Jaclyn’s Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
written by Suzanne Collins
published by Scholastic Press, 2020

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Target, Walmart, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book? Returning to Panem was like visiting an old friend. I didn’t realize how much I missed the fantastical world of the Hunger Games trilogy until I got my hands on this book. In this story, we learn about President Snow’s time at school, and we get to witness one of the early Hunger Games. I loved watching the events unfold and seeing the evolution of the Games from what they originally were to what they became. We follow Snow to District 13 as a Peacekeeper and the associated drama. I loved seeing how Snow’s personality developed throughout the course of events. I did feel that some of the plot points were put in purposefully and felt out of place, like the genesis of the Hanging Tree song. This felt forced and unnatural. Even though this was a long book, I was left wanting more! I hope that Ms. Collins returns to the world of Panem again to give even more details and fill in the gaps between Snow’s return to the Capital and eventual presidency!

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! If you read and enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy, you will absolutely love this book–the background, the explanations, the details! Please note that though this is a prequel, you should not read this BEFORE reading the Hunger Games. So if you haven’t read the original triolgy yet, read that first, then come read this.
 

 

About the book – from Goodreads: AMBITION WILL FUEL HIM.
COMPETITION WILL DRIVE HIM.
BUT POWER HAS ITS PRICE.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

 

 
 

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** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on November 23, 2020.