Lucy is everything that haymitch wanted katniss to be in the games.

Before the book was released, many fans clinged to the possibility of "Snow is a real hero". I admired Suzzane Collins cleverness, Instead of making him a hero she showed us who he really was all along. It's "Coriolanus Snow".. don't expect a happy ending. Cunning, shrewd and ambitious.. a man who will choose power over love. For a villain's life, this book is a masterpiece.

the little easter eggs in this book was more satisfying than those soap cutting videos

I wish the epilogue was Snow in the trilogy seeing Katniss for the first time and the actual epilogue thing be chapter 31.

My two favorite theories that could actually be accurate: 1. Maude Ivory is Katniss Grandmother Reasons: Katniss knows these songs of the Covey, they live in the same area of the seam, Katniss dad was a wonderful singer, Katniss‘ dad showed her the exact same lake the covey liked to go to, Maude Ivory knew the Katniss Roots and Katniss‘ dad once told her about them 2. Lucy Gray made her way to district 13 Reasons: she is to good to be shot by Snow, could not live alone for a long time in the woods because she needs social contacts, is brave enough to make it till District 13, she is a mystery just as her song says, I don‘t believe in the theory that says Lucy Gray is president Coin for obvious reasons

Peyton: 35:41 “I love Sejanus!!” Me: oh gosh girl you got a big thing coming!

21:50 there was a line that had "catching fire" in it and I SCREAMED. Suzanne's mind, her power

Did anyone else notice that the capitol dragging the dead and battered tributes through the streets at the funerals was probably the origin of the tribute parade👀

Lucy Gray is definitely related to Katniss. Through Maude Ivory I’m guessing

SEJANUS PLINTH IS EVERYTHING! 😭🕊🐍

The hunger games = 3 Words. Catching fire = 2 Words. Mockingjay = 1 word. 3+2+1=6. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes= 6 Words.

Still wondering why we didn‘t get the story of Tigris and Snow and why she hates him so much in the original triology! I mean there must have been more than just her recognizing that Coriolanus is a bastard when she obviously hates him so much that she sympathized with the rebellion in Mockingjay!! Would love to know why!

I want a Haymitch book...because Haymitch (maybe with a tiny cameo appearance by Effie as a kid)

Also the Valley song that Peeta talks about hearing Katniss sing when she was like 6 was sung out by Lucy Gray and I just loved that reference.

🐍🐍🐍 There we’re so many details in this book like names of Crane, Heavensbee and Flickerman. I also 100% believe that Maude Ivory is Katnisses grandmother as there was so much of her included in the story as well as so many clues like the songs, the lake and the name. I also think it’s cool that Covey means a flock or small group of birds. Love your vids :)))

I think we both agree Suzanne is BRILLIANT at dropping hints and references to the trilogy. Those moments in the book I was like “👀did she just... oooooo is that there parent? WAIT I KNOW THAT NAME!” 🐍🐍🐍

I’m so glad that you really liked this book, I’ve seen a lot of negative stuff so it’s nice to find someone who really enjoyed it! One of the things that stood out to me and really angered me was Snow’s treatment of the Plinth family after Sejanus’ death. When he’s planning on sending Ma a letter of condolence his first thought is if she’ll still send him cookies. Also in the epilogue it says that the Plinths took him under their wing and helped him and his family financially which really highlights how he only does things for his own gain. These are the parents of the boy who Snow basically killed (a boy who called Snow his brother) and he shows very little remorse in the epilogue and focused on his financial gain from the situation. Loved the video 🐍🐍

I can also definitely see why people don’t like this book. There is no romance to root for, like we had with Peeta and Katniss, nor is there the familiarity of the games that we knew. But to see Snow’s mindset and how he morphed into who he is today, was SO interesting and, I think, important to read about. The little easter eggs that Collins dropped, like the katniss roots and the origin of the songs we know and love, were so clever and satisfying to read about! So while I can understand why people may not like this, I certainly loved it for what it was meant to be!

I think in the Catching Fire book Katniss is watching recordings of the old Hunger Games, including Haymitch’s game, but realizes there is a space missing for a game. No doubt that game would be the 10th Hunger Games and that is an amazing detail that we see when the 10th Hunger Games footage is all destroyed. Does anyone else remember this?

Sejanus literally has to be Peeta's like cousin or something. they are both so selfless

I would love it if Suzanne Collins wrote a book from Finnicks perspective focusing on his Hunger Games.

I loved how each of the tributes had a name

So District 12 gave Snow the tributes he hated the most: All Four of its victors pissed him off in some way. 🤣 Can’t wait to read this book.

The doctor is a literal psycho I wonder if snow killed her eventually and just made the games his own and took control!! I liked seeing Snows arc from a semi-normal person at the beginning to a total power hungry, evil person at the end. I thought the pacing was a little too slow at part 3 but I still enjoyed the read sooo much!! Loved this vid Peyton!! 🐍💛

Was anyone else waiting for this video after the book came out? I was like "I wonder what Peyton will say about this" lol

Ok but Maude Ivory is probably Katniss and Prims grandma

Okay I love your interpretation of the ending with Lucy Gray, I literally couldn’t figure out a thought for what happened to her. I loved how we saw Snow as a complete narcissist & calculating, it made so much sense and definitely made readers keep their distance from rooting for him. Sejanus drove me nuts a bit, especially when he went into the arena bc for why???? But it confused me, like Snow seemed to hate him in his head but once they were peacekeepers together he decided they were like brothers??? Seeing Lucy gray make those songs, it made me wonder if Katniss’s dad was the son of someone in the covey. Think about it, he was known for singing, taught Katniss those songs, knew about the lake, etc. “everdeen” sounds like “evergreen”, a color??? I absolutely LOVED Maude Ivory, she was so cute!!! She was probably my favorite in this book. I also loved when Snow got bread at the bakery in town, I’m guessing that must have been Peeta’s parents/grandparents

The Hanging Tree scene was my favorite 😭 I haven’t seen anyone talk about that part yet so I’m glad you did!

So this might be a little far-reaching, but I think it's possible that Maude Ivory is Katniss' grandmother. Lucy Gray left her the trunk of dresses (which Katniss mentions her mother having in the first book while Katniss is getting ready for the reaping). Also, Katinss knows the songs "The Hanging Tree" and "Deep in the Meadow" which all the characters in District 12 don't seem to know until after Katniss makes it famous in Mockingjay. ALSO, Prim and Mrs. Everdeen notably don't look like people of the Seam - which could mean that they are not really descendants of District 12, but rather a fairly new family to the area, which would make sense if they were descendants of the Covey. (Also, the whole thing with Maude Ivory and the goat seemed a really strong parallel to Prim and her goat.)

I can't cope with the fact that Sejanus parallels Peeta, Lucy parallels Katniss and SNOW PARALLELS GALE in a way more extreme way as the way he slowly became crazy and less and less humane with the tiniest bit of power reminded me of the way Gale became by the end of Mockingjay with the bombs and everything and the contrasts between snow and Sejanus clearly match the contrasts between gale and Peeta's mindsets and no hate to Gale but that really fucked my head. I may be reaching here but honestly its the only thing I can think about.

This has probably already been said but i think that maybe Lucy grays story is similar to the ballad... like they both lost themselves to snow and were never seen again

love that you mentioned how much Dr.Gual actually influenced everything!! I feel like no one is talking about it but you can see how she is the one egging snow on. loved this vlog and I'm glad you appreciated it cause I thought it was a great addition to THG world too 🐍

SPOILERS!!! Okay but does anyone else think that Lucy grey made it north to district 13 and grew up there, changed her name so no one would ever know who she was... alma coin ?? They are both about the same age in the original trilogy and it makes sense as coin had a hatred for snow and wanted to kill him herself, and it was her idea for the symbolic hunger game’s at the end of mockingjay and Lucy grey would have wanted the capitol to pay for what happened to her all the way back ?? Just a theory but my mind went straight to coin

I been obsessing over the book since i finished it the other day. I really love the darker elements to the story. I do agree that the pacing in part 3 was slow since it came from a high energy ending of part 2. I do have a theory that Lucy Grey ended up in distract 13 and becomes friends with Coin or Is Coin. This book would give a good reason why she wanted the hunger games with capital kids. Also Ma Ivory is totally Katniss' grandma.

I gave it a 4/5 🐍. Looking forward who will portray sejanus in the future

I just finished the book. Absolutely LOVED IT. The whole way through. The world building of both Panem and the games. Seeing snow’s “development”. The ABSOLUTELY, INSANELY CLEVER REFERENCES TO THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY??? And that ending though 👀👀👀 Suzanne knew what she was doing.

THE BOOK IS SOOOO FRIKIN GOOOOOOODD! I am so happy Suzanne blessed us with another HG book!!! ❤️ And the sticker is rly cute it’s already on my laptop lolllll ( AND I LEGIT CRIED WHEN I GOT IT I WAS SO HAPPPPYYY)

🐍 I think that Lucy Gray survives and is the beginning of Katniss’s family line through her father. Katniss was from the seam, She grows up with both the song “under the willow” and “the hanging tree”. + the unique naming conventions of both Katniss and Prim Rose after flowers feel true the Covey/Lucy influence.

I couldn’t even find it on French Amazon as a Kindle version, so I signed up to Audible and got it as my free audio book. I listened to it over two-three days and quite enjoyed it. I was shocked by the treatment of the tributes and how basic the arena was. Sejanus was my favourite character, he reminded me a little of Peeta ( kind, loyal, pacifist).

Sejanus is so reminiscent of Peeta yes I 100% agree...also yes I agree Lucy had more Johanna vibes than Katniss vibes even if there are some similarities from her and Katniss

I really loved Lucy Gray Baird’s character so much. I really think this is the best book in the series. I also got way more attached to Lucy Gray Baird than I did to Katniss and Peeta. I honestly wish she said something about leaving instead of just running away because I actually cried when she just disappeared and Snow lost all affection for her. And like something that surprised me was how they said the tributes weren’t fed, lived in the zoo, that the arena was horrible and that someone placed bombs AND ESPECIALLY HOW MENTORS AND TRIBUTES DIED BEFORE THE GAMES AND BILLY TAUPE’S STUPID ASS CHARACTER! Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.

Ok I agree with you soo much on all your points! I enjoyed the book just as you did and I freaking lost it when the hanging tree scene came in. I thought the same about how much Snow must have hated it when that song became part of the revolution! And can we talk about how much Snow despises these Mockingjays? It was hilarious to me! He hates those birds. And cannot wait to kill them and I'm just sitting here like, I get why you hated Katniss soo much.

I really liked the book! I hope she writes a second one about the rest of his rise to power. I'd love to know exactly what happened between him and Tigris(or maybe I wouldn't because I know it was bad and after reading this book, I like her even more!) because they were so close in this book and we know by the time of original series, they have nothing to do with each other. We didn't even know until this book that she was his cousin! I found it very interesting and telling how she changed how she was referring to him in the Epilogue. The whole book she referred to him as Coriolanus but in the epilogue she called him Snow. To me that was like summed up the whole book. When the book started he was a teenage boy who still had a chance to become someone good and do good things. He was kind of riding the middle between good and bad. But when he did the stuff he did District 12 and left, he'd made the choice and there was not going back! He became the Snow we know from the other books through that process. I'm not not saying he was all good before that because he wasn't and his motives were all super questionable. But he could've still seen the light and turned it around. The most disgusting thing to me about the whole thing is he gets Sejanus killed and then goes back to the Capital and gets his family to help him and take him in as their own! He's just such a narcissistic person!

There are so many interesting things about this book, especially the names of the characters. For example: Arachne Crane - in Greek/Roman mythology, Arachne was a proud weaver who in her arrogance declared that she was better than Athena/Minerva, the goddess of weaving at it. Due to her hubris, she was, in some versions killed, and then turned into a spider in front her entire village. Arachne in the book provokes Brandy for a show because of her arrogance and is then killed by her. Apollo and Diana Ring: named after the twin archers in Greek/Roman mythology Satyria Click: possibly named after satyrs, half-goat and half-human creatures who were followers of the god Dionysus in Greek mythology and were notorious drunks, like Satyria in the books Iphigenia Moss: in Greek mythology, Iphigenia was a princess whose father, Agammemnon had to sacrifice her because he displeased a goddess. Iphigenia in this book has a strained and problematic relationship with her father.

I have couple thing's to say. I loved this book so much and i was so sad when it ended. Sad about it ended and about book. At some point while reading i knew that this song isn't going to end high note but still i literally cried multiple times while reading. This book had me sitting edge of my seat whole time while reading. In my opinion this was more complex that original books and i loved that. I started to like Snow but at the end this book remind me what he is and what he will be. I like how Dean Highbottom was pictured as evil character but at the end i think that main evil characters in this story was dr. Gaul and Snow himself. I think that Katniss is somehow related to Covey's and Lucy Gray. I loved Lucy Gray's character very much and her character development was amazing. I loved that musical approach in this book and how those songs were included. I'm waiting movie about this so much but i also realised that we only have heard story about 3 hunger games now. Still 72 games that we have only heard some little bits. I personally would love to hear more about Haymich and his story. Maybe some other things too.

I almost cried when Sejanus died, definitely the most emotional part for me. I really loved the book and I think Snow's character was done really well. The 3rd part was pretty slow in my opinion especially since the first 2 parts had a lot more action. Also, I'm sad that we didn't get an explanation as to how or why Tigris wanted Snow dead in the original trilogy, it seems like she loved him more than anything else in this book. I definitely think one of the Covey members, probably Maude Ivory, is Katniss's grandparent. Lastly, I'm kinda mad we didn't get closure on what happened to Lucy Gray, but I get it, it's a suppose to be a mystery like her ballad and Snow definitely never loved her even though he claimed to🐍🐍🐍

47 whole minutes of vlogging!! Peyton is treating us well

Snow is the definition of an evil Slytherin. I love it so much, especially bc I think Katniss is also a Slytherin but the good kind. And Lucy is just a full out mystery 🐍🐍🐍

Did anyone else while reading the third act of this book low key hope for a duel on a lava river in District 12 between Coriolanus and Sejanus where Sejanus says “the capitol is evil” and Coriolanus says “from my point of view the rebels are evil!” And then have it end with Sejanus saying “it’s over Coryo, I have the high ground!” but Coriolanus does a front flip to attack but falls to the ground and burns in the lava, and is left for dead by Sejanus, then found by Dr. Gaul who takes him in at the end? No? Just me? Ok Also I had the Chancellor Palpatine theme playing in my head every scene that had Dr. Gaul in it Also 🐍

I loved this book and really enjoyed reading from Snows perspective as he was always a character who I loved to hate. I also really enjoyed seeing the Hunger Games in an early stage. (how the arena was much more basic and how so many tributes died before the arena) I loved all of the hints to the original series (the hob, the hanging tree song etc.).

🐍 I freaking loved your review. And yes, Sejanus was my favorite character. He was so sweet. I can’t wait for the film adaptation of this book 😭

this was the best book in the series. i said what i said.

Lmao take a shot (or a grain of rat poison) every time Peyton says "like"

i’m only on page 250 so i’ll be back on Wednesday probably :) update: well... i didn’t last till wednesday i finished it today (sunday) and I LOVED the book. 9.5/10

Just so you know I finally finished the book at like 1 am and I went straight to watch this vlog 😂

Dude, my last day of reading it I had 100 pages left and that day was just screaming, crying, yelling, and confusion.🐍

🐍 loved the book... honestly feel like you have to have a certain philosophical context to get the most out of this book, which not everyone has.

Reading all this comments I saw a lot of people saying that Lucy Gray can be Alma Coin. At firts I didn't believe it for a second, but then I searched in the book the description of president coin, just for fun. Katniss said that she was amazed by how perfect president coin's hair was and we all know how Lucy always take care of her look. It's just a little detail, but it was just so... perfect. It also says that president coin's eyes were gray, but not that seam kinda of gray, more like melted *snow*. I took it as a sign😂

Snow is the most realistic character in this series. He's interesting, im a fan. He wanted to university thing to help his family who were in poverty! Thats not a selfish thing to do at all.

Girl I literally read this book along with you. I would pause the video until we got until the same point. The story was so interesting and the references made me want to scream because they just meant so much. Thank you for doing this video and I enjoyed the book even more because of you. Can’t wait for the new content surrounding this book! 🐍🐍

🐍 I really loved President Snow in the original series so i was so happy with this book. The ending left me wondering if she's going to continue it. I kinda hope it stays a stand alone prequel but I think she left enough unanswered to do more if she wanted

I preordered my copy from Wal Mart and I got a cool bookmark! The Target one comes with a poster, and barnes and nobles comes with a sticker.

yesss 🐍🐍🐍 this video was so fun to watch!! i feel like we've talked about most things but the ending was so wild but it was pretty satisfying and everything with Highbottom and the games was sO interesting like ... wild can't wait to chat about this more in depth in the liveshow!! 💖💖💖

I finished it last night! I dint get how anyone could hate such a good juicy book. I also freaked when I realized that Tigres is the creepy tiger lady from Mockingjay!

I know this is late, but I wanted to say that my favourite line in this book was on page 516 (in the epilogue) when Snow says: 'She could fly around District 12 all she liked, but she and her mockingjays could never harm him again.' Well look just look how wrong that little slime ball was!

The fact you thought I would not watch the whole thing is mindblowing

i got the audio book at 12:01am and didn’t go to sleep till i was finished! it was so good... my copy came in yesterday

I can't wait to watch this vid but i don't have the book yet :(

I absolutely enjoyed this new book. There is something special about Suzanne Collins' books: either the characters, the events, the circumstances, the language, the stories - I don't know what else, but she is a real master of telling the stories. I like the way she describes the evolution of the characters, the sense of drama, the importance of the ideas her books tell us about. And I liked your video :-) I watched it only now (after more than a year since the publication of the book), but I still had watery eyes throughout the video, even though I know the story and turnarounds. Coriolanus Snow is a very interesting character. You know who he is going to become in the end, and yet you see his good sides, you hope as you read, you hope... but look just how he becomes a blueprint of The President Coriolanus Snow! As everyone, he has good sides and bad sides, but a couple of triggers are enough to break the balance. Again, this is a very interesting depiction of evolution of a character. As for the Hanging Tree song.... Even remembering the moment when I realized I was reading about the events the song tells us about gives me goosebumps!

I chose not to watch this until after I had finished it myself, but 🐍! I’m so glad you loved it! I loved watching your talk about it!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! Everyone I talked to about this book didn’t understand how AMAZING it was and they all said it was boring. But you DEFINITELY understood!

I just finished the book, I loved it. Especially the parallel between the girl in the song Lucy Gray is named for and Lucy Gray herself. The girl in the song disappeared in a snow storm, Lucy Gray also disappeared because of Snow. Leaving nothing behind but her songs

🐍🐍🐍 oh my gosh I LOVED this video! Your reactions were 100% the same as mine while reading it 😂 I was freaking out and screaming the whole time. The only thing that I am trying to determine is if Lucy Gray sent the snake to Snow, or if he was just paranoid and thought she did. Because the doctor said it wasn’t poisonous and wouldn’t kill him. And we definitely know that Lucy Gray knows how to kill haha I think she did in fact realize what was happening, but I don’t know if she would try to kill him? 🤔 I think it was just to show how quickly the switch flipped on Snow. He went from “loving” her to hating her in 2 seconds. How paranoid he was at the end. Idk I haven’t decided yet lol. Would love to hear your thoughts!

i finished the book this afternoon, and all i can say is that susan collins is brilliant, i really enjoyed the book, as well as your video. one of my favorite things about the book that gives me goosebumps is the fact that the title of the book is literally the ballad of lucy gray. i also loved the easter eggs that collins gave us, its mindblowing how she paid attention to little details that later made sense.❤️🐍

Just discovered your channel. I've listened to this review twice already. I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was intense! Honestly, the only part I didn't love was the chapter where Snow is chasing Lucy Gray down in the woods with the gun. I would've liked a little more dialogue between them, but I suppose her just singing the song was fitting. In a different way, I hate how he takes advantage of the Plinths in the end and still feels superior to them as a Capital resident, but it makes so much sense into showing him as the burgeoning monster we all grew to hate.

Covey is also a word that means "flock of birds". Collins is insinuating that it's in their nature to migrate and seek freedom through the name. It's also interesting the Lucy is connected to birds, which Snow later insists a deep hatred for but Lucy feels a kinship to.

🐍I’m so happy you liked it. I loved it and thought I was going crazy when all I was seeing was 1 and 2 star reviews. Also great vlog, it felt more like a 20 min video

My favorite part was her talking about how awkward it would be to meet the other tributes, like I never thought about that but I love the idea that the biggest problem for the tributes is social anxiety 😂🐍

There is no way any of us have finished the video when I commenting

this vlog is a breath of fresh air, and i'm gonna check out your book review too, because so many other reviews i've seen have all been like "i liked Snow until part 3" or "i was back and forth on liking him" and i felt like the only person who hated him throughout lol Suzanne Collins did such a great job with how she handled this book, it was fantastic.

I am really excited, I should be getting this book in a couple days

I loved the book! Thought Suzanne was brilliant and made me understand Snows way of thinking and I can understand how he became the man he was. ❤️ I couldn’t help but like him and his loyalty and self preservation!

Exactly agree with you on the idea that Suzanne sprinkles a lot in here that you won’t get if you’re not reading closely and critically.

🐍🐍 I loved this video!! All of the dots the book connects are so satisfying!!

Thank you for doing this so fast!!! I absolutely love your channel...and I’ve finally found someone with the same love for The Hunger Games!!

Just finished the book today! Love your energy over this book 😄🐍

I just finished this book and I ADORED it! Lucy grays end KILLED ME! Sejanus is such an AMAZING character. I had so many feelings

🐍 Loved the book! Now I kinda want an Effie Trinket or a Cinna novel 🤔

ahhh this vlog was everything. I'm glad you liked Sejanus! i feel like so many people did, but i just could NOT connect with him at all. i feel like maybe if i reread it i would like him more. i really loved lucy though. she was so interesting and all of the hunger games easter eggs in this book were so amazing.

Important thing about Gaul! Her first name is Volumnia, which is the same name of the title character's mom in Shakespeare's play 'Coriolanus'. Collins has a track record for putting a lot of thought into names, and she definitely knows her Shakespeare. This is important because Volumnia is constantly pushing Corionlanus towards violence, the same way Gaul does to Snow! Ugh, Suzanne, your mind!

I love the hunger games series! It's actually the series that got me into reading since I got out of college in '02. I didn't even read it till after the first movie. I couldn't be more uninterested in reading about snow!!! None the less, if you enjoy it good for you, I'm glad some people are excited 🤪

The hagging tree part made me really emotionnal lmao

Snow acted as if he was better than everyone and he was saying oh they aren’t my friends etc yet he is poor and has barely any possessions

🐍 this book is life! as well as Lucy Grey. And rereading Mokingjay in the 'lake-moment' when Katniss start to sing Hunging Tree and identifies it on her own. Its just masterclass!

My copy arrives today!!!!!! I’m so excited😆

I wouldn’t mind playing young snow on the movie because he so... deceiving

These are a few things isuspected would happen also it’s a mess and if you read all of it props to you From the start I knew Snow was going to kill Sejanus, the whole time he had such a disdain for his district heritage. I was also hoping the song Katniss sings to Rue and Prim would be there (the in the meadow under the willow song) Also I loved the mention of the katniss plant, and correct me if I’m wrong but I thing the lake and the run down shack that they visit is the same one that Katniss and her father visited I knew that Sejanus was going to be hanged because earlier in the book Lucy Gray was singing the Hanging Tree song and I looked up all of the lyrics and there was one line about someone getting hanged for the murder of three people, I didn’t know why or who Sejanus was going to kill (but I guess I was right for the wrong reason)

The parcel just came and I’m freaking out

9/10 really good book but there are some really slooooooooooooowwww parts

wait i have a serious question, is Suzanne Collins going to do a prequel trilogy or is this just a standalone book?!!!