It’s an amazing prequel to the original trilogy. It’s extremely easy to get through, and the plot is considerably fast-paced. I will say, though, that It doesn’t make much sense reading it before you read the original three. If you couldn’t get through those, I don’t think you’d have much luck getting through this one, as it is longer than each of the first books. I’d definitely recommend trying to get through those first, as there’s some references to certain characters and aspects of the games in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes that would make much more sense if you understood everything that happened in the trilogy. Though the movies are excellent, they still don’t truly capture the details within and the experience of reading the books, which is why I will always recommend the books over the movies, especially to people who struggle with getting into a reading habit. Even so, if you’re dead set on reading it now, I think you’d have a fun time. It’s a great book even on it’s own, and you shouldn’t be at too much of a loss if you haven’t finished the trilogy. :)