TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by GReads! to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for followers.
Book Disappointments: Have you ever come across a book you were so stoked to read, but it failed miserably in your eyes?
Mockingjay. That book disappointed me so much that I spiraled into a reading slump lasting almost 5 months. Plus I live in fear of ALL trilogies. It takes a lot to make me pick up a new series now and I would rather wait until all of the books are out and read them together then so I can see how other people are feeling about the series ending.
I didn't really have a lot of expectations for what Mockingjay should or would be. I was just waiting to be blown away. The last book felt so disconnected from the previous two and Suzanne Collins writing style seemed different to me. Almost like she had a different agenda. I would have enjoyed the book as a stand alone anti-war novel, but as the conclusion of my beloved series and as a goodbye to some of my favorite characters it crushed me.
Mockingjay. That book disappointed me so much that I spiraled into a reading slump lasting almost 5 months. Plus I live in fear of ALL trilogies. It takes a lot to make me pick up a new series now and I would rather wait until all of the books are out and read them together then so I can see how other people are feeling about the series ending.
I didn't really have a lot of expectations for what Mockingjay should or would be. I was just waiting to be blown away. The last book felt so disconnected from the previous two and Suzanne Collins writing style seemed different to me. Almost like she had a different agenda. I would have enjoyed the book as a stand alone anti-war novel, but as the conclusion of my beloved series and as a goodbye to some of my favorite characters it crushed me.
My posts for the week:
Better Know A Blogger - Annabell's Book Nook
Review: You Against Me
Tune in Tuesday
Review: One Grave at a Time
Review: You Against Me
Tune in Tuesday
Review: One Grave at a Time
Have a great weekend everyone!
Ahhh unfortunatly I agree with you! First two books AMAZING! The third felt like it was written by someone else. It pains me to recall that book. I really wanted to love it :(
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Mockingjay was just NOT handled and executed very well, which was incredibly disappointing because the two books prior are amazing! I am trying to just imagine that it didn't end that way at all to be honest.
ReplyDeleteMockingjay was very, very heavy for me. I just never got that "good" feeling from the book - but I think that was the purpose. However I think the epilogue needs to be taken out. Holy cheese factor! That didn't fit well, at all.
ReplyDeleteI know you have mentioned Mockingjay many times and agree with you and there is something about trilogis that make my head swim too.
ReplyDeleteMockingjay was bittersweet to me, but all in all the series was amazing IMO. Interesting to read your POV though.
ReplyDeleteNew follower btw :)
Here's my post: http://www.jjireads.com/2011/09/tgif-and-flove-friday-1.html
I know I am in the minority not feeling MJ tainted the HG series. It provided me with lots of tears. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The ending was a major disappointment, and I think you're right about the style. It felt like such a major switch from the focus of the previous two and I think I would have been more on board if we'd gotten some of that information in Catching Fire instead. You know - ease us in a bit!
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind Mockingjay the way it was...and I loved the Epilogue. :P
ReplyDeleteThat is funny. I was disappointed with Mockingjay as well. I just attributed it to my end of series blues. Guess not. I was looking forward to A Need so Beautiful. That whole thing just didn't work out for me.
ReplyDeleteIt took a while for it to sink in for me just how bad Mockingjay actually was. And when it did, it ruined my August. Dreary hopelessness and long-lasting trauma might not be the best way to end a trilogy. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your opinion of Mockingjay. It didn't even feel the same as the other two books. I feel like Suzanne Collins had an agenda of what she had to tie up and that got in the way of the organic feel of the story. I think she could have easily written another book instead of cramming so much info into Mockingjay. I definitely missed the scenes in the arena though. Those were my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even thought of mentioning Mockingjay in my answer, but I agree with you completely. I adored the first two books, but Mockingjay was too military and too bleak. They really needed to bring the arena in somehow.
ReplyDeleteWasn't a fan.
You saw that I said Mockingjay and I must confess I had read your post beforehand and thought that you were too right and I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I finished it and a certain numbness coming over me. I was gobsmacked and it didn't really sink in for a few days. Then I put it back on the shelf, read The Hunger Games to remind myself she was a good writer, then moved on.
When I first read the question, Mockingjay came to mind. Then I saw the next word -- Mockingjay. haha
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever been more disappointed in a book as I have Mockingjay. I hated that book so much, I discourage folks from reading Catching Fire. I liked Catching Fire almost as much as Hunger Games (which was beyond superb!). However, I know folks will want to read Mockingjay after reading Catching Fire because of the cliffhanger. I just don't want them to experience the disappointment I had.
Next in line after Mockingjay would be Bad Moon Rising by Kenyon. All I could think was how dare you copy and paste your old scenes into a sequel and pretend like it's new!
oh no mockingjay :(( i haven't read any of the series yet.
ReplyDeletei think i'd have to go with true blood/sookie stackhouse book 1, couldn't even finish it.
Oh you and Mockingjay, lol. It's been a year now...can't you let it go?!
ReplyDeleteTotally kidding. You know I love you. I still haven't read it, though, because I'm afraid I'll be disappointed. I trust you oh so very much.
I need help picking out books for my year in China. So, I don't have a bunch on a list like this. :( Let me know what you think?
ReplyDeleteMad Scientist
Steampunkery & Book Reviews
When I read Mockingjay the first time I thought it had been too long since I read the first books so this summer I went back and reread in order. I didn't hate it but did feel the ending put it all back together neat and tidy.
ReplyDelete@Lena --Yes, we're still bitter about Mockingjay. ;-) When you're jilted by your own favorite series, it leaves scars. I'm going to go listen to some angry Kelly Clarkson, now...
ReplyDelete*here I am once again, I'm torn into pieces!*
@Tiger YES! this book was SO scarring to me, I don't think I'll EVER be over it. EVER. Hear that Lena? EVER!
ReplyDeleteIn a way, I think Mockingjay couldn't possibly live up to the hype and anticipation, but Suzanne Collins really did write one of the most depressing endings I've ever read. I don't think feeling depressed is going to make many readers happy (obviously!)
ReplyDelete