The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: President Snow’s Prequel

I’ve been anticipating the prequel to The Hunger Games for a few months now. Like many I had no idea what the story would be about until now. President Coriolanus Snow as a teenager during the early days of the Hunger Games. I’ve been fascinated by the character ever since Donald Sutherland portrayal (although I got into the books at the same time the first film was released). More than that I wanted a different perspective in Panem. What got to see it from Katniss’ point of view. Of someone who grew up in the poorest district in the country. Now we’re seeing it from the viewpoint of someone from the richest. The Capitol had always caught my attention, but we never really learned why the people acted or thought the way they do. How they justified watching children die the way they do. Having a more in- depth story of how those in the Capitol lived in comparison to the districts. As much as I loved Katniss as a character, we only saw Panem through her point of view. Seeing the world through a new pair of eyes and perspective will help us understand it more. #SPOILER ALERT FROM THE EXCERPT# ***************************************************************************************************************************************************We learn plenty of new things about the Capitol, President Snow, and the Origins of The Hunger Games. For one thing, President Snow is a senior in his final year of the Academy. From what I can tell it’s possibly an elite boarding/private school for the Capitol’s elite families. Some of the children have parents that are bankers or energies secretary. Snow comes from a family with power and influence but no money. He along with 23 other top students are recruited into the Games mentor program. With the most successful mentor given a financial reward. (Snow hopes to win to pay for his tuition to the University.) This is the 10th Hunger Games. The arenas have red been built yet but the Capitol Arena (formerly used for sports and entertainment before the Dark Days) is an old amphitheater the tributes fight to the death. Think the ancient Roman gladiator games with crowds of people watching the action unfold in person. The Games aren’t that popular yet with most residents of the Capitol not being comfortable enough to watch children kill each other for entertainment just yet. The tribute parade and interviews aren’t a thing just yet (although Snow hints as a mentor he might be called on to coach them for interviews for the first time). His role seems to be a mix of escort/mentor. At this point the concept of Victors mentoring tributes isn’t a thing just yet. The mentors are given tributes based on how influential their families are. Livia Cardew (assumed to be an ancestor of Fulvia Cardew, who in the books was Plutarch’s assistant in 13. Effie replaces her in the Mockingjay films.) is assigned the boy from District 1. Snow is assigned the girl from District 12. (For those familiar with the books there was an only one victor before Haymitch who was dead by the time of the 74th games. Many are a speculating this girl is the victor.) How ironic that the first victor from 12 possibly helped the Rise of Snow while the last victor contributed to his fall. Like Effie, Snow appears disappointed to be assigned with an insignificant district. During the first decade of Games he noted district 1 & 2 (who he describes as better fed and Capitol loving) have produced the most successful victors while two other districts are close contenders. District 4 is one them which is unsurprising considering it’s a Career District in the books. Surprisingly, District 11, where Thresh and Rue call home is also considered an district to watch out for. Other things we learn is that the Dean of the Academy, known as Highbottom created the Games. It’s assumed he feels guilty about this due to the fact that he’s a morphling addict and is barely functioning. All of the new tidbits learned is exciting and I can’t wait to learn more.