In the last installment of Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games Trilogy, Collins exceeded readers’ expectations in a beautifully written whirlwind of action, drama, and bloodshed.

After reading the first two books, most readers-myself included-would expect Katniss to simply march into the Capitol, kill President Snow and take Peeta back.  Throw caution to the wind with the consequence that she could be killed.  But she doesn’t do this; instead she takes her position as rebel figurehead, the Mockingjay, and helps Coin bring down the Capitol with the help of Gale, Finnick and her commander, Boggs.  Through her ordeal of trying to take the Capitol and President Snow down, Katniss attempts to rescue Peeta and put an end to the cruelty the Districts have experienced.

Mockingjay is the perfect ending for Collins’ sci-fi trilogy, hooking readers in on the first page and not letting them go until the last.  Inwardly you’ll be cheering for Katniss to win just like you did in the first two novels of this series, praying she’ll end up with Peeta and have babies like you’ve been wanting since their first romantic scene in The Hunger Games.  Maybe they will, or maybe she’ll end up with Gale instead.  You’ll have to read to find out....