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A review by brittishliterature
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
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
4.0
While at times it did feel like a story created to fit what already existed (since it was a prequel put out years later), I did find it to be an interesting look into Snow's character and a book I’ve yet to stop thinking about.
I was skeptical at first, because we all know how President Snow turns out, how could I ever root for him? But while I didn’t end up loving him like I was scared would happen, I did see glimpses into his humanity and how he becomes who he is, and I was very intrigued by his character.
I appreciated the bits of nostalgia and connection to the rest of the series , even if they felt slightly contrived.
I enjoyed getting to be in this world again and reading a book that kept me interested, because Collins really does know how to hold my attention and that’s very welcome when I’ve been in such a reading slump era.
I read along with the audiobook as well, and the narrator’s voice was perfect for Snow, but I didn’t enjoy his narration of other characters’ voices and that he simply read song lyrics with a monotone recitation haha. His voicing of Lucy Gray made her feel too much like a child which is not the way her character felt, so I found that a bit off-putting.
Watching the movie afterward really rounded out the whole experience out for me, and I thought it was very well done, one I will definitely be watching again and again.
Overall, this wasn’t quite what I was expecting and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it. Especially Part III. The whole ending really got me. The longer I sit with it the more I really loved it.
I was skeptical at first, because we all know how President Snow turns out, how could I ever root for him? But while I didn’t end up loving him like I was scared would happen, I did see glimpses into his humanity and how he becomes who he is, and I was very intrigued by his character.
I appreciated the bits of nostalgia and connection to the rest of the series , even if they felt slightly contrived.
I enjoyed getting to be in this world again and reading a book that kept me interested, because Collins really does know how to hold my attention and that’s very welcome when I’ve been in such a reading slump era.
I read along with the audiobook as well, and the narrator’s voice was perfect for Snow, but I didn’t enjoy his narration of other characters’ voices and that he simply read song lyrics with a monotone recitation haha. His voicing of Lucy Gray made her feel too much like a child which is not the way her character felt, so I found that a bit off-putting.
Watching the movie afterward really rounded out the whole experience out for me, and I thought it was very well done, one I will definitely be watching again and again.
Overall, this wasn’t quite what I was expecting and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it. Especially Part III. The whole ending really got me. The longer I sit with it the more I really loved it.