"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Anti-climactic much? This book was horrible... downright horrible. I had it for weeks and was unable to muddle through all the "pain, pity-parties, and self-doubt" that Katniss Everdeen, former badass, whined about. This is really the first Young Adult blockbuster series that I have read (I have completely avoided the Twilight phenomenon). In the last installment "Catching Fire," the readers were left on a cliffhanger of anticipation. Unfortunately, "Mockingjay" does not deliver in the first few pages where it should. The cliffhanger is glossed over, and there is no hope for the characters.
There are many miscellaneous characters in this series, and yes, most of them end up dying. That fact didn't bother me but what bothered me was how poorly executed their deaths were. Katniss is mostly a pawn in the second book, and in this book she is mostly a bit-part player even though she is SUPPOSED to have a large role. Don't get me started on the terrible setup of the typical teenage love triangle. The only part I liked about Katniss was her survival instinct with the need to protect her family. This book just shatters that notion.
My favorite character of the entire series is Haymitch, which probably explains a lot. He is the only character who doesn't really care about anyone and he is a raging alcoholic. At least he was interesting.
Again, I loved "The Hunger Games" and would recommend it. I would not recommend the following two books whatsoever. I know that they are beginning to work on this series as a movie, which somewhat blows my mind. There is a lot of violence and un-even gore, so I can't see how a movie aimed at young children will work.
Jen's Rating: **