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A review by kamrynkoble
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Wow. I’ve attempted to finish this book multiple times, and I finally succeeded (after watching the movie—I know, I’m bad). The first part is still slow, but it swiftly picks up for parts 2 and 3.
I am both amazed and horrified. There was so much fascinating food for thought about the world and the Hunger Games, and it’s incredibly interesting to compare this time period to Katniss’s era.
Snow is . . . Something else entirely. I was regularly horrified by his inner monologue, and I wish the movie had a You-style voiceover, as the movie does not properly showcase how sick this man is.
I don’t think I’ve met anyone else who’s as big a fan of the Hunger Games as me, but I’m a Katniss girl through-and-through, so I think that’s why I struggled with this one. But it’s brilliant, and I’m glad I read it. Now I want to reread the original trilogy for the ninth time.
I did listen to the audiobook version, and the slam poetry/speak singing regularly had me cracking up. “La la, la la. La la la. La La, la la la. 😐” The music in the movie was so wonderful (all the callbacks to the trilogy? Genius, perfect, spectacular) so I wish they would find the budget to re-record, especially since the narrator can sing. But I know that’s never going to happen.
I have a feeling I’m going to be still thinking about this book plenty months from now. Suzanne Collins is forever my favorite.
I am both amazed and horrified. There was so much fascinating food for thought about the world and the Hunger Games, and it’s incredibly interesting to compare this time period to Katniss’s era.
Snow is . . . Something else entirely. I was regularly horrified by his inner monologue, and I wish the movie had a You-style voiceover, as the movie does not properly showcase how sick this man is.
I don’t think I’ve met anyone else who’s as big a fan of the Hunger Games as me, but I’m a Katniss girl through-and-through, so I think that’s why I struggled with this one. But it’s brilliant, and I’m glad I read it. Now I want to reread the original trilogy for the ninth time.
I did listen to the audiobook version, and the slam poetry/speak singing regularly had me cracking up. “La la, la la. La la la. La La, la la la. 😐” The music in the movie was so wonderful (all the callbacks to the trilogy? Genius, perfect, spectacular) so I wish they would find the budget to re-record, especially since the narrator can sing. But I know that’s never going to happen.
I have a feeling I’m going to be still thinking about this book plenty months from now. Suzanne Collins is forever my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Child death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Blood