First sentence: Coriolanus released the fistful of cabbage into the pot of boiling water and swore that one day it would never pass his lips again.

ETA: I just reread The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes after watching the movie adaptation--twice. The movie (obviously) resonated with me. It helped in the reread that I knew exactly what was coming in regards to the end. Though to be fair the end is ambiguous both in the book and film. There are definitely differences between the book and film. I highlighted--digitally--some scenes that were different. One thing that stands out, for example, is that Sejanus asks Coriolanus to TRADE tributes. Lucy Snow definitely comes across more as a possession, an asset, an object than a love interest. There are a million and one red flags...not only in his relationship with Lucy Snow but also with his non-friend-friend Sejanus. There are MORE characters in the book than there are in the film.

My original review:

Premise/plot: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel (of sorts) to Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. The protagonist (he is not a hero) is a young (very young) Coriolanus Snow. He comes from a previously wealthy (high class) family that has fallen (hard and fast) on hard times. His only hope of a better life--a more prosperous future--is a scholarship to university. And that may be completely out of his control. Twenty-four students will become mentors to the twenty-four tributes coming to the Capital for this year's Hunger Games. (It's the TENTH hunger games.) The victor's mentor will receive a scholarship. The Hunger Games are still relatively new. Those viewing (and participating) still remember the hard, bitter, horrifying, traumatic times of actual war. Capital's economy certainly hasn't recovered from the actual war. (There is nothing lavish and luxurious as readers (and viewers) may remember from the original trilogy of books.) The Hunger Games are still in their infancy, still being shaped and formed by master minds. (People like Dr. Gaul...and her students...)

Coriolanus's tribute is from district twelve. Her name is Lucy Gray Baird. She's a singer with charisma, a bit of star quality. She has a little something special that makes her stand out from others. He sees this as her greatest strength. Perhaps the two of them can manipulate things along--here and there--and with a little luck she may win it all. Hooray for his bright future....

But things don't always go according to plan...even when they seem to... It seems there's always someone watching just a smidge cleverer.

Readers also meet his classmates. In particular Sejanus Plinth who is essentially "new money." His family has the funds but they are new to Capital. Sejanus still thinks of himself as belonging to District 2 and being one of the people. Which makes things super tricky when he has to participate (as a mentor) in the Hunger Games. He feels one with the tributes--whether they see him as one of them or not. He cannot accept that these tributes are animals, monsters, incapable of thought and feeling. There is no "us" and "them."

Throughout the book, Coriolanus struggles with his ambitions and his conscience. You might think of the old imagery of an angel on one side and a devil on the other.

My thoughts: I don't feel like my time has been completely wasted. It hasn't. I just wish the book had been shorter. I really don't understand *why* the part after the conclusion of the Hunger Games had to go on so long. The first half of the novel was compelling enough. It was interesting to see the great contrast between these primitive earlier Hunger Games and the later Games which are depicted in the trilogy. Worlds of difference between Capital then and now, between the Games then and now. I liked how Coriolanus and Sejanus both--in their own ways--disapproved of how the tributes were being treated. There are moments when Snow comes across as well--human.

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I almost wish that Lucy Gray had lost in the games OR been murdered by the powers that be soon after. I really HATED how that story resolved. I think Snow could still have turned all dark side and evil as a result of someone else killing Lucy (the supposed love of his life). Their scenes together reminded me of the DARK and DEPRESSING scenes of Oliver Twist. (The murder of Nancy). ( )

AS much as I loved The Hunger Games trilogy"," this one was disappointing. The ending was anti-climactic and underwhelming. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )