The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (a Hunger Games Novel)

By Suzanne Collins

Book Overview

Ambition will fuel him.

Competition will drive him.

But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined -- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1338635174
• ISBN13: 9781338635171
• Release Date: May 2020
• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Loved the book, there’s only one problem

The shipping was ok. The only problem is the 4 books I ordered came in a thin plastic bag, with no padding. Which isn’t the best way to ship books. The condition of the book itself is very good, however they sent me a book without a dust cover, which is a little annoying

Not for Me

2.75* Even tho Snow obviously isn't my favorite character, I did feel interested in his backstory and of course it didn't hurt my feelings to have another Hunger Games book. That being said, I ask you: did we really need this man's Joker origin story?

Great book

What a great book and it was in excellent condition to.

Insane!!!

I couldn’t put down this book. It was so incredibly good that it had me guessing all the way to the end. I can’t believe it ended that way!!!! Can’t wait for the movie. Highly recommend!

Enjoyable

I think any Hunger Games fan would appreciate this prequel- it was so interesting to read the story from the point of view of someone so manipulative. I hated Snow but was so fascinated the whole way through. I loved reading about how certain parts of the Hunger Games were developed. I will say it was a bit drawn out, and it felt like several times the story was at a good ending point and yet kept going.

Great addition to the series

This was a great book for anyone who was a fan of the original series . It was fun to look inside Snows head and find out exactly how he rose to power.

Snow is just too hard to like.

I adore the Hunger Games trilogy, so I was excited for this book. With that said, I too was disappointed in the prequel. Suzanne Collins has a way of leaving you hanging at the end of every chapter, as always, willing you to keep reading to satisfy your curiosity. I enjoyed the world of Panem with the war still fresh on the minds of its citizens. I didn't mind the obvious connections to the trilogy, it added to the karma of Mockingjay. What I just couldn't get into is the Snow character. I know what he turns into and I really have a hard time relating to the development of his character. I suppose it is an interesting backstory but as a main character for a whole book, I struggled to stay attentive. When finished, I reread the trilogy for some satisfaction. I could read those books and watch the movies indefinitely. I wouldn't read Ballad again.

Amazing to hear his story, but a lot of it felt forced down my throat...

Overall, this book was tolerable. There were plenty of parts that were captivating and gut-wrenching. If you/anyone you know is into the Hunger Games universe, this is, with a doubt, an excellent addition to that universe. Being someone who has read the Hunger Games trilogy and seen the movies countless times, this book was just OK to me; the connections Suzanne Collins makes about Snow's early life and the major plot points of the trilogy just seem forced and put there to inspire some far-fetched yin and yang concept that just doesn't sit well with me. I'd recommend this book, but seriously, don't hold your breath.

One of the best prequel‘s of any trilogy.

I don’t know what people are talking about when they say this book was a disappointment. This is the best book I’ve ever read. With that being said if you are getting this book and expecting it to be just like the Hunger Games, you will be disappointed. Because this book is not the Hunger Games, so don’t expect it to be the Hunger Games. Only one word can describe this book perfection.

Irresistible

This new addition to the world of The Hunger Games is both thrilling and frightening. Absolutely recommend.