Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: August 24, 2010
Pages: 392
Source/format: Library // Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

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.

My Thoughts

I decided to re-read Mockingjay before Mockingjay Part II hits theaters to refresh my mind of how I see the novel in my head. I don't want to be influenced by what I see on screen. Also, I love comparing and contrasting the book to film adaptation.

Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, is now the Mockingjay. She is the beacon of hope. She unites the districts during this rebellion stage. After being rescued from the arena during the Quarter Quell in Catching Fire by District 13, Katniss needs to learn how to adapt to a militarist society. Because Katniss beats to her own drum, staying in line is hard for her.

Although this novel in The Hunger Games trilogy doesn't take place in arena and is not as fast paced, the novel is still full of action. Through propos and rebelling against the Capitol, there is a war brewing. Katniss once believed President Coin is trying to help unite the districts of Panem but in reality she believes Coin is the same as Snow. As the Mockingjay, Katniss is essentially Coin's puppet doing Coin's bidding. Once Coin achieves what she wants, Katniss is no longer useful to her. In fact, Katniss is a threat.

Suzanne Collins does a fantastic job describing the rebellion and how it affects all the players in the game which include District 13, the Capitol and the other 12 districts. She shows the readers the different outcomes of the aftermath of the Quarter Quell. Katniss, Peeta, Finnick and Johanna go through PTSD but have nightmares and fears about different things. Collins does not sugarcoat anything in the novel. Readers see how no one is safe from the wrath of the Capitol. Even those Katniss tries to protect are vulnerable by association. Collins' compelling writing is addictive.

Mockingjay is the novel in the series that is more meaningful than previous books. It evokes different emotions and thoughts than its predecessors. Life is less vibrant under the control of District 13. It is interesting how the muted colors of District 13 compare to the overly embellished Capitol. One is monotonous and unwilling to change while the other one is overly flashy in abundance.

"In some ways, District 13 is even more controlling than the Capitol."

Just like the Capitol, District 13 uses reality TV to showcase Katniss. Although they don't use her as a form of entertainment, they use her as a spokeswoman for the rebellion cause. Her words and actions will drive the masses toward uniting and rebelling.

Overall, the novel has an outstanding ending to an amazing trilogy. Although the ending happens so fast, it ties up a lot of the loose ends and gives Panem the peace they have been waiting for. Read Mockingjay before the film hits theaters on November 20th!