The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 9

When Suzanne Collins announced that she was going to release a prequel to her Hunger Games series, fans went berserk. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a novel revealing Coriolanus Snow’s background, and although anyone who has read or watched The Hunger Games knows how Snow turns out, the story is still a page-turner.

This dystopian tale is set in Panem: what is left of America after a devastating war between the Capitol and the districts. The Capitol has now created the Hunger Games, a monstrous sport where children are selected from the 12 remaining districts to battle each other to the death. At only eighteen years old, Coriolanus Snow is selected to be a mentor for the 10th annual Game. He receives the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, who has an alluring quality about her. Though Coriolanus is attracted to Lucy Gray and wants her to be victor so she will live, he also selfishly recognizes the benefits that will arise for himself if she succeeds. Throughout this story, Coriolanus is constantly torn between what he knows to be right and his greedy thirst for rising above. His family’s motto is “Snow lands on top,” and that concept frequently influences his decisions.

The novel was certainly well-written. Collins uses a similar style of writing as she does in The Hunger Games, so those who enjoyed that series will likely enjoy this book as well. Additionally, the author is extraordinarily strong at demonstrating the character transition that occurs in Coriolanus. The plot is solid and fascinating. Many readers may not find it as interesting as the original series due to the fact that the ending is already obvious; however, the narrative provides insight into the life of Snow and allows the reader to empathize with him. It also keeps the reader wondering, “What will happen next?”

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone. It offers the backstory of President Coriolanus Snow and shows how he develops into the individual he is in The Hunger Games. The moral implications the author wants to portray come across quite clearly; Collins shows how easy it is for selfishness to twist an individual’s moral mindset. Furthermore, the novelist ties in some connections to The Hunger Games, such as Tigris’ identity, Snow’s opinion on the mockingjays, and who wrote “The Hanging Tree.” The novel is also just an enjoyable read and will certainly keep you engaged until the very end.

Ebook also available to check out.