The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the worst Hunger Games book, but maybe that's the point?

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the best and worst of all the Hunger Games books. I absolutely hated it. But maybe that was the point? 

After finishing the book, I realize I dislike President Snow even more than I did while reading the original trilogy. I hate how he’s a snitch, a backstabber, a murderer and an all around really terrible person who I have no empathy for. 

OK. That was a lot. This book made me that mad. But maybe the point of the book was to expose just how truly terrible he is. While I do believe the book accomplished that, the book did introduce some complex new characters (who I wish I could learn more about).

Before I get too much into these characters, here are my major takeaways about the book: 

First, I believe this book could have easily been split into two books. (The book is 517 pages). The could be done with one book detailing the 10th Hunger Games. The second book would detail the aftermath of the games, Coriolanus Snow’s time with the Peacekeepers and subsequent rise to power after betraying his friend Sejanus Plinth. 

The first half of the book seemed to drag, while the last 100 pages seemed very rushed.

Second, I could tell Suzanne Collins wanted the reader to feel empathy for Coriolanus Snow. The loss of his parents and his family’s financial problems are, indeed, relatable. But, I didn’t feel his struggle. However, I could feel Katniss Everdeen’s struggle. Her story hit my feelings differently than Coriolanus’ story. 

Now, let’s talk about these new characters. 

 I was totally enamored with Lucy Gray Baird. Although she was just 16, her personality and behaviors made her seem much older. Her behavior makes sense later in the book, when you realize she is a performer. 

I could have read an entire book on Lucy Gray alone. She needs her own back story. I want to know where she came from. 

Another character I want an entire book on is Sejanus Plinth. He’s the misfit District 2 kid who moved to the capitol thanks to his father, who owned a munitions company. (The Capitol loves war, remember?)

I loved the complexity of Sejanus. He experiences deep conflict with his origin and his present life. I love the push-pull you see in Sejanus. Part of me really wanted to close the book after Sejanus hatched his plan to escape the Peacekeepers and join the Districts. I’m clearly pro-district, as are most readers. 

I knew as soon as he shared his plan with Coriolanus, he was doomed. However, I do think that Coriolanus’ snitching was really predictable, but what else did I expect to happen? There had to be some storyline to explain how Coriolanus rose from in debt orphan to high-ranking military leader. 

I did enjoy the complexity of the book, but I think the story may have been too complex for one book. (It does seem this book is geared toward an older audience than the first trilogy. Was SC targeting the people who read the trilogy in middle/high school?)

It feels weird to criticize this because I am not a book writer or a publisher and don’t understand what all goes into a publishing deal. But, I do believe this story could have easily become a prequel series a-la Star Wars style. 

Overall, I really didn’t like it and it made me detest President Snow even more.