There are certain expectations for the conclusion of a well-known series. Readers want it to be exciting, answer as many of their questions as possible, and provide a satisfying ending. Some do this well, while others not so much. Mockingjay – the third and final book in “The Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins – falls in the latter camp because it slogs and focuses on the wrong elements, yet it has pockets of great moments.
Mockingjay focuses on the revolution in Panem. Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale and Katniss’s family are safe, but Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. She also discovers that District 13 really does exist. There are indeed rebels and new leaders. There is no question that a revolution is unfolding. Katniss was deliberately rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it was intentional that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss. The success of the rebellion depends on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels’ Mockingjay—no matter what the personal cost.
Before I get started, I have a confession. I haven’t read the first two books in the series – The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. However, I have watched the movie adaptations of both. I know that doesn’t fully count in the eyes of certain readers, but from what I understand, they are fairly faithful to the source material. So, this doesn’t bother me. Even if I read them, it wouldn’t have changed my views on Mockingjay.
There were three main things that bothered me. I will explore the first two here and visit the third later on. To begin with, the pacing was sluggish. Almost everything moved like molasses. The first half of the novel fares better than the second since things are actually happening. It’s one thing when Collins focuses on describing a certain scene, but it’s another when it’s occurring off screen. She does more telling than showing. There’s not much action throughout.
This brings me to my second point. Collins highlights aspects that didn’t need to be emphasized. Basically, the whole plot is the rebels want Katniss to become the Mockingjay – symbol of the revolution – and kill President Snow. One would think the author would write plenty about Katniss’s inner conflict of being the Mockingjay and the obstacles to getting rid of Panem’s dictator. Those elements are there, but Collins decided to shine a spotlight on the love triangle among Katniss, Gale, and Peeta. I could be wrong about this, but from what I understand, Gale is not that involved in the first two books/movies. It makes sense to focus more on Gale in this installment, but there didn’t need to be a love triangle when the relationship between Katniss and Peeta was growing. This detracted from what was important in the novel. I didn’t care about Team Gale versus Team Peeta when the series/franchise came out. I don’t care about it now.
Even with the criticisms I have, there were some bright spots. Haymitch is a delightful presence. Despite his drunken behavior, he possesses the most keen insight on the situation. For example, when the rebels are making a little film with Katniss, he says, “This is how revolutions die” based on her poor performance because she wasn’t authentic enough. Soon after, he encourages her and the team to think about the moments when she was. In addition, the entire sequence of Katniss filming the spot and the final confrontation between her and Snow were fantastic. I even let out a gasp when the twist occurred in the latter. Furthermore, I thought the ending was poignant. When Katniss becomes a mother, she mentions that she will tell her children her story, including the trauma she endured while fighting in the revolution, at some point. She’s in repair, but she’s getting there.
Now, let’s get to my third point why I didn’t enjoy this book, and it has to do with the audiobook. It’s narrated by Carolyn McCormick. McCormick has done extensive work in theatre, film, television, and audiobooks. Her best known role is Dr. Elizabeth Olivet in the Law & Order franchise. As for the audiobooks, she has narrated several of them by authors like Chelsea Cain, James Patterson, and Suzanne Collins. Yes, McCormick narrated the two previous installments of “The Hunger Games” series. Knowing this makes the performance straight up disappointing. She sounds much older than the teenaged Katniss and unnecessarily condescending at times. And, don’t get me started about her rendition of “The Hanging Tree!” It’s a hit and miss whenever a narrator sings, but this one fell in the latter category because she was rushing and barely in tune. I’m glad that Jennifer Lawrence sang it in Mockingjay Part 1. Back to McCormick, her performance had some great moments. She gives distinct voices to the supporting characters like the pompous Plutarch and the blunt Haymitch. I want to believe that she did better with the first two “Hunger Games” books, for she was able to do this one, but in the end, it’s still mediocre. Quick note: while doing research, I discovered that Tatiana Maslany of Orphan Black fame recorded an audiobook version of Mockingjay in 2019. It might make a good installment for my “Audiobook Versus” series.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the unsatisfying conclusion to “The Hunger Games” series. The novel moves at a snail’s pace. It unnecessarily emphasized a love triangle in lieu of action. If it was developed throughout the series, it would’ve been better received. At the same time, there were some great scenes and a gratifying ending. The only way I would recommend it is for readers who’ve read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire and to get a copy of the physical book instead of the audiobook. If I had read the previous installments, I don’t know if it would’ve changed my opinion.
Before I go, I want to let everyone know that I’m going to make an appearance on the Stone’s Top Tens Podcast to discuss the book as well as the Mockingjay Part 1 movie. Keep an eye out for the link.
In the meantime, I will have my review of Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2 out later this week, so stay tuned!
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