The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0)

[Trisha]

This thread is to discuss The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel to the The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

Pages: 540 pages

Length: 1 Month (September)

Participants: Alison, Dominique, Elena, Ilona, Maxine, Joan.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

[Joan]

I want to jump in on this buddy read! I got the book when it first came out but haven't started it yet.

[Trisha]

Joan wrote: "I want to jump in on this buddy read! I got the book when it first came out but haven't started it yet."

Awesome! I’m adding you to the group, Joan! 😊

[Michelle]

If I get my hands on this book this month and still have time to read it, I'll let you know and jump in the discussion :).

[Joan]

Trisha wrote: "Joan wrote: "I want to jump in on this buddy read! I got the book when it first came out but haven't started it yet."

Awesome! I’m adding you to the group, Joan! 😊"

Thank you!

[Ilona]

I couldn't wait and read the book as soon as it came out 🙈 Looking forward to the discussion!

[Maxine]

Can’t wait guys! I’ve heard super mixed reviews, but I’m still excited since I loved the series. I’m going to start the audiobook today!

[Library]

I read this recently, you guys care if I talk with y'all about it?

[Ilona]

Library wrote: "I read this recently, you guys care if I talk with y'all about it?"

Not at all, welcome to the buddy read :)

[Maxine]

Hey everyone! I’m about 10 chapters in. Do you guys think Snow is suppose to be like-able? He already feel sort of like a secondary character in his own story? Just a thought!

[Library]

I think he's supposed to be charismatic, but you're supposed to realize he's not actually a nice person.

[Ilona]

I remember thinking the same thing! He was sort-of-likeable/decent in the first couple of chapters and I was so confused.

[Joan]

I'm planning on starting this one after I finish the one I'm reading. I'm thinking this Sunday or Monday.

[Maxine]

Hi everyone! I just finished the book. Without discussing spoilers or anything, my biggest problem with this book was that it was SO long. It felt like 3 different stories at once!

[Joan]

I've read at least 5 chapters of it. It hasn't captivated me like the trilogy so far. I'm planning on finishing it this weekend. Snow's perspective is interesting to me as far as the whole trilogy goes though.

So question - Tigris that they mention in the book - for those that watched the movies - is that whose house they hide in at the end in Mockingjay Part 2?

[Library]

Yes it is :)

[Joan]

I read the Part 1 so far. I'm actually surprised how much I'm into it and how much I like Snow so far. I think the dynamic between him and his tribute is interesting. There seems to be a little of of action in each chapter that keeps me turning the pages.

After the last few books I've read it's a welcomed surprise.

[Joan]

I finished part 2. I still like it. I saw a lot of reviews that said it was bad. I don't know if it's because it's been awhile since I read the series or not. I agree there wasn't much world building but I guess I'm picturing what I know from the Hunger Games in my head already. I'm interested to see where the book goes from here with Snow.

[Ruthie]

I haven't started it yet! Will let you know when I do! My husband read it last month and lost interest in the second half so he just looked up how it ended. Curious what I will think as I've re-read the whole series leading up to this.

[Joan]

So I finished it this morning. I enjoyed it up until Part 3. I thought the third part was a bit wordy. (view spoiler)[ I'm confused on the ending. Is Lucy Gray dead? He said something about hitting her or something but I read back through and couldn't figure out where. Did he mean by the gunfire that he shot up in the air? The writing of that last part did not give me the sense that she caught on. I thought on that part it could have been expanded. It didn't seem like she was slipping away to get away from him. (hide spoiler)]

The part I wrote in my spoiler is why I ended up rating it only 3 stars. What did everyone else think?

[Alison]

I am up to Part Two in the book and I have to say that I am conflicted about Snow! I think he is very self-centered and snooty and he doesn’t make me sympathize with him when he talks about the horrible conditions he lived in through the war. Then he likes Lucy Gray and tries to help her and that makes me feel a bit better about him! Granted, maybe he is doing things/helping Lucy Gray to advance himself...
I think the whole development of the Hunger Games in this story is more interesting to me than the development of Snow’s Character! The whole vision of the Hunger Games before it became what it was in the trilogy...very raw and desperate conditions for the tributes with no gimmicks, etc...Wow! 📚🥳

[Ruthie]

Good to know Alison! I haven't started it yet sorry! I'm behind on September reads. Good thing the post will stay up till Oct 22

[Ruthie]

Hi y'all, I don't think I'll get to this, I'm behind on my buddy reads and I have more planned for November and December :( I'll DM y'all when I finish to let you know what I thought.