Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 1338635174
Release Date: 19th May 2020
Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo, B&N,
Book Depository
Synopsis:
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-mighty 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 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.
Review:
**POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD**
This book was a long time coming. When a new book set in the Hunger Games universe was first announced I really didn't know what to expect. Then they announced that this would be a prequel following none other than Coriolanus Snow. I have to admit, it wasn't the prequel I was hoping for (I actually hoped for an origin story of how the Hunger Games started) but I ended up loving this book.
The story starts by introducing a teenage Coriolanus Snow, who is putting together the few scraps of food that he can. The war is still fresh in the minds of the people living in Panem. Once rich, Snow lives in his once luxurious apartment that is now a reminder of the pain and sorrow he went through. Everywhere he looks he is reminded of his Mother and Father who he lost during the rebel war.
The story starts by introducing a teenage Coriolanus Snow, who is putting together the few scraps of food that he can. The war is still fresh in the minds of the people living in Panem. Once rich, Snow lives in his once luxurious apartment that is now a reminder of the pain and sorrow he went through. Everywhere he looks he is reminded of his Mother and Father who he lost during the rebel war.
Snow lives with his elderly grandmother and his cousin, Tigris (Did anyone else expect her to be his cousin? I certainly didn't!). The war has left most of the capital still rebuilding but this book in particular focuses on the descent of Snow into the power hungry leader we all know from Katniss's story.
Despite all the damage caused by the war, Snow attends school and hopes to be chosen as a mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games. These games were far different from how technological they were during the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. I really enjoyed reading about how different they were. It really helped paint a picture of just how devastating the war was. The arena was smaller and stayed the same each year. Previously, there were no bets and no sponsors. Instead it was simple, kill to stay alive.
Snow is partnered with a girl, Lucy Gray; from District 12 who he immediately assumes will die early on once the games start. Of course, much like Katniss, Snow couldn't have been more wrong. Lucy Gray actually ends up winning the games, all thanks to some help from Snow himself.
Throughout the book I felt there were small hints towards the darker path Snow would end up taking. It starts small, with an essay that he is required to write about all the things he loved and found attractive about the war. His essay started off innocently enough, talking about 'childish delights'. But, his essay quickly turns to him finding a 'grim satisfaction' at seeing those who fought against the Capital 'brought to their knees'. These small signs of how dark his heart is really helped Snow be sold to me as a villain.
There was also another character, Dr. Gaul, who clearly played a part in the darkness surrounding Snow. The Doctor was completely terrifying with no care for those around them and easily takes advantage of those at their disposal. From setting poisonous snakes onto an unsuspecting classmate and manipulating the mentors to create new ideas to make the games more interesting. Dr. Gaul was a fantastic character that really helped to solve some of the mystery surrounding how some of the genetically modified creatures came to be.
Speaking of tying up loose ends, so much of this book helped to solve mysterious from Katniss's story. The Hanging Tree song makes much more sense after reading this book, and it really gave the song a whole new meaning.
Probably my favourite part of the book was the reveal that it was Snow's father along with a friend that came up with the idea of the Hunger Games during an essay requested by Dr. Gaul. The current Game Maker was friends with Snow's father and constantly feels guilty for what he has created. However, it was Coriolanus Snow how evolved the games. Along with his classmates, they come up with the idea to involve betting and sponsors. But, it is during Snow's internship that he comes up with more ideas to make the districts more engaged with the games. To make the districts more determined to win, he decides that a tributes win would bring a supply of food to the whole district and that the tribute who wins would move into 'victor's village' along with a 'monetary prize'.
This book might not be for everyone, but I for one loved it. There aren't many villain stories out there but this was one I ended up loving. Coriolanus Snow has to make a choice and we all know he goes down the wrong one. This book was fantastic and I couldn't put it down. The ending is explosive and I'm still thinking about it days after finishing it...
Despite all the damage caused by the war, Snow attends school and hopes to be chosen as a mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games. These games were far different from how technological they were during the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. I really enjoyed reading about how different they were. It really helped paint a picture of just how devastating the war was. The arena was smaller and stayed the same each year. Previously, there were no bets and no sponsors. Instead it was simple, kill to stay alive.
Snow is partnered with a girl, Lucy Gray; from District 12 who he immediately assumes will die early on once the games start. Of course, much like Katniss, Snow couldn't have been more wrong. Lucy Gray actually ends up winning the games, all thanks to some help from Snow himself.
There was also another character, Dr. Gaul, who clearly played a part in the darkness surrounding Snow. The Doctor was completely terrifying with no care for those around them and easily takes advantage of those at their disposal. From setting poisonous snakes onto an unsuspecting classmate and manipulating the mentors to create new ideas to make the games more interesting. Dr. Gaul was a fantastic character that really helped to solve some of the mystery surrounding how some of the genetically modified creatures came to be.Speaking of tying up loose ends, so much of this book helped to solve mysterious from Katniss's story. The Hanging Tree song makes much more sense after reading this book, and it really gave the song a whole new meaning.
Probably my favourite part of the book was the reveal that it was Snow's father along with a friend that came up with the idea of the Hunger Games during an essay requested by Dr. Gaul. The current Game Maker was friends with Snow's father and constantly feels guilty for what he has created. However, it was Coriolanus Snow how evolved the games. Along with his classmates, they come up with the idea to involve betting and sponsors. But, it is during Snow's internship that he comes up with more ideas to make the districts more engaged with the games. To make the districts more determined to win, he decides that a tributes win would bring a supply of food to the whole district and that the tribute who wins would move into 'victor's village' along with a 'monetary prize'.
This book might not be for everyone, but I for one loved it. There aren't many villain stories out there but this was one I ended up loving. Coriolanus Snow has to make a choice and we all know he goes down the wrong one. This book was fantastic and I couldn't put it down. The ending is explosive and I'm still thinking about it days after finishing it...
**Book bought with my own money**
**All thoughts and opinions are my own**
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