Some of you may know that the third and final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay,  was released at the end of August. For those of you who don’t- you are missing out on some intense post-apocalyptic action including death matches sponsored by what’s left of the government, a gut-wrenching love triangle that is still keeping readers guessing and, from what I’ve heard, a really killer ending.

This is not a Mockingjay, but it is a chicken from Monet's garden in France. And, it does not want to be disturbed-or so the French signs said.

I. Am. So. Pumped!! These books drag you into a world of turmoil and unrest. They keep you riveted with stark comparisons of gluttony and excess alongside moral perversion and poverty.

I have Mockingjay sitting calmly on my Kindle, just waiting for me to “flip open” the first page and release the storm of literary awesomeness! I am finishing up Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs right now, but am fully anticipating the glory of this final chapter in Katniss Everdeen’s story.

Before I jump into Mockingjay, I wanted to explain what I expect and hope for in this much-anticipated novel:

1 Some more teenage violence. Ok- this book involves young teens tearing each other apart for the masses’ viewing pleasure. The Hunger Games is a TV show that pits teens “lucky” enough to win a lottery on each other to see who will be the lone survivor while their peers kill each other off. Although it is pretty violent, there are no gory details or descriptions. The violence is apart of the story that highlights the hard, humble life of Katniss Everdeen. The 12 districts left after the world has been bombed to heck each offer one child/teenager to be placed into the Hunger Games and do so by entering names into a lottery. Katniss is a long shot to win the Hunger Games because she is from the poorest of the districts, which could never afford to help train her for the games. But, somehow she survives. Just like the viewers at home watching the televised Games- her’s is a story that is as violent as a 4-car pileup but one that no one can look away from.

2A resolution to the Peeta, Katniss and Gale love triangle. Seriously. Katniss finally has to decide between her friend from childhood, Gale, who’s suddenly become more than just a friend and Peeta, her former competition in the Hunger Games who has helped keep her alive with a ruse of being love-sick sweethearts. Only, somehow that relationship also turned into more than just pretending. Although the love story certainly takes a back seat to the main action, it certainly is a key to future events and how Katniss decides to move on with her life. I am such a sucker for a good love triangle! If I had to guess, I’d say she chooses….Peeta. Just a pure guess.

3A mind-blowing ending that I can’t predict but can be satisfied with. I’ve heard some vague rumors, and I think the author doesn’t something truly unexpected. I love a good surprise- but not something too far out there. Not something that will make me regret ever wasting my time, excitement and money. Hmmmm. Will Katniss’ world be rebuilt after the impoverished, ignored districts rise up and take back what their government took away or will something darker and unexpected happen instead?? Somehow, I feel like this author is going to give this a “happy ending” with a Luke-I-Am-Your-Father kind of twist.

I’m about to find out…

Come back next week to see how my predictions hold up!