Book Review

IIt’s the moment of truth. Did the rebellion make a dent in the Capitol rule… or is it futile to even try?

This is the last book in the series, and while it is heartbreaking for the series to end, it is a relief to know the end of the story.

Katniss is adjusting to District 13 (the District that was told to be lost to explosion rubble), and it’s time for her to take on her role as Mockingjay (the rebellion’s role model). With this role, she has the leverage to keep her friends and family safe. But that’s easier said than done, especially when she’s grieving someone she thinks is lost. And also the fact that Katniss never wanted to be a leader, and doesn’t know where to start. Is she ready to finally set the Capitol’s rule ablaze?

A big part of the book was Katniss dealing with surviving and dealing with trauma and stress, which makes sense. There weren’t too many emotional moments at first, but then they hit you with some big whammies throughout the book that you won’t be prepared for. Peeta being gone was one of the most emotional parts, but once his fate was revealed, it seemed to help Katniss to pull herself together, along with wanting everyone else she cares about to be okay (obviously, that’s been her goal for the whole series). But Peeta being hijacked does give Katniss the fuel to take Snow down once and for all. She hasn’t really stopped thinking about Peeta, even while she was with Gale, which makes it pretty obvious who she cares for more. Even Finnick sees it, and he’s been out of it mentally. When they get him back, it’s even more heartwrenching knowing he doesn’t know what’s real or not real, but it is nice that the soldiers and Katniss (when she stops trying to push him away) help him figure it out.

I have believed in Katniss for most of the series. She might not believe in herself, but she’s a survivor, and she’ll do anything to protect her family and the people of the Districts (which is shown when she’s tending to the wounded and she forgets the cameras are there). It seems like she was made to be the Mockingjay.

There was some humor here and there, and it was nice to see how she was becoming friends with people like Beetee and Finnick. I just wanted everyone to be happy by the end of the series (unrealistic, I know).

This book really solidifies what everyone means to each other, like how Haymitch is like a second father to Katniss (or maybe the drunk uncle who isn’t so drunk anymore). It’s sad her mother won’t even try to be there for her anymore, but at least Haymitch will be there, the one person like a parent that won’t leave her, even with all their problems (well, not on purpose, he will be drunk a lot though). Even Buttercup understands her pain of loss and they are finally nice to each other.

Katniss has to make choices that aren’t easy, but are necessary when the rebels might be more complicated than first thought. The nightlock was a dumb decision, though, and I’m glad Peeta didn’t let her do that. And the fact that he would rather have her bite him instead of the nightlock!? Clap clap, that’s love. He was like no way this is turning into the ending from Romeo and Juliet.

Ultimately, it’s up to humanity to be better than it was before. All they can do is hope now.

In the grief, Katniss no longer wants to end her life, but instead makes a new one where she can hunt, and Peeta is in her life as well as a few other people from District 12, helping her to live again. And the book idea, so that the victors live on as they do, is genius.

District 12 becomes a home again, and Peeta and Katniss become each other’s home. It’s sweet really. Even through all the pain, they prevail in the end. It’ll take work, but they’re strong enough to survive. This is a great book with a great ending, showing hope because even though she was scared and could have run away, ultimately she believed in the better, and that’s how she and Peeta created a future together.

This book deserves 5 out of 5 orange sunsets just like all the other books in the series. I can’t believe it’s over, but there are other books written from this world, so it’s time to go and read those ones now. Thank you Suzanne Collins!