A review by kassie_rankin
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes dives into the life of Coriolanus Snow. We start with his life at the academy as a district mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games. Sadly for him, the odds are against him as he is assigned to mentor the female tribute from District 12. Their fates are now intertwined. Will his choices lead to triumph or ruin?

I read this book for the first time when it came out and just listened to the audiobook. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is written by Suzanne Collins and narrated by Santino Fontana. 

What I loved:

• The district tributes have similarities (foreshadowing) to the original Hunger Games book. 
• The Covey
• The inner monologue of Snow
• The epilogue

What I did not love:

• The narrator’s voice took me a few chapters to feel like it fit.
• The narrator speaks the songs in the book, which was a letdown to me, as he is a Broadway singer. However, I understand it could have been a request from the author or production company. 

I think you would enjoy this book if:

• You love the Hunger Games Trilogy
• You like morally grey MMC