I finished The Hunger Games trilogy

I finished Mockingjay, the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy, and I wanted to write about it. Obviously big spoilers ahead, so if you haven’t read the books, or want to, then click off now.

I volunteer as tribute

In this future world, The Capitol governs and controls the 12 Districts of Panem, each of whom must provide two tributes to participate in The Hunger Games; a violent, televised spectacle where tributes must fight to the death. Whoever is left standing is crowned victor and gets to live a life free (mostly) from The Hunger Games, with wealth and benefits for themselves and their home District.

When the 74th Hunger Games is announced, Katniss volunteers in her sister, Prim’s, place, and Peeta is the male tribute for District 12.

However, as in Katniss and Peeta’s case, winning wasn’t the one-way ticket to a life of peace as they thought.

During the games, The Capitol tell the tributes that they will be accepting two winners from the same District. Katniss finds Peeta and works hard to keep them both alive. When they are the only remaining tributes, their victory is short-lived, when The Capitol announces that they have changed their minds and would only be accepting one tribute as winner. Left with an impossible decision, Katniss and Peeta threaten to commit suicide with nightlock berries and the Capitol intervene, crowning them both victors.

Katniss and Peeta’s act of defiance against the rule change sees their newfound freedom quickly taken from them.

President Snow announces the upcoming Quarter Quell, a special version of The Hunger Games held every twenty five years. The Quarter Quell marks the anniversary of The Capitol’s defeat of the Districts. During his announcement, he declares that tributes will be selected from the pool of previous Hunger Games victors, which ultimately throws Katniss and Peeta back in to the games.

When an uprising occurs during The Quarter Quell, Katniss is rescued from by the rebels, and becomes the symbol of the rebellion against The Capitol: The Mockingjay. Through warfare, televised propaganda and the eventual overthrowing of The Capitol regime, Katniss and the rebels win, but it comes at a terrible cost.

The Aftermath

In the end, The Hunger Games are abolished and, in the epilogue, we are given a glimpse of Katniss’ future. Katniss lives a life of peace with Peeta and her two children, the pair still coming to terms with their trauma. However, while they might have won, it wasn’t victorious or triumphant.

Katniss, and the people of The Districts, lived their lives in fear of The Capitol. The popular slogan of the games; “May The Odds be Ever in Your Favour!” is ironic, for The Capitol created the odds. The Capitol changing rules at the drop of a hat, showcased that the tributes, and the Districts, never had control, not even in the arena.

A new regime of peace begins, but Katniss lost her sister, and many of her friends. Peeta was mentally tortured by The Capitol. Katniss lost her childhood and endured trauma, so much so, that her special place in the woods no longer provides the sanctuary it once did.

It parallels Frodo from The Lord of The Rings. Sauron was defeated, Aragorn takes his rightful place as King and there was peace. Frodo got to return to The Shire with his friends, but it was never the same. Frodo too endured great trauma on his journey to destroy the ring in Mount Doom, hence he left with Gandalf to Valinor (the Undying Lands), where he could heal.

“We set out to save the shire, Sam, and it has been saved … but not for me.”

Frodo, The Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King (2003)

Final Thoughts

I genuinely really enjoyed this series. I couldn’t put it down and I thought the themes of reality tv, war and power were really interesting. Suzanne Collins’ pacing and world building are exceptional. The saga reflects the impact of war, the trauma and loss. I would highly recommend this series.