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A review by bethsreading
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While this prequel was not as good as the trilogy in my opinion, it was definitely enjoyable and still offered new and insightful perspectives to a fascinating dystopian world.
One of the best elements, for me, were the references to the previous trilogy. This is not just because they are a beloved series for me, but because Collins calls back to moments, symbols, and songs, in order to deepen their meaning. It would have been very easy for her to throw in reference after reference, just for the sake of it (and for fan service), but it felt so much better having the reference be an uncovering of a history, which in turn deepens and enriches the story we all know so well.
My main disappointment is that I feel like Coriolanus Snow was a bit too caring. We all know he turns into an evil man who condones and does atrocious things, and while I think it’s interesting to place him in more of a grey area and have him be more complex than just evil, I wanted more in the way of understanding what brought him to become such a true villain. Yes, he is arrogant, self-absorbed, racist/classist, and clearly indoctrinated by war propaganda and it’s aftermath, but I wanted to really understand what pushed him to be a sociopath. He cares about other people more than I expected, though granted in the way a narcissist would for most of the people around him, but he has more empathy and morality than I think he would have, considering who he becomes. I can see how under the future tutelage of Dr. Gaul he could be grow into a monster, but he hated her and thought her evil for most of the book, so it’s hard to understand him becoming so much like her.
Some other gripes were that the pacing felt a bit disjointed and some important events/plot points were a bit convoluted or rushed. I also thought that a key part of the ending (his ending with Lucy Grey) was slightly confusing and I wanted more from it.
Overall I enjoyed it and think it will make a great film!
One of the best elements, for me, were the references to the previous trilogy. This is not just because they are a beloved series for me, but because Collins calls back to moments, symbols, and songs, in order to deepen their meaning. It would have been very easy for her to throw in reference after reference, just for the sake of it (and for fan service), but it felt so much better having the reference be an uncovering of a history, which in turn deepens and enriches the story we all know so well.
My main disappointment is that I feel like Coriolanus Snow was a bit too caring. We all know he turns into an evil man who condones and does atrocious things, and while I think it’s interesting to place him in more of a grey area and have him be more complex than just evil, I wanted more in the way of understanding what brought him to become such a true villain. Yes, he is arrogant, self-absorbed, racist/classist, and clearly indoctrinated by war propaganda and it’s aftermath, but I wanted to really understand what pushed him to be a sociopath. He cares about other people more than I expected, though granted in the way a narcissist would for most of the people around him, but he has more empathy and morality than I think he would have, considering who he becomes. I can see how under the future tutelage of Dr. Gaul he could be grow into a monster, but he hated her and thought her evil for most of the book, so it’s hard to understand him becoming so much like her.
Some other gripes were that the pacing felt a bit disjointed and some important events/plot points were a bit convoluted or rushed. I also thought that a key part of the ending
Overall I enjoyed it and think it will make a great film!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, War, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Suicide attempt