It’s been 10 years since the war between The Capitol and the Districts. Coriolanus Snow is honored to be selected as one of the student mentors to this year’s Hunger Games tributes. He comes from a prominent family and believes appearances are key to his success. How far is he willing to go to see his tribute win? And more importantly, how far is he willing to go to get the future he deserves?

I was very much intrigued by President Snow’s past when this book first came out in 2020. I picked it up again as I was gearing up for the new release, Sunrise on the Reaping. I wanted to have all the details fresh in my mind before I read the new one. I was surprised by the connections between Snow’s experience in District 12 and Katniss’ life growing up there years later. It made me wonder if Snow had a special kind of hatred for Katniss, not just because she became The Mockingjay, but because of all the memories she likely stirred up in him. By the end of the book I was shocked by Snow’s behavior and I could recognize him as the man he is in The Hunger Games Trilogy. I think Collins did a great job going back in time and telling Snow’s story. I think it connected well as a prequel to The Hunger Games