Book Review - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Remember the Hunger Games?

Let's go back in time with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins and see how Coriolanus Snow became the President of Panem and Katniss Evergreen's nemesis. This book is an excellent prequel.

 In the Capitol on the 10th annual Hunger Games opening, Coriolanus Snow is eighteen, prepared to be a mentor, win prizes, and bring glory to the House of Snow which has fallen on hard times.  Alas, he's in charge of Lucy Gray of District 12 - a wisp of a girl who proves cunning. She leads him on a quite a path of glory, cheating, triumph, despair, and the desire to survive.

Snow is a youth with a heart who's still learning about himself. It's interesting to read his journey and see his transformation - knowing what we know from the Hunger Games series - there are aha moments. Collins doesn't slack on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This is a very satisfying book and sadly, still a scary possible future world.

Hunger Games - Read the Book, See the Movie

Read the book, people!!! That's all I should say. I gave a review last year. Excellent YA trilogy. So what? Writing and storytelling like this makes kids excited about reading. In turn, parents tune in and soon there's a common ground. There's no downside.

Hunger Games, the movie - big thumbs up. Here's my review that appears in The Little Paper of San Saba (a town without a cinema)

photo courtesy of EW.

Hunger Games, the movie, is awesome. If you weren't part of the $155 million dollar box office opening, then you aren't doing your part for Hollywood. It's a great movie - show 'em some love. Hunger Games, the book, is better so if you plan to wait for DVD then at least read the trilogy. The book just gives that notch more description, that extra sense of desperation, and a deeper insight into the characters. The movie does an excellent job even if you have no clue, but why not enhance your experience?

So, it's the future and America is now segregated into districts. There once was thirteen districts, but number thirteen had an uprising and was obliterated according to the government. Now, to remind folks not to uprise, the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games. Each district must have a reaping - i.e. pick a male and female between age 12 and 18 to attend a fight to the death. Only one winner. As the saying goes - Happy Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen (the superb Jennifer Lawrence) chooses to volunteer in place of her twelve year old sister, Prim. Katniss can hunt with a bow and knife, she's athletic, and determined from District 12. The boy, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), is the baker's son - wiry and stronger than he looks; he's had a thing for Katniss for years. However, she's close to Gale (Liam Hemsworth) who's stuck back home (the book gives us more).

The movie builds tension through the reaping. Then we see the trip to the Capitol for the duo. They meet their drunk mentor, Haymitch (Woody Harrelson). He's supposed to guide them and find sponsors. His cynical attitude works, and he slowly warms to Katniss. He wants District 12 to win. Cinna (Lenny Kravitch) is Katniss's designer confidante. He makes her look great. The whole thing is part pageant, show, and media blitz. It shows how government can spin things - even death.

President Snow (Donald Sutherland) with his silky voice manipulates and sleazes throughout. He's so good, and is Katniss' nemsis. He's not pleased at her talents.

The actual games are brutal. The film does a good job of depicting the challenges, and also the manipulation from the Capitol headquarters. Let's just say it's not all fair. I'm not going to spoil and tell any more. Bring a tissue for a character's final outcome. Root for Katniss - she's a hardcore heroine who doesn't know her powers. After 2-1/2 hours you are going to want more. You'll be pleased with Hunger Games, but there's way more to the story and adventure. It's only just begun.

So - c'mon. Buy your ticket, some popcorn, and be drawn into the world of Panem. Happy Hunger Games, indeed.

Hunger Games Trilogy

Still in summer mode. I'm currently reading Look Homeward Angel by Thomas Wolfe. It's quite dense and poetic, perhaps a bit serious for August heat. However, I was inspired by my trip to Asheville and visiting the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

For a true beach/poolside/anytime read, consider the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I first gave a review on 7/1/11 of The Hunger Games. I was hooked. This fast paced story follows Katniss, a resourceful young lady who must play to live in a dystopian future.
Spoiler Alert: Her hunting skills come in handy, plus she's paired with Peeta, the baker's son who's declared his love for her. Does she fight him, too? Or does love build the alliance? But Gael, her true love figures strongly. What happens in victory?

Spoiler Alert: With a win, comes fame, plus more. Katniss was never the Capitol's darling and now President Snow threatens her life and family. Political manipulation calls for another special game, the Quell, and it pits former Hunger Games winners against each other. Will Katniss and Peeta remain a duo? Who else can be trusted? In the meantime, there are rumors that districts are uprising, inspired by Katniss, the Mockinjay. Again, who will live and who will die? Collins' pace, characters, and plot are a complete package.

Final Spoiler Alert: Katniss awakes in a hospital to find that District 12 is gone, others are battling, and she as the Mockinjay must lead the rebels to overcome the Capitol. It's heady business for a teen and she's in constant denial of her power. Gael helps her lead, and sadly Peeta, captured by the Capitol, appears to have turned against her. You, the reader, will keep the pages turning into the wee hours of the night. When you finish the series, you'll be very satisfied with your time spent with Katniss and crew. Whew! I'm out of breath still from this futuristic adventure. Excellent trilogy.

Book Review: Hunger Games

I am late to the game on reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It's first in a trilogy and the movie is being filmed with Jennifer Lawrence (awesome young actress) cast as Katniss. As a YA (young adult) book, it was not on my radar. However, as a movie fan, it caught my eye and I wanted to read it prior to the movie.

Well, I am hooked and shall be looking for parts 2 and 3 at Half Price Books. (Is that heresy? I'm a poor struggling writer. I did pay sale price at Amazon for this book). Set in the future, the United States is now arranged in Districts and District 12 is extremely poor coal mining country. Every year, two kids are chosen from each district to participate in "games" that lead to death. At a certain age, names are entered into the drawing and for each year plus for extra food points taken, each name can be listed multiple times.

However, this particular year for District 12, it's the first time for Prim, a child. Her sister, Katniss quickly volunteers in her place. Good move. This enterprising young lady can hunt, is athletic, and ultimately is a player. The other pick is Peeta, the baker's son, who claims to have loved Katniss since grade school. Words, actions, and the heat of the moment - wow, talk about tension.

So many twists and turns to The Hunger Games. The dystopian society proves interesting. Katniss is a heroine for the ages. Suzanne Collins' writing is clean and crisp. She creates a memorable world and characters. Her pacing is amazing and I'm hooked. With crisp dialogue and stunning visuals, the film will pack a punch.

I can see how this became so popular with younger readers and I'm happy to recommend this book for teens and adults alike. It's tight, clean, and exciting. The Hunger Games is only the beginning. Read it to find out who lives and dies, and what happens next.