Condition: BRAND NEW. Format: Hardback. ISBN: 9780702300172. Publisher: Scholastic. Age Range: 12+. Overview:. Step back into Panem sixty-four years before Katniss Everdeen ever entered the arena. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is Suzanne Collins' gripping prequel to The Hunger Games, following eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow as he fights for status, survival, and his own soul. Told with the same razor-sharp tension and moral complexity that made the original trilogy a global phenomenon, this hardback edition is essential reading for teen and adult fans of dystopian fiction, and a striking addition to any bookshelf.. About the Book:. On the morning of the reaping for the tenth annual Hunger Games, Coriolanus Snow is a young man with nothing left but his name. Once-mighty, now impoverished, the Snow family's future rests on Coriolanus securing academic glory as a mentor in the Games. But when he is assigned the female tribute from the despised District 12, he must decide how far he is willing to go to win. Suzanne Collins builds a Capitol still finding its feet after a brutal war, where the rules of the Games are still being written and cruelty is inventive, untested, and shocking. As Coriolanus is drawn deeper into the arena's horrors and the Capitol's high society, the novel traces the choices, compromises, and quiet betrayals that will one day turn a hopeful young man into the tyrant readers know from the original trilogy. It is a story about the seduction of power, the fragility of decency, and the thin, permeable line between hero and villain. Fans of the original Hunger Games series will find familiar themes of survival and control examined from an unexpected, uncomfortable angle, while new readers will discover a complete and compelling standalone story. Collins' prose remains lean, immediate, and packed with tension, propelling readers through political intrigue, arena combat, and personal reckoning. This hardback edition, published by Scholastic, is built to last and makes a superb gift or collector's piece for any Hunger Games fan's shelf.. Key Benefits:. A complete, standalone prequel exploring the origins of the Hunger Games and its most notorious villain.. Written by Suzanne Collins in her signature tense, immersive style.. Durable hardback format, ideal for gifting or long-term collecting.. Perfect for existing Hunger Games fans and new readers alike.. Explores mature themes of power, morality, and survival, ideal for teens and adult readers.. About the Author:. Suzanne Collins is the author of The New York Times bestselling Hunger Games trilogy — The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay — as well as the prequels The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping. Before turning to novels, she wrote for children's television, working on acclaimed Nickelodeon shows including Clarissa Explains It All. Her earlier work includes the bestselling five-book Underland Chronicles. Collins is celebrated for blending fast-paced storytelling with sharp social commentary, making her one of the most influential voices in modern young adult fiction.. Why You'll Love This Hunger Games Prequel:. Dark, gripping, and morally complex, this hardback prequel deepens the Hunger Games world while standing brilliantly on its own — a must-have for any fan's collection.. Please Note: Due to stock allocation, you may receive the UK ISBN/UK edition cover as shown.