Suzanne Collins

Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)

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.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

james cao

His girl. His. Here in the Capitol, it was a given that Lucy Gray belonged to him, as if she'd had no life before her name was called out at the reaping. Even that sanctimonious Sejanus believed she was something he could trade for. If that wasn't ownership, what was?

Apparently, the veterinarian had done her best, but her repeated requests to admit them to the hospital had been refused. 

jean

Coriolanus knew it had hit home, this dark, moving, far too personal account of her life. He knew the gifts would pour into the arena for her. That her success, even now, reflected back on him, making it his success. Snow lands on top and all that. He knew he should be elated at this turn of events and jumping up and down inside while presenting a modest, pleased front. But what he really felt was jealous.

For a moment he laughed, forgetting where they were, how depressing the backdrop. For a moment there was just her smile, the musical cadence of her voice, and the hint of flirtation.

Lucy Gray was one thing belonging to Coriolanus that he would never, ever get.

But he had thought about her more as his contender. His filly in a race, his dog in a fight. The more he had treated her as something special, the more she’d become human.

Without turning he knew it was the girl, his girl, and he felt immense relied that he was not entirely alone.

oh! doesn‘t this encapsulate coryo‘s character sosososo well. 

Ana Belén

He‘d decided, for simplicity‘s sake, to cross the teams off in pairs, regardless of what had happened to them. He didn‘t mean to be ruthless, but there was not other way to keep it straight. 

Miss Collins really did not want anyone misinterpreting her, huh? 

A second-class citizen. Human, but bestial. Smart, perhaps, but not evolved.

i like these small pieces of snow shining through in the still deciding stage of who coryo would choose to be. 

you could put a turnip in a ball gown and it would still beg to be mashed. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakeswill revisit the world of Panem sixty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Tenth Hunger Games.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (a Hunger Games Novel)

Izaac Richards

Coriolanus felt sure he'd spotted his first mockingjay, and he disliked the thing on sight.

but the point was, he got to keep her. And he wanted to keep her. Safe and close at hand. Admired and admiring. Devoted. And entirely, unequivocally his.

Mrs. Plinth shook her head. "No. No. Your cousin's his only friend." 

How sad, thought Coriolanus. To have no friends. 

"But surely, you're not comparing our children to theirs?" asked Lucky. "One look tells you ours are a superior breed." 

"One look tells you ours have had more food, nicer clothing, and better dental care,' said Dean Highbottom. "Assuming anything more, a physical, mental, or especially a moral superiority, would be a mistake. That sort of hubris almost finished us off in the war."

On reflection, he had never even learned her name, but it had earned him the reputation of being rather a player. 

But Lucy Gray was his tribute, headed into the arena. And even if the circumstances were different, she'd still be a girl from the districts, or at least not Capitol. A second-class citizen. Human, but bestial. Smart, perhaps, but not evolved. Part of a shapeless mass of unfortunate, barbaric creatures that hovered on the periphery of his consciousness. 

The previous night's jealousy over her loser of a boyfriend and the way her star quality sometimes outshone his own evaporated. He felt remarkably close to her, this girl who'd dropped into his life so unexpectedly and with such style. And it wasn't just about the accolades she'd brought him. He was genuinely fond of her, far more than he was of most of the girls he knew in the Capitol. If she could survive - oh sweet only if - how could they help but have a lifelong connection? But for all his positive talk, he knew the odds were not in her favor, and a heavy melancholy descended upon him.

So he added a paragraph about his deep relief on winning the war, and the grim satisfaction of seeing the Capitol's enemies, whơ'd treated him so cruelly, who'd cost his family so much, brought to their knees. Hobbled. Impotent. Unable to hurt him anymore. He'd loved the unfamiliar sense of safety that their defeat had brought. The security that could only come with power. The ability to control things. Yes, that was what he'd loved best of all.

He swallowed his peevishness and accepted the congratulations that were pouring in from all sides. They helped to him that he was the real star of the evening. Even if Lucy Gray was confused on the issue, in the eyes of the Capitol, she beong to him. What point would there be in crediting a district tribute.

His girl. His. Here in the Capitol, it was a given that Lucy Gray belonged to him, as if she'd had no life before her name was called out at the reaping. Even that sanctimonious Sejanus believed she was something he could trade for. If that wasn't ownership, what was? With her song, Lucy Gray had repudiated all that by featuring a life that had nothing to do with him, and a great deal to do with someone else. Someone she referred to as "lover, no less. And while he had no claim on her heart - he barely knew the girl! - he didn't like the idea of anyone else having it either. Although the song had been a clear success, he felt somehow betrayed by it. Even humiliated. 

"I think your odds get better by the minute," said Coriolanus, adjusting a hot pink rosebud in her hair. It matched the one on his lapel, just in case anyone needed a reminder of who Lucy Gray belonged to. 

"Well, you know what they say. The show's not over until the mockingjay sings," she said. 

"The mockingjay?" He laughed. "Really, I think you're just making these things up." 

"Not that one. A mockingjay's a bona fide bird, she assured him. 

"Not my show, sweetheart. Yours. The Capitol's anyway" said Lucy Gray. "I think we're up.

"Run, huh? Seemed like a lot of effort to get shot," she said. Coriolanus shook his head. 

"You can joke, but it won't change what you did for me. I hope I can repay you in some way."

In those few words he sensed a shift in their dynamic. As her mentor, he'd been the gracious giver of gifts, always to be met with gratitude. Now she' d upended things by giving him a gift beyond compare. On the surface, everything looked the same. Chained girl, boy offering food, Peacekeepers guarding that status quo. But deep down, things could never be the same between them. He would always be in her debt. She had the right to demand things. 

"I don't know how," he admitted. Lucy Gray glanced around the room, taking in her wounded competitors. Then she looked him in the eye, and impatience tinged her voice. "You could start by thinking I can actually win."

"My condolences on the loss of your friend," the dean said. 

"And on your student. It's a difficult day for all of us. But the procession was very moving," Coriolanus replied. 

"Did you think so? I found it excessive and in poor taste," said Dean Highbottom. Taken by surprise, Coriolanus let out a short laugh before he recovered and tried to look shocked. The dean dropped his gaze to Coriolanus's blue rosebud. "Its amazing, how litle things change. After all the killing. After all the agonized promises to remember the cost. After all of that, I can't distinguish the bud from the blossom." He gave the rose a tap with his forefinger, adjusting the angle, and smiled. "Don't be late to lunch. I hear we're having pie."

Yes, she laid down her life taunting her tribute with a sandwich, thought Coriolanus. Maybe her gravestone could read, "Casualty of cheap laughs."

He could see Lucy Gray trying to hold on to a shred of dignity, sitting as upright as the chains would allow and gazing straight ahead, ignoring the corpse swinging gently over her head. But it was no use. The dirt, the shackles, the public display - it was too much to overcome. He tried to imagine conducting himself under those circumstances, until he realized this was undoubtedly what Sejanus was doing, and snapped out of it.

Katie Avila

This book was much better than the movies. The description was phenomenal and the way it subtly hints at snow’s insanity throughout it all is just gold. I love how Lucy Gray’s poem foretells at her fate, and how we never really find out what happens to her. 

Liv 🤍

I love you Susanne Collins and your little hunger games universe. 

I hated Snow so much, truly a psycho, but classic instance of nature or nurture? 

The way his character is written is amazing, and the connections you can make between this book and the original saga are mind blowing.

I love you Lucy Gray, and I hope you’re living your best forest life pookie.

Denisse Garcia Ramírez 

I love you Susanne Collins and your little hunger games universe. 

I hated Snow so much, truly a psycho, but classic instance of nature or nurture? 

The way his character is written is amazing, and the connections you can make between this book and the original saga are mind blowing.

I love you Lucy Gray, and I hope you’re living your best forest life pookie.

mallorie 🦌

Absolutely fascinating work of YA. It took me a while think about what I wanted to write for this review, since I ended up liking the book a lot more after I finished and sat simmering with it. It lags, but I think it’s important to have all that dead time so it hits harder every time Snow makes a “wrong” decision. I understand why Suzanne Collins didn’t put this in first person, especially since at the end of the day it’s still YA, but, boy, if there was a first-person-POV, adult-audience version of this book …….. 

Jacque

took me over a year to finish this. the third act is the best part for me. snow is a psycho and i hate him a lot.

beep beep

fantastic writing through the perspective of the most deplorable narrator imaginable. i cannot STAND this fucking dude

While I enjoyed the original trilogy of Hunger Games, this was somehow less exciting for me. Reasons unknown, maybe I was forcing it or I wasn’t reading consistently enough. The book was great, but I found it hard to read at parts. The ending has such a good plot point, and I am still glad I read it. I’d like to watch the film and read the next book, to see what happens next! 

Olanda

I think I may be convinced that Coriolanus Snow might be Suzanna Collin’s most well-written character

A story that shows what pride and entitlement does to a human. 

Jessie!

I think I may be convinced that Coriolanus Snow might be Suzanna Collin’s most well-written character

A story that shows what pride and entitlement does to a human. 

snow lands on top is a line that goes so hard… 

Danniella

Nala

Welcome to a captivating and thrilling read that delves into the themes of power, corruption, loyalty, love, and betrayal. Collins masterfully creates realistic and relatable characters that have flaws, strengths, motivations, and emotions. Coriolanus Snow is not just a villainous antagonist; he is also a human being who struggles with his identity, his ambitions, his relationships, and his values. Lucy Gray Baird is not just a passive victim; she is also a strong-willed heroine who fights tooth and nail for her life, her freedom, and her future.

After really enjoying The Hunger Read, I had to run out and pick this one up from a bookshop just so I could continue my adventure. This one was just as brutal and through provoking. Reading about how the people in the Capitol experienced the Hunger Games was fresh and interesting. Also seeing how the mentors viewed their tributes as someone who could just make them famous was both intriguing and terrible. I truly don't understand how they can be so cold-hearted.

However, this book does have some flaws. This one is rather lengthy which does in places make the pace rather slow and makes things condensed. Also, Lucy Gray's character arc. She starts as a promising and relatable character, who is confident, smart, cunning, and brave. She challenges Snow's worldview and values and makes him question his loyalty to the Capitol. However, as the story progresses, she becomes less developed and more dependent on Snow. She loses her agency and her personality and becomes a mere object of Snow's obsession.

Overall, I think that this was a little slow at times - the third section especially - but I thoroughly enjoyed this insight into Panem's past and remained interested throughout. My only other issue is that the ending is a bit open-ended and I feel the need to know exactly what happened.

Ian Brakspear

Welcome to a captivating and thrilling read that delves into the themes of power, corruption, loyalty, love, and betrayal. Collins masterfully creates realistic and relatable characters that have flaws, strengths, motivations, and emotions. Coriolanus Snow is not just a villainous antagonist; he is also a human being who struggles with his identity, his ambitions, his relationships, and his values. Lucy Gray Baird is not just a passive victim; she is also a strong-willed heroine who fights tooth and nail for her life, her freedom, and her future.

 

After really enjoying The Hunger Read, I had to run out and pick this one up from a bookshop just so I could continue my adventure. This one was just as brutal and through provoking. Reading about how the people in the Capitol experienced the Hunger Games was fresh and interesting. Also seeing how the mentors viewed their tributes as someone who could just make them famous was both intriguing and terrible. I truly don't understand how they can be so cold-hearted.

 

However, this book does have some flaws. This one is rather lengthy which does in places make the pace rather slow and makes things condensed. Also, Lucy Gray's character arc. She starts as a promising and relatable character, who is confident, smart, cunning, and brave. She challenges Snow's worldview and values and makes him question his loyalty to the Capitol. However, as the story progresses, she becomes less developed and more dependent on Snow. She loses her agency and her personality and becomes a mere object of Snow's obsession.

 

Overall, I think that this was a little slow at times - the third section especially - but I thoroughly enjoyed this insight into Panem's past and remained interested throughout. My only other issue is that the ending is a bit open-ended and I feel the need to know exactly what happened.

julia

I really enjoyed all the tie-ins with the original trilogy and that we get to see Coriolanus' villain origin story--particularly that he wasn't all bad, just a sociopath and traumatized, which was capitalized on by the truth psychopath: Dr. Gall. It seems Snow wouldn't be who he is in the trilogy if it weren't for her special attention and patronage.

Anyway I was on the edge of my seat for the first half of the book, but the second half kind of dragged. It was incredibly long and it felt like there were too many unnecessary details. Regardless, I'm really looking forward to watching the film now.

Bethany

I really enjoyed all the tie-ins with the original trilogy and that we get to see Coriolanus' villain origin story--particularly that he wasn't all bad, just a sociopath and traumatized, which was capitalized on by the truth psychopath: Dr. Gall. It seems Snow wouldn't be who he is in the trilogy if it weren't for her special attention and patronage.

Anyway I was on the edge of my seat for the first half of the book, but the second half kind of dragged. It was incredibly long and it felt like there were too many unnecessary details. Regardless, I'm really looking forward to watching the film now.

Took me so long to finish because I didn’t know it was in Snow’s pov 

This man is actually out of this world insane and manipulative, there were things he would say that I had to stop and stare at the wall for a second 

Sílvia

Took me so long to finish because I didn’t know it was in Snow’s pov 

This man is actually out of this world insane and manipulative, there were things he would say that I had to stop and stare at the wall for a second 

Necessary for the plot obviously and good writing I just f-ing hate Coriolanus and hated reading from his pov but also Suzanne did a good job of showing the minute and slight ways of his descent to evil from the beginning in his thoughts and offhand comments he would make 

Ruby Emmeline Fisher

kari <33

good but i frankly dont care enough. like ive watched the movie so i didnt have the anticipation of will she win and i read this like 2 years after reading the og books so im kinda put of my hunger games obsession. but it still is a good book so i wont mark it down 

melanie

I watched the movie before reading this, and now that I have finished this, I can say with 100% confidence that this book adds so much to the series. Snow's inner monologue provides so much characterization (that makes you despise him) that you don't get from the film. I loved seeing Snow transform from "rude and uneducated" to "this is now a part of your character, and you are now a dictator." 

Riley

Finally got around to finishing this. I had already seen the film prior to reading this but regardless, I still thoroughly enjoyed. Suzanne Collins, the LEGEND you are. 

Hearing this story felt so satisfying. I loved all the connections back to the original trilogy and it really felt like you began to understand Snow’s motivations throughout this life. It’s so interesting that even though in some ways his character has some endearing qualities, you can feel undercurrents throughout of where is morals are faltering. AND Lucy Grey is just fantastic and I love her. 

I loved the section about the section at the beginning about the mentorship, and funnily found some sections when the games were actually on a little bit slow. I think it was just different from the in game perspective we have been given prior.

Overall, a fantastic addition to the original trilogy and now… onto Sunrise on the Reaping! 

Eimear O'Connor 

Finally got around to finishing this. I had already seen the film prior to reading this but regardless, I still thoroughly enjoyed. Suzanne Collins, the LEGEND you are. 

Hearing this story felt so satisfying. I loved all the connections back to the original trilogy and it really felt like you began to understand Snow’s motivations throughout this life. It’s so interesting that even though in some ways his character has some endearing qualities, you can feel undercurrents throughout of where is morals are faltering. AND Lucy Grey is just fantastic and I love her. 

I loved the section about the section at the beginning about the mentorship, and funnily found some sections when the games were actually on a little bit slow. I think it was just different from the in game perspective we have been given prior.

Overall, a fantastic addition to the original trilogy and now… onto Sunrise on the Reaping! 

that’s a scary villain. sometimes people are just naturally born evil.

This one was rather confusing me even after a re read 

Brittany Peterson

the only book to ever leave me in actual despair 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)

Reviews

Highlights