I am so sad to be ending my reread of this trilogy! No other YA dystopian novel does it quite like this. Suzanne Collins has created a masterpiece. I am very excited to reread The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes now. I would love for her to continue writing in this world.

Mockingjay feels very different from the first two in the trilogy. I believe this is because the stakes don’t feel as high without an arena (until the last part) and the lack of scenery. Katniss is in 13 for almost all of the first two parts which stunts the plot a bit but causes us to really live inside Katniss’ head. I was surprised by how muted the deaths of important character felt in this book. I suppose I was waiting for the theatrics that they gave us in the movie. When I stepped away from the films, Katniss’ reaction did feel authentic to her and when I read it for the first time I’m sure I was very shocked by them.

This was, through and through, a war book. Luckily, we do get to see Katniss have a future without war, games, or violence. I do appreciate that in the epilogue, she does still remind the reader that the nightmares still come and that her children will one day need to know of what their parents went through. It felt real and authentic just like our main character. I will miss her dearly!

*Side note: you’re literally wild if you’re Team Gale after reading this.*