The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins REVIEW

 

"Coriolanus released the fistful of cabbage into the pot of boiling water and swore that one day it would never pass his lips again." 

I did not love this book. It hurt my heart and soul. 

I went into The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes with high expectations, having enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy, but unfortunately, this prequel fell short for me. The novel follows a young Coriolanus Snow as he navigates the early days of the Hunger Games as a mentor. 

The pacing felt slow and uneven. The first half dragged. Snow’s character arc didn’t deliver the depth I hoped for. His transition from a flawed youth to a villain felt gradual but lacked the emotional punch to really hook me.

Overall, I gave the book 3 stars because, while the writing was solid and the concept promising, it didn’t live up to the excitement or emotional weight of its predecessors. 

The Girl Who was on Fire

Katniss Everdeen’s adventures may have come to an end, but her story continues to blaze in the hearts of millions worldwide.
In The Girl Who Was on Fire, thirteen YA authors take you back to Panem with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss’ world really is.
• How does the way the Games affect the brain explain Haymitch’s drinking, Annie’s distraction, and Wiress’ speech problems?
• What does the rebellion have in common with the War on Terror?
• Why isn’t the answer to “Peeta or Gale?” as interesting as the question itself?
• What should Panem have learned from the fates of other hedonistic societies throughout history and what can we?
The Girl Who Was On Fire covers all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

Great eassys from today's popular authors. Each with a unique view and great insights on the Hunger Games trilogy. I finished this book with more respect for Suzanne Collins than before. Worth reading if you loved the Hunger Games books!