by Suzanne Collins

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this prequel to the iconic Hunger Games series. President Snow as a teenager, really? But I have to say I was really surprised – in a good way! It was really exciting, easily matching the first book for sheer “what’s going to happen next” page turning late into the night. I also loved learning about the origins of the Hunger Games, and the idea behind it.  Also, knowing how bad Snow turns out makes his story as an ambitious kid without money or prospects trying to do the right thing way more compelling. You could read it without having read the original trilogy, but having that background knowledge made it a much more interesting book. 

Recommended for readers ages 13+

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