Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (Part 1)

The Hunger Games Trilogy
date began: February 04 2011

Part I - "The Ashes"

     I really had no idea what to expect for this book. I had no clue what the series was about before having read it, and also having no significant exposure to dystopian society books. Now that the first two books revolved around the two Hunger Games, I expected a third Games. So far, having read all of part one, not only has no Games occurred, but there appears to be nothing of the sort in the future.

     That aside, I still have no real idea where the book is going. I get that there's a whole revolution going on, but I never really paid much attention to the politics of the first two books. I cared so much more about the exciting Games and the love story between Katniss and Peeta (duh). So I have to say I am having a bit of trouble really embracing it and loving it as I did the first two.

     Not much has been established. I get that Collins has to lay the groundwork for the revolution to build on by bringing us back to a demolished District 12, and just like Katniss had to be introduced to the ruthless war tactics of the Capitol by bombing the hospital in District 8, so did the reader. I read and allowed myself to sympathize, but I admit, I've been sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for something exciting to happen. Where is Haymitch, and Cinna? And why is Caesar being such a dick... I never really felt he was part of the whole Capitol regime, but here he is now making Peeta look awful, basically doing the opposite of what he did the first two books.

     I also hate how we've hardly heard anything about Peeta. I honestly am confused as to what's going on with him and the cease fire and all that stuff. (Again, this is politics and is too dense for me. I may sound dumb, but I just don't like that kind of stuff!) I want some romance here! I want the Gale-Katniss-Peeta triangle to play out (obviously with Katniss and Peeta together... Gale can fall in love with Prim, and they can all live happily ever after).

     So this would be my take on the first 134 pages. Keep posted!