THIS is an excellent example of great storytelling! The characters are memorable, whether you hate them or love them - most of them being so complex though that sometimes you love and hate them at the same time. The three books are one seamless story. The author ties the books together by mentioning those lost in the previous novel(s) with subtle reminders about who they were. She didn't feel the need to explain the entire past event to the reader again, just a short gentle reminder. I loved that! When she did have to explain something again, to move the story along, she did it in a way that seemed natural - like explaining something to someone who needed to know the info, that wasn't previously involved in the situation. Some "reminder scenes" in other books seemed so forced and ridiculously out of place.
I just re-read what I posted about The Hunger Games. I KNEW something was up with Cinna! I loved his character and I loved his strength. It didn't surprise me at all when he "made" Katniss into a Mockingjay - in such a dramatic fashion. He sacrificed his life for her and the cause.
The plot involving the second Hunger Games was fascinating. I KNEW something was going on, but along with Katniss, I didn't have a clue as to what the big picture was. The "victors" involved in the second Games were such interesting characters. I loved reading about what their special talents were - and how those talents helped them win the Games in their respective years. Here were all these irreversibly damaged people being thrown into the arena again - something they thought they would never have to do - and so many of them offer their lives to save Katniss (and Peeta), all to help overthrow the Capitol and Snow - and put a stop to the Hunger Games forever.
There were many lives lost that I felt sad about (Rue, Cinna, Prim, Boggs, Mats, to name a few) but none affected me the same way as Finnick. I was devastated. Truly. I had to get up and grab a box of Kleenex. By the end of this story I loved Finnick as much as I loved Peeta. What a loss. And Peeta. Wow. He ended up with the girl. Whew! It was a close call a few times. In the end Katniss chose love over rage - and I loved that. Gale was a remarkable man - a fighter for the cause and what is "right". He loved Katniss, but he actually wasn't the right man for Katniss. I was so relieved when she chose Peeta.
Haymitch. Potentially the most damaged victor of all - because he had lived the longest? Well, that's a tough call. I actually liked Haymitch, despite his faults. He helped Katniss and Peeta many times in various ways (sometimes subtly!), but when he reminded Katniss in "Mockingjay" that they made a pact to save Peeta and told her (in so many words) that she was failing in her mission, my feelings for him were raised a notch. Haymitch was still trying to save Peeta - and Katniss was giving up.
I honestly could go on and on because of how much I loved this story! Most of the characters were so complex - a mixture of good & evil, lies & truth, everyone with their own agenda, that it was sometimes hard to know who to like and who to trust. About the only thing I really KNEW would happen is that Katniss would kill Coin in the end. Wasn't sure what would happen to Snow because Katniss so wanted to kill him that I wasn't convinced that she actually would be able to. Do you get that?
I haven't really gotten into the rebellion at all. As much as I admire people who fight - and give their lives - for what is right, I did not like Coin. She was as power-hungry and controlling as Snow. The way she ran District 13 was appalling. SO relieved that she was killed. Another whew. ;
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Wendy's Rating: *****
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