A review by jaelyn7
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark reflective tense medium-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

5.0

I read and loved The Hunger Games trilogy over a decade ago, and I cannot believe it took me this long to read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This is an excellent villain origin story that can inspire many thought-provoking conversations. That being said, I question whether I would have the same takes as a 12-year old, or even if I read this a decade ago along with the other books. I felt that the plot was less action-focused than the other books, so it could read slower if that's what you're reading for. However, if you're a dystopia lover who actively makes connections to what's going on today, there is much material here to devour. It has also made me want to reread the trilogy to see the connections and character motivations after having an in-depth look at the backstory.