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A review by jessicaludden
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“The show’s not over until the mockingjay sings.”
I know a lot of people hate this book but I loved it a lot. Snow is such an evil character and it was so interesting to see him develop from a poor young Capitol boy in the aftermath of the war to a power seeking future tyrant. By no means are you rooting for him, but you do start to understand him and it was so intriguing to read from his perspective.
I also thought the commentary on humanity and the social contract was super interesting. It played with this idea of humans being inherently good or evil. Snow consciously made decisions for his own benefit and self-preservation and it was so interesting to hear his thought process and all the justifications he made for himself. I loved how it tied into the hunger games and the decisions that were made to further develop them.
I really liked seeing this early version of the hunger games and how it compares to the hunger games of the future we know. Getting to see it develop from simple games to the spectacle that it is in the trilogy really emphasizes how cruel Snow is as a leader. The hunger games became a never ending punishment for the citizens of Panem and the victors themselves because of him.
I especially liked how Snow’s supposed “love” for Lucy Gray wasn’t even enough to deter his desire for power and status and you’ve gotta love to hate Lucy’s ending. She’s a mystery even in death. Overall, I loved seeing this world in a new way and I can’t wait for the movie.
I know a lot of people hate this book but I loved it a lot. Snow is such an evil character and it was so interesting to see him develop from a poor young Capitol boy in the aftermath of the war to a power seeking future tyrant. By no means are you rooting for him, but you do start to understand him and it was so intriguing to read from his perspective.
I also thought the commentary on humanity and the social contract was super interesting. It played with this idea of humans being inherently good or evil. Snow consciously made decisions for his own benefit and self-preservation and it was so interesting to hear his thought process and all the justifications he made for himself. I loved how it tied into the hunger games and the decisions that were made to further develop them.
I really liked seeing this early version of the hunger games and how it compares to the hunger games of the future we know. Getting to see it develop from simple games to the spectacle that it is in the trilogy really emphasizes how cruel Snow is as a leader. The hunger games became a never ending punishment for the citizens of Panem and the victors themselves because of him.
I especially liked how Snow’s supposed “love” for Lucy Gray wasn’t even enough to deter his desire for power and status and you’ve gotta love to hate Lucy’s ending. She’s a mystery even in death. Overall, I loved seeing this world in a new way and I can’t wait for the movie.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, War, Addiction, Blood, Child death, Infidelity, Murder, Death of parent, Classism, and Death