Mockingjay Review (No Spoilers)

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.

As I'm writing this, it has now been twelve hours since I finished Mockingjay. The PMJS (Post Mockingjay Syndrome) is starting to disappear. But I'm still not quite sure what I think about it. I don't know if I'm really ever going to know until I read it again so that I have time to absorb everything.

Last night I felt like someone had ripped my heart out and ran it over with a semi when I finished. Now I just feel empty. I feel like I should be head over heels in love with it, but I'm not. It just wasn't what I expected and I haven't decided if that's good or not.

The first three-quarters dragged a little bit, and then the ending came too quickly. Not in a "I wish this book would never end" sort of way but in a "it feels rushed" way. There was just so much build-up and then it kind of just ended. The best parts that I looked forward to seeing the most were just skipped over and things that should've been major plot points just...happened. It felt weird reading the last quarter because I kept glancing at how many pages were left trying to figure out how it could possibly end that fast.

Don't get me wrong, it's an incredible ending to an incredible series, but Catching Fire is still my favorite of the trilogy.

Overall: 10/10 Still, even though I feel like it could've been a 15.

Comments

Unknown said…
I just posted the exact same thing on my blog! You're right, I too was hoping for a 15.
August 26, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Kelley Vitollo said…
I'm not sure what I think either. Scared of posting it, but I have some issues with the book... I mean, love the series and it will always hold a special place in my heart, but.... I guess it isn't what I expected either.

Looking to chat spoilers of book so if anyone wants to, message me. LOL
writerkelley@yahoo.com
August 26, 2010 at 2:48 PM
Liz. R said…
Ah, I still haven't got my copy! I'm dying to read this damn book, everyone's talking about it. If I don't get my copy tomorrow, I think I might cry.
August 26, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Caroline Tung Richmond said…
Oh, you've taken the words right out of my mouth! I finished Mockingjay last night and I'm still ruminating over it. Like you, I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it yet. I think I may need to read it again to process everything.

Maybe we're having a hard time with the book because it's so different from the first two?
August 26, 2010 at 4:46 PM
Mahesh said…
omg that sums up how I feel too, When i finished it i remember i thoguht "Ok.. thanks Suzanne" I had no idea what to think, i guess i knew it was meant to be good and it was but it wasnt what i was expecting. Can't putmy finger on what i was expecting though lol
August 31, 2010 at 6:47 PM
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