A Surprising “Hunger Games” Movie Prequel Thrills Fans in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”

In the original Hunger Games trilogy, Panem President Coriolanus Snow is presented as a calculating, ruthless dictator bent on destroying the Mockingjay heroine, Katniss Everdeen. In the series prequel, we are introduced to an angst-ridden teenage Snow fighting for survival in a post-Dark Days republic as he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12 in the Tenth Hunger Games. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a requiem of the slow, steady corruption of Coriolanus where his naiveté melts like winter’s snow in the Capitol.

Rebecca Yarros’ “Iron Flame” Exceeds Expectations for Fans of Epic, Dragon-Riding Fantasy Series

Now starting her second year at Basgiath War College, the real training begins, and Violet Sorrengail’s already wondering how she’ll get through. Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits ― and a will of iron. But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year. Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries ― and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

New Book Releases

Check out some of the highly anticipated books coming out this week!

Alex Cross Must Die
by James Patterson

A jet explodes on the Reagan Airport runway, but Detective Cross soon learns the plane didn’t fail — it was shot down by a stolen Vietnam War–era machine gun. The list of experts who can operate the weapon is short. And time before another lethal strike runs even shorter. Especially for Detective Cross.

Inheritance
by Nora Roberts

Sonya MacTavish unexpectedly inherits an old Victorian house from her newly discovered uncle, with one condition — she must live in the house for 3 years. But Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it …

Tananarive Due Tackles History’s Horrors, Heroes and “Haints” in “The Reformatory”

“Shadow and Bone” Canceled, “Six of Crows” Spinoff Also Scrapped

After two seasons of Shadow and Bone, and despite having finished scripts for a spinoff, Netflix has decided not to continue with the fantasy series.

“The news hit me hard,” stated author Leigh Bardugo, whose YA books provided the source material for Shadow and Bone. “I’m heartbroken and deeply disappointed, but I’m also trying to hold onto my very real gratitude. Most authors never get to see their work adapted. Many who do end up regretting the experience. I’m one of the lucky few who can look at an adaptation with pride and tremendous joy.”