The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)
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- £11.99
Publisher Description
‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will revisit the world of Panem sixty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Tenth Hunger Games.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Collins continues her unflinching exploration of power and morality in this prequel set 64 years prior to the events of the Hunger Games trilogy. In a challenging move that considers the journey from complicity to what lies beyond, the story centers on Coriolanus Snow, archvillain of the Katniss Everdeen era. Obsessed with restoring his family's grandeur and securing a rosy future for himself, the 18-year-old Academy student is selected to mentor a competitor in Panem's 10th Hunger Games. Though Snow feels slighted by his assignation, a tribute from lowly District 12, his mentee, songstress Lucy Gray Baird, shows an audacity and showbiz flair that captures the country's attention. Over the course of the Games a relatively low-tech affair set in the war-scarred Capitol's crumbling arena the two begin a close partnership. While Snow experiences moments of doubt about his participation, his ambition draws the attention of the sinister Head Gamemaker, Dr. Volumnia Gaul. Providing a counterpoint to Snow is classmate Sejanus Plinth, wealthy and compassionate, who must mentor a tribute from a district he still views as home. A gripping mix of whipsaw plot twists and propulsive writing make this story's complex issues vulnerability and abuse, personal responsibility, and institutionalized power dynamics vivid and personal. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Very enjoyable
This is a worthy prequel to the Hunger games. A slightly different approach to the narrative style that from the other books results in a gripping storyline
Love the movie
Great book and more
Incredible ending!
I was surprised when reading this as I had heard a lot of controversial reviews. The beginning of the book was very slow but after a while things started to get a bit more interesting. I love how Suzanne Collins was able to create such intricate stories for the characters and how this played a big part in the story. Part III was where things started to get more interesting and I definitely didn’t expect the ending! I enjoyed this a lot.