A New Hunger Games Book is Hitting the Shelves

Suzanne Collins is bringing us back into the world of the Panem with a brand new novel. The title of the new Hunger Games book was released Friday on Good Morning America as The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be a prequel to the original Hunger Games series, and it’s probably not at all what you were expecting.

So, let’s go back to the original Hunger Games series, where Katniss Everdeen volunteered to take part in the Hunger Games. After the events and a few novels, Everdeen sets out on a mission to overthrow President Snow and the world he’s created. President Snow is a native of the Capitol and has become a power-hungry dictator and murderer.

Let’s rewind 64 years

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes revisits the world of Panem. It begins on the morning of the reaping of the Tenth Hunger Games. The new novel will follow Coriolanus Snow, portraying him as a “hero”. Yes, that’s right, President Snow is the hero in the Hunger Games prequel.

What’s the Story of the New Novel?

In the novel, Coriolanus Snow gets makes his introduction as a privileged teenager searching for more. His family and name are well-known, and he is held to a certain “standard” as stated in a recent release of an excerpt. In the passage, Coriolanus is finishing up at the Academy in hopes of making his way to University. The last step before graduation is becoming a mentor in the Hunger Games.

There are 24 tributes – one boy and one girl – from all 12 districts that are to be tributes in the games. As we know, the tributes are thrown into an area and must fight for their life – killing all other tributes.

The excerpt states that this is the first year where tributes will get mentors. These mentors are those of the Capitol youth. They are “twenty-four of the Academy’s best and brightest seniors.” And of course, Coriolanus Snow is one of them.

Tribute assignments are read off by the creator, giving Coriolanus District Twelve. Apparently, District Twelve is unlikely to produce a winner – making Coriolanus angry.

The excerpt ends, leaving us wondering how this charming hero turns into the President Snow we now know. So many questions!

What’s Next for the Franchise?

Since the films have a huge following and were/are still a huge success, a movie is a definite possibility. Lionsgate, who released the first four films, even hinted at possible prequel films.

Lionsgate Chairman Joe Drake said, “We’ve been communicating with her during the writing process, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on the movie.” So, cross your fingers for a new Hunger Games movie in the next few years.

The new Hunger Games book, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, has a release date of May 19, 2020. You can pre-order it now, though, to get ahead of the game.

If you can’t wait to delve back into the world of the Hunger Games, however, check out one of the exhibitions. The newest exhibition is currently at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

We want to know your thoughts and opinions of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Are you going to read it? Let us know in the comments.