It is currently 1:31 (ish) AM on Thursday morning, I officially will be getting next to no sleep tonight, AND I just finished Mockingjay (the final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy) by Suzanne Collins! I must say, I feel somewhat abused by Collins. In the course of this book, she has jerked around my emotions with each death, injury, or personal setback to Soldier Everdeen so thoroughly, that I am quite literally sore (let's not call attention to the fact that I've spent the last two days in a less-than comfortable chair with wooden arm-rests, primarily sustained on a bag of dried mangos). When recommending the trilogy to friends, I always recall the series' intense plot-lines and intriguing characters...However in her last installment, though- to safeguard myself from crazed fan-girls, I do love the book in its ability to END the plight against the Capitol, I must say I was somewhat disappointed.
Perhaps it is for the precise reason that it is over that I sit here, wanting just a little more. But what I really want is something just a little different. Collins had me right up until Katniss' plan to kill Snow by somehow gaining access to his mansion. But when she killed off Prim (which, by the way, I have predicted since Rue's death in The Hunger Games), she lost me. From there it was one wrong move after another: Katniss (as always) only coming to once rescued and in the hospital, Snow's accusations of Coin, Katniss and Haymitch's voting in favor of a "revenge-hunger games," Paylor's presidency, Katniss' trial and subsequent exile to District 12, an altogether too easy forfeit of Gale's companionship (after a mere inkling of his having to do with the death of Prim), and finally Peeta's spontaneous appearance on the scene. And where, I beg of Collins, is the amazing reunion between Katniss and (the REAL) Peeta? Though I find myself to be a solid "My favorite character is Haymitch" girl, Peeta took close second and yet he never really came back. And that was the real problem: sadly, the unprecedented kindness and wisdom of Peeta were lacking in Mockingjay.
Overall, the book was disappointing, and I almost wonder if even Suzanne Collins didn't quite know how to reconcile our star-crossed lovers to a middle ground where they knew each other for who they really were, and yet loved in spite of themselves. I caution others not to expect too much, and to get plenty of sleep before undertaking this novel, the emotion you will exhaust on it is punishing. However, if the planets align and a fourth installment (District 14) falls into my hands, I intend to read with renewed vigor!
Now comes the worst part for an addict: withdrawals. Perhaps some Harry Potter is in order...
*And as always, please feel free to comment below on the thoughts in your attic!
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