It's the 10th Hunger Games and the Reaping is at hand. However there seems to be a lack of interest in the Capital and the Districts.

In District 12, a Covey girl, Lucy Gray Baird is reaped. She's spicy and spirited, and can think for herself, but is it enough?

In the Capitol, Coriolanus Snow is selected to be Lucy's mentor. He's sharp, sure, but poor as dirt and about to lose his family's apartment. Dr. Gaul sees his potential, Dean Highbottom sees privilege.

Coryo does his best to help the Capital and Lucy see she's winner, but is it enough to save his soul?

It's a good metaphor for the future and just how dystopian things can get if we let it.

How everyone played their role well - Lucy Gray is a dynamic heroine and Coryo's descent into villianhood was a slow burn that made the book connect with readers on a lot of levels.

the end. I really wanted something more definitive when it came to Lucy Gray and what happened to her.

Honestly, I want to read more Hunger Games book and I'm game to read about the other winners such as Mags, Johanna, and Beetee.

Sad a lot of times - especially for the condition of District 12 and how no one really cared about it.

It blends characterization with dystopian plot well.

For the most part, the book rec'd positive feedback from readers and critics and the movie was fairly true to the book with excellent casting. This is a gutsy story that will make you pause and think about the future.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games)   from Amazon.Com!

Created Feb 14, 2026 at 5:11pm • Submit your own review...