Some of you might know that I was very late to the Hunger Games train. I didn’t pick up the first book until this year----mainly because I knew The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was going to come out. I’ll preface this by saying that I don’t believe this changed the way I was going to feel about this.
I have sat at my laptop for thirty minutes now and I still don’t know what to say. I really don’t. This wasn’t terrible by any means. It was actually quite enjoyable to passively listen to… but something was lacking for me.
From the beginning there has been nothing but mixed reviews surrounding this book… and I get it now. As I wanted to steer clear from any opinion that might hinder my enjoyment of this, I didn’t read into much of what was being said. I assumed people were disappointed because this didn’t “fit the vibe” of the original trilogy. I certainly didn’t think it was a Cursed Child moment (ps: f*** JKR.) but it kind of was?
Let me explain.
Yes, I am glad I read this. I did find Snow’s story to be intriguing. Having Snow, a boy who wanted nothing more than to live up to his legacy, be a tax away from poverty made me laugh (only because we knew what an asshole he grew up to be). Everything leading up to the Hunger Games had me on the edge of my seat… but I sat back once the victor won.
Like, I said, I am glad I read this because I was entertained, but this won’t stick with me. In all honesty, though, I could’ve done without it. If this was never published, I would have lived my life just like normal. I didn’t need this. Maybe if this was a story of why Snow became the sick, twisted man we all knew, that would be one thing. While this was an important snapshot in his life, I wish we saw him at an older age or at another stage of his life.
My main gripe with this is how it was written, mainly because I had to listen to the audiobook just to finish it. Having recently finished the original trilogy recently, I noticed this wasn’t written in the same way. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I fell in love with The Hunger Games because of Suzanne Collin’s writing. Her old-style reminds me of Ruta Septey’s in the sense of lyrical flow. This book, however, seemed a lot denser. Maybe I’m just tired because of school starting again… but I don’t think that’s completely it. I rarely have to reach for an audiobook just so I can finish a novel in a timely manner (aka so I don’t drag it out during an entire semester). I honestly don’t think I would’ve finished this if it wasn’t for the audiobook.
I found the third part of this story to be the worst part, mainly because of Lucy Gray. I was turned off from her in the beginning when she and Snow fell in love almost immediately. I still don’t quite understand their end. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate her, but she was either a clueless damsel in distress or a lovesick singer. She just wasn’t for me.
Another complaint I have with the third part is that it seems like the third part was wrapped up too quickly for the sake of ending things. Some issues were resolved over multiple pages, others were as quick as checking off something on your to-do list. The third part didn’t really fit the vibe of the whole story.
As I have been writing this, I’ve noticed a common thread with my complaints and feelings. This read like a grandfather telling a story to his grandchildren about the hardships he endured, not like a best-selling novel. There wasn’t much depth as Snow seemed to be going through the motions of life.
I will say, I enjoyed the politics of this. While it was extremely repetitive and new ideas stopped coming to light halfway though, it wasn’t unbearable. I liked seeing the Games as something gritty and intolerable----something you didn’t always get with the first trilogy. I found it interesting that, even in the Capitol, the Games were widely unliked.
I also really enjoyed the cast. While Lucy got on my nerves towards the end, I didn’t hate anyone. I really enjoyed this version of Snow, his classmates, and even Sejanus.
My favorite thing, with the exception of the title, is the easter eggs this contained. I loved hearing about things, events, people, items----you name it----that would later show up in The Hunger Games.
As you may be able to gather, my thoughts about this are all over the place. Some things were great, some were good, some weren’t so good. Things were often slow but not intolerable. I wish I read this before school started to see if my exhaustion could be credited for my distaste (although, I really don't think it would change).
Either way, as a Hunger Games fan, it was my duty to read this. I’m not mad I read this; I just wish it was a little different. My feelings are very mixed, and I don’t think they will ever untangle themselves.
For what it’s worth, I think any Hunger Games fan should read this. Who knows, you might be one of those that enjoy it.
⠀⠀✧ • ° . ◦ *⠀┊three stars.
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