Waiting On Wednesday (131) @Scholastic

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that
spotlights upcoming releases that I’m really
looking forward to. Waiting On Wednesday
is the creation of Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Hunger Games #0
Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press, May 2020
Science Fiction, Young Adult

From the publisher—

Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Why am I waiting so eagerly? Like so many, the Hunger Games enthralled me, had me in its clutches through all three books and four movies. Even years later, I want more and the story behind how Snow became such a unique and tyrannical man has all sorts of fascinating possibilities. Maybe we’ll even see some of the other characters, who knows? Goodreads and Twitter have exploded with yeas and nays regarding the author’s decision to explore Snow rather than a likeable character such as Haymitch and I fall into the first category, fangirling all the way because I appreciate the opportunity to learn what makes bad guys tick. Also, not gonna lie, I’d read ANY new Hunger Games story. Best series ever written, most accomplished writer? No, but that’s quite alright 🤣