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

adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“It’s just the kind of story that catches fire.”

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is nothing like I had imagined and everything I could have hoped for. 

As a long-time fan of the original trilogy, I was apprehensive about reading this prequel. Partly because of my past disappointments with expansion of series, as well as the possibility of bursting that bubble of nostalgia. Collins easily came in with an absolute gem which is sure to be another amazing book-to-film adaptation. 

“The origins of Coriolanus Snow and his star-crossed romance with District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird” would be a rather reductive summary of a story which completely dissects the fabric of The Hunger Games, and the masterful future President Snow’s adolescent contributions to its future success. We see him attempting to maintain public appearances in the midst of post-war financial stresses, a young boy thrust into the harsh realities of politics. What ensues is nothing short of invasive and all-encompassing. Both Snow, and the reader, completely wrapped up in a story and game that seemingly has no end. The end of the game is not the end of the story, as Snow learns all too well how survival is not a singular annual event but an ongoing daily struggle. A struggle upon which the Games are founded, as “Without the control to enforce the [societal] contract, chaos reigned.” This story only helps to further understand the parallels in the lives of Coriolanus Snow and Katniss Everdeen. Snow’s hatred for Katniss, mockingjays and rebellion: all reminiscent of his tumultuous childhood which he only barely overcame, through the sacrifice of his humanity, his family and his love. The strategic use of music/lyrics and the imagery it holds is an invisible string that ties everything together, the origin of The Hanging Tree  a beautiful parting gift and devastating revelation that will live on in THG history. 

It is of no surprise how congruent to modern societies Panem is, and in the end I am left with the burning question: “If the people who were supposed to protect you played so fast and loose with your life… then how did you survive?”
Expand filter menu Content Warnings