Scan barcode
authorcharlottee's review against another edition
4.0
[beware of spoliers]
If you, like me, were very skeptical about reading a book from President Snow's perspective, you do not need to worry. This is not a villain origin story. It did not seek to make me sympathize with Snow in any capacity. In fact, it actually affirmed my opinion that man, while a product of his environment, is one of the most villainous characters I've had the experience of reading.
I almost gave this book a three-star rating because I felt that the pacing wasn't working to the story's benefit during the first half. Of course, the actual Hunger Games sequences were necessary to the overall arch and theme of the novel. It was important for showing the reader where the Games began, how they evolved, and the role Snow played in this. It also provided context for the relationship between Snow and Lucy Gray, as well as beginning the novel's discussion about nature vs. nurture.
For me, this book did not pique my interest until the second part - when Snow becomes a Peacekeeper in District 12. The connections to the original series in this section were very appealing. There were moments when I did feel like Suzanne Collins was reaching a bit to connect these two stories, that she was doing it simply to keep readers engaged. But, as I read further, I realized how she built on these connections in order to make things in the original trilogy more weighted and significant. The Hanging Tree song is, of course, the primary example of this. Snow believes Lucy Gray to be dead or, at least, gone somewhere where she can't harm him, but that song she wrote - that the Mockingjays picked up on - we know, as readers, comes back to bite him. Lucy Gray lives on in this song that becomes the anthem of the rebellion in Katniss' generation.
Honestly, I don't think that I have read a book like this, especially one told from the perspective of a villain who is not begging me to sympathize with them. The thematic discussions about human nature in this novel also add a whole new layer of intensity to the original Hunger Games trilogy. I really enjoyed my experience reading this book. I should never have doubted Suzanne Collins. This book is so timely, so significant.
If you, like me, were very skeptical about reading a book from President Snow's perspective, you do not need to worry. This is not a villain origin story. It did not seek to make me sympathize with Snow in any capacity. In fact, it actually affirmed my opinion that man, while a product of his environment, is one of the most villainous characters I've had the experience of reading.
I almost gave this book a three-star rating because I felt that the pacing wasn't working to the story's benefit during the first half. Of course, the actual Hunger Games sequences were necessary to the overall arch and theme of the novel. It was important for showing the reader where the Games began, how they evolved, and the role Snow played in this. It also provided context for the relationship between Snow and Lucy Gray, as well as beginning the novel's discussion about nature vs. nurture.
For me, this book did not pique my interest until the second part - when Snow becomes a Peacekeeper in District 12. The connections to the original series in this section were very appealing. There were moments when I did feel like Suzanne Collins was reaching a bit to connect these two stories, that she was doing it simply to keep readers engaged. But, as I read further, I realized how she built on these connections in order to make things in the original trilogy more weighted and significant. The Hanging Tree song is, of course, the primary example of this. Snow believes Lucy Gray to be dead or, at least, gone somewhere where she can't harm him, but that song she wrote - that the Mockingjays picked up on - we know, as readers, comes back to bite him. Lucy Gray lives on in this song that becomes the anthem of the rebellion in Katniss' generation.
Honestly, I don't think that I have read a book like this, especially one told from the perspective of a villain who is not begging me to sympathize with them. The thematic discussions about human nature in this novel also add a whole new layer of intensity to the original Hunger Games trilogy. I really enjoyed my experience reading this book. I should never have doubted Suzanne Collins. This book is so timely, so significant.
poppyzielonka__'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐️. Very long winded and too much detail but that’s expected with the other books as well. But overall, good plot but very sad
joakimm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lucindacho's review against another edition
4.0
The ending was pretty decent. I liked how Coriolanus became the villain he was that day but the last part seemed a bit too fast compared to the usual pacing of the book. Overall, very enjoyable and a great read if you are a Hunger Games fan who wants to learn more about President Snow. And in the epilogue, the part where the narrator just calls Coriolanus "Snow" felt like he was fully a Capitol citizen carrying that family name, and not the boy or the student he was in the Academy.
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Collins is an excellent writer, it’s good to know there’s ya matter about the radicalization of boys exist though I do wonder if these books will teach them and change them but in some ways that’s expecting fiction to do our work for ourselves
chanelchapters's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Stone cold snow the narcissist.
I really enjoyed the hunger games series so I picked this up - but being in Snows POV wasnt that great, plus it could have been cut down to improve pacing.
I still read it in one sitting but you can definitely skip it and just read hunger games.
Stone cold snow the narcissist.
I really enjoyed the hunger games series so I picked this up - but being in Snows POV wasnt that great, plus it could have been cut down to improve pacing.
I still read it in one sitting but you can definitely skip it and just read hunger games.
jasontodd72's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rosered_reading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0