''Mockingjay''- Book Review

Author: Suzanne Collins
Publication date: August 24, 2010

Mockingjay is the final novel of The Hunger Games Trilogy. Mockingjay is different from the first two novels as it has a darker tone, grimy situations, and more painful incidences. When we first read The Hunger Games, it seemed to be a sci-fi/adventure novel, but near the end of the novel it hinted the possibility that the trilogy would become something of war novels. Catching Fire was quite so, as we saw the preparation of rebellion, and it ended with Katniss being transported to District 13, and Gale informing her that District 12 no longer exists, it was destroyed by the Capitol.

So we come to Mockingjay. This is a very grim and dark novel, and a war is happening, the rebels against the Capitol, and some of the Capitol's citizens, such as Plutarch Heavensbee, have joined the rebels. As District 12 has been mostly destroyed, many citizens of 12 died, and some have escaped to 13, including the family of Katniss and Gale. Peeta, Johanna, and Enobaria, who were also tributes of the Quarter Quell, have been captured by the Capitol. Is the Capitol torturing them? The tributes who were escorted to District 13 are Katniss, Finnick, and Beetee.

Katniss Everdeen must have to be the Mockingjay, as her brave acts with the berries at the 74th Hunger Games actually had helped to inspire the rebellion at a great extent. She has to be the voice of the rebellion. But will she take such a great responsibility? Will she take the responsibility of the deaths of so many people?

She finally agrees to be the Mockingjay, in return of several conditions, one of them being, if the Capitol is captured, the full immunity of the tributes captured by the Capitol will have to be promised. In order to let people know that the rebels are well and preparing Katniss now poses for propos in front of cameras, and Beetee manage to interrupt the Capitol's television programs. Meanwhile, it is clear that the Capitol has been torturing Peeta a lot, to break Katniss down.

''Mockingjay'' is a very emotional read at times, disturbing at times, but sometimes there are so much descriptions that it becomes a bit irritating. But keep it aside, ''Mockingjay'' is a wonderful novel. And it is an emotional journey. Characters whom we love go through difficult situations and sometimes even die. Some twists are extremely shocking. 

Katniss Everdeen has one goal: to kill President Snow, to free Panem from cruelty and Hunger Games. The entire country go through a war that will result in a lot of loses, lot of pains, what happens at the end? It is a twisted novel, and the ending and epilogue are both wonderful.

To me, ''Mockingjay'' was the best novel of the trilogy, though sometimes irritating. I'd give emphasis to the last 60 pages or so, which becomes so very excellent. The war descriptions are sometimes irritating, yet it is wonderful, it is a must-read.

4 out of 5

''Catching Fire''- Review

Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games. Written by Suzanne Collins, the book follows the events after the first novel. Personally, I liked this book better than ''The Hunger Games''.

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, having won the 74th Hunger Games, lives in the Victor's village. They are to go to the victor's tour in the 12 districts. One day, President Snow comes to Katniss's house, informing her that the districts might have an uprising, after Katniss's act with the poisonous berries, which the districts have understood was to defy the Capitol. The President threatens to hurt Katniss's dear people if she doesn't try her best to remove these rebellious feelings from the people of the districts. She must pretend that she was madly in love with Peeta, that forced her to do the act with the berries.

Katniss, fearing that her family and friend might be harmed, does as the President tells. But still, the Districts' hatred towards the Capitol increases because of some reasons. After the Victory Tour ends, Katniss plans to flee away from the District, along with her family, Peeta and Gale, as President Snow has hinted to her that she hasn't worked properly to remove the rebellious feelings from the hearts of the people...

But then it goes all wrong... new Peacekeepers arrive; Peacekeepers who are cruel and want too much discipline, new and harsh rules are installed, troubles arrive, Katniss comes to know about the uprisings that has started to occur and the possible existance of a District 13... until she learns that she has to go back to the Hunger Games, as the 75th Hunger Games will have tributes from the pool of previous victors.

I found this novel to more suspenseful, more adventerous than The Hunger Games. But still, it had some positive sides and negative sides. Towards the end, it gets somewhat confusing and complicated, with too many details that might become hard to remember and some things that are a bit difficult to understand. 

I liked the way people prepare themselves for an uprising. I loved the scene when the victors hold each other's hands. I loved Peeta's speech in District 11. There were loads of memorable moments in this novel; and the ending was one of the best things about this novel. Suzanne Collins is a brilliant writer; and this book somewhat promises that there will be more curious and engrossing elements in Mockingjay. In all ways, it was mostly an easy and engrossing 
read.

4 out of 5