The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Suzanne Collins

2020

3
⚠️Content Warnings
Graphic ViolenceMurderOppressive RegimesSad Ending
It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.
👥 Readers Engaged 📈 Live Insights 🔮 Trends for This Book
Completion Rate
100%
Avg Time To Finish
20.5 days
Reading Now
1
Completion Trend
DNF Completed Currently Reading
Tonight’s fit

Best for readers who enjoy:  Intriguing · Dystopia · Steady

Intriguing Dystopian Society POV: Single POV Published by Scholastic Press
Characters
Anti-hero Flawed Character Teenagers
Sub-genre
Dystopia Romance Young Adult
Experience
Intriguing Morally Challenging Slow Burn Romance
Pace
Gentle Adrenaline
Balanced
Tone
Light Dark
Balanced
Book length
Short Epic
Balanced
More nuance
Violence
Soft Graphic
Balanced
Romance
Background Front and centre
Balanced
Worldbuilding
Light touch Deep & dense
Balanced
Readability
Breezy Dense
Balanced
Humour
Serious Very funny
Serious
Target audience
Younger Adult
Balanced
Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins

Dystopian, Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-fi

Suzanne Collins is an American author and television writer who is best known as the author of the young adult dystopian book series The Hunger Games. She is also the author of the children's fantasy series The Underland Chronicles.

Books By This Author

✍️ Want to leave a review?

Reviews help other readers decide if this book is right for them. Log in or create an account to share your thoughts.

Reader Reviews

3.00
10 ratings
10 reviews
5 stars
1 (10%)
4 stars
2 (20%)
3 stars
4 (40%)
2 stars
2 (20%)
1 stars
1 (10%)
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Loved it: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Mixed feelings: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

I went into The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. A couple of sections could have been trimmed without losing anything. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Really enjoyed: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Didn’t work for me: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Mixed feelings: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Didn’t work for me: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. A couple of sections could have been trimmed without losing anything. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
Spoiler ahead Click to reveal this review.
0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Really enjoyed: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. I went into The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
Spoiler ahead Click to reveal this review.
0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Mixed feelings: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. A couple of sections could have been trimmed without losing anything. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Mixed feelings: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. The middle drags and repeats the same tension a bit too long. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
0
6 January 2026
User Avatar

Not for me: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

0