The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes [Suzanne Collins]; 2020 YA Releases

Who else screamed when they learned that The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins was going to be a thing? I’ve seen a lot of different posts commenting on the fact that this is more-or-less an origin type story for the disturbing villain of The Hunger Games series. Some people have mentioned that they won’t even be reading the book because of it.

And, to be fair, I get it. I don’t want a book that tries to redeem President Snow or try to excuse his behavior because he was “broken” or whatever. At the same time, though, I think better of Collins. Considering the fact that her initial intent with this series was to call attention to how the media sensationalizes murder and the complacency that the privileged have toward it, I feel fairly confident in saying that I think she’ll handle whatever her message is for this book well.

I imagine we’ll all be finding out soon, though. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a little over a week away!

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the 10th annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18-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 out charm, 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.