The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

A 2020 dystopian novel by American author Suzanne Collins, serving as a prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy. Set 64 years before the events of the original series, the story takes place during the Tenth Hunger Games. It follows a young Coriolanus Snow, the future president of Panem, who, despite his noble lineage, struggles with poverty. When he is chosen as a mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12, he sees an opportunity to restore his family's lost prestige. However, Lucy is not just another pawn in the Capitol’s game—she is a charismatic and cunning performer with the power to captivate the masses. As their relationship develops, Snow faces a crucial dilemma between love and ambition, morality and power. The novel delves into the making of a tyrant, the nature of authority, manipulation, and the brutal system that shapes ruthless leaders.