Mockingjay is the conclusion of The Hunger Games series.
The review contains spoilers.
This time we are introduced to District 13, a district that was only known as history, flattened and non-existent since the last rebellion. The truth is, it is surviving underground and has a treaty with President Snow from the Capitol to leave each other alone.
Mockingjay has different settings and feelings from the first two books. We are introduced to bleak and bare underground settings; even the residents of District 13 are unremarkable, brainwashed, robotic, and controlled by the government up to the minutes of when and how long they should eat their meals. But that is how they survive in their non-existent status when everyone else thinks they have been destroyed.
There are a lot of interesting scenes in this book, including some war strategies that again teach us one important thing; people are numbers, everyone is represented with how they contribute to the war and how disposable they are. We see both sides using children and vulnerable civilians (medic) as bait and shield, two factors in society that should, never, ever be targeted in a war.
Side note: there is one intriguing element mentioned in the passing, District 13 looks at the refugees from other districts as a 'possibility for future' in terms of breedings, offsprings, for the continuity of their population that was heavily affected by a plague. Again, number, is what we are.
Another element that is very true in reality is that we are fed with propaganda everywhere; it takes a lot for someone to recognize and view it objectively. The ending of this book between the two presidents and the protagonist is very powerful, and it illustrates exactly what I mentioned earlier. Are you on the side of the devil or another side of the devil? Try to change the angle and see it from another point of view.
The movie, even though it was split into two, IMO, failed to convey quite a number of important things from the book. To name a few:
- The Capitol prisoners in District 13.
- Death of the Capitol lady significance.
- Finnick's story that is reduced to mere background.
To think they have two movies and missed these important scenes is very disappointing to me. They are essential to the story, show the two sides of the same coin, and highlight the nightmares and conspiracy that exist in high society in our current world. I can think of multiple examples of Finnick's story happening recently and currently. I don't think I'm the only few who respect the importance.
In the end, the author makes a bold choice, but I think it's the right one. In the complete series of the book, after what the protagonist has gone through throughout the years, she failed to do what she was initially set to do before being thrown into the role and world she had no intention to be in, protecting her sister. It's disturbing, sad, but there is nothing new. Even the victors are scarred and destroyed by the war.
In war, only one thing is true: THERE SHOULDN'T BE WARS
Update: change my initial 4 stars to 5 because I was influenced by the movie but this is about the book!
Rating: 5 Roses out of 5 District Thirteens
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