“Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins just released a new excerpt from the trilogy’s prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
Collins announced last year that she wasn’t done with the Panem universe, promising a prequel novel that would “explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival.”
Since that announcement, an excerpt of the novel was first released in Entertainment Weekly. Much to eager fans’ dismay, the excerpt revealed that the trilogy’s villain — President Coriolanus Snow — was to be the protagonist, the Deseret News reported.
In that excerpt, and the new excerpt released Thursday by Bustle — featuring Collins reading it aloud — Snow appears to be a poor student, struggling to maintain appearances in the wealthy Capitol and trying to prove himself by mentoring a tribute to victory in the 10th annual Hunger Games.
Suzanne Collins reading an exclusive excerpt from the new #TheHungerGames prequel @songbirdssnakes 👇👇👇 #hungergames #songbirdsandsnakes pic.twitter.com/TGgyfCi9Ts
— Bustle (@bustle) April 23, 2020
The book is already set to be a hit. Even before its May 19 release, the Deseret News reports “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” has already cemented a Lionsgate film deal.