Book Review | The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Suzanne Collins

⭐⭐⭐

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UK Publisher | Scholastic Books

UK Release Date | May 19th, 2020

Format | Hardback

Page Count | 517

RRP | £18.99

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-almighty 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 favour 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.

The Hunger Games were not always the revered spectacle the Capitol annually celebrates; but rather we see them as the stark, cruel reminder of the cost of war, and the way in which people in power use it to exert control over freedom of will. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes follow Corialanous Snow, later to become President of Panem, as he embarks on a mentorship to District 12's 10th Hunger Games tribute, Lucy Gray Baird.

Let's start with: I'm not as bitterly disappointed as I was anticipating; three stars is still a good rating.

I touched on this in my Heartless review, but books of 'villain origin' just don't interest me. I don't find them interesting as someone who loves well-written antagonists, as they often leave me feeling like they are redundant stories or whatever the inverse of creativity is. Especially with scenarios like this one, in which the crying out for a prequel has always been there. But, as they say: "be careful for what you wish for".

I thoroughly enjoyed how Collins engaged in worldbuilding, especially over the allusive start to the Games that gets glossed over in the original trilogy as it is expanded upon in this book. Suzanne Collins’ has a gift for creating a vision of a government that is struggling to enforce a totalitarian regime and regain strength after an act of people’s rebellion. This dichotomy between control and chaos makes for an engaging read, drawing the reader in to pay attention to the political landscape and form a discourse to current affairs.

Here are my problems with Ballad: I didn't think this book benefitted from being from Coriolanus's perspective AND I thought this book was too long.

Coriolanus Snow grated on me for being everything I despise, which I knew we were going to get, but his background story didn't make for a compelling or necessary read. I feel like I would've gained more insight into this era of politics in Panem without Snow, by giving me a protagonist to connect with. Furthering on from this, Lucy Gray Baird felt nothing more than a manic pixie dreamgirl and would have benefitted from having her perspective, giving her agency in the story other than the writing songs and being a love interest.

Overall, this is a novel of contemporary making, forming a commentary on capitalism and the current political landscape. For this, I still think The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a worthy read, however, I think it could have benefitted from a different angle.

BLOG TOUR| The Waking Land

The Waking Land (The Waking Land #1)
Callie Bates
⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:

It's been fourteen years, since King Antoine took Elanna hostage. Fourteen years since her father's rebellion failed. Fourteen years spent being raised by the man who condemned her people to misery. A man she's come to love as a father.

Now 20, Elanna is about to be taken prisoner once again... but this time by her father's mysterious righthand man.

Her father wants to reignite his rebellion, this time using Elanna as figurehead. He will tell his followers she is the legendary Wildegarde reborn, a sorceress who could make the very earth tremble.

But what no one knows is that magic really does flow through Elanna's veins. Now she must decide which side she's on, and whether she'll use her powers for mercy... or revenge. 

Review

The Cover

I do like the cover, and there is something that does entice it as a book with magical elements. But, it just doesn't jump out and attack you from the shelf, screaming that you need to read it. It's just a bit pretty, and not bad.

The Content

When I accepted being on this blog tour, I had only read a few pages and thought that this was something that I was going to absolutely love and give it all the stars. And then I dove in a little deeper. 

This won't be a bad review, nor one that gushes over everything that makes something a novel. It just wouldn't be me, and it wouldn't be honest. There was no problematic elements, this just wasn't a book for me.

The best thing that I enjoyed about this book is how Callie Bates looked at Stockholm Syndrome and explored a young girl who had been impressionable. Bates slow awakening from this fogged perspective is something that I thoroughly enjoyed. I remember when the hardcover came out and heard Robin Hobb talk about this with rigorous praise. And I wholeheartedly agree. In fact this is what made me continue on and turn the page.

What didn't work was how Bates introduced characters and world building- there was so much to remember without any small details that allowed me to identify who was what and where each kingdom was in relation to one another. Which meant I had to constantly flip to the front of the book for an ill-placed map.  

I don't mind this at all, we all know how much I love great epic fantasies with hundreds of characters and an index at the back, but when you feel like there isn't much pay off for the amount of work we have to put into reading the book, again I was disinterested. 

BLOGMAS| Review: False Hearts

False Hearts (Pacifica #1)
Laura Lam
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:

Orphan Black meets Inception: Two formerly conjoined sisters are ensnared in a murderous plot involving psychoactive drugs, shared dreaming, organized crime, and a sinister cult. 

One night Tila stumbles home, terrified and covered in blood.

She’s arrested for murder, the first by a civilian in decades. The San Francisco police suspect involvement with Verve, a powerful drug, and offer her twin sister Taema a chilling deal. Taema must assume Tila’s identity and gather information – then if she brings down the drug syndicate, the police may let her sister live. But Taema’s investigation raises ghosts from the twins’ past.

The sisters were raised by a cult, which banned modern medicine. But as conjoined twins, they needed surgery to divide their shared heart – and escaped. Taema now finds Tila discovered links between the cult and the city’s underground. Once unable to keep secrets, the sisters will discover the true cost of lies.

Review

The Cover

In it's physical form the cover is much prettier than the image I have used of the cover. The gradient of silver into a darker charcoal colour contrasted with the pink metallic foiling over the thumbprints. Mine were even sprayed with pink edges. Stunning book design by Pan Macmillan, again.

I really think the crossing of the fingerprints was a great evoking choice by the cover designer. The merging of two identities and why? For the love and bond of sisterly love.

The Content

I find it extremely frustrating that people are constantly looking for more books that are representative of bi protagonists, as well as PoC, and overlook Laura Lam, who does exactly that. So, please, give her some more love and support. 

Anyway.

At its core, this book is more than just a sci-fi thriller, but a book on sisterly love and the bonds show strength in how we would try and protect our own. And I think this is where Laura Lam really excels in her writing. I was rooting Taema on, in her covert mission to prove that the allegations against her sister were untrue. It elegantly focuses in on the relationships between characters, that builds on the foundations and makes this plot work.

I am very intrigued by the futuristic world in that Lam has set up. Of a world that seems so utopic, but finding a grotty underworld, that is integral to unpick in order to keep these two sisters together.

This was a well written novel, that I will be going on to read Shattered Minds by Laura Lam, that is set in the same universe, a companion novel.  

REVIEW| Lord of Shadows

Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2)
Cassandra Clare
⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

DISCLAIMER: 

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Synopsis:

Emma Carstairs has finally avenged her parents. She thought she’d be at peace. But she is anything but calm. Torn between her desire for her parabatai Julian and her desire to protect him from the brutal consequences of parabatai relationships, she has begun dating his brother, Mark. But Mark has spent the past five years trapped in Faerie; can he ever truly be a Shadowhunter again?

And the faerie courts are not silent. The Unseelie King is tired of the Cold Peace, and will no longer concede to the Shadowhunters’ demands. Caught between the demands of faerie and the laws of the Clave, Emma, Julian, and Mark must find a way to come together to defend everything they hold dear—before it’s too late. 

Review

The Cover:

This doesn't work as well as Lady Midnight, does it? I don't understand the spacing used by Cliff Nielsen; my only question is why is Julian so small and pushed to the top corner? 

There is too much negative space. The colours are a bit murky. It wouldn't have catched my eye if I wasn't looking for it or if it weren't on a Waterstones table.

The Content:

I liked this more than I liked Lady Midnight, even though I gave it a lower rating. Interesting.

Unlike LM, there are multiple settings, some we have seen before like London and Alicante, and some we haven't seen. 

I think the one thing I thought Cassandra Clare handled better was already existing character, like Jace and Clary. They felt like they had purpose in the world and story rather than Cassandra Clare just waving around the page for the sake of having characters that we've grown attached too, for no real reason at all.  

However, where I felt like I knew the characters that we have spent another entire series with, and there was some great character development with Kit, Ty and Livia, other characters lacked the complexity that Cassandra often gives her characters. Like Mark and Kieran. I adored Mark in Lady Midnight, understanding his mind and his journey back into the Shadowhunter world, and his relationship with Kieran. And both seemed really out of character and distant. They didn't know quite where they were in the grand scheme of thing and how they needed to react.

The middle plot felt a little bit lost. I knew we would finally get to be exploring the faerie world outside of the Seelie Court, but I thought more of the conflict and resolution would take place there, rather than a couple of chapters of their journey. I felt like I was reading for the sake of reading and not hitting those key plot points. 

Until, we get to THAT ending. Be prepared, this book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and will leave you waiting. Just thank your lucky stars that the release date for Queen of Air and Darkness has been pushed up to Fall 2018.

REVIEW| A Court of Wings and Ruin

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)
Sarah J. Maas
⭐⭐⭐

DISCLAIMER: This review will contain spoilers, due to the discussional nature. As well as the tragedy that this is a final book in a series and will have spoilers for books one and two.

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Synopsis:
A nightmare, I’d told Tamlin. I was the nightmare.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit—and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords—and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 

Review

The Cover

I love it. I love it. I love it. 
I thought the cover would be purple, 'cause you know, the NIGHT court.
But, alas I was wrong. 
The dress has been based on Charlie Bowater's stunning design and is befitting only the High Lady of the Night Court. She's faced forward, ready to battle everyone's shit. Nothing to hide. 

The Content

This started on a sure foot for greatness. However, what started out as great pacing it begun to show a lack of editing and credibility by the second half. Feyre is smart, has shown a great strength in character, proved as such when she executes her plan in the Spring Court. Yet the only way to defeat the King is in complete open 'war'? Like come on! 

We have all this background knowledge of the Hybern King, we hear about the evil things he's done and his ideologies, only I couldn't help but feel there was no immediate threat. Like I knew it was happening, I just didn't care. 

Speaking of threats and fearing for characters, let's talk the inner circle, shall we? Things would happen and instead of being 'oh shit', sobbing and sitting on the edge of my seat, I found myself just going 'eh, they'll heal'. It's like she couldn't let them go. You can't be giving me a PG ending for a R rated book. 

There was some representation where LGBT+ characters were concerned. One of which felt as if it were put in as an afterthought. If you've read the book you know the lesbian character I am talking about. 

Overall, I'm disappointed. Characters were still in characters, and ships were happening and I still love the world of ACOTAR. I got the redemption arc I was hoping for, I'm a sucker for a redemption arc. I found it was a meh ending. I don't hate it, nor did I love it. 

Just 'meh'.

Wrap Up| Jun / Emojiathon

Usually I would put a a wrap that covers three months, but I thought considering I was doing a read-a-thon throughout the whole of June it would only be fair for it be a separate post entirely.

Reading has been all over the place this month. I started out at University, spending the majority of my time reading along with the sprints. Then I came home for my birthday. And then David Tennant happened -check out my post- then my birthday, then Evanescence, then my brother's birthday, then my incapable ability to stay away for sprints and it just went still...

Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2)
Cassandra Clare
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Pages: 449
Emoji: 
👶 - read a 2016/2017 release
🎁 - read a book given to you

Unconventional

Maggie Harcourt

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Pages: 464

Emoji: 
❤️ - read a romance or contemporary
🍬 - read a book that's like a guilty pleasure to you

Torchwood Tales (#8-9)

Various Authors

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Hours: 2.9
Emoji:
🤖 -  read a futuristic/sci-fi books
📚 -  freebie! read any book you fancy

False Hearts

Laura Lam

⭐⭐⭐

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Pages: 384

Emoji:

😱 -  read a thriller or horror

🤖 -  read a futuristic/sci-fi book

👬 - read a book about a marginalized group

Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1)
Alwyn Hamilton
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Pages: 358
Emoji:
😍 - read a book you bought for its cover

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)

Marissa Meyer

No rating

Pages: ??? / 823

Emoji: 

🤖 -  read a futuristic/sci-fi book

WRAP UP| Apr-May '17

I've had quite a good reading quarter, even with deadlines around every corner (promise, this is the last time I'll mention it).

I am in a current state of writing reviews for most of the books I've read over the last three months. 

April

The Song Rising (The Bone Season #3)
Samantha Shannon
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I made the mistake of reading this the day before leaving Uni. I was emotionally wrecked. So good! 

I spoke to Samantha Shannon about this, and she said why I might not have liked it as much as I LOVED The Mime Order. If her theory is true, then I am going to be OBSESSED with book 4.

Strange the Dreamer (Muse of Nightmares #1)

Laini Taylor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

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This might just be a new favourite of mine. Everything that I wanted this to be it became. And more.

If you love myths, fairy tales, lost tales, heart-wrenching stories and lyrical writing- get to this one, and quick!

Nobody Told Me: Poetry and Parenthood
Hollie McNish
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Required reading for University.

This one took me by surprise. Why were we being made to read a book about parenthood and children?

Torchwood Tales (Audible Exclusives #1-7)

Various Authors

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- The Sin Eaters

⭐⭐⭐⭐

- In the Shadows 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

- Hidden

⭐⭐⭐

- Department X

⭐⭐

- Everyone Says Hello

⭐⭐⭐

- Ghost Train

⭐⭐⭐⭐

- Army of One

⭐⭐⭐

Torchwood: World Without End
John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman
⭐

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This was written by the man who knows the characters, arguably, the best. Captain Jack Harkness. So, why did this suck?

This needed to be longer, a graphic novel rather than a bind up of a few issues. This one will definitely have a review coming up soon- my most disappointing read of the year so far.

May

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)
Sarah J. Maas
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Well, this conclusion has been rather polarizing. A lot of people loving it and others that just hated it. I was- meh?

The first half was fantastic, and then it went to shit. Again, another one where I'm in the middle of editing a review for this. But, I'm indifferent to it. It wasn't going to live up to ACOMAF, was it?

Champion

Marie Lu

⭐⭐

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Its been about a over a year since I started Legend, just under a year since I read prodigy, so why did I think it a good idea to read the final book in the trilogy? Who knows?

I was lost for most of this story, to be honest. That was a given. The only thing that gave this book the rating I did was the fact that it was a unique ending to a dystopia. One that I haven't read before in YA.

A Dance with Dragons 2: After the Feast (A Song of Ice and Fire #5.2)
George R.R. Martin
⭐⭐⭐

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I've had this on my "Currently Reading" tab on Goodreads for probably 18 months, and I was just sick of seeing it on there. I read it. Pushed myself to read it as fast as I could. It was like Hell- all my least favourite POVs. 

Where was Dany? Arya? Sansa? Cersei? I needed my woman!

Stardust

Neil Gaiman

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I listened to the audiobook for this one. Read by Neil Gaiman.

I think it would have been interesting if the movie kept the intended audience for the film as much as the book. The good ol' tradition that fairy tales are for children only.

I really did like this one. 

WRAP UP| Nov 2016

Where did I go wrong this month?

I read the grand total of: 4 books. Actually, now I think about it, that's not too bad. If I weren't to take the fact that two of these were started October and another was made of up of majority with photographs.

#TomeTopple was a thing. I had GREAT plans. I was going to read, read and read. I read 89 pages of one of the books I planned on reading. Yeah. Then I fell ill. Then I had a ton of assignments to catch up on and I was just too mentally drained to try and attempt to tackle a 600 paged book.

Should we have a look at what I did read?:

Gemina (The Illuminae Files 0_2)
Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

REVIEW (to come)

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I won't say much on this one because, I do have a review planned to get written up.
However, these guys know what they're doing. And man! I don't think I'm gonna be able to handle the finale next year.

ASDFGHJKL!

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;)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dan and Phil Go Outside
Dan Howell, Phil Lester

REVIEW

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Remember me telling you about a book that was the majority of photographs?
Hello- the said book.

If you weren't aware, Dan and Phil do hold a very dear part of my heart. And proof that my sense of humour has not changed since the age of 11.

Really did enjoy getting my hands on this one- even if I did have to wait because I couldn't go to DAPGOOSE.

Damn it Wales!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Siege and Storm (The Grisha Trilogy #2)
Leigh Bardugo

REVIEW (to come)

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Liked this one WAAAY more than I did the first one. Definitely an improvement of Bardugo's part in her skill as a writer.

I will be trying to write up and review of this (as well as Gemina) as soon as I am free to do so.

So most likely throughout my Christmas break because I don't plan on doing much work.


⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Magic Toyshop
Angela Carter

NO REVIEW

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This was the bookI was talking about when I said I read one book for class.

I had some preconceptions when entering this books as I have before read some of Carter's other works-- The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I would have like to as I LOVED Carter's The Bloody Chamber when studying it at A-Level. (I'm pretty sure Carter saved my grade.)

⭐⭐⭐