Finally after the long wait, I have now gotten Mockingjay. In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that I pre-ordered the Mockingjay book in National Bookstore. The last book of the Hunger Games trilogy came into my knowledge because of an officemate's suggestion, Jam. She lent me the first book, Hunger Games, and the rest is history.
Following up on District 13's rise from oblivion in Catching Fire, the second book of the trilogy, Mockingjay details the elaborate plans of District 13 to sabotage and bring down the Capitol under President Snow. District 13 is being led by President Coin who wishes to take down the Capitol and take over the entire Panem. Peeta being captured by the Capitol at the end of the second book, is rescued by troops from District 13 as Katniss wishes to be with him. But even before Peeta is rescued, he is tortured and injected by the Capitol with tracker jacker venom which alters his memory of Katniss and makes him delusional in killing Katniss. Upon knowing this, Katniss is heart-broken and asks to be involved in battle to topple down the Capitol. Together with Gale Hawthorne, Katniss' hunting partner, and other members of the District 13's Star Squad, they set out on a mission to seize control of the Capitol and capture President Snow. They were able to gain control over the Capitol and their revolution was a success. However this triumph costs Katniss the life of Prim, her younger sister, falling prey to the ill effects of bombs during wars. After the siege of the Capitol, Katniss is given the opportunity to kill President Snow herself. But then she learns of President Coin's real motives and kills her instead using her bow and arrow in the supposed to be public execution of Snow. President Snow is killed by a rampage of people after the incident. Katniss is pardoned by the new Capitol government and is ordered to return to District 12, her original home. She is accompanied by Haymitch, her Hunger Games mentor. Peeta soon follows to District 12 to be with Katniss after he recovers from his delusions. Gale Hawthorne, becomes a troop captain in District 2. Katniss and Peeta married after Katniss has fully recovered in her depression and anxiety attacks brought about by the death of her sister. Katniss and Peeta produced two kids and they remain in District 12 under Panem's new government.
The thing that I liked about the book is its concept of war and peace - how it is inseparable - and the repercussions and effects it brings to everyone - the society and its people. In reality, governments are either good or bad. How we define good or bad depends on how we perceive the government in doing its job. History dictates that the evolution of society is brought about by the concept of command and conquer. As depicted in early civilization and even in the modern world, every nation or country in the world has been conquered once in its history. War is not a loved idea in almost all societies but inevitable given its circumstances. Its opposite, the concept of peace, is also an idea that every civilized country tries to embrace but fails in its attempt to imbibe its ideal meaning.
For me, the story of the Hunger Games is a depiction of who and what we are. It is a mirror of the old and the new. Today, the concept of command and conquer still lingers and there will come a time when the concept of Hunger Games becomes inevitable.
Over all, the book is a good read and stays true to its fast-paced plot. I recommend this to everyone and it's definitely worth your time. ;)
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