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

adventurous dark tense fast-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

4.5

This was a very interesting book and a more challenging read than the other Hunger Games novels. It lacked the moral earnestness of the other books, instead requiring a hefty degree of skepticism about its protagonist. While I was initially less inclined to read this book, I'm glad I finally did. 

Focusing on the young future president Coriolanus Snow, this isn't so much a villain in the making narrative as a window into how a society built on oppression encourages cruelty and dehumanization and discourages empathy, allowing a young narcissist to nurture his worse impulses. Like all of the Hunger Games books the systems at work are almost more interesting than the characters themselves, although this one has some very compelling side characters, particularly the charismatic District 12 tribute and musician Lucy Gray, and Snow's district-born wealthy classmate Sejanus. 

Overall this shows a different side of Collins' world, and the fear and class warfare that permeates even the wealthiest citizens of Panem. 

Note, I read this after Sunrise on the Reaping although it was released first, and so my opinions of Snow were largely influenced by actions I know he performs later in other books. I think these books can realistically be read in any order (this one, Sunrise, or the main trilogy), although some details will be spoiled. 
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