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

adventurous dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was so good! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy. following the antagonist of the trilogy Snow as he mentors district 12's tribute in the 10th games. It was so painful to read, and I promise I'm not spoiling things here, knowing that having read the trilogy. somehow Snow would turn into the villain and that Lucy Gray, who grew to be such a loveable character though flawed in her own ways, she completely manipulating me too in fully siding with her, wouldn't survive the games as a lack of District 12 victors is the case come the trilogy. Collins also does an amazing job creating a dislikable protagonist, who isn't the type of villain you get attracted to, yet are still so fascinated to follow in the hopeless desire that his inevitable fate may somehow be deserted. The twists and turns were heartbreaking and the story was crafted so well Im often critical so if you haven't read it I'd thoroughly recommend. Going into it knowing snows arc was painful,

as was knowing the fate of Lucy Gray, I missed the part that mentions a victor other than Haymitch in the first book, so was sure that she wouldn’t survive the games. What followed was more painful, snows arc didn't shake me but Lucy’s actions and escape did, to think she was going to die as I began reading, and in the end not know her fate other than going out there alone, is deeply saddening.

 In final analysis, the saddening undertone of the book, relations to wordsworths poem and metaphors in both that ballad, the prequel and the trilogy left me questioning almost everything.