I absolutely loved The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, and having read all three, I must say that Catching Fire was probably my favorite. I figured I’d throw that out there right at the beginning, because Mockingjay was somewhat of a disappointment. But Collins set the bar so high that I’m not sure there was any conclusion she could have written that wouldn’t have disappointed me.
In hindsight, sending children to fight for their lives all in the name of politics should probably have disgusted me more than fascinated me. Here was a misaligned society with a strong female character meant for teens and I couldn’t help but love it.
The first two books were all action-packed, so how can I compare analysis and angst with such fast-paced horror? I can’t. Katniss has forever changed because of the situations she has faced – her innocence is gone forever. And her childhood naiveté that helped her power through the tough times has hardened her spirit to the tough reality of a rebellion. She aged ten years in the short time between books 2 and 3, and it is almost as if two different characters are in front of me. I am sympathetic to her plight, and yet, irritated that my animal desire for blood lust times three overshadows my more sophisticated appreciation for the message Collins is trying to send.
In the end, the series taught me that there are no winners in a war. Whatever the outcome, both sides lose.
