Thoughts on Mockingjay

Frustrating. Heart-stopping. Unforgettable.

If you were expecting a cheerful ending, think again.

All of Collins' greatness is present. Her groundbreaking words that make hearts stop with her non-stop action, and her unpredictable twists, and her unique pace, and even the thirst for fame that she exploits giving us Katniss' power with Katniss' remarkable voice, and Katniss' everlasting courage.

No one else can bring a character to life in such few words like Collins can. The number of characters involved, and yet well developed and unique, is shocking. Everything about this book screams five stars.

*Spoilers ahead*

But I have to be honest. Something is missing that the other two books have.

BALANCE.

Just like Katniss finally realized, Peeta was balance. I could endure all cruelty, all deaths, all heartbreaks if at the end of the day the goodness in the world was still represented in one sweet form: Peeta.

This book lacks love and kindness.

It's empty of Peeta. 

He provided the delicate balance thread by which the story wove into perfection. That thread got stolen or 'hijacked' along with Peeta's memory. It breaks my heart. Even worse, the only other person who slightly provided this balance was Prim. So, yeah.

So even though Collins is a genius and she managed to write a shocking and satisfying finale,
I needed balance.

Balance is necessary. Real or not real?

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Young Adult
Pages: 400
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 1, 2009

*SPOILER* alert: Second book in a series

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

I'm still in shock about this book. Seriously, one of the best books I've ever read. She has this amazing way to end each chapter so socking that you are literally unable to put it down. I mean, as a big reader I already have practice in the dreadful art of putting down books that are consuming, but this was something else entirely. After the first few chapters my body reacted on its own: when I saw the chapter was about to end, my heart would start racing for no reason yet. So this is my recommendation for the few who haven't read this yet, when you're planning to stop reading soon, close it in the middle of the chapter it's the only way you will manage to stop.

The plot was excellent, the character beyond excellent and the writing was... excellent! I have no complains at all except the fact that, why would she end it like that? Why would she leave her faithful readers so so so desperate? I need the third book right now! (Rumored title is The Victors) This is my Absolute favorite series now, and I recommend it to everyone! - NOTE: It contains a lot of violence.

Goodreads/Amazon

Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

This was way different than anything I have ever read. It is so life-like it scared me sometimes. Thrilling and breathtaking. I absolutely adore Katniss. It was so great to see a pants-on girl with so much personality. She's my hero now. Probably what I liked the most was her character.

The story was so original, it was hard for me to imagine. But she really made it work. Collins creates a future world that is way worse that our present, and maybe most of the past. But nothing that could not happen. And what a wonderful way to create a story. In my mind its like a reality show pasted on a book. What an amazing book.

The cover is maybe my favorite one to date. I love the fact that it doesn't tell you anything. That's what I love about books with simple-no-picture covers. Nothing more to say than this one goes down as one of my new favorite books of al time. Aiming for Catching Fire!