This took me longer to finish then it should have, mostly because I had a shit ton of work for uni to do.
I feel like I could write an entire essay on this book. It was so brilliantly handled. I was scared Collins might cop out and give Snow a cheap villainy story where his lover died and he spiraled into evil. But this was the complete opposite. This does not excuse Snow's actions, nor is it a redemption story, instead, it helps us understand him. And understanding him makes me despise him even more. I have so many thoughts on this book and nothing but praise. I loved the easter eggs; especially the origins of the Hanging Tree and Deep in The Meadow songs. Along with Snow's inherent hate of the mockingjays because they are something that the Capitol cannot control. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes adds so much more to the Hunger Games trilogy and makes me see the trilogy in a whole new light. We are also introduced to Tigris! She was Snow's cousin all along!!

The symbolism and the metaphors in this novel were mind-blowing and I will need some time to dissect and analyze them all. need a reprieve from uni fml . The characterization was exquisite, as remarkable as the character building in the trilogy.

A brilliant masterpiece that reignited my love for the Hunger Games trilogy. Might just binge read and watch the series again! I would be interested in anything more Collins were to write about this world. Maybe we could finally have Haymitch's story?