Book Review – “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”

Four Stars out of Five

I tend to shy away from prequels or sequels that purport to add “new” details about an established series’ characters, world, etc. First, based on personal experience, I’ve found that most of these books are cash grabs, assuming fans of a series will buy anything associated with it by default, which isn’t true. Second, many such books either feel unnecessary or rewrite/revise established canon. Seeing as this novel is a prequel to the immensely popular Hunger Games trilogy, I initially held it at arm’s length. In the end, I decided to check it out and, much to my surprise, it avoids many of these aforementioned missteps, serving as a solid story in its own right.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins, is a prequel set in the Hunger Games universe decades before the original trilogy’s events. Plot-wise, this novel focuses on Coriolanus Snow, the young man who would grow up to become the tyrannical president of the nation of Panem. For now, his family is at the end of the Capitol’s social pecking order and both their standing and dignity are at stake. However, the odds seem to be in Coriolanus’ favor when he is selected to mentor the female tribute from District 12 – a fearless songstress named Lucy Grey Baird. Lucy Grey strikes a chord in Coriolanus – something he’s never felt before. But will the possibility of love override his innate desire for power and reclamation of his family’s good name?

For starters, this novel’s title serves as a perfect summary of its focus. Not only are said songbirds and snakes references to actual animals appearing in the story, they also allude to characters Lucy Grey Baird and Coriolanus Snow, respectively. Lucy Grey is a songstress who has never lived her life tied down, and Coriolanus entertains his inner tempting serpent to make a grasp for power at nearly any cost. This juxtaposition eventually becomes the crux of the plot and it becomes an engaging focal point.

Seeing as this serves as a Hunger Games prequel as it focuses on a teenage Coriolanus Snow, knowledge of the original trilogy is a given. However, to its credit, it doesn’t rely so heavily upon the original source material that someone brand new to The Hunger Games couldn’t dive right in. While the world remains the same, the characters and their circumstances are different as well as the chief themes at play, namely loyalty and power. Though it’s likely only fans of the Hunger Games trilogy will be drawn to this story.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes serves as a Coriolanus Snow character study, but I wouldn’t call it that in strict terms. Most character studies introduce readers to a person’s background that both shares new information about this individual and serves as a basis for his behaviors, actions, and motivations. This novel accomplishes that but splits its time developing the character of Lucy Grey as well as other minor story threads. While all of these narrative trails ultimately lead back to Coriolanus Snow, the novel feels like it’s just as much these other characters’ stories as it is his. Readers of The Hunger Games know Coriolanus Snow serves as that trilogy’s villain. He isn’t likeable there and he’s not likable here. But what The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes does is provide insight into how Coriolanus became the cold, ruthless leader he’s known to be in The Hunger Games.

This novel does nothing to redeem Snow, and I believe that was done on purpose. Rather than serve as a sympathetic portrait of a semi-good-boy-gone-bad, the novel, at its core, functions as a study of how power corrupts. Some of Coriolanus’ actions make sense in context – not that they are morally justified but they do fit with his character. I think it was a smart move to show him struggle with himself, pulled by the voices of others who feel the Capitol is overstepping their bounds. Yet he is innately attracted to power, which becomes his one true love and life’s endeavor. This isn’t to say he’s only painted in one shade, so to speak. Quite the contrary: he becomes a dynamic character as he alternates between differing viewpoints. On one hand, he’s pompous and proud yet at times he’s humbled by others, usually Lucy Grey. He has moments when he considers his motives or the motives of others yet ultimately decides in his own self-interest. Through it all, we are never asked to feel sorry for Coriolanus nor excuse or justify his beliefs and behaviors. Coriolanus simply is and we are left to judge him based on his actions alone.

Despite Coriolanus Snow being given top billing, it was Lucy Grey Baird who became my favorite character. She is a fearless young woman who has never truly put down roots but who has a strong sense of familial love and loyalty towards the gypsy-like family who adopted her. Despite having been forced to settle in District 12, her family and she have never been accepted by others and are treated as outsiders who, at the very least, provide entertainment for the locals and coal miners. District 12 has always been depicted as a quasi-Appalachian region, and some of that is retained here in the sense of close-knit community and oral tradition through folk songs. Music becomes a small focus here, and, without revealing spoilers, we see the origins of “The Hanging Tree” and “Down In the Meadow,” which adds a sense of depth to these songs’ inclusions in The Hunger Games. (As a side note, some of the folk songs quoted here are actual songs as Collins notes in the book’s afterword.)

One of the things I loved about Lucy Grey is that she is not a Katniss Everdeen clone, which would have been tempting to create. Lucy Grey is not as clean-cut as Katniss as she’s more conniving and doesn’t need much coaxing to speak her mind, unlike Katniss’ initial don’t-rock-the-boat ways. Lucy Grey is set up to become a woman of legend within District 12 where, in the original trilogy, her legacy lives on through her music sans her name. Therefore, it’s not odd for Katniss to not know where “The Hanging Tree” or “Down In the Meadow” originated from as folk tradition often focuses on passing down the lore, not always the lore-maker.

I also liked Sejanus Plinth, Coriolanus’ academy chum. He serves as the voice of reason who speaks out against the Capitol’s uses of violence to subdue the Districts. Even though his fate is pretty much determined the first time he disagrees with the purpose behind the Hunger Games, he still serves as a soundboard off of whom Coriolanus bounces opposing views. The two teen boys are good friends and this sense of comradery is strongly felt, and at times it seems Coriolanus does take what his friend says seriously. Granted, it does little to influence Coriolanus for the better in the long run, but Sejanus does offer a compelling point of view that likely echos readers’ sentiments.

Structure-wise, the novel is split into three parts, much like the other novels in the original trilogy. Part one focuses on Coriolanus as mentor to District 12’s female tribute, Lucy Grey Baird; part two consists of the Hunger Games; and part three is the Games’ aftermath and how it impacts both Coriolanus and Lucy Grey. To be honest, parts one and two made me feel like this novel was wading into three-star territory as these chapters were interesting but long-winded and slightly repetitive. Thankfully, part three elevated the book into a four-star as, without divulging spoilers, events move away from the Capitol, giving the central action, conflict, and characters new ground within which to develop.

There were a few less-than-stellar aspects to this novel, despite all of its positive attributes. First, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes feels 150 to 200 pages too long. Parts one and two in particular begin to feel redundant, causing the pace to drag. These portions, especially where Coriolanus acts as Lucy Grey’s mentor and when the Games commence, could have been trimmed. While part three serves as a good breather and change of pace, the novel as a whole is hefty without a good reason to be so and at times overstays its welcome.

Likewise, the violence is ramped up in this novel though it avoids becoming gory or too graphic. While The Hunger Games welcomed young teen readers, this novel feels more suited for an older YA audience due to the violent content that isn’t isolated to the Games. Granted, the violence, both what is depicted on page and mentioned by way of flashback or memory, feels justified when context is considered. But it’s worth pointing out for parents or guardians who might wonder if this novel is more or less violent than the original trilogy. The short answer is it’s more. (Details regarding violence can be found in the Content section below.)

Lastly, and to be frank, this isn’t a necessary book. It doesn’t feel like a cash grab nor does it rewrite anything from the Hunger Games trilogy in terms of canon. But the question remains – was a 500+ page Coriolanus Snow novel needed? Honestly, no. While I’m glad I read it and it is a solid story, the original trilogy stands fine on its own, and I imagine fans could either take this novel or leave it with no great consequence.

Overall, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes offers an interesting take on the future president of Panem, pairing him with the spunky Lucy Grey Baird. Their interactions and individual and collective character development become the highlight of the novel that doesn’t try to become a Hunger Games clone. Is this novel necessary? No, but it is interesting and at least it builds upon the original trilogy’s canon in a way that feels authentic and respectful towards both the story’s world and its readers.

Content:
Language – Some sporadic PG-level profanities appear but are not pervasive. Lucy Grey tells naysayers (in song) that they can kiss my a–. Another character remarks that they are pi–ed.

Violence – There are mentions of and depictions of violence all throughout. While nothing becomes too graphic or gory, characters are forced to maim each other and fight to the death, which involves a manner of weapons, including axes, knives, poisons, and vicious animals. Some characters die in excruciating ways. Snakes attack numerous characters and one person has a terrible reaction to the bite. Rebels and rebel sympathizers are executed, usually by hanging, and some characters are forced to watch. Peacekeepers kill troublemakers. One character is tortured nearly to death (off-page) and strung up in the Games’ arena. (A character later commits a mercy killing to put this character out of their misery.) Elsewhere, a rebel is shot and the body is later seen hanging up for public display. When tributes arrive to the Capitol, they are crammed into a cattle car, shackled, and taken to a zoo. There, Capitol citizens gawk at them and feed them through the bars. Tributes are often in chains whenever they’re not in their cage or the arena. A bomb explodes, causing causalities and injuries. Some characters are shot during a fight. There is talk of war, bombings, and references to wartime destruction but no graphic details are given. It’s also revealed that, during the war, some people in the Capitol resorted to cannibalism to stave off starvation. Coriolanus even recalls seeing someone kill a woman and cut off her leg with the intent of eating it (we never see this person do so on-page). Lastly, several characters betray one another for personal gain.

Sexual Content – Nothing in terms of any sex scenes or sexual content. It’s vaguely implied that a character’s relative once felt compelled to work as a prostitute to earn money for the family, but no details are given. Coriolanus and Lucy Grey develop an attraction to each other and share a few kisses, but nothing further occurs.