Mockingjay: The Final Book in The Hunger Games

Spoiler Alert: As this blog is about the final book in The Hunger Games series, it may contain spoiling information. :)

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The final book, Mockingjay, of Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games series was incredible, almost indescribable. The connection I had with the characters remained strong throughout the last novel. 

I felt every piece of hope, sadness, loss, and anger that Katniss described. The writing style of the entire series had me hooked and wanting more. 

However, I couldn't help feeling a little empty at the end. The conclusion of the trilogy seemed to be lacking something. It was if a void had been created inside of me and (four days after completing it) I still can't pinpoint exactly what gave birth to this disappointment. 

After the roller coaster of going through two hunger games with Katniss, witnessing her fall into love, fight for her life, and struggle to accept herself, when it was all over, I felt as empty as Katniss seemed in the last few pages. 

Perhaps that was what Collins had in mind though. Fighting for survival alongside Katniss brought the reader into her world. At the end, most of everything she loved was gone forever, never to be brought back. Maybe the void I feel is a mirror of what Collins believes Katniss felt. If this is indeed the case, then Collins got the exact reaction she wanted. 

(Not that that stopped me from scribbling down a few pages of text for myself, altering the ending, and bringing a smile to my face.) 

I definitely plan on reading this series again, and if you haven't read it, then do not hesitate to buy it and spend a few days in the world of the Katniss and district 12. 

Mockingjay on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

The Hunger Games

There were 13 districts. Until the thirteenth was obliterated for rebelling.

Now there are only 12. And to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself the Capitol created The Hunger Games. A survival of the fittest match up of twenty four young adults, aged 12 to 18. Half of them female, half of them male. Two from every district.

Out of the thousands of slips of paper decorated with names, Prim Everdeen is drawn. A fragile twelve-year-old girl who hasn't been alive long enough to have even lived. To protect her sister, Katniss volunteers to take her place as the female district 12 contestant. And instantly, the reader is drawn in and a connection is formed.

Whether the reader connects with Katniss because of her strength, her need to protect the ones she loves, or the faith that other characters have in her, it doesn't matter -- Suzanne Collins crafts a story unlike any other, and once the cover is opened, the spine cracked, there's no stopping until it's finished.

Matched up against twenty-three other contestants, some who have been training for The Hunger Games since childhood, and some who are still children, Katniss is repeatedly challenged from the moment she takes her sister's place.

The arena holds the future for Katniss. Surrounded by death for mere entertainment, she must use every strength she has to stay alive.

An astounding novel of intertwining themes and blind side moments, this novel really is a must read.

The Hunger Games on Amazon

rating: 5/5 cups