The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to The Hunger Games, set 64 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story. The novel follows Coriolanus Snow, long before he becomes the ruthless President of Panem. At 18 years old, he is chosen to be a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games, tasked with guiding Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12.

Snow, once from a powerful family, is struggling to maintain his fading social status in the Capitol. Seeing Lucy Gray as his opportunity to restore his family’s name, he forms a complicated relationship with her. But as the Games unfold, Snow finds himself in a moral dilemma, torn between power, survival, and love.

The novel explores themes of power, control, and the origins of the Hunger Games, providing a deeper look into Panem’s history and the making of a villain.

Why Read This Book

• A compelling origin story that delves into the mind of Coriolanus Snow, revealing how he became Panem’s feared ruler.
• Expands on the early days of the Hunger Games, showing how they evolved into the brutal spectacle seen in The Hunger Games trilogy.
• Explores themes of morality, ambition, and survival, making it both thrilling and thought-provoking.
• Features a new, intriguing protagonist, Lucy Gray Baird, who challenges Snow’s worldview.
• A must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and The Hunger Games series.

About the Author

Suzanne Collins (born 1962) is an American author best known for The Hunger Games trilogy, which became a global phenomenon, selling millions of copies worldwide and inspiring blockbuster films. Before The Hunger Games, Collins wrote The Underland Chronicles, a fantasy-adventure series. With a background in television writing, she masterfully combines fast-paced storytelling with deep social and political themes, making her one of the most influential voices in modern young adult fiction.