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No kissing?

I couldn’t agree more. Also I really like how you include symbols and percentages in all of your reviews!

Robert wrote: "No kissing?"

Sadly, kissing isn't a major plot point in this one at all! Not when there's moping around to furnish the narrative.

ℨαrα wrote: "I couldn’t agree more. Also I really like how you include symbols and percentages in all of your reviews!"

Thanks, I'm really glad you like them!

Ah, that's an interesting perspective. Yes, I can definitely see how it is.

Anna wrote: "Ah, that's an interesting perspective. Yes, I can definitely see how it is."

Thank you very much, Anna! I sort of have a theory about this book. Collins has said that the series was inspired a lot by seeing embedded journalists during the Iraq War turn the conflict into a kind of dark reality show. The idea of the mass public being drawn to lurid entertainment was always a theme of the series, but I think this book was her doubling down and underlining the point.

I got the sense that now that eyes were on series because of all the adventure and melodrama, that she had an audience invested and primed enough to drop that philosophical/political point. Which I think is why this book took such a departure and became all about death and PTSD, and was really depressing. Much to its detriment, in my opinion. Just a thought.

Jayson wrote: "Anna wrote: "Ah, that's an interesting perspective. Yes, I can definitely see how it is."

Thank you very much, Anna! I sort of have a theory about this book. Collins has said that the series was i..."

Oh, that's a very interesting theory. Yeah, I don't remember much about the book (I've only read it once), but I see how it could be commentary on those things.

I agree that the ending of this story seemed weaker than the previous two novels, character speaking. It did seem to be more about making a point. And though a good point, I would have rather the characters stayed prominent.

Series peaked action-wise at Catching Fire. Didn’t find Mockingjay as gripping.

Anna wrote: "Oh, that's a very interesting theory. Yeah, I don't remember much about the book (I've only read it once), but I see how it could be commentary on those things."

Thanks, Anna. It's interesting you bring up not remembering much of it. I don't remember much of it either, to be honest. And that goes to my point about the story not being very interesting, because what I do remember about it was that it seemed exactly like every other war-is-hell story I've ever read. Not to downplay the value of that sort of narrative, but it never struck me as original in any way.

@Jayson

I don't think you're downplaying the narrative at all. I do think that the story was unique (in terms of The Hunger Games series in general), but Mockingjay in particular didn't really resonate with me. I was definitely sad about certain deaths...but the overall story...meh, I feel like it could've been written a bit differently to make it more memorable.

Lori wrote: "I agree that the ending of this story seemed weaker than the previous two novels, character speaking. It did seem to be more about making a point. And though a good point, I would have rather the c..."

Yes, I'd add that this really forgot, or didn't care, what made the series special in the first place. No matter how dark the previous two novels got, there was still a sense of hope and optimism, whereas this seems to do its best to extinguish any semblance of it. Also, I may have had issues with the previous two books being too preoccupied with its teenage melodrama (all the kissing-centric subplots, for example), but at least that put the characters in the forefront, where this seemed all about the message.

Irene wrote: "Series peaked action-wise at Catching Fire. Didn’t find Mockingjay as gripping."

Yes, I totally agree with you on both those points :)

Anna wrote: "I don't think you're downplaying the narrative at all. I do think that the story was unique (in terms of The Hunger Games series in general), but Mockingjay in particular didn't really re..."

Yes, it was definitely unique within the series. Perhaps series finales should always be that way. But comparing it with something like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was also a finale about war, and suitably dark in tone and shocking with its deaths, that at least kept its personality despite its shift in formula. I may have read that a while ago too, but I remember so much about it, whereas like you I regard this book as pretty meh storyline-wise.

Jayson wrote: "Anna wrote: "I don't think you're downplaying the narrative at all. I do think that the story was unique (in terms of The Hunger Games series in general), but Mockingjay in particular didn't really..."

Exactly! I was thinking about the Deathly Hallows when I was writing my comment. Given, I've read that book twice and have seen Part 2 of Deathly Hallows countless times, but I still remember parts of the book more vividly than parts of Mockingjay.

Anna wrote: "Given, I've read that book twice and have seen Part 2 of Deathly Hallows countless times, but I still remember parts of the book more vividly than parts of Mockingjay."

Yeah, it's ironic that of the three books to split into two films they chose arguably the least interesting one. I've seen the first two Hunger Games films a few times each, but having read this book, I've not seen either of the Mockingjay films once. I should actually do that one day, if anything to see if it's better than the book, which it may well be.

Also, I should add that despite my criticisms, this was still not a bad book. I may have disagreed with the intent and direction it took, but it was still well crafted and fairly effective. Which is why I'm not completely down on it, 3-stars still.

Jayson wrote: "Anna wrote: "Given, I've read that book twice and have seen Part 2 of Deathly Hallows countless times, but I still remember parts of the book more vividly than parts of Mockingjay."

Yeah, it's iro..."

Oh, yes! It's a decent book. I was just saying how it could be improved.

I saw each of the Mockingjay films at least once and I thought that they were good.

Hi I’m just here seeing people talking about the mockingjay films and I want to say part one was the most boring film out of all of them and I hated just about every character in part one :)

Anna wrote: "I saw each of the Mockingjay films at least once and I thought that they were good..."

That's good to know, I'll definitely have to check them out when I have time :)

�� Dakota �� wrote: "Hi I’m just here seeing people talking about the mockingjay films and I want to say part one was the most boring film out of all of them and I hated just about every character in part one :)"

That's interesting, Dakota! At the very least, you can say that the movie was a faithful adaptation of the book! 😄 Now I'm definitely intrigued about this film. 😃��

After being underwhelmed by the second book in this series I still have not read this one to complete the trilogy. Next year will have to read it and be done with the whole trilogy but as most readers reviews suggest the first book seems to be the best.

Constantine wrote: "After being underwhelmed by the second book in this series I still have not read this one to complete the trilogy. Next year will have to read it and be done with the whole trilogy but as most read..."

I'm glad to hear that, Constantine! I always make it a point to try to finish series that I've invested time and effort in, especially when the books are few and I'm near the end, though I'm not always successful in doing so. Whether you enjoy the book or not, it will be good relief to finally cross it off your to-do list. I do hope that you have a better time with it than I did. Happy reading :)

leslie hamod wrote: "Love this Jayson. Perhaps compelling us would be more effective.💙😁😘"

Thank you very much, Leslie! Yes, I agree. I always find it preferable to willingly move toward something rather than reflexively react against its opposite. Perhaps then you might actually get a compelling story out of it.

leslie hamod wrote: "But no kissing?!!!😂😂😂😂"

Sadly, no. This one could have done with some kissing: would have been less depressing and taken some edge off all the tragedy and trauma.

leslie hamod wrote: "Haha hahaha! Just kidding! I think I would prefer no kissing!!😂😂😂😂😂"

Ah, in that case I suppose this might be right up your alley 😃��

Professor Blake wrote: "WOW."

😁��

I just re read them and hadn't remembered how much darker Mockingjay the book was from Mockingjay the movies, the book seemed so much darker once one realizes how much had to change for tv audiences 😳

XD great review!

Athena wrote: "I just re read them and hadn't remembered how much darker Mockingjay the book was from Mockingjay the movies, the book seemed so much darker once one realizes how much had to change for tv audiences 😳"

That's very interesting. I actually haven't gotten around to see the Mockingjay movies. I should do that one of these days, if anything to compare it to the book. I had a feeling a story so bleak may not have worked for general audiences.

Qwerty wrote: "XD great review!"

Thanks :)

when you read one, you cant stop XD

Qwerty wrote: "when you read one, you cant stop XD"

Well, except when you get to the end. Then you kinda have to, or else immediately reread :)

wtf why this get 99+ comments

Meowed wrote: "wtf why this get 99+ comments"

I'm afraid I don't quite understand your comment. Do you mean likes? As far as I can see, you're only comment #37. If you're being hyperbolic, I guess this is just a book people enjoying talking about. 🤷‍♂��

Meowed wrote: "wtf why this get 99+ comments"

and Jayson is the ultimate reader/reviewer so everyone loves him 😂

Nikki wrote: "Meowed wrote: "wtf why this get 99+ comments"

and Jayson is the ultimate reader/reviewer so everyone loves him 😂"

I appreciate the kind words, Nikki! Though I can assure you, not everyone loves me. lol

🤔😭

I prefer Catching Fire over Mockingjay BUT...
HOWEVER...
They're both aWeSoMe so I'm defo not complaining...
cuz that would be gross.

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Sophie wrote: "🤔😭"

'Twas sad, yes.

«_^~··Øk~Åňǹä··~^_» wrote: "I prefer Catching Fire over Mockingjay BUT...
HOWEVER...
They're both aWeSoMe so I'm defo not complaining...
cuz that would be gross."

Happy to hear you enjoyed them both. I enjoyed Catching Fire more than Mockingjay as well :)

�� wrote: "��"

😁��

Well Jayson, who's your favourite character?

Patricia wrote: "Well Jayson, who's your favourite character?"

In the whole series? Probably Effie. I always look forward to when she's in a scene. I like Haymitch and Peeta an awful lot too.

Jayson wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Well Jayson, who's your favourite character?"

In the whole series? Probably Effie. I always look forward to when she's in a scene. I like Haymitch and Peeta an awful lot too."

Do you prefer the drunk Haymitch or the sober one? Which one is better? xD

Patricia wrote: "Do you prefer the drunk Haymitch or the sober one? Which one is better? xD"

Sober Haymitch. Drunk Haymitch is fun, but the joke can get old if it's used more than just sparingly. Sober Haymitch is good all the time.

Jayson wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Do you prefer the drunk Haymitch or the sober one? Which one is better? xD"

Sober Haymitch. Drunk Haymitch is fun, but the joke can get old if it's used more than just sparingly. ..."

yeah well, sober Haymitch helped a lot at the end and yes, drunk Haymitch is pretty messed up but fun. Both are great tbh.

Also i just realized that i admire Haymitch since from book one to book three lol.

Patricia wrote: "yeah well, sober Haymitch helped a lot at the end and yes, drunk Haymitch is pretty messed up but fun. Both are great tbh."

Patricia wrote: "Also i just realized that i admire Haymitch since from book one to book three lol."

Ironic for someone with so many bad habits. But, yes, I do too. He always knows the right course of action, and hardly ever gets flustered.

This is accurate pretty much for the last book.