The Hunger Games: When does The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes take place in relation to The Hunger Games trilogy?

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games trilogy. It starts with the 10th Hunger Games, well before Katniss Everdeen's time. The Games at this stage are relatively minimalist, featuring 24 children, two from each of the 12 impoverished districts that rebelled against the wealthy Capitol of Panem. The arena is a literal sports stadium, and the tributes try to hide from each other in the stands.At this point, the Games are not as widely enjoyed, even within the Capitol. The audience finds them dull and doesn't have much interest in the tributes' survival. To make the Games more interesting, 24 students from the Capitol's elite Academy are brought in as mentors to guide the tributes. Among them is an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, the future president of Panem.Coriolanus is a striver, determined to restore honor to his family name by achieving great success. However, his plans are hindered when he is paired with a tribute from District Twelve, Lucy Gray, who is from the poorest district and unlikely to win. Despite this, Coriolanus sees potential in Lucy Gray's charm and personality. He begins to pitch ideas to the Gamemakers to make the Games more engaging, such as interviews and sponsorship for the tributes.As the story progresses, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes delves into the origins and philosophy behind the Hunger Games. Coriolanus is guided by Dr. Gaul, the menacing Head Gamemaker, who believes that the Games are necessary to maintain control and prevent society from descending into chaos. This prequel explores the reasons why the Games were created in the first place and prompts readers to consider the ethics behind sacrificing children's lives for political purposes.The book presents Coriolanus as a calculated and cold character. He is motivated by self-interest and sees the tributes as little more than animals. While he develops a fondness for Lucy Gray, it is clear that his interest is not rooted in a belief in her inherent worth as a human being. Collins does not aim to make Coriolanus sympathetic, instead portraying him as a stone-cold snake.Despite the intriguing exploration of the origins of the Hunger Games and Coriolanus's character, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes lacks the relentless urgency and iconic protagonist found in the original Hunger Games trilogy. The story takes place outside of the arena, following Coriolanus as he watches others battle for their lives. While thematically strong, this storytelling choice diminishes the adrenaline and sense of survival present in the original trilogy.In the end, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is seen as a curiosity and a philosophical inquiry that adds depth to the original three books but is not considered essential reading. It offers a chilling reminder of the corrupt and decadent nature of the Capitol and leaves readers questioning the morality of sacrificing children for political gain.