Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ****1/2

Mockingjay is the third book in The Hunger Games Trilogyand I liked it much better than the second book.  This one is about the rebellion and the fallout that happens from the destruction of District 12.  We see a tortured Peeta and an angry Katniss face off via propaganda commercials on opposite sides of the rebellion. 

Katniss, as Mockingjay, helps to take control of the districts and we see how her anger and PTSD affect her throughout the book.  We also see how Gale deals with everything and what his focus becomes during the rebellion that he’s been waiting for all these years.  After Peeta is no longer being tortured in the Capitol we see the problems he faces as a result of what he’s been through.  Seeing the different versions of mental instability that occur as a result of a society built around violence rings true for me.  Some people get super regimented, some angry, some instable, some vacillating, and some take care of others at all costs.

The one thing that bothered me about this book is that I had been hoping that Collins would resolve the triangle in a slightly different manner because I saw the resolution coming from a mile away.  Now, I always knew who would end up with whom.  That’s not what I mean.  I’m talking about the way the characters developed.  I was hoping for a little more of a twist with the personalities of the characters.

That said I found this book to be a fun read.  I read it fast (in less than a day) and didn’t want to put it down until it was done.  When it was done, while the ending felt complete, I was sad to be leaving the world and the characters Collins created.  I figure that’s a sign of good read.  I want to know how they choose to rebuild.  Any time I come up with a book where I want to know more it’s a good thing.  This is a book that leaves me wanting to know more.