Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena live, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge....
©2010 Suzanne Collins (P)2010 Scholastic Audio
"At its best the trilogy channels the political passion of 1984, the memorable violence of A Clockwork Orange, the imaginative ambience of The Chronicles of Narnia and the detailed inventiveness of Harry Potter." (New York Times Book Review)
"Unfolding in Collins' engaging, intelligent prose and assembled into chapters that end with didn't-see-that-coming cliffhangers, this finale is every bit the pressure cooker of its forebears. [Mockingjay] is nearly as shocking, and certainly every bit as original and thought provoking, as The Hunger Games. Wow." (Los Angeles Times)
"Fans will be happy to hear that Mockingjay is every bit as complex and imaginative as Hunger Games and Catching Fire." (Entertainment Weekly)
"At the edge of my seat"
As I had been waiting for since around the end of the first book or the beginning of the second, the Rebellion is in full swing. And while it does not play out like I had expected, it keeps the sense of realism which hooked me on the first book. The unexpectedness of the series in general is one thing that I really like about it.
There are no easy fixes for our main characters, but at the same time it is not all hopelessly dark either. Even though in this book, more than the others, the bright spots are few and far between.
If you have already read the other books, you definitely need to read the ending to the story. But if you have randomly stumbled upon this, and are reading the reviews to see what it's about, go and read/listen to the first book in the series; The Hunger Games.
Because this series does what really great SciFi does, it makes you forget it is about the future, and merely uses a made-up environment as a backdrop to explore the human condition. Though this one is hauntingly close to what we could find real. I found this book to be a wonderful conclusion. True, there is no Hollywood ending where every this is made okay, but it is not a greek tragedy either, where everyone are doomed from the beginning.
This series is quickly become one of my favorites, and I really like Carolyn McCormick's narration of it.
"Game Over... but do they live happily ever after?"
Katniss Everdeen is still fighting for her life. The Rebels have taken up their weapons in a seemingly useless war against the Capitol and its leader, the maniacal President Snow. Katniss has been used as a catalyst for war, manipulated into becoming The Mockingjay: a figurehead of political resistance, by another would-be-totalitarian leader, when all she ever wanted was to protect those she loves and live out a relatively peaceful existence.
However, the final book of The Hunger Games trilogy offers anything but peace. This is, by far, the most harrowing of the series. The book has received criticism from some for being "too dark", but surely Suzanne Collins needed to be dark in order to deal with the subjects of political oppression, identity crises, PTSD and familial loss? She affords her YA audience the respect of not "dumbing down" the messages of her series.
District 12 is gone. Katniss' best friend, Gale, is slowly becoming as ruthless in his methods as any of the game-makers ever were. And Peeta is gone, his mind "hijacked" by the Capitol so that now whenever he looks at Katniss, he feels the overwhelming urge to kill her. Katniss is slowly losing everything she has and everything she is to the war. And there's more to lose.
If you're looking for happy endings then I can't say that this is a book/series for you. After losing so much, fighting so much and both feeling and causing so much pain, how could Katniss get a fairytale "happily ever after"? She's fighting a war and thus there are inevitable casualties... some of them heart-wrenching.
If, however, you're looking for a great read with characters whose plight will keep you gripped, writing which echoes the dystiopia it weaves, and a heroine who is pretty darn cool, then I can't recommend The Hunger Games Trilogy enough!
"A Tad too violent for me"
Having listened to the previous 2 books, I still dislike the narrators flat, monotone voice as the main character...they should not have let her sing for sure. Having said that, her characterisations/voices are better than the main characters voice, which is unusual.
I personally found this final book a little tedious, in spite of the action and was in fact relieved when it was over. Too much tummy button gazing with the internal monologues and spoken thoughts for my taste.
I also found that there was uncessary level of detail on the torture and violence, which was almost continuous throughout the book.
Having said that the plot was interesting with some surprises in store, so if you liked the prevous two books, you will not dislike this one...but not as good as the others in my view.
"poor ending!!!!!"
Last book in the trilogy, but really a dissapointing end to a excellent series. The third instalment is poorly paced and at times very badly written with contradictions of things which were mentioned earlier. Leaves a few questions un answered, and with the ending we are given leaves you wondering what was the point of this book being written in the beginning, as it defeats itself in the point it was trying to make.....
"Fantastic"
It was great, fantastic
I loved it a great story, great narration ( It was perfect I like it when the different characters have different voices which is the case for this book.)
It was fantastic after the 2nd book I was sure the couldn't get better but somehow it has. What a brilliant ending to the best trilogy ever written.
Hope my review helps you with your choice.
I had 100% satisfaction with my purchase and hope you do too
Jodie 14years old
P.S it is great for all ages and sexes. In my house it was a hit for my mum,my brothers, and of course me
"Great final part to Trilogy"
Most enjoyable third part of the Hunger Games. Didn't disappoint in anyway and I was glad I waited till I could listen to all three parts consecutively and got the full pleasure.
"Slow to get going"
A good end to a great trilogy. My only complaint would be that this third book seems a little slow to get going and there is a lot of initial scene setting without the plot moving forward a great deal in the early stages - perhaps it is because I was too impatient to know what happens to Katniss and the others!! Still.. if you enjoyed the first two books then you are sure to enjoy this concluding one.
"Excellent end to the series"
Having listened to the previous two books in the series I was expecting more of the same and was not disappointed. This provided an excellent end to the series. Overall I was very pleased with the series and was would recommend it to any fan of the genre. My one complaint is that the very end of this book seemed a bit rushed but this was very minor.
"Slow end to a good series"
I enjoyed the first two books in the series and found myself making time to listen to them in between other activities. However, the final book was very slow in comparison. It was a hard act to follow and unfortunately as a third book would always battle to maintain the originality in concepts. I just found it to be pretty average whereas the first book in particular was good because of being such a unique concept.
"Satisfactory conclusion"
Finally reach the end of the trilogy. Not as good as the first part of the story, but still very exciting, with a twist in the end. A good read that keeps you guessing all the way.