“May the odds be ever in your favour. ‘If we burn you burn with us.’ Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But she’s still not safe. A revolution is unfolding, and everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans – everyone except Katniss. And yet she must play the most vital part in the final battle. Katniss must become their Mockingjay – the symbol of rebellion – no matter what the personal cost.”
What is the book about?
Katniss was able to win the first Hunger Games to get back to her sister Prim, and although it was not her main aim, she escaped the Quarter Quell – the 75th annual Hunger Games. She managed to survive but at what cost… District 12 is gone – burnt – just like 13 was, or so she had been told. Now Katniss is learning that Thirteen is not the crumbled, lifeless place she thought it was, but home to new society plotting against the Capitol. Katniss feels lost and empty, alone without Peeta; not knowing what is happening to him or even if he is dead. Despite her unwillingness to be the face of the rebellion, Katniss must push down her feelings and become the symbol of the rebellion, the inspiration to face the Capitol, the reason to fight, the Mockingjay. She must play the most important role in a plan she had no involvement in and knows only what she is told. Katniss must fight and stop President Snow, no matter what happens.
What were your initial thoughts on the book?
The book before Mockingjay, Catching Fire, ended in a major cliff-hanger so, without a doubt, I wanted to start reading the next part of Katniss’s story. The cliff-hanger had left me with many worries and questions and I was desperate to get back into the books to get answers. I was really interested to learn more about District 12 and learn what happened to it and all the people living there. Before starting to read, I looked at the blurb and it encouraged me even further making me question things about the rebellion and what could happen as a result of it. Mockingjay started with Katniss in the ashes of her home and I was immediately transported back into her world feeling her pain and all the things that she was going through. The start already got me attached and answered a lot of questions even at the very beginning.
Who was your favourite character and why?
Like in the other 2 books, Katniss was one of my favourite characters. She was brave and strong, able to face enemies and contribute to the rebellion. Although it took her a long time to agree, I knew that Katniss would become the Mockingjay even before she had decided. She was also selfless and even when she was the one who needed protection she would never turn her back on someone in need and would fight, risking her life in the process. I really liked Katniss and following her story through the first and second Hunger Games, and finally with the rebellion. Other than Katniss, I also really liked her little sister Primrose. In the first and second books of the series, Prim didn’t really make that big of an impression mainly because she wasn’t a part of the adventure that much, we only knew that she was the only person that Katniss was sure she loved. However, in Mockingjay we get to see Prim a little bit more and see her personality more clearly. She is brave, kind and would do anything for her sister even though she rarely gets an opportunity. Prim, even from a young age, could do what Katniss had always struggled with – be a healer. Prim was so much like her mother caring for many sick patients without a second thought. She was ready to step up and become a doctor whenever she could and try and help as many people as possible.
What was your favourite part of the book and why?
It is really difficult for me to narrow down to my favourite part or even my favourite chapter so I would say that my favourite parts are probably from when Katniss goes to the Capitol and onwards to the very end of the book – including the epilogue. I really liked those parts because it is when the true rebellion really started and when Katniss was close enough to President Snow to be able to achieve her main goal. This made the parts more interesting as the further to the end I got the more intense and interesting the book was. Those chapters rally showed Katniss’s bravery and true potential. During those parts there were many deaths, which was a downside as they were very upsetting but I think that it was also effective in connecting you even further into the book. Finally the end came and it was very shocking but I also really liked it and thought that it was perfect (though very sad too).
What was your overall impression of the book?
Overall, Mockingjay was a wonderful book and an almost perfect ending to the Hunger Games series. One reason I really liked the book, was the build up to the final battle at the end. The last chapters when Katniss is making her way deeper and deeper into the Capitol, trying to get closer and closer to President Snow’s mansion were really interesting and a little sad. However, without looking at the sad bits, I really think that it was really well put and that even the deaths were really well placed as it showed how people would sacrifice themselves in order to help the rebellion. Another reason why I really loved Mockingjay was how all the events from the first 2 books connected to help Katniss in her pursuit for the destruction of the Capitol. It allowed her to succeed especially when she went into the source of it all – the Capitol. I also really liked how Katniss became the Mockingjay and that the bird that had been significant for her in the first book and a bit in the second ended up being the symbol of the entire rebellion. One other thing that doesn’t really relate to the book but still contributed to what I thought of it was that the books I read before the Hunger Games series was the Divergent series. The ending of the last book was probably the most traumatic and upsetting finish that I have ever experienced so the conclusion of Mockingjay was definitely a giant leap from that.
Which is your favourite book in the Hunger Games series? (1, 2, or 3)
All 3 books, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, were incredible and I think that it is almost impossible to decide between them. In fact, I think that my favourite book is probably a tie between The Hunger Games – first book – and Mockingjay – last book. I really loved The Hunger Games because it is action-packed and is the first start to the fire of the rebellion. The end was the act that sparked up the rebellion and gave people hope that there was a way to defy the Capitol and to try and stop the games that steal their children from them. The first book was the start of an amazing series and without it nothing would have happened. Mockingjay was also my favourite book because of how all the suffering, all the pain, and all the death was finally ended with one big explosion. I really liked Mockingjay because of how it allowed Katniss the chance to achieve what she had been wanting since the very first moment when she felt like a part of a game for President Snow. So, overall, I really liked The Hunger Games because it gave me questions and a spark, and I really liked Mockingjay because it gave me answers and a fire.
Would you recommend this book?
After reading The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, this is the book to read. If you have read the two previous books you won’t need any encouragement to begin this book but nevertheless I think that everyone will love this book, especially 14+ readers with a passion for adventures and thrillers.
Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)
A fiery finish to an astonishing adventure.
Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego
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