Not So Hungry Anymore

This spring and summer I attended two writing conferences. 

Of course, everyone in the writing business wants to know: What's new? and What's hot?

Over and over, I heard people saying dystopian is the new BIG thing.  

The consensus was that The Hunger Games is the new Twilight.

In April, I had not read the series, so I did this summer.  When I attended PNWA in August, I had the third book in my car, but I wouldn't let myself read it, because I needed to write. In fact, when I met with one agent, she asked me what the last YA book I'd read was.  When I told her the third book was in my car, she laughed out loud.  "Oh, yeah," she said.  "Those are so addicting." 

I came home and devoured the final installment, Mockingjay.  If you haven't read the series,WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! 

Until the final book, I really did think The Hunger Games was the new Twilight and would go on to be a billion-dollar empire in print and film. Then I read that third book. 
I was so disappointed with the ending that I don't even want to see the movie. 

The thing is, a book sells on fifty pages.  Really, agents and editors don't read entire novels in the beginning.  They decide if they like the concept and they read a few pages, and if they like it they request more.  As a reader though, Mockingjay proved the power of the right ending, because the ending of that book spoiled the whole series for me.  Seriously, I was like, "If I had known Prim was going to die anyway and Katniss was going to marry that dork, Peta, I would never have read the stupid books."

I understand the author wanted the ending to be a surprise.  Maybe she was trying to make a point about how war is costly and life is bittersweet, but I don't care.  I want a good ending, one that feels right and makes me so happy I can't wait for everyone I know to read the books.  I was so mad about about those final pages, that I texted my friend at 11:00 at night.  "This is the wrong ending!"
Because, really, would The Twilight Saga be the same smashing success if in Breaking Dawn,
Bella suddenly decided to marry Jacob and have puppies? (That's for Earlgirl).
Would you love Harry Potter if Voldemort killed Ron and Hermione in the end?  NO!

So, for what it's worth, here is how I think Mockingjay should have ended:

Crazy Peta, who tried to kill Katniss and wanted to change,

should have died saving Prim.  Katniss and Gale should have gone back to live in 12,

and the final scenes should have been of the two of them teaching their children to hunt and fish

in the woods where they met. 

But, who am I to criticize? 

Suzanne Collins got a three-book deal,

and I can't get anyone to look at my manuscript.