And the verdict is...

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I finished the Hunger Games series last night, and I have three things to say (for now, at least. These are just initial thoughts begging to hurl themselves into a post).

CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD

I loved the ending. I realize there have been many disputes about the resolution of each main character and his or her fate, but I strongly support the author's decisions. First and foremost, Katniss assassinating Coin was absolutely brilliant and unpredictable to me (and I count myself as a fairly good predictor when it comes to novels. For example, I knew Harry Potter was a horcrux as soon as the term was introduced). Immediately after reading the lines indicating Coin had fallen to her death, I gained an entirely increased level of respect for Katniss. Miss Everdeen, while only being a 17-year-old girl, discerned from the early get-go that Coin was hardly different from Snow. Sure, Coin was incredible for her ability to salvage District 13 and her overthrowing of the Capitol was a vision of hope, but in the end, both dictators were rooted in in-humane beliefs. Both feared more than they loved. Forcing your citizens to wear daily tatooed schedules on the under belly of their forearm? Or forcing citizens' rationing of food based off of BMI? I believe in organization and law, but micromanagement to such an intricate level wreaks of potential tyranny. Also, when Coin introduced the idea of a "final" hunger games as a way to avenge all the past victors and their families, it was completely clear Coin would have brought none, if any improvement, to the current government system. Her motives were based on control and revenge--and I think we can all agree those just don't mix well in the blender of government and people. Such characteristics usually result in more revolution, more violence and more deprication of the human race. I.E. Africa.

Secondmost, Prim's death was necessary--although terribly tragic. But how ironic! The whole point of Katniss even entering the games was to protect the life of her sister. Then the Hunger Games fueled a revolution. And then the revolution ultimately killed Prim. Again I say, how ironic.

Katniss returning home to live a normal life is actually a smart move. As I read the novel, it was difficult for me to "believe" the story (probably because I barely relate to the characters' situations and struggles. For example, I've never lived in poverty, never starved, and never been required to murder someone for the sake of games or law). I was skeptical of Katniss's bravery, valor and consistency in relation to her age; and I had a hard time believing someone as young as Peeta could love so unconditionally. Also, I wondered--constantly--just how much clout those in power would have granted to Katniss. In the novel they act as if she's the only force keeping the districts together. I'm not convinced that's true, even though she was a substantial player. However, when I read the very last words of the book, including the epologue, all the drama, fighting, internal struggles, skewed, exaggerated thought processes, tears and triumphs actually came together for me. To me, the novel ended beautifully, coming full circle: Katniss back in District 12, surviving one day at a time. Her role as the "Mockingjay", the "girl on fire" needed to end, for her own emotional well being. At the end I felt resolution, and I was able to appreciate the series as a vision of sacrifice for the greater good, true love, and what it really means to act on truth and morals. I also closed the book understanding that youth doesn't put bounds on a person's ability to change their circumstances, or the world.

Katniss and Peeta is a wonderful thing. I am officially a Peeta fan through and through. For a while a friend almost had me convinced Gale was the better choice. After all, Katniss and Gale already knew what it was like to live life day-to-day while Peeta and Katniss, on the other hand, had a relationship based upon extremities, not reality. But, despite my friend's best efforts, I was sold on Peeta the second I read he was the one outside her house planting the flours, not Gale. And I was committed the moment Katness explained her reasoning: she needed bread, not wild poultry. Unconditional love, not fierce expectations. Life rather than fire.

In truth, the novel is not the most brilliantly written story. I would have liked the author to delve more into Panem's history: the fall of the world, Snow's predicessors, how Panem decided to form its government and the process of how the districts were created--geographically and economically. I realize these details aren't necessary for the story, and such a historical monologue wasn't the focus of the novel, but I still want to know what Katniss was learning in school. I wanted to know the details of all the types of influences that created her paradigm, in addition to her childhood experiences (father dying, being obligated to provide for her family at an early age, hunger, etc). While the book isn't extensive in historical depth, the novel does give poiniont insight into Katniss's mind. Granted, Katniss is the narrator, but I applaud the author's ability to express Katniss's every thought.

If you haven't read the series, I would encourage you to do so. Just make sure you read all three books.