character in this book, with his good humor and warm attention but by still being resolved and quiet. There's this slight touch of naivety to his character, which might annoy some but I found it cute. It's too bad it turns against him...

Aha, romance, girls, is exquisite. It's one of the best books that carries romance so well and in such a pleasant way, without the lovey dopey that today's books seem to be filled with. Too bad the aftermath isn't made of sugar and rainbows. Yet, it only makes you want to know what happens next!

The boys will certainly love the action, and the fact the story is told by a girl's point of view doesn't bother for Katniss' character is so likable and straightforward.

I have trouble finding something to criticize. I usually always give the up and downs of books, but I really can't find anything to say. Blood, gore, action and romance combined together in good writing always dim my judgment.

With a well-crafted character crew and a fluid, engaging and definitively not prosaic writing, this book is a real treat! For many it will be a book hard to put down. Katniss' world is truly cruel, but that's where all the fun is, isn't that right?

-Beryl

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Rating: 9,3/10