Book Log 2014 #40: The Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins


So while this is easily the best book of the trilogy - what with the revolution in Panem and its aftermath, it would be hard for it not to be - I still found myself somewhat disappointed with the book. I think what I've found is that the books have all been so focused on Katniss that there's not room for anything else, character or plot line, to develop fully. Everything else feels like a stage set upon which Katniss acts, limiting what could be a much more fulfilling universe. Consider we still know almost nothing about the districts, and what we do see of the capital depicts it a nothing more than another arena for a revolt that doubles as the ultimate Hunger Games.

You also see this in some areas of plot that could be explored more. Katniss is clearly concerned with the propaganda arm of the war, and while that does pop up throughout the book, there's room to explore it more fully. We also hear that there was mutual concern over war because the loss of life could lead to permanent negative population growth. How did that happen? Couldn't Panem institute controlled immigration? Are there still countries from which people could emigrate? Spending a little less time on Katniss would allow for a broader, more interesting universe.

In the end, though, this isn't a bad book, and not even a bad trilogy. It just may not be as adult-friendly as, say, Harry Potter (which is a very high bar where crossover YA fiction is concerned).