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A review by astrireads
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
5.0
Suzanne Collins' "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is a prequel that takes its readers back to the haunting world of Panem, exploring the origin story of the infamous President Snow. This book introduces us to a young Coriolanus Snow, providing insights into the factors that shaped his worldview and eventual rise to power. Snow is a compelling and morally ambiguous character who challenges readers to question the fine line between good and evil.
The writing managed to portray the contrast between the oppressive atmosphere of Panem and the luxury of the Capitol. Readers are also transported to an era in which the Hunger Games is still in its primitive form and lack the technological sophistication we have known in the Hunger Games trilogy.
The narrative dives deep into the moral grey areas and focuses more on the character development of Snow. Unlike the movie, the book offers the opportunity for us to read the thought process of Snow. It was fascinating and chilling to get inside his head and know how a villain like him thinks and constantly justifies his actions, no matter how bad his actions are.
The story of Coriolanus Snow made me think of the saying 'a villain is not born, they are made'. I think that is true, no baby is born with an evil heart. Their live experiences make them believe what they believe. However, I think that Snow was a villain at heart. He had so many good people around him and opportunities to be good, but his distrust to humanity and his dream of power and riches defeated his will to be good.
Overall, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is a dark and thought-provoking prequel to the Hunger Games series. It is a gripping and unsettling look at how power, and even the thought of power, corrupts an individual.
The writing managed to portray the contrast between the oppressive atmosphere of Panem and the luxury of the Capitol. Readers are also transported to an era in which the Hunger Games is still in its primitive form and lack the technological sophistication we have known in the Hunger Games trilogy.
The narrative dives deep into the moral grey areas and focuses more on the character development of Snow. Unlike the movie, the book offers the opportunity for us to read the thought process of Snow. It was fascinating and chilling to get inside his head and know how a villain like him thinks and constantly justifies his actions, no matter how bad his actions are.
The story of Coriolanus Snow made me think of the saying 'a villain is not born, they are made'. I think that is true, no baby is born with an evil heart. Their live experiences make them believe what they believe. However, I think that Snow was a villain at heart. He had so many good people around him and opportunities to be good, but his distrust to humanity and his dream of power and riches defeated his will to be good.
Overall, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is a dark and thought-provoking prequel to the Hunger Games series. It is a gripping and unsettling look at how power, and even the thought of power, corrupts an individual.