Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins
70 reviews
smasson13's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was a wild ride. While I still prefer the original series, this novel was full of twists!
At first I was confused as why it didn't end after act 2, and the start of act 3 felt like it was dragging on but not leading anywhere...but the end threw me. I think Suzanne Collins does a lovely jobs of trying to convince you of some sort of compassion in Coriolanus while he is struggling in the Capitol. Yet, by act 3, my hatred was renewed.
I would love to read more about the development of the early Hunger Games, I thought this was a really interesting perspective to take for a prequel novel.
As well, I know critics seemed not to enjoy the folk songs throughout the book, but I think they lend nicely to the story telling as well as the history of the area of the USA that District 12 apparently occupies.
Overall, it was a huge novel to get through, but never felt like a struggle. The tension and anticipation was high throughout, though at times frustrating. Definitely recommend it for those who have read the original series, it did not take away from what has already been created.
At first I was confused as why it didn't end after act 2, and the start of act 3 felt like it was dragging on but not leading anywhere...but the end threw me. I think Suzanne Collins does a lovely jobs of trying to convince you of some sort of compassion in Coriolanus while he is struggling in the Capitol. Yet, by act 3, my hatred was renewed.
I would love to read more about the development of the early Hunger Games, I thought this was a really interesting perspective to take for a prequel novel.
As well, I know critics seemed not to enjoy the folk songs throughout the book, but I think they lend nicely to the story telling as well as the history of the area of the USA that District 12 apparently occupies.
Overall, it was a huge novel to get through, but never felt like a struggle. The tension and anticipation was high throughout, though at times frustrating. Definitely recommend it for those who have read the original series, it did not take away from what has already been created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Death, Injury/injury detail, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, and Animal death
Minor: Confinement, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Death of parent
leweylibrarian's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've noticed some friends who have read this didn't rate it super high and I simply cannot understand why because I enjoyed the heck out of it.
President Snow is such a great villain, and I love peeking behind the curtain of such a figure to see what made them the way that they are. Snow is a great morally gray main character, and I love that you get to see these snippets of who he'll become, like how much he hates everything about the mockingjays or the origin of his rose aroma. His having a romance just further adds to the oddness of his character--I know he has a family obviously, but it's hard to picture him loving anyone knowing what he becomes. It's like there's a Kerbal of good in him somewhere, it just gets overwhelmed and overruled by so many other not so great factors. There's still some questions I have about him that remain unanswered, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.
I could probably go on for a lot longer about everything that's interesting about him and his character, like his friendships and his cousin and grandmother, his intelligence, his pride, his secrets, but I want to say more about the other things I loved about this book. We finally got to see a bit more about what this big war that started it all was like for the people living through it, especially somewhere like the Capitol that's it's hard to imagine anyone suffering too much based on the portrayal of this place in the other books.
It's also incredibly interesting to see the evolution of the Games. Katniss' Games are 74 and 75. That's 64+ years after Snow's time as a mentor. It's wild that in that time, a lot of it because of Snow's ideas and influence, the Games becomes a glittering spectacle that is still just as brutal and violent and horrifying but with this sheen of drama that makes it feel more acceptable and fun. It's also fascinating how Snow learns the importance of caring for and humanizing the tributes so that people can then ultimately dehumanize them for the Games. It's a delicate balance and clearly one that Snow will find to quite some success for many, many years. But the irony is that he goes too far, the tributes are too well humanized in Catching Fire and Mockingjay, ultimately leading to his downfall. I also thought it was great getting to see more of the mentor's perspectives, even if these Games are very different from the ones Katniss endured.
This book lends itself to such an interesting rumination on war, peace, control, social contracts, government, memory, law, and order as well as what it really means to be human. ARE humans horrible at their core, or is everyone essentially good, it's just circumstance that turns them bad? Is everyone equally capable of both?
Lastly, how freaking great is Lucy Grey?? I love so much how her songs are ones Katniss sings l, clearly showing that she was not gone and forgotten like Snow may have hoped in the end. How absolutely delicious is it to think about Snow hearing Katniss, a resourceful and loving girl from District 12, singing those songs in the Games and in the propos, all with a freaking Mockingjay pin as her symbol?? Gah no wonder he hated Katniss so much 😂
All of this to say that I seriously do not understand anyone who rates this lower than 4 stars minimum. Were we even reading the same book??
Quotes:
President Snow is such a great villain, and I love peeking behind the curtain of such a figure to see what made them the way that they are. Snow is a great morally gray main character, and I love that you get to see these snippets of who he'll become, like how much he hates everything about the mockingjays or the origin of his rose aroma. His having a romance just further adds to the oddness of his character--I know he has a family obviously, but it's hard to picture him loving anyone knowing what he becomes. It's like there's a Kerbal of good in him somewhere, it just gets overwhelmed and overruled by so many other not so great factors. There's still some questions I have about him that remain unanswered, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.
I could probably go on for a lot longer about everything that's interesting about him and his character, like his friendships and his cousin and grandmother, his intelligence, his pride, his secrets, but I want to say more about the other things I loved about this book. We finally got to see a bit more about what this big war that started it all was like for the people living through it, especially somewhere like the Capitol that's it's hard to imagine anyone suffering too much based on the portrayal of this place in the other books.
It's also incredibly interesting to see the evolution of the Games. Katniss' Games are 74 and 75. That's 64+ years after Snow's time as a mentor. It's wild that in that time, a lot of it because of Snow's ideas and influence, the Games becomes a glittering spectacle that is still just as brutal and violent and horrifying but with this sheen of drama that makes it feel more acceptable and fun. It's also fascinating how Snow learns the importance of caring for and humanizing the tributes so that people can then ultimately dehumanize them for the Games. It's a delicate balance and clearly one that Snow will find to quite some success for many, many years. But the irony is that he goes too far, the tributes are too well humanized in Catching Fire and Mockingjay, ultimately leading to his downfall. I also thought it was great getting to see more of the mentor's perspectives, even if these Games are very different from the ones Katniss endured.
This book lends itself to such an interesting rumination on war, peace, control, social contracts, government, memory, law, and order as well as what it really means to be human. ARE humans horrible at their core, or is everyone essentially good, it's just circumstance that turns them bad? Is everyone equally capable of both?
Lastly, how freaking great is Lucy Grey?? I love so much how her songs are ones Katniss sings l, clearly showing that she was not gone and forgotten like Snow may have hoped in the end. How absolutely delicious is it to think about Snow hearing Katniss, a resourceful and loving girl from District 12, singing those songs in the Games and in the propos, all with a freaking Mockingjay pin as her symbol?? Gah no wonder he hated Katniss so much 😂
All of this to say that I seriously do not understand anyone who rates this lower than 4 stars minimum. Were we even reading the same book??
Quotes:
- "What happened in that arena? That's humanity undressed. The tributes. And you, too. How quickly civilization disappears. All your fine manners, education, family background, everything you pride yourself on, stripped away in the blink of an eye, revealing everything you actually are. A boy with a club who beats another boy to death. That's mankind in its natural state."
The idea, laid out as such, shocked him, but he attempted to laugh. "Are we really as bad as all that?"
"I would say yes, absolutely. But it's a matter of personal opinion...What do you think?"
"I think I wouldn't have beaten anyone to death if you hadn't stuck me in that arena!" he retorted.
"You can blame it on the circumstances, the environment, but you made the choices you made, no one else. It's a lot to take in all at once, but it's essential that you make an effort to answer that question. Who are human beings? Because who we are determines the type of governing we need." (243) - The strain of being a full-fledged adult every day had grown tiresome. (433)
- She could fly around District 12 all she liked, but she and her mockingjays could never harm him again. (516)
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Injury/injury detail, Child death, and Classism
annawantstowrite's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
„The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes“ is a prequel to the Hunger Games Trilogy and features the later president of Panem Coriolanus Snow as a teenaged protagonist and mentor in the 10th Hunger Games. Fans of the original trilogy will find many fascinating links to it and sort-of-explanations for Snows character. The book provides and interesting new brick in the world building of the dystopia Panem. I found some of the storylines a bit too rushed and almost not fully thought out and the theoretical philosophical background (mainly Hobbes and Locke) was woven in quite heavy handedly but overall it was an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Violence, Cannibalism, Classism, Death, Child abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, War, Addiction, and Panic attacks/disorders
elenaluisa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Injury/injury detail, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Blood, Gun violence, Violence, Animal cruelty, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Slavery, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Colonisation, Deportation, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
anavae's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Murder, Child death, Death, and War
eviethebookworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War and Suicidal thoughts
mozimmerm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was so interesting to read the backstory to Snow and discover how he got where we find him in the Hunger Games series. I love a morally gray character. He was so charming, you almost want to cheer him on before you remember how he ends up.
I loved all the references to the Hunger Games series, especially the songs 💕
Highly recommend if you love Hunger Games!!
I loved all the references to the Hunger Games series, especially the songs 💕
Highly recommend if you love Hunger Games!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Classism, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Vomit, and War
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Dementia, and Drug use
zozo_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Woah was not expecting that. I thought it would focus on the games but the second half was so strange!! Last part freaked me out but worth the read if you like the hunger games.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/injury detail, Animal death, Child abuse, Classism, Murder, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
bookthief's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a very interesting book. It was completely different to how I imagined it to be before I read it. I thought it was mainly going to be based around Coriolanus being a mentor but that was only a small portion of the book.
The first half of the book was a slow pace with each chapter ending in a cliff hanger and the second half got considerably intense and the story changed.
Suzanne Collins originally made us feel sorry for Snow as he was poor and had no parents, but by the end of the book you could see his development from being poor and empathetic to controlling and manipulative.
Theories :
Could Lucy Gray be Katniss’ grandmother?
Could it be that Katniss’ dad was Lucy Gray’s son and she taught him the Hanging tree song and who taught that to Katniss?
Is Lucy Gray dead or did she run away or escaped to those who she claimed to be hiding in the woods?
The first half of the book was a slow pace with each chapter ending in a cliff hanger and the second half got considerably intense and the story changed.
Suzanne Collins originally made us feel sorry for Snow as he was poor and had no parents, but by the end of the book you could see his development from being poor and empathetic to controlling and manipulative.
Theories :
Could Lucy Gray be Katniss’ grandmother?
Could it be that Katniss’ dad was Lucy Gray’s son and she taught him the Hanging tree song and who taught that to Katniss?
Is Lucy Gray dead or did she run away or escaped to those who she claimed to be hiding in the woods?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Animal cruelty, Child death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Alcohol, Animal death, War, Death, Grief, and Alcoholism
abigpigeon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Classism, Emotional abuse, War, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Drug use