The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

OliviaFranklin

Author Suzanne Collins released the popular book trilogy, “The Hunger Games,” in 2008, and since then her story has had an army of loyal fans for more than 10 years. 

The first story follows Katniss Everdeen, and is about her life in district 12. 

Each year, two people in the 12 districts of Panem are picked to fight for their life in The Hunger Games. 

This event ends with just one winner, and is one of the most celebrated and feared events in their country. 

After Katniss’ sister’s name gets reaped, Katniss decides to volunteer to save her sister’s life. 

Peeta Mellark joins Katniss in the 74th annual Hunger Games and they come together while trying to survive. 

The first book was followed up with two more, “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay,” and due to their success, the trilogywas developed into five movies. 

As the story evolves, Katniss becomes the leader of a revolution while trying to keep the people she cares about alive. 

There are themes of integrity, resistance and hope throughout this story. 

These five movies feature Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson. 

The prequel book, “The Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes,” was released in 2020 and soon after it was published, it gained attention from movie production companies. 

In 2020 the novel sold more than 3.5 million copies in North America and a movie tie-in edition was released on Nov. 19. 

The novel takes place during the 10th Hunger Games, 64 years before Katniss Everdeen’s first reaping.  

The story focuses on Coriolanus Snow and his mentorship of Lucy Gray, a woman from District 12. 

It shows the  detrimental effect of power and how Snow was corrupted at such a young age, which made him the villain of Katniss Everdeen’s life. 

This story gives viewers a glimpse into the past and allows them to see how much the Districts of Panem have changed. 

In this story, many people are poor, and the games aren’t as glamorized and barely get any views, which is very different from the world in the original series. 

The new book offered audiences across the world to gain a new perspective into the world of The Hunger Games.

The two hour and 37 minute movie focusing on Coriolanus Snow’s past was released Nov. 17. From Nov. 17 through Nov. 19, the movie made $44 million in the box office (Rotten Tomatoes). 

The movie features rising stars such as Hunter Schafer, Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegeler. The movie also stars Viola Davis and Peter Dinklage.