pickFinally got the hold from the library so I could finish this one. What a fantastic book. Cory in all his delusional youth making all the right connections to become a better person and actively choosing to ignore that impulse. What a fantastic look into the mind of a guy who looked at his life and went “I think I can make the world worse on purpose” and then committed himself to that full throttle. Fantastic, snow certainly does land on top.
I was tentative going in, but ended up really enjoying this! It's not super pace-y or anything, but I thought Collins adeptly trod the balance of writing a character who we all know turns out terribly.
#WickedWords @AsYouWish
pick8-2-25: My 51st finished book of 2025! A prequel to The Hunger Games series, this tale tells the story of Coriolanus Snow, the eventual president of Panem. He is likable and detestable in equal measure. When he is chosen to be a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games, the first time a mentor was used, he receives a tribute in Lucy Gray Baird, a singer and show-woman, who might just lead him to victory and love if it can show him a better way of life.
pickTruly nothing to say about this series that hasn‘t been said. Wonderfully written, fantastically executed, distressingly still relevant. I reread the lot while waiting to reacquire Ballad on Libby as I got 3/4 of the way through it before it got automatically sent back.
I‘ve finished seven chapters so far. I just have to say, this Dr. Gaul character? What. The. FLIP. She is insane and dangerous, and allowed an influential position over the early Hunger Games? Oh, okay then. The Island of Dr. Moreau has nothing on her nightmarish mutant creatures, and she just giggles over them. What a scary freak. No wonder the Hunger Games became so terrifying.
pick⭐⭐⭐/5
I went into this one thinking I might dislike it due to seeing so many negative reviews but I honestly enjoyed it for most part. There were some parts that dragged a bit but overall it's a rather decent back story with some interesting characters. Only down side is that I'd love to have a bit of a time jump and insight into Snow's later life
#ranttime
I do not even have the words to describe how I feel when I see this. I have read those books. Never in a trillion years would I think this could happen here. I have nothing but rage and tears, no answers.
pickI don‘t reread books, but when I finished teaching Hunger Games this year and read Sunrise on the Reaping, I really felt compelled to visit this world again. And boy, was that the right choice! I loved it just as much as the first time. Collins is just so good at her craft! Also I‘ve finally figured out the magic of physical book reading when you‘re relaxing + audiobooking while you do the chores to keep the house looking presentable. A win-win!
It seems as if the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes gets a lot of hate, but I'm kind of loving it so far - saying that I'm only 35% in so thoughts might change ☺️
