Snow Lands on Top

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

I recently went to see the movie for this book, and let me say, I LOVED it! I thought it showcased the most important parts of the book and the overall message: we are all animals on the inside, when confronted with fear. Watching the movie reminded me why I love dystopia. It will always be my favorite genre. I know many critics were not fans of the movie, giving it at most 3.5 out of 5 stars. I think I know why. While this movie does have its exciting parts, it is more about the message and about the characters, particularly Snow, Sejanus, and Lucy Gray. I think many people do not enjoy message movies as much. I definitely do. No matter what others think, I do firmly believe that this book is critical for society and proves to be an important part of not only the dystopian genre, but also for the Hunger Games saga.

Now, here is my original review of the book:

I’ve seen a lot of bad reviews for this book, and I don’t quite get it. I found this book to be enjoyable, and-dare I say???- Snow to be 100% more relatable than Katniss ever was, especially in the beginning of the book. What was strange for me was reading the first few chapters, it felt very much like one of the worlds I have created, and that feel really drew me in. That’s a personal thing, but I think it made me really love this book.

One thing that needs to be discussed is the character of Sejanus Plinth. This book was meant to be about Snow, and how he became the vicious monster we all know him to be. But the story was less about him, and more about the young Plinth. Most of the story’s plot revolved around Sejanus, and I found my heart clinging to him. Usually when people read books, they cling to a character, and Sejanus was mine. I loved what he added to the story. His viewpoints on the Capitol were very similar to what I feel the audience of the book reading it felt. All in all, this book is about equality and the beauty of human life. The themes in it are similar to Frankenstein, which is quoted at the beginning of the book. Here’s the question: are humans born inherently killers, or do they become them when society gives them no other choice? Sejanus makes a point of confronting this question, and it’s a question our world faces even today. I like the way Suzzane Collins touched on it.

Overall, this book had a very Hunger Games feel, with deaths left and right, but it showed a whole different side to the world of Panem, specifically the Capitol and all the dark and deceiving things that Katniss could have never truly understood in the Hunger Games trilogy. There are also many nods to the original trilogy, with mentions of Katniss and familiar songs, and some clever lines.

This book is not truly a redemptive story, but more so a reflection on the world of Panem. I like books that make me think and reflect, and this was one of them. If you don’t like books on reflection, perhaps that’s what’s driving you away, but overall, I think this books tells an important story of the richness and complexity of the human person and what can happen when you are forced to silence. This is explored through Sejanus, the songs of Lucy Gray, and even in the whisperings of the mockingjays. Remember- it’s not over until the mockingjay sings!