Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Spoilers)

It took me a couple days, but I finally finished Mockingjay and am now ready to review. I was thinking about waiting a bit before sharing my thoughts, afraid I might give some info away that could spoil another person's reading of it, but I thought I would go for it anyway.
Beware of some spoilers!___________________________________________________________

Mockingjay is the final book in Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games Trilogy. It has been anxiously awaited by many eager to find out what has become of Katniss after being lifted out from the Quarter Quell arena by District 13 rebels and some Capital allies in a hovercraft. Well, Mockingjay starts off right where we left off in Catching Fire. Unfortunately, instead of being full of excitement, suspense and drama, the beginning of Mockingjay is slow. It is Katniss' thoughts on what has happened, her hospital stay and use of morphling, her moping around her new home in District 13.  25 pages in, I went to bed.
Thankfully, the book is not all like this. In fact, the rest is quite interesting and exciting and full of surprises, most of which are disturbing and sad but that is what makes Mockingjay real to me. When is there ever a truly happy ending in war? I appreciated the sacrifices made, was saddened when people died (yes, there are deaths) and was pleased with how the series has ended. There are still questions, and discussions to be had about many things that happened, revelations that were made and I think that is the best way to end a series. 
The most interesting aspect of the book, in my opinion, was the realization that replacing President Snow with President Coin wasn't going to change much in the lives of the people. Trading one evil for another, how we make the right choice in leaders, and how we stop from repeating past mistakes are all big concepts that the book addresses. Definitely big themes for teens but ones they need to be aware of since they play out in current governments around the world. What are all our thoughts?
4.5/5Source: purchased




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Book Review- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

After finishing The Hunger Games I waited less than a day to go and pick up a copy of Catching Fire. I couldn't wait to find out what else could happen in the lives of Katniss, Peeta and Gale. I was not disappointed. The action started up right away and I was once again thrown back into this world that Suzanne Collins created brilliantly.
In this second installment of the trilogy, Katniss and Peeta find themselves back in the center of attention but this time, their fight and their survival play into something much bigger than just saving their own lives and protecting their families. They are the hope of a repressed people who have been waiting for a chance to fight back against the Capitol. Katniss and her Mockingjay pin has given them hope.
A wonderful sequel, just as good as the first book if not better. I am now waiting patiently for my copy of Mockingjay to arrive this week just as many others are. I am actually rather glad I waited so long to read the series. I don't know if I could have gone a whole year waiting for the final book in the trilogy to be released. 
Anyway, happy reading to all. I will be offline until it is read. Would hate to accidently see any spoilers. 
5/5
Source: purchased
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins available tomorrow, August 24th. _________________________________________

Book Review- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games introduces us to the world of Panem. 13 Districts live under the control of The Capital. Each District has an industry that they work. District 12 mines for coal and this is where we meet Katniss Everdeen. A very strong and capable young girl who takes care of her mother and sister by risking her life hunting outside the fences that surround her District.

Every year The Capital holds The Hunger Games. Two tributes, kids from each District are chosen to compete to the death in an arena broadcast live to all of Panem. The games are a punishment for a past attempt to overthrow The Capital. When Katniss' sister, Prim is selected in the lottery, she volunteers to take her place and is sent to the arena with Peeta, the male tribute for District 12.
What Katniss and Peeta go through to get sponsers, to win the audience, and to survive within the games challenge them and destroy them at the same time. Nonstop action, suspense and hope that they make it through to the end kept me engaged and unable to put down the book until the very end. 
There is so much going on in this book that just dragged me in. The fight for survival, the strength of relationships and how they make us stronger, the scary reality of peoples' enjoyment of watching others' suffering. The story, the characters and the writing are superb. It has been quite awhile since I have read a book that had it all. 
Go and get a copy if you haven't read The Hunger Games yet. You won't be disappointed.
5/5
Source: purchased_________________________________________