A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the prequel to The Hunger Games Series. I must admit, I tend to approach a prequel with some trepidation, thinking that I already know about characters and what motivates them. Suzanne Collins has opted to give President Snow a backstory, and deservingly so. President Snow was always an intriguing character in the HG series, elements of his humanity often on display and at odds with the system he was charged with.
And so this was refreshing read about how he came to be President, his struggles with his family and their fortunes, the society he supposedly was accepted by, and his values that he held dear yet allowed him to rise to the top.
The harrowing nature concerning humanity, or desperation surrounding it, that we've come to expect of The Hunger Games is on display in A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The oppression and the will to survive is there on a page turn. As well we are given an insight into the origins of the districts and how the hierarchy was formed. It's a classic take on a classic series and the insight we have into Coriolanus Snow (a classical name in its purest sense) and what makes him tick is a page turner. If you're a fan of HG, then this is a necessary read to the canon. Even if you're not familiar with HG, then A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be a good introduction to the captivating series.
