I loved this book and I will talk about content, but first I must give praise to the audio itself. I often read the books before I listen to them, so..Show More » I don't expect to be so spellbound by the audio. However, with this book, the narrator (Carolyn McCormick) is great and helps to engage me even more than when I read it myself. I had listened to the first book "The Hunger Games" before reading the second, it had the same narrator, and I could hear here voice in my head as I read. I made a point of listening to both back to back and it was pure pleasure. In "Catching Fire", I found myself laughing and crying with the book. The narrator is consistent and spot on with her inflections and voicing.

Now for content, I had been anticipating this second book in the trilogy since the moment I finished the first. It continues just a short time after the first and covers all that has happened in between and then continues on with the story Suzanne Collins so expertly weaved. The book is perfectly title as it descibes exactly how the temperment of the Districts has developed. I don't want to spoil it for people with too much. The love triangle between the Katniss, Peeta and Gale is further fleshed out, but, of course, is not resolved. The author does a wonderful job of this, and I, myself, can't even decide who is the one to choose, I can't take sides.

I don't know how helpful this review will be, but I cannot praise this book enough. It left me more than eager for the final book and I am sure that I will need to read it again in the mean time.

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Ah... I think after the strong ending in "catching fire" that mockingjay might become more action oriented.

What I didn't bargain on wa..Show More »s the book becoming so dark and for so long. I guess Hunger Games and Catching Fire had element of colourful naive adventure in them. Mockingjay is not colourless but dark, confronting and causes a ruckus of emotion in the listener.

I can understand people not liking the book - because it isn't what they had signed up for. They had signed up for light YA games. This is the mature adult reality of life. Suzanne Collins causes the readers to grow up to these issues quite quickly. They need to realise that the book is still beautifully written and narrated. There is still a story and a message.

I think the ending gives closure but not the warm pleasant feeling of a happy ending. Everyone must wish that certain bloody events didn't occur.

Definite worth listening but be warned - don't expect everyone to come unscathed and DO keep tissues handy.

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