I enjoyed The Hunger Games: Mockingjay far more than I expected. Before picking it up, I wasn’t particularly engaged with the movie adaptations of this part of the story, so I worried that—like an average Capitol citizen—I’d lose interest now that the Games were over.

But after reading the book, I’m happy to say I was completely wrong. I was invested from start to finish. Unlike the previous two books, I went into this one with very little knowledge of the plot (aside from some major death spoilers I’d picked up over the years from the internet). That certainly enhanced my experience, but it wasn’t the only reason I enjoyed it so much. Certain moments were beautifully written, and the way emotions were conveyed throughout the book was incredibly impactful. Each character deals with their struggles, stress, and grief in different ways, making their journeys feel raw and realistic. I almost cried multiple times while reading—chapter nine, in particular, stands out as one that hit me the hardest. It didn’t give my thoughts or emotions a break before throwing me into yet another gut-wrenching moment.

The central focus on war, especially Katniss’ role as the Mockingjay, was also fascinating. While I don’t support war in reality, it’s undeniably an interesting topic to explore. Seeing the rebellion unfold and witnessing the ways both sides wield power, propaganda, and violence made for an intense and thought-provoking read.

Overall, I don’t have much else to say—I love this series, and I loved this book—another 5-star rating.

|—TL;DR—|

Focus Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopian

Nostalgia: Disqualified

Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐

Plot: 5⭐

World-Building/Setting: 5⭐

Characters: 5⭐

Writing: 5⭐

Pacing: 5⭐

System/Tech: 5⭐

Social Commentary: 5⭐ | War morals and ethics, Government control and power |

Themes/Philosophy: 5⭐

Ending: 5⭐

=Overall=

5-stars⭐

~31/01/25~