Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But she’s still not safe. A Revolution is unfolding, and everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans – everyone except Katniss.

And yet she must play the most vital part in the final battle. Katniss must become their Mockingjay – the symbol of rebellion – no matter what the personal cost.

Before I begin my review, I should warn any new readers to take this third book slowly. The first time I read it, it was finished in a day and I was left angry and riled up. The war, trauma, and conflicting emotions heighten the tension and despair. It’s vastly different from the previous two, and there’s a very good reason (which I’ll explain later). I read this again slowly, and found I enjoyed it much more and I was able to process everything much more easily.

Spoilers ahead!

Katniss and Peeta have been separated, and now it’s Gale’s time to shine. He’s very aggressive and forward in his decisions about the rebellion, which intimidates Katniss at first. In Chapter 7, when they visit District 8 and are attacked by the Capitol, Katniss has only one motivation for the rest of the story: to kill President Snow.

She is traumatized and hospitalized more than I can count in this novel. With each visit, she deteriorates more and more. Most people have been bothered by the way the narrative changes with her mentality – but I will instead applaud Collins for accurately portraying a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is difficult for Katniss to function in “normal” society, but the second she enters combat she focuses on her motivation. Peeta experiences PTSD as well, and an advanced form of brainwashing. These two are stripped to their most basic personalities by the end of the novel – broken but attempting to heal, each helping the other to survive in a world without the Games.

Beloved characters die, violence dominates the storyline, and political agendas twist the plot with each chapter. The readers experience every devastation with Katniss, who takes a speedy journey from a self-preserving teenager to a sacrificing, damaged adult.

Rating: ★★★★ of 5
Goodreads: 4.8 of 5