Review - Mockingjay

Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 400+

Description:

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 plains--except Katniss. 

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsiblity 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.

I also think you're a little hard to swallow. With your tacky romantic drama and your defender-of-the-helpless act. Only it isn't an act, which makes you more unbearable. Please feel free to take this personally (218) 

A little hard to swallow and unbearable....This pretty much sums up how I felt about Katniss throughout the entire book, from start to finish; and it's interesting that Collins would write this (albeit from the view of another character)...it's like she knew just how lame Katniss was. Forget the rushed plot, vague descriptions and cop out ending. Katniss' character development--or the lack thereof--is beyond annoying. She never truly embraced the role of Mockingjay. She was too self-righteous at all the wrong times, too irresponsible at others, a silly pawn easily manipulated by both President Snow and Coin. She was numb, flat, blah.

Don't be a fool Katniss. Think for yourself (111)

And I get it, she's been through a lot, but if you're going to agree to be the Mockingjay and you know what it means for the future of the rebellion, then you should own it. But Katniss does it half-ass. Gale and Peeta progress more than she does...There is no journey for her. At one point Katniss is shot, and I almost wished she had died and then someone else took over as Mockingjay. At another point she votes for another Hunger Games to happen--Why? This makes no sense. Where's the maturation? Where's the climax? Why even write this?

I don't have much else to say. As a reader, I prefer lots of description, a lot of show and less tell. There is a lot of 'telling' going on in this series, with cheesy dialogue and an inactive protagonist...The writing was not that much better in the previous two books, but at least they were fun to read. This one bombed. 

Mockingjay

Two stars.