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A review by signebrum
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Original review:
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did
Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVED the Hunger Games, but I did feel it was kind off unnecessary to get more books in the universe. However, I really loved seeing the Capitol, District 12, the Hunger Games and everything we knew from the trilogy years prior.
I loved the subtle world building and the parallels to the trilogy, especially in how the actual Hunger Games were viewed. The way people from the Capitol find them uncomfortable in this book to loving them 65 years later! Amazing!
I also loved seeing it from Snow’s perspective, which surprised me a LOT. You rooted for him throughout the book and generally understood his choices. The live story with Lucy Gray and the entire subplot with jabberjays and mockingjays made you really understand Snow’s worldview in the original books, and my God, I LIVE for it!
———————————————
1st reread:
The way this is the prefect origin story for Snow! On a second read, with the original series fresh in mind (as well as having watched the movie - what an adaption!) this book can only be described as haunting… in the best possible way!
The way Collins makes us not only understand Snow’s character, but root for him throughout most of the book. The way Lucy Gray’s character is written to be so opposite him. The play on songbirds and snakes throughout it all. The subtle foreshadowing for Katniss’ story 65 years later. It’s simply stunning.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did
Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVED the Hunger Games, but I did feel it was kind off unnecessary to get more books in the universe. However, I really loved seeing the Capitol, District 12, the Hunger Games and everything we knew from the trilogy years prior.
I loved the subtle world building and the parallels to the trilogy, especially in how the actual Hunger Games were viewed. The way people from the Capitol find them uncomfortable in this book to loving them 65 years later! Amazing!
I also loved seeing it from Snow’s perspective, which surprised me a LOT. You rooted for him throughout the book and generally understood his choices. The live story with Lucy Gray and the entire subplot with jabberjays and mockingjays made you really understand Snow’s worldview in the original books, and my God, I LIVE for it!
———————————————
1st reread:
The way this is the prefect origin story for Snow! On a second read, with the original series fresh in mind (as well as having watched the movie - what an adaption!) this book can only be described as haunting… in the best possible way!
The way Collins makes us not only understand Snow’s character, but root for him throughout most of the book. The way Lucy Gray’s character is written to be so opposite him. The play on songbirds and snakes throughout it all. The subtle foreshadowing for Katniss’ story 65 years later. It’s simply stunning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail