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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020)

by Suzanne Collins

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: The Hunger Games (4)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
6,2891601,528 (3.73)46
It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the 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 outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver 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. Their fates are now completely intertwined, every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute, and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.… (more)
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» See also 46 mentions

English (154)  Dutch (2)  German (1)  Spanish (1)  All languages (158)
Showing 1-5 of 154 (next | show all)
It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. It was just "meh."

Snow wasn't likable... actually, none of the characters were. I did like the ending though, although the transition from love to hunt felt sudden and abrupt.

Fitting ending, I think. ( )
  selsha | Mar 10, 2024 |
I know each reader is going to come at this from a different standpoint, but personally as someone who is deeply interested in the world of Panem I thought this was a really enjoyable read! Getting to see how the Games became what readers know them as in Katniss's story was cool insight, and I honestly could have happily read a whole other novel about the Games development. (This is also coming from someone who has written two whole research papers on the books, though, so I may be in the minority lol)
Also, I think this novel becomes even more interesting when you remember that part of Collins inspiration for the original trilogy came from seeing news footage of the Iraq invasions; thinking about themes in this book and our current political world then just make me even more aware and thoughtful of the commentaries being made. Although a bit less straightforward than its predecessors, "Ballad" prompts its readers to consider positions and abuse of power, control, and what narrative leaders and governments might be trying to weave. I'm not going to get political here, but just wanted to mention that I've always (and continue to) find these parts of THG super thought-provoking.
There were some lagging points in the narrative, and certain moments felt repetitive; I think the Games themselves could have been a tad more engaging, and the concerts in the 2nd half got kinda boring. Some things were also a bit TOO on-the-nose (like the reference to the katniss plant tubers). But I stayed interested throughout, and enjoyed the book! Collins wrote the villain of Snow in a very realistic manner, and seeing his thought process and descent into a tyrant was subtly chilling and well done. ( )
  deborahee | Feb 23, 2024 |
An engaging origin story. I loved this more than the original Hunger Games series (but I also read it first). Trauma and helplessness create a villain. ( )
  jaimeb3th | Feb 22, 2024 |
The story of Coriolanus as a teenager, mentoring a girl in the early days of the Hunger Games. Really enjoyed the arc of this prequel, as the ‘hero’ becomes increasingly but believably Machiavellian, as love competes with power. ( )
  LARA335 | Feb 16, 2024 |
I need to think more about this, but I really enjoyed this book. The themes about control and manipulation were ever present.

Of course Snow has the happiest ending in the Hunger games lol ( )
  omseijas | Feb 3, 2024 |
Showing 1-5 of 154 (next | show all)

» Add other authors

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Collins, Suzanneprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Fontana, SantinoNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
"Hereby it is evident, that during the time men live without a common Power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called Warre, and such a warre, as is of every man, against every man."
- Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651
"Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains."
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, 1762
[plus three more]
Dedication
For Norton and Jeanne Juster
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Coriolanus released the fistful of cabbage into the pot of boiling water and swore that one day it would never pass his lips again.
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It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the 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 outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver 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. Their fates are now completely intertwined, every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute, and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

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It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the 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 outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver 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. Their fates are now completely intertwined -- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.
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Average: (3.73)
0.5
1 18
1.5 2
2 64
2.5 16
3 192
3.5 62
4 321
4.5 35
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