theqissilent's reviews
1059 reviews

I loved this series, and I even loved most of Mockingjay...until the last couple chapters. Everything was just so rushed. Prim's death, Katniss's reconciliation with her mother (a mention of a phone call, really??), and Katniss and Peeta's reunion was really glossed over. It felt hollow in a way. We could've at least gotten names for their children. I thought the whole Gale/Peeta thing was old; I felt that decision was made in Catching Fire... And there was so little character growth for Katniss, almost a few steps backward from where she was in Catching Fire. Though I did love the propoganda videos. And the Real? Not Real? game was just touching! But, this book lacked Peeta. Haymitch was right - Katniss just didn't deserve him (lol)... I applaud Collins for not holding back on showing the atrocities of war. Great series overall.

I won't gush over this book, because I didn't outright love it. In fact, it sat on my Nook for nearly a year before I attempted to read it at all. Then I started with the intro on the 108 beads, lost interest quickly, and didn't try again for another couple months. I now wish I had just skipped that part, b/c it really added nothing to my enjoyment or understanding of the book; once I got into the chapters themselves the reading became easier, though not necessarily always enjoyable. I guess its the nature of a memoir that it reads somewhat like a stream-of-consciousness journal. Some of her tangents completely took me out of the narrative. I honestly really didn't need the whole history of Dante's influence on modern Italian language to understand her love for it. Seemed superfluous at the time. And her lists! God, the lists of people who "signed" her letter went on for like 3 pages. I was like, "Ok, chick, we get the point!! Move on, please."
Overall though, I liked her journey. I empathized and sympathized with her on so many levels. I've had the crying on the bathroom floor moments (and in the car, and in the living room, and in bed with my face pressed into a pillow to muffle the sounds). People that call her self-absorbed maybe just don't understand depression (which is more than just another word for sad) and anxiety. And self-absorbed? Really? Its a personal memoir. Who the hell else is she supposed to talk about?
And while I can't even begin to afford to live abroad for a year to heal my issues, I won't begrudge her having the means to do so. She even addresses this herself, noting that she has special circumstances. I see it as this: maybe fate-the universe-God made possible exactly what she needed, when she needed it. Besides what good publisher wouldn't capitalize on this opportunity presented to them by one of their established writers? She was going to write about it anyway...
I loved the India section most in the book, the spiritual fight she endured. I've been at the "I just want God..." point. Still there, actually. Watching God heal her was just uplifting and inspiring. Restorative. I know what I'm going thru will get better. My path may be different, but I know this rocky road will end.
Can't review this book without saying how much I adored her "supporting characters" either. I loved Richard from Texas and his humor. And Ketut. And Wayan and Tutti. And Yudhi. And Felipe, of course. Showing the contrast of her falling slowly for him, as opposed to the instant "I REALLY like him" feelings with Ian was such a true sign of growth for her. And I applaud her for putting herself out there like that. There's nothing wrong with a woman not finding happiness only from being a wife and mother. Nor is it something wrong with a woman who does. I congratulate her on figuring out which woman she is and bettering herself.