Barnes & NobleThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games Series Prequel) by Suzanne Collins

Engaging

This novel was an excellent prequel to the original trilogy. The novel did a great job of demonstrating the choices and events that led to President Snow becoming the dictator he is in the trilogy. The book expertly shows Snow's thoughts and feelings. Collins causes the reader to think of Snow as a troubled, kind young man at first, but upon further examination, it is apparent that he is manipulative and self-centered. The book does a phenomenal job at showcasing the complexities in Snow’s character that lead him to making the choices he does in the trilogy. The book is also exciting, full of twists and turns that involve multiple characters and storylines. Collins creates an engaging storyline while also keeping the deeper meaning about the environment and characters.

5 stars

The book, as usual, is better than the movie. In this prequal to the Hunger Games we learn more about the man who will become president in the timeline we're accustomed to. The life he's forced to lead, the charade he's required to upkeep, all goes into making him the man he comes to be. One of the more valuable parts of the book, which is missing from the movies, is Snow's internal monologue. His thoughts and personal rationale for his actions lead to a deeper level of character development than what the movie allows. We get to understand him on a deeper level, can see how his thinking leads him to his own common-sense decisions (though I by no means like him at any point or agree with his actions). He is very much the anti-hero of this tale, and we can see how Panam will continue to evolve under his rule.

BEST BOOK EVER

this has to be one of the best books i’ve ever read in my entire book reading life. it was slow in the beginning but it took off and i couldn’t stop turning the page, Suzanne Collin’s did such a great job connecting all of the books together. i understand everything now. highly recommend. there are not enough stars to give this the rating it deserves

Better then the movie

If you enjoyed the movie you must read this. There is so much more detail to their love story growing in part 1, and you understand why her gets more crazy in part 3, the ending is also more ambiguous in a good way

I enjoyed!

I thought it was an interesting examination of the relationships between love, control, and pride through a character we’ve so grown to loathe. I enjoyed the story.

Fabulous

"Snow Lands On Top"

Suzanne Collins does not disappoint with this Hunger Games prequel. It gives a lot of insight into President Snow's character and background. Snow and his classmates significantly impacted how the Hunger Games developed and grew into the spectacle we know in the previous novels. I was hesitant to read it at first, but once I picked it up I could not put it down. Excellent read!

Great Prequel

The dawn of the reaping for the tenth Hunger Games has arrived. Unlike years past this year students have been given the honor of mentoring a tribute and Coriolanus Snow is determined to have its victor. The Snow family legacy runs deep but in recent times, thanks to the war, it's getting harder and harder for Coriolanus to keep up the facade that their status hasn't slipped and the Snows are still as mighty as they once were. With his future on the line he can only hope that his tribute with the help of a Snow worthy strategy will be the last one standing. But when he is assigned to the District 12 girl, a slight, terrified looking thing, all of Coriolanus' dreams of success come crashing down. Determined to win at all costs the two must rely on each other, each decision having life or death consequences not only for Lucy Gray but for Coriolanus, too. With 24 tributes entering the arena only one will come out alive. May the odds be ever in your favor. I really enjoyed the Hunger Games series, whether it was the books or the movies so I was very interested in seeing how this prequel would measure up. In spite of some slower moments and one too many lyric filled pages for my taste I really enjoyed seeing how the past influenced the Katniss era games and how they evolved into what they became. I am really looking forward to the movie release in 2023. If you enjoyed the trilogy the first time around, take a chance on this prequel.