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

adventurous challenging fast-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

3.5

This was a sludgey read for me. The story was still compelling, because it’s the Hunger Games, but Snow’s narrative voice felt fractured and inconsistent. I could tell Collins was trying to present Snow as the evil man he would soon become, but the way she did so just made him seem a bit dull and robotic. Lucy Gray and the Covey were the best part of this book, but the final few pages with her were confusing for me. 

I was disappointed because Collins’ writing in the Hunger Games series is quick, sharp, and succinct. There was absolutely no unecessary situations or dialogue. While reading this book, I kept thinking about certain mentions in the narrative in Snow’s head that just felt unecessary and juvenile. This book honestly felt like a second or third draft and not a completed novel- like it was quickly written and published for the sake of the movie that’s coming out soon. It was good, could have been better.