Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy, this is the story of a young Coriolanus Snow - the future Panem President in the trilogy. From reading the first 3 books, we know President Snow is evil, but what made him that way? An excellent student at the prestigious Academy in the Capitol District, Snow has been trying to hide the fact that he and his family are really struggling for money and food. Snow is excited to learn that as one of the students chosen to mentor tributes in the upcoming 10th anniversary Hunger Games, he could win a university scholarship if his tribute wins the Games. Confident that his high marks, his family's history and sacrifices made to the District will earn him a tribute from a traditionally strong District, Snow is discouraged when he is assigned the female tribute from the notoriously weak District 12, Lucy Gray Baird. Snow’s motivation for Baird to win is complicated by his feelings for her. 

Overall this was an entertaining book but for me, but it fell a little flat as it didn't give me the insight into Snow that I was expecting. The story covers one year in his life so there remains a huge expanse of time - and life experience - between Snow being 18, his rise to power and his time as President of Panem. Maybe this was deliberate and leaves the author with the option to fill in the blanks with future stories? I did really enjoy the parts of the story about Snow recalling life as a young boy growing up during the rebel uprising, and how 10 years afterwards, the Capitol and the Hunger Games weren't nearly as glitzy and over the top as we see in the first novel (however, there were definitely signs in this story of heading in that direction). I think this is a good read for Hunger Games enthusiasts as they will likely recognize and appreciate the connections to the trilogy. This recently released novel is currently available as an audiobook for FREE on Hoopla with your public library card.