A review by kearstinreading
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark tense medium-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

4.0

Suzanne Collins took a daring leap into the past with "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," offering readers a prequel to "The Hunger Games" series. The prospect of diving into the early life of President Snow was a daunting one; after all, we've grown to loathe him with every fiber of our beings through the original series. However, Collins' storytelling prowess is evident from the very beginning. She manages to take one of the most unlovable characters and weave a narrative that makes you, if not like him, at least understand him... somewhat.

From the outset, I was astounded by the complexity of this book. While it's indeed a prequel, I went into the novel with an established loathing for Snow. Surprisingly, that prejudice didn't taint my perception of the entire story. It's a testament to Collins' writing that she can transform this character from an almost likable protagonist in the first half of the book into the absolute worst human being in the latter part.

One of the highlights of the story is Lucy Gray, a character who left me constantly torn. I alternated between finding her endearing and feeling irked by her, particularly as the story neared its conclusion. While she initially appeared intelligent and cunning, I couldn't comprehend some of her choices, especially those related to Snow.

The book is split into two halves, and I found myself significantly more engaged with the first. It's possible that my bias comes from appreciating how the original books were a series, but I almost wished this story had been divided into two separate books. The first could have been focused on the Hunger Games, while the second could have explored the peacekeeper aspect.

One aspect that left me slightly confused was Snow's development. The narrative gradually peels back his eyes to the negative aspects of the Hunger Games and society at large, but his actions towards the end of the book caught me off guard. I wish the story had dedicated more time to thoroughly exploring Snow's transformation into the character we know from the existing series.

In summary, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" answers many questions raised by "The Hunger Games" series, offering a glimpse into how a society could deteriorate to such depths. The book begins on the 10th annual Hunger Games, introducing intriguing new elements to the competition. Enter Lucy Gray, a character who steals the spotlight with her enchanting presence. The narrative skillfully navigates Lucy Gray's journey in the Games and Snow's role as her mentor, all the while revealing the cracks in the Capitol's facade. Suzanne Collins has delivered a thought-provoking addition to the series that both captivates and leaves you with a sense of curiosity about the complex world she's crafted.
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