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A review by zoetic
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
5.0
"There would be twenty-four tributes, one boy and one girl from each of the twelve defeated districts, drawn by lottery to be thrown into an arena to fight to the death in The Hunger Games. It was all laid out in the Treaty of Treason. That had ended the Dark Days of the district's rebellion, one of the many punishments borne by the rebels. As in the past, the tribute to be dumped into the Capital Arena, a now-dilapidated amphitheater that had been used for sports and entertainment events before the war, along with some weapons to murder one." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
》 Mini Review
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes offers an in-depth exploration of Coriolanus Snow, providing insight into his traits, quirks, and adolescent relationships. It traces the origins of the Hunger Games and how it evolved into what it became in Katniss and Peeta’s journeys.
If you've ever wondered about the significance of Snow’s handkerchiefs, his roses, or how he navigated relationships, this story is for you.
The themes of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes include love, government, the consequences of war—both during and after—control, the loss of innocence in self-defense, and the development of personal and societal beliefs.
-----
》 Please note
While I myself wouldn't consider these spoilers, other people might so here’s my disclaimer.
This review provides a deep dive into character development, story elements, and themes explored in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
*It may contain spoilers.*
It does not cover all aspects of the book. Proceed with care. I switch between Coriolanus and Snow, which is the same character.
》 In-Depth Review
》 Characterization
Coriolanus Snow, the main character, is unlikable though he becomes more relatable and utterly human as the story unfolds. He feels entitled to the wealth and status his family once held, after losing it all in the chaos of war. Having experienced hardship firsthand—sickness, hunger, and loss—he struggles with a desire for more, unwilling to accept the life he now leads. As a student, he faces challenges from the rising new-money class, especially from Longbottom, who holds a personal vendetta against him.
"The endless dance with hunger had defined his life. Not the very early years, before the war, but every day since had been a battle, a negotiation, a game." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
When the Hunger Games begin, Snow is paired with Lucy Gray Baird, a cunning and charismatic tribute who performs to survive. Though she appears to use her wit and charismat to charm others, she also genuinely wants to protect those around her. The connection between Snow and Lucy is built on their shared experience as survivors—both use their charisma as a mask.
"The world still thought Coriolanus rich, but his only currency was charm, which he spread liberally..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
"She had won their sympathy, despite her oddness." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Snow's sense of entitlement is a major theme in the story. He believes he deserves things others have, and this entitlement extends to his need to control every aspect of his life. His family's fall from wealth and the traumatic consequences forces him to learn what it means to go without. This creates a complicated character, whose thought processes and intentions behind his actions, are often deplorable, and through a deeper examination of his psyche, we understand why he is the way he is.
The story also delves into societal views and how they affect him and his family. Coriolanus sees people from the districts, including Lucy, as tools or obstacles. At first, he doesn't see Lucy as human, viewing her only as a means to help him rise in society. He’s resentful of their pairing because he feels he and his family truly fallen from grace, but as the story progresses, he begins to see her—and others from the districts—as human beings, no longer mere objects or obstacles.
As Snow's character continues to develop, he learns what it means to care for someone. His love for his family is clear, but his relationship with Lucy is different—it challenges his views on humanity. Throughout The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Snow grapples with his conflicting feelings toward Lucy—how he sees her as both a person and a tool for advancing his own power. His genuine concern for her life marks a significant shift in his emotional growth, forcing him to confront his beliefs about love, power, and the value of others.
"He felt remarkably close to her, this girl who dropped into his life so unexpectedly and with such style. And it wasn't just about the accolades she brought him. he was genuinely fond of her..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Snow's and Lucy's relationship, complicated by their circumstances, evolves as they navigate a world where they shouldn’t be together. Through the trials of the Hunger Games and the events that follow after, their connection deepens, leading them to face their fears, beliefs, and feelings head-on.
Lucy and her people, the Covey (traveling musicians), weren’t from the districts, yet they were forced to stay and endure the consequences of their temporary living situation. She is punished for where she happens to live, trapped in a system that doesn't distinguish between her lineage and those it deems lesser. Determined to survive the Hunger Games, Lucy sacrifices parts of her humanity, battling not only for her life but also grappling with her emotions and trauma.
Dr. Gaul is an exceptionally intelligent yet sadistic character. She revels in pushing people to their limits and observing the consequences. Constantly experimenting, she takes pleasure in bizarre, macabre, and horrific experiments, particularly those involving the mutation of beings. I think she enjoys drawing others into her experiments because she wants them to feel the way she does—isolated in her beliefs and sharing in her twisted mindset, as a form of companionship. When she encounters Snow, she pulls him into her controlled, twisted world. Dr. Gaul views life as one giant experiment, with a bleak outlook that reduces everyone and everything to having mere beastial instincts.
Throughout The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Dean Highbottom, Dr. Gaul, and Lucy constantly forces Coriolanus to confront his own beliefs, challenging him in unexpected ways.
-----
》 Themes
"'You give us light. You reunite'? It's supposed to be everyone's government, right?"
"That's the general idea. Go on," Dr. Gaul encouraged him.
"Well, then it should protect everyone," said Sejanus. "That's its number one job..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
"You've no right to starve people, to punish them for no reason. No right to take away at their life and freedom. Those are things everyone is born with, and they're not yours for the taking. Winning a war doesn't give you that right. Having more weapons doesn't give you that right. Being from the Capitol doesn't give you that right. Nothing does..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
One of the key themes explored with nuance in the book with care is the aftermath of war. It examines not only the consequences of the war but also the history told from the perspective of the victors. The story delves into the role of the government, highlighting its duty to protect all people—not just the victors or those who suffered defeat.
Several conversations take place within academic settings or between students and authority figures, where the complexities of war are discussed. These discussions explore what it means to win a war, how to turn the tide, and the impact of governing with a cruel hand. The narrative also examines how the government manipulates these events into propaganda, presenting actions as being for the betterment of the people. This is often done through false information or a twisted narrative, playing on sympathy to conceal deeper truths and hidden motives.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes examines the dynamics of a functioning government and what it should ideally represent.
Additionally, a key theme explored in depth is control—both in terms of personal autonomy and the relationship between a government and its people. The narrative delves into what it means to have control, to lack it, and the balance that comes with it. We witness Coriolanus's belief in control and the consequences that ensue when he feels it slipping away, especially as he crosses lines he never would have before.
"And try to not look down on people who had to choose between death and disgrace." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Coriolanus views Lucy as a possession. This is explored throughout the entirety of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
One important theme explored, though not as extensively as others, is the consequences of survival, particularly the ways in which women and girls are pushed to act in order to survive. These actions are often judged and looked down upon, even though those doing the judging are the ones who create the circumstances that force such choices. Men, however, cannot fully understand what women endure, and at times, they don’t even want to. This dynamic is a key aspect of the theme, as well as an important element of Coriolanus’s character.
》 Closing Thoughts
Ultimately, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes tells the sad story of a boy born into privilege, a war survivor, whose mind becomes twisted and misguided. He knows only hunger. Throughout his journey, he experiences love but continually chooses his desire for status over it. He becomes what he was always groomed to be.
》 Mini Review
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes offers an in-depth exploration of Coriolanus Snow, providing insight into his traits, quirks, and adolescent relationships. It traces the origins of the Hunger Games and how it evolved into what it became in Katniss and Peeta’s journeys.
If you've ever wondered about the significance of Snow’s handkerchiefs, his roses, or how he navigated relationships, this story is for you.
The themes of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes include love, government, the consequences of war—both during and after—control, the loss of innocence in self-defense, and the development of personal and societal beliefs.
-----
》 Please note
While I myself wouldn't consider these spoilers, other people might so here’s my disclaimer.
This review provides a deep dive into character development, story elements, and themes explored in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
*It may contain spoilers.*
It does not cover all aspects of the book. Proceed with care. I switch between Coriolanus and Snow, which is the same character.
》 In-Depth Review
》 Characterization
Coriolanus Snow, the main character, is unlikable though he becomes more relatable and utterly human as the story unfolds. He feels entitled to the wealth and status his family once held, after losing it all in the chaos of war. Having experienced hardship firsthand—sickness, hunger, and loss—he struggles with a desire for more, unwilling to accept the life he now leads. As a student, he faces challenges from the rising new-money class, especially from Longbottom, who holds a personal vendetta against him.
"The endless dance with hunger had defined his life. Not the very early years, before the war, but every day since had been a battle, a negotiation, a game." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
When the Hunger Games begin, Snow is paired with Lucy Gray Baird, a cunning and charismatic tribute who performs to survive. Though she appears to use her wit and charismat to charm others, she also genuinely wants to protect those around her. The connection between Snow and Lucy is built on their shared experience as survivors—both use their charisma as a mask.
"The world still thought Coriolanus rich, but his only currency was charm, which he spread liberally..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
"She had won their sympathy, despite her oddness." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Snow's sense of entitlement is a major theme in the story. He believes he deserves things others have, and this entitlement extends to his need to control every aspect of his life. His family's fall from wealth and the traumatic consequences forces him to learn what it means to go without. This creates a complicated character, whose thought processes and intentions behind his actions, are often deplorable, and through a deeper examination of his psyche, we understand why he is the way he is.
The story also delves into societal views and how they affect him and his family. Coriolanus sees people from the districts, including Lucy, as tools or obstacles. At first, he doesn't see Lucy as human, viewing her only as a means to help him rise in society. He’s resentful of their pairing because he feels he and his family truly fallen from grace, but as the story progresses, he begins to see her—and others from the districts—as human beings, no longer mere objects or obstacles.
As Snow's character continues to develop, he learns what it means to care for someone. His love for his family is clear, but his relationship with Lucy is different—it challenges his views on humanity. Throughout The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Snow grapples with his conflicting feelings toward Lucy—how he sees her as both a person and a tool for advancing his own power. His genuine concern for her life marks a significant shift in his emotional growth, forcing him to confront his beliefs about love, power, and the value of others.
"He felt remarkably close to her, this girl who dropped into his life so unexpectedly and with such style. And it wasn't just about the accolades she brought him. he was genuinely fond of her..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Snow's and Lucy's relationship, complicated by their circumstances, evolves as they navigate a world where they shouldn’t be together. Through the trials of the Hunger Games and the events that follow after, their connection deepens, leading them to face their fears, beliefs, and feelings head-on.
Lucy and her people, the Covey (traveling musicians), weren’t from the districts, yet they were forced to stay and endure the consequences of their temporary living situation. She is punished for where she happens to live, trapped in a system that doesn't distinguish between her lineage and those it deems lesser. Determined to survive the Hunger Games, Lucy sacrifices parts of her humanity, battling not only for her life but also grappling with her emotions and trauma.
Dr. Gaul is an exceptionally intelligent yet sadistic character. She revels in pushing people to their limits and observing the consequences. Constantly experimenting, she takes pleasure in bizarre, macabre, and horrific experiments, particularly those involving the mutation of beings. I think she enjoys drawing others into her experiments because she wants them to feel the way she does—isolated in her beliefs and sharing in her twisted mindset, as a form of companionship. When she encounters Snow, she pulls him into her controlled, twisted world. Dr. Gaul views life as one giant experiment, with a bleak outlook that reduces everyone and everything to having mere beastial instincts.
Throughout The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Dean Highbottom, Dr. Gaul, and Lucy constantly forces Coriolanus to confront his own beliefs, challenging him in unexpected ways.
-----
》 Themes
"'You give us light. You reunite'? It's supposed to be everyone's government, right?"
"That's the general idea. Go on," Dr. Gaul encouraged him.
"Well, then it should protect everyone," said Sejanus. "That's its number one job..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
"You've no right to starve people, to punish them for no reason. No right to take away at their life and freedom. Those are things everyone is born with, and they're not yours for the taking. Winning a war doesn't give you that right. Having more weapons doesn't give you that right. Being from the Capitol doesn't give you that right. Nothing does..." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
One of the key themes explored with nuance in the book with care is the aftermath of war. It examines not only the consequences of the war but also the history told from the perspective of the victors. The story delves into the role of the government, highlighting its duty to protect all people—not just the victors or those who suffered defeat.
Several conversations take place within academic settings or between students and authority figures, where the complexities of war are discussed. These discussions explore what it means to win a war, how to turn the tide, and the impact of governing with a cruel hand. The narrative also examines how the government manipulates these events into propaganda, presenting actions as being for the betterment of the people. This is often done through false information or a twisted narrative, playing on sympathy to conceal deeper truths and hidden motives.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes examines the dynamics of a functioning government and what it should ideally represent.
Additionally, a key theme explored in depth is control—both in terms of personal autonomy and the relationship between a government and its people. The narrative delves into what it means to have control, to lack it, and the balance that comes with it. We witness Coriolanus's belief in control and the consequences that ensue when he feels it slipping away, especially as he crosses lines he never would have before.
"And try to not look down on people who had to choose between death and disgrace." - Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Coriolanus views Lucy as a possession. This is explored throughout the entirety of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
One important theme explored, though not as extensively as others, is the consequences of survival, particularly the ways in which women and girls are pushed to act in order to survive. These actions are often judged and looked down upon, even though those doing the judging are the ones who create the circumstances that force such choices. Men, however, cannot fully understand what women endure, and at times, they don’t even want to. This dynamic is a key aspect of the theme, as well as an important element of Coriolanus’s character.
》 Closing Thoughts
Ultimately, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes tells the sad story of a boy born into privilege, a war survivor, whose mind becomes twisted and misguided. He knows only hunger. Throughout his journey, he experiences love but continually chooses his desire for status over it. He becomes what he was always groomed to be.