Book Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Book Author: Suzanne Collins
Series Name: Hunger Games
Series No.: Prequel
Genre: Dystopian, YA
First Published: December 2014
I’ve always been a fan of the Hunger Games trilogy and the dystopian world that Collins has created. As an avid fan I knew there was way more to unpack. Katniss’s story began at the 74th Hunger Games. There were 73 years of Hunger Games before this to focus on. Plus the dark days and the Rebellion before that! So I was just waiting for Collins to release more of the world. And I was shocked that the book, this next book came 10 years after Mockingjay was published. So I really admire her for publishing it after a 10 year gap.
I was also interested to learn that this newest book would be surrounding young President Coriolanus Snow. Not necessarily his rise to being President; rather his rise to become a strong known figure in the capital. I was disappointed to see main focus tribute was Lucy Gray Baird, also from District 12. I thought it would be so cool learning about a new Tribute from a new district. But then I realised that the story is majority based on Coriolanus Snow. Collins chose District 12 because the reader already know knew a lot about it and how everything’s established.
I enjoyed the subtle references. Not only to Katniss and the mockingjay birds, but also to the increased involvement of Snow’s interpretation in the Hunger Games. I also liked the tiny hints to his thirst for control and panic. And also details on how the Hunger Games evolved over time. So I think this was done very well.
Synopsis of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to out-charm, outwit, and outmanoeuvre his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.
The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favour or failure, triumph or ruin.
How the prequel compares
Collins immediately proves that there is so much more to the Hunger Games universe just ready to unpack. She drops the reader into the tenth Hunger Games, at the beginning of notorious, Coriolanus Snow’s rise to power.
It is told in third person narrative. The initial trilogy is told in first person so this surprised me. But it does give the reader a wider look of Panem. Also, there is more insight on how the Capital views the Hunger Games as a numb part of the yearly entertainment. Collins is able to show this detachment very effectively.
One of my biggest criticisms of the book is Lucy Gray Baird is from district 12 where Katniss came from. I would have been more interested if Collins chose Snow to mentor someone from a different district. I’m guessing this was done purposefully as the focus of the book is Coriolanus Snow. There are clever references to Katniss and future district 12 as well as characteristics of a future president Snow woven in, which is great.
As per the other three books this book is split into three parts. I must admit the third part of the book was awfully detached from the rest and I did think it let down the standard of the book a great deal. There are a few tenuous threads that are left open at the end of the book. I’m curious to see whether these will be picked up in later novels.
Characterisation in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
I really enjoyed the progression of Snow’s character and little tidbits and hints towards the character he is in the original trilogy; I also enjoyed his influential status within the Hunger Games. But I must admit my favourite character in this book is Dr. Gaul. She is the Head game maker in the Hunger Games. Her motives are very calculated and precise in both, how she deals with the Capital students, and the district. She’s also very detached and not malicious in the obvious ways, and this makes her even more dangerous.
She’s also very careful with Cornelius and how to handle him. Supporting him and backing him up to other people and then throwing in a curveball to disrupt his life in the same, if not close, incident. So she’s very calculating and I’m drawn into her character because of her actions and her continuous thirst for power. I’m not quite sure how to explain it, but her control over every situation. And she just gives an aura of authority. And it’s scary, but in a good way.
I also liked Lucy’s character within the first and second parts of the book, as I felt she was different. However, I think she was trying to be too much like Katniss in her behaviours. Particularly when they were back in District 12. But in terms of when she was in the Games and in the Capital, her moves were very calculated and I felt this was fascinating. However, her disappearance isn’t clear.
How Part 3 affected character
I did find the third part in the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes a little bit detached from the rest of it. The ending seemed very disjointed and overly random, character wise. The tone of the part changed and it seemed to be a story of its own. It seemed to slow down the pace of the book and the pace of the character development, and I saw it as a bridge of a gap to end the book.
Although you could see inside the districts from a Peacekeeper’s point of view, I just don’t think it added anything. Yes, there was a few inklings to why he became a Peacekeeper and his life, but I don’t think it added much to Snow’s character. And neither did it add to Lucy’s character very much. Although it did show her home life and the subtlety of their romance.
I just don’t think the part in District 12 was necessary. I did like how Snow ended up going back to the Capital and slowly getting to grips with capital life again before exacting his newfound confidence and detachment on those around him. Again, you’re given a peek into what influences Coriolanus to become the future President Snow.
Conclusion
I was unsure at the choice Collins made to write this book within the third person narrative as opposed to the original trilogy. where it’s completely in completely in Katniss’s point of view and first person narrative. But as I read, I understood why she chosen it to write it this way because you have to see an overview of the capital and how it operates. I think this to a certain degree was more important or more vital to show in this book, especially because a younger President, Coriolanus Snow wasn’t the ruthless one. So they had to show that coming from elsewhere.
Overall I did enjoy this addition to the dystopian world and I admire Collins for her creative craftsmanship. I do favour the trilogy over this one. However, I’m looking forward to Haymitch Abernathy’s life prior to the second water quail being unearthed in Collins book ‘Sunrise at the Reaping’ due to be released in March 2025.
~ Sophie
I have also reviewed Hooked and Hunger Games as well as many others on here. Shannon has also reviewed many books. Blame is one of her favourite reviews, followed by Matched in the dystopian universe of books.