Reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

slushysands's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

_emilie_jade's review against another edition

5.0

This is my Second Time reading this gem.
I loved the book and movie and was taken over by nostalgia in a way I can’t quite describe.
1. My Boy Sejanus deserved better
2. Corio got his heart broken once and decides to become the Man of our nightmares.
3. I will be reading and watching the movie over and over
thank you and good night

wherewolf37's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

eawhyte's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

farmerswife's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hannahcolechin22's review against another edition

5.0

“Well, as they said, it’s not over until the mockingjay sings.”

When I first discovered that there was a prequel to this outstanding trilogy, I can’t lie, I had very low expectations. The main trilogy had set the bar very high.

I was initially quite unenthusiastic when I found out about this book. Snow was one of the last characters that came to mind when thinking of who should deserve their own prequel. Characters like Haymitch and Finnick, victors of the 50th and 65th Hunger Games, would have been much more thrilling reads in my opinion. However, after reading this prequel, I can now say that Suzanne Collins’ characterisation of Snow was absolutely flawless. 

Being set 64 years before the first book, Collins gives her readers an insight into how certain aspects of the Games were created. Mentors, betting, sponsors, interviewing tributes, forming allies, the Victor’s Village, some things that Snow created himself, were all further explained in this prequel. Knowing what I know now makes re-watching/re-reading the main trilogy even more impactful.

prinstonhoang's review against another edition

4.0

This book started off really good. The first half of the book completely captivated me and kept me glued. Collins really brought you into the world of Panem and brought back the nostalgia from the first Hunger Games. However, after that it started to become pretty repetitive and monotonous. The story itself is strong but I feel as though the book had a lot of not needed chapters. It almost felt too long. With that being said I very much enjoyed it and am very excited for the film adaption to come out.

britt_r's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

molliehughes's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

ols_dove's review against another edition

5.0

Heard about the movie,
So wanted to read before,
Loved the book indeed,
So earned five feathers, not four.