When international bestselling author Suzanne Collins announced there would be another Hunger Games novel, everyone got excited. What would it be about? Would we get to see Haymitch Abernathy’s perspective on his Hunger Games after the tease in Catching Fire? What about Finnick O’dair and Annie Cresta’s story?
The upcoming book, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, actually focuses on 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, who Hunger Games fans now know as the lethal President Snow. The man who tortured Katniss Everdeen, authorised the hijacking of Peeta Mellark, sold Finnick’s body and killed everyone Haymitch loved.
Interestingly though, as evil as President Snow is, he is also incredibly wise. He was the one who knew hope was stronger than fear, who told Katniss that it is things we love most that destroyed us, and who, in the end, made Katniss see that it was actually President Alma Coin who was responsible for her sister’s death.
So, what happened to him? How did he become the all-powerful, tyrannical President of Panem? Did he lose someone?
Well, we’re about to find out.
It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the 10th annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18-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 out charm, 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
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is due to come out next week on May 19th, ten years after the last novel in the series, Mockingjay, was released.
Not only that, but a film adaption of the novel is also already in the works.
Collins is set to serve as the executive producer of the new film and director Francis Lawrence – who previously worked on the three previous Hunger Games films – is also back in action.
Unfortunately due to the coronavirus pandemic, film productions have been halted and there is no release date for this yet.
Donald Sutherland plays President Snow in the earlier movies, so it will be interesting to see who will be cast to play 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow.
The Hunger Games follows 16-year-old protagonist Katniss Everdeen as she volunteers to take her sister’s place in an event known as the Hunger Games where 24 children aged between 12 and 18 fight to the death in a large outdoor arena until one victor remains. But her plan to focus solely on her own survival is turned on its head when he enters the arena with Peeta Mellark, a boy who not only is in love with her, but also once previously saved her life.
The books have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide and the film adaptions, starring Jennifer Lawrence, have earned nearly $3 billion.
Page By Paige 