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

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-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

5.0

I wish I could properly articulate how much I love this book but at the moment I'm having a hard time stringing a complete sentence together that isn't just a serious of screaming into the void. I think at the core of how I feel about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is that everything felt intentional, it didn't feel like a prequel written years after the original series, and it only expanded and deepened the motives, emotions and messages in the original series. 

This is a book that requires at least two read throughs to really soak everything in, I believe, because there's just  so much meaning hidden behind the beautiful writing. Collins masterfully crafts Snows' backstory in a way that leaves no question about his morals and character being corrupt while also portraying this in a way that has you at the edge of your seat. This is a story about an evil man, not because of his background or upbringing but simply because of who he is, and the lengths he's willing to go to in order to preserve his status. 

But as is common with all of Suzanne Collins' work we also are gifted with the messages of fascism, the dangers of government overstep, and the resilience that beats at the heart of humanity. 
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