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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I just...don't know. It took a LONG time to get things moving. This is typical for Collins, I realize. But it seemed to drag longer than the others before things really picked up. And then it was a burst of exciting, and back to slow. I am glad I read it though - it's nice to have some background on Snow and the earlier days of the Capitol and districts.
Love her writing, but Snow’s transformation felt extremely rushed
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Cannibalism, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, War
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The manic pixie dream girl trope is a little disappointing, but it's a great prequel anyway. I kept thinking how much Snow reminds me of Scarlett O'Hara - they both know that they're bad people, somewhere deep down, but they're so overwhelmed with fear of being white trash and losing control of their love interests.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Cannibalism, War, Injury/Injury detail
Snake bites, public execution
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
lucy gray haunting the narrative yeah that's what i thought...and what HE DESERVES!
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a prequel to Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games trilogy, detailing the early life of the villainous Coriolanus Snow as he mentors a tribute during the 10th annual Hunger Games and begins his ascent to becoming the tyrannical president of Panem. The story explores his complex relationship with the tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, and the factors that fueled his ambition and morally compromised decisions. A film adaptation, also titled The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was released in 2023.
The Book
- Author: Suzanne Collins
- Publication Date: May 19, 2020
- Plot: Set 64 years before the original trilogy, the novel focuses on a young Coriolanus Snow as he seeks glory as a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games. His assignment to a tribute from the lowest-ranked District 12 forces him to confront his family's disgraced status and navigate the cruelty of the Capitol. He develops a connection with his tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, and must balance his personal desire for success with his developing feelings and the brutal realities of the Games.
- Themes: The book delves into the origins of Coriolanus Snow's villainy, exploring themes of ambition, power, morality, and the complexities of human nature in the face of chaos.
The Film
- Release Date: November 17, 2023
- Director: Francis Lawrence
- Cast: Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird
- Relationship to the Book: The film is a direct adaptation of the novel, serving as a prequel to the original Hunger Games film series. Many key lines and scenes are drawn directly from the text.