Reviews tagging 'Cannibalism'

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins

103 reviews

alexlily's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I think most were apprehensive when going into this book afraid of a romanticization of Snow, Suzanne Collins does not let down because boy did I hate being in this man's mind in the best way! Certainly slower passed to the original trilogy and leans more on the philosophy side and metaphors to real life. We get to see a rougher side to the games and the future president as the games are first starting. The comparison to life is certainly less hidden behind spectacle both by the early beginning after the big civil war that started the games but also as the audience is now much older from the original publication of the trilogy. Fun look into how the games became what they were in the 74th-75th rendition and how this society was affected by the war. You certainly grow to hate Snow until it's almost disgusting to be inside his mind as we get a snippet of in his presidency.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Classism, Death, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent and Cannibalism

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. 

---

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

raeb's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Blood, Drug abuse, Murder, Violence, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Injury/injury detail, Classism, Medical content, Police brutality, and War

Moderate: Gore, Torture, and Dementia

thatgirlemili's review

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death, and Cannibalism

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

phantomgecko's review

challenging sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As a standalone novel, it was good.  As worldbuilding/background information for the Hunger Games trilogy, it was really good.

I'm a fanfic reader (not of this series ever, actually), and exploring motivations and playing in a fictional setting are things I just really enjoy for some reason. This isn't fanfiction, but it fills the niche I'm talking about. 

Honestly, the character development here... It's fun to watch pieces slide into place, answers to questions I didn't necessarily have. It all fits, it all makes sense, and it was emotional too. Heartwrenching stuff.

Who's the songbird, who's the snake? Obvious in some ways, but a question that bears considering.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Classism, Gore, Blood, Death, Murder, Child death, and Drug use

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!! 

---

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

kittygracex07's review

adventurous dark tense slow-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Classism

Moderate: Body horror and War

Minor: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Medical content

thedistortionist's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism, Death, Murder, and Violence