The book concludes the story of Katniss Everdeen, who agrees to unify the districts of Panem in a rebellion against the tyrannical Capitol.

[9] Following Catching Fire, Katniss Everdeen, her mother, her sister Primrose Everdeen, mentor Haymitch Abernathy, and her friends Finnick Odair, Beetee and Gale Hawthorne, along with the survivors from District 12, adjust to life underground in District 13, headquarters of the rebellion in Panem.

In the ensuing urban warfare, many of Katniss's comrades are killed, including Finnick who is devoured by genetically-modified reptiles.

As the last of her squad reaches Snow's mansion, a hovercraft bearing the Capitol seal drops bombs among a group of children being used as human shields.

As she recuperates, Katniss, profoundly depressed over her sister's death, learns the rebels have taken over the Capitol and Snow is to be publicly executed.

She becomes convinced that, rather than establishing a democracy, Coin intends to take Snow's place and maintain the status quo.

Katniss is happy with her new life and her family, but still carries mental and emotional scars, and dreads the day her children learn about their parents' involvement in the war and the Games.

She tells her young daughter that when she feels distressed, she plays a comforting, repetitive game: reminding herself of every good thing she has ever seen someone do.

A review from The Baltimore Sun noted that "the themes of the series, including physical hardships, loyalty in extreme circumstances and traversing morally ambiguous terrain, are continued at an even larger scale."

[10] In an interview with Collins, it was noted that the series "tackles issues like severe poverty, starvation, oppression, and the effects of war."

[4] Yvonne Zipp of The Christian Science Monitor noted that it was "the most brutal of the trilogy" and that "Collins doesn't take war lightly – her characters debate the morality involved in tactics used to try to overthrow the rotting, immoral government, and they pay a high cost for those tactics.

"[11] Katie Roiphe of The New York Times wrote that "it is the perfect teenage story with its exquisitely refined rage against the cruel and arbitrary power of the adult world.

"[12] In a review for USA Today, Bob Minzesheimer pointed out that the novel contained optimism: "Hope emerges from despair.

[13] Susan Carpenter of the Los Angeles Times also pointed this out, writing, "Mockingjay takes readers into new territories and an even more brutal and confusing world: one where it's unclear what sides the characters are on, one where presumed loyalties are repeatedly stood on their head".

The official event in New York City was attended by Collins, and included many activities such as a tarot card reader, a magician, jugglers and face-painters.

[24] In November/December 2010 issue of Bookmarks, the book received a (4.0 out of 5) based on critic reviews with a summary stating, "This dystopic-fantasy series," noted the Washington Post, "has had such tremendous crossover appeal that teens and parents may discover themselves vying for and talking about – the family copy of Mockingjay".

[25] Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review, calling it "the best yet, a beautifully orchestrated and intelligent novel that succeeds on every level".

[26] Nicole Sperling of Entertainment Weekly gave the book a B+ and said, "Collins has kicked the brutal violence up a notch in an edge-of-your-seat plot".

[28] Susan Carpenter of the Los Angeles Times compared the battlefield to Iraq and said that the book is every bit as original as the first in the series, ending the review with "Wow".

[10] Katie Roiphe of The New York Times said it is "the perfect teenage story with its exquisitely refined rage against the cruel and arbitrary power of the adult world".

While a review from The Sacramento Bee praised the action scenes and the battle in the Capitol, the reviewer also criticized Collins for not giving enough time to finish all the loose ends, writing that "the disappointment with Mockingjay hits primarily as Collins starts her home stretch.

[31] Francis Lawrence, director of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, returned to direct the two final films in the series.