Mockingjay

Mockingjay                                            by Suzanne Collins

What it is about...

This title completes the trilogy of The Hunger Games. Katniss is the symbol of the revolution as the Mockingjay. She has been rescued and she is now a pawn in the games that adults play. She still is in a quandry about who she wants, the guys have it figured out before she does. The story gets tied up, there are no loose ends and well I won't say too much more about the ending. If you have read the other two you should finish the series.

What I thought...

Thank God it is over! I know, brutal honesty.  I really do not like the Katniss character. She uses Gale and Peeta to serve her ego. Life is hard but she just whines about everything. I do not see her  as really sacrificing herself. Sometimes you just need to tow the line and shut up about your personal angst. Katniss does, however, exhibit some personal strength toward the end of the novel, so she is partially redeemed.

I know many of you feel differently but I don't see her  as confused or a victim all I see is the Katniss pity party.

CATCHING FIRE

by Suzanne Collins

What it is about

This is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy and continues the story of Katniss and Peeta. The story returns our two protagonists to the arena for yet another round of the hunger games. There is all kinds of political gamesmanship going on, Katniss is a pawn in the Capitol's need to retain control of the Districts. There are more characters in and out of the story and you can just tell the world that Collins has crafted is about to blow but we are left with a cliff hanger that I hope is concluded with Mockingjay (the third book in the series)

What I thought

 In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to say I did not like the first book. The second book is a bit better because the character development is better but... I still found Katniss really annoying. Collins should have created a female character that had more inner strength. I see young teenage women all the time  and they are strong both mentally and physically. Even though Katniss excels at the games she does not exhibit the characteristics that I see in girls everyday.

If you read the first novel, then go ahead and finish the trilogy. If you are not invested in the series there are other series that are better. The Matched Trilogy  by Ally Condie and the Delerium series  by Lauren Oliver are better reads.