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A review by elderlingfool
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I wasn't interested in reading this book, but then I reread the original trilogy and I watched the movie for this prequel. I found out that the Hunger Games series still has a place in my heart and I was curious to see how the movie differs from the book. There are a few changes, especially when it comes to the main character's actions and motivations, but both are pretty good.
This prequel presents a young Coriolanus Snow and how he was a mentor to a girl from District 12 (same District as Katniss) in the 10th Hunger Games. It shows how much people didn't care for the games at the start and how much they changed and why until they became the show seen in the original trilogy. We see the progression of Snow, that starts as a bit of an unlikeable character but not completely awful, until he is on his path to become president. Coriolanus is no stranger to hunger and poverty , but he has to keep the appearance of prestige because of his name and the hope of success.
I really liked the imagery of the mockingjays, jaberjays and snakes to represent Lucy Gray and Coriolanus and also the districts and the Capitol. It was entertaining to see the connection between certain moments and what happens in the original trilogy and how it affected Snow in a more powerful way than shown initially (like the mockingjay and the Hanging Tree song).
While the trilogy was written in first person present to make the reader close to the character and show the fast-paced action, this book was written in third person past and it's a slower character study shown at a distance. The author also improved as a writer. This was very engaging to read even if there weren't as many plot reveals as there was in the first trilogy.
Coriolanus Snow is a very interesting character and he comes of as more unlikeable here than in the movie because the reader has access to his thoughts. He is self-centered, opportunistic and manipulative. His good looks make him charming and it shows how easier it is to fool other people when that is the reality. Lucy Gray is more mysterious than in the movie since we can only observe her through Snow's eyes. Sejanus is pretty much the same. There were some changes when it comes to certain characters actions in the arena, but to be honest I don't remember much about them since Snow didn't care much for them either.
When Lucy Gray is singing it shows Coriolanus interpretation of the verses and that annoyed me a little. I get why it was done, but it was done too often for my taste and I didn't need the repetition of some of his views.
I really liked this book and it was a good addition to the series. I am glad I decided to give it a chance in the end because there isn't many nostalgic media that stands the test of time.
This prequel presents a young Coriolanus Snow and how he was a mentor to a girl from District 12 (same District as Katniss) in the 10th Hunger Games. It shows how much people didn't care for the games at the start and how much they changed and why until they became the show seen in the original trilogy. We see the progression of Snow, that starts as a bit of an unlikeable character but not completely awful, until he is on his path to become president. Coriolanus is no stranger to hunger and poverty , but he has to keep the appearance of prestige because of his name and the hope of success.
I really liked the imagery of the mockingjays, jaberjays and snakes to represent Lucy Gray and Coriolanus and also the districts and the Capitol. It was entertaining to see the connection between certain moments and what happens in the original trilogy and how it affected Snow in a more powerful way than shown initially (like the mockingjay and the Hanging Tree song).
While the trilogy was written in first person present to make the reader close to the character and show the fast-paced action, this book was written in third person past and it's a slower character study shown at a distance. The author also improved as a writer. This was very engaging to read even if there weren't as many plot reveals as there was in the first trilogy.
Coriolanus Snow is a very interesting character and he comes of as more unlikeable here than in the movie because the reader has access to his thoughts. He is self-centered, opportunistic and manipulative. His good looks make him charming and it shows how easier it is to fool other people when that is the reality. Lucy Gray is more mysterious than in the movie since we can only observe her through Snow's eyes. Sejanus is pretty much the same. There were some changes when it comes to certain characters actions in the arena, but to be honest I don't remember much about them since Snow didn't care much for them either.
When Lucy Gray is singing it shows Coriolanus interpretation of the verses and that annoyed me a little. I get why it was done, but it was done too often for my taste and I didn't need the repetition of some of his views.
I really liked this book and it was a good addition to the series. I am glad I decided to give it a chance in the end because there isn't many nostalgic media that stands the test of time.