Mockingjay by Suzanne CollinsMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
How would you like it if I started this review with "Well, they all survived." and then quickly added, "Oh, except the main character?" I am not saying that IS what happened at all. I wouldn't want to write a spoiling review so soon. But, that is what this book was like for me.
Have I ever told you that I am a tidbit emotionally unstable and that I get really really involved with these fictitious characters? I don't like it when authors mess with my stability. It really makes me mad when they get you all happy, only to turn the page and be disappointed or to turn the page repeatedly to a complete WHAM-O in my face. I don't like it all. The jumpy transitions were not only unnecessary but annoying.
Although, this was a chosen life-long favorite for me after reading the first two books, the third one left me re-thinking this declaration. In fact, it left me wanting to rewrite the whole finish. It almost felt rushed. It didn't have as much depth or feeling. There were emotional parts but it is almost as if the author stopped being IN the story when she was telling it...if that makes any sense.
I still enjoyed it and at least there was closure in the end (more than you can say for the first two books) but I just wish so many things were different. And I guess you can say that because I feel that way, Collins masterfully got her point across....humanity sucks. War is cruel. Most people are out for themselves. And, now you can see why this person who likes to see the good in people was thoroughly disappointed.
The plot wasn't as exciting as those found in Books 1 and 2. In fact, to me, the main plot may have just been as dull as "Nobody gets what they want. Everyone is just surviving the events of their life." This book almost took more of a political turn. Like true-life anti-war propaganda or something. Although, in a round about way, at the end, you were left to think that war was actually necessary and justified for a better society.
I don't feel the author gave the proper burial to minor characters. Heck, she didn't give a proper good-bye for major characters. It felt like a rush to the publish date book. I hate that. Why can't everything be as masterful as Harry Potter from start to finish?
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I feel the same as you. I loved the first two books but the third was not there for me, at least the ending. If you come across any more books that you love let me know. I am looking!
ReplyDeleteHey lovie! Thanks for the review! I liked all three books--I'd give them all a thumb's up, but I definitely hear you. Hunger Games impacted me the most. I gotta love an author who writes in perfect present tense... Impressive. :) But I really latched onto your last paragraph: she didn't give proper burial to the minor characters or even the major ones. You might be right about that publish date. I DID think she was pretty spot on, though, about the whole media/political manipulation of the masses thing. It made me wonder how much of that has already gone on in this world and continues to go on... I was satisfied with Katniss' choice in the end. I thought it was justified. And, truly, it would probably have been my choice too. It was just all so... dented. I, too, believe in redemption, and the characters seemed so thwarted. The trajectory of their lives so affected. I guess that was the point. I still highly recommend the series.
ReplyDeleteDid you read THE BOOK THIEF? (Amazing! In my top ten now!)
Love you!
Daisy Rain
Have I told you that I am more than a tidbit emotionally unstable?
ReplyDeleteI love that you are so open with all of us in your blog. YOU don't try and hide YOU.
I am thankful for a friend like YOU.
ToOdLeS.
This was EXACTLY how I felt!!! People keep asking me what I thought of it... I wasn't drooling over the pages wanting the turn them and see what was next! I would of ended it way different-- I'm a Gale fan... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!