What To Read If You Like Hunger Games

What To Read If You Like The Hunger Games

So, you finished The Hunger Games trilogy, and now you have that empty feeling, right? Like you’ve just left the arena and aren’t sure what to do next. The good news is, you’re not alone! Many readers love the action, suspense, and deeper themes of Suzanne Collins’ books. But what if you crave more of that dystopian world, or strong female characters, or maybe just some good old-fashioned rebellion? Well, get ready to dive into some awesome book recommendations that will fill that Hunger Games-shaped hole in your heart.

Dystopian Worlds and Societies

One of the biggest draws of The Hunger Games is its fascinating, yet scary, dystopian setting. The world of Panem, with its Capitol and districts, feels both realistic and incredibly imaginative. If you’re looking for other books that create similarly thought-provoking and often unsettling societies, check out these recommendations:

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

Imagine a society divided into factions based on personality: Abnegation (selfless), Amity (peaceful), Candor (honest), Dauntless (brave), and Erudite (intelligent). Beatrice, or Tris as she becomes known, lives in Abnegation but discovers she doesn’t fit in one box, she’s Divergent. Like Katniss, Tris must choose a new path and fight to survive a world that tries to control her. This series is filled with action, thrilling challenges, and a complicated romance. There are themes of personal identity, societal control and fighting for what’s right that should ressonate with you if you are a fan of The Hunger Games

• Similarities: Strong female protagonist, dystopian society, rebellion, action-packed sequences.
• Differences: More focused on personal identity and choosing your path, instead of societal class as much as in Hunger Games.

The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner

If you liked the unknown dangers of the arena, the maze of The Maze Runner is for you. Thomas wakes up in a strange place called the Glade, surrounded by a giant maze. He and the other Gladers must work together to find a way out. It’s an exciting mystery with lots of suspense and plot twists. Like The Hunger Games, these books explore themes of survival, friendship, and challenging authority.

• Similarities: Group dynamic, dangerous challenges, survival, element of mystery.
• Differences: Less focus on societal inequalities and more on the literal challenge of escaping a maze.

Legend Series by Marie Lu

Set in a futuristic Los Angeles divided between the rich Republic and the impoverished Colonies, Legend introduces us to June, a military prodigy, and Day, a legendary criminal. Their lives intersect when June’s brother dies and she thinks Day is responsible. Like Katniss and Peeta, their paths cross in a way they never expect. It has a rich world, great action, and a story full of suspense and intrigue. Fans of The Hunger Games will appreciate the themes of government control, inequality, and standing up for what you believe in.

• Similarities: Dystopian setting, rebellion, divided society, government control.
• Differences: Focus on class differences and rebellion from within.

Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard

In a world where people are divided by the color of their blood, Mare Barrow is a red-blooded commoner who discovers she has powers like the silver-blooded elite. This creates dangerous questions about the current society and she is soon brought into the world of the palace. Mare gets caught in the middle of a rebellion, much like Katniss. The world is rich with royal intrigue and magic that makes for a captivating and thrilling story. Those who enjoy a well developed world and rebellion will love these books.

• Similarities: Dystopian society, rebellion, protagonist with unique skills, class divisions.
• Differences: Includes magical elements.

Strong Female Protagonists

Katniss Everdeen is a fantastic example of a strong, resilient female character. If you were inspired by her courage and determination, here are some other books with equally compelling female leads:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Katsa is graced – she has a special skill that makes her amazing at killing. She uses this skill to serve her king but feels that she must take another path. With her bravery and determination, she is soon on a path to fight for what is right. Katsa’s story includes political intrigue, adventure, and a touch of romance. The themes of self-discovery and not being defined by other people’s expectations will have the Hunger Games reader hooked.

• Similarities: Strong female lead, political intrigue, fighting against the system.
• Differences: More fantasy-based setting, magic and special abilities.

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Kelsea Raleigh is suddenly thrust into power as the Queen of Tearling, a world that is struggling under the evil power of the Red Queen. Like Katniss, Kelsea must face many dangers and use her intelligence and bravery to fight for her people. Kelsea’s journey is one of self-discovery, political upheaval, and learning what it means to lead. This series will have readers engaged with political intrigue, battles, and the fight for freedom and what is right.

• Similarities: Female leader, political themes, fight for freedom.
• Differences: More fantasy-based with magical elements.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Celaena Sardothien is an assassin who is offered a chance to win her freedom if she competes as a champion for the king. During the games she will deal with threats, betrayals, and her own personal growth. This series will captivate you with its action-packed story and its well-developed protagonist. If you love a good underdog story with many twists and turns this is the series for you!

• Similarities: Strong female lead, competitions, elements of fighting for freedom.
• Differences: More fantasy, contains magic, larger scope.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Alina Starkov discovers she is a Grisha with incredible powers in the nation of Ravka which is at war with its neighbors. She is put into the service of the most powerful general, the Darkling. Alina learns about her new world and must navigate politics, dangers, and the weight of her powers. This series has a rich magic system, political intrigue, and battles that will feel familiar to fans of The Hunger Games. Alina is just as compelling as Katniss and you will root for her just as much!

• Similarities: A young female character with a heavy burden, political themes, fighting against injustice.
• Differences: Contains magical elements, larger scope of conflict.

Rebellion and Fighting Against the System

The spirit of rebellion is a major part of what makes The Hunger Games so compelling. If you like seeing characters rise up against oppression, these books will be right up your alley:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

While not a dystopian novel, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, a young girl in Nazi Germany who finds solace in stolen books. Through Liesel’s eyes you see both the beauty and tragedy of war and the impact it has on normal people. This is a moving story that reminds us of the power of words and the importance of fighting for what you know is right. The themes of oppression and resistance to authority will resonate with fans of The Hunger Games.

• Similarities: Strong resistance to oppression, explores the human impact of war, young protagonist.
• Differences: Set in historical Germany, very different narrative style.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender Wiggin is a brilliant but young boy who is recruited to a military training academy in order to fight the threat of an alien race. Like Katniss, Ender is an underdog, and must use his sharp wit and strategic mind to overcome challenges and fight for his survival. This is a story about strategy, leadership, and the heavy weight of responsibility. It asks questions about violence and who has the right to control the world. Fans of The Hunger Games will enjoy the themes of the underdog being asked to fight for what is right.

• Similarities: Young protagonist with great responsibility, strategic fighting, high stakes.
• Differences: More focused on military strategy and science fiction themes, different setting.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect world where there is no pain or emotion, but at the age of twelve he is chosen to be the Receiver, and must take on the memories of the past. With these memories, Jonas starts to see the darkness and injustice of his world, and must decide if he will stand up for his beliefs. This is an intriguing look at the consequences of a seemingly perfect world, the loss of freedom, and the importance of remembering history. The themes of control and rebellion are powerful and remind us of The Hunger Games.

• Similarities: Dystopian world, resistance against control, questioning society.
• Differences: More focused on psychological aspects and the loss of emotion.

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

After years of rebuilding the world after a global war, the United Commonwealth begins the Testing to select students for future leadership. Cia Vale is selected to participate and must navigate a series of deadly challenges that are designed to weed out the weak. There are many twists and turns that will keep readers guessing, and the themes of government control and fighting for survival will feel familiar to Hunger Games fans.

• Similarities: Competitive selection process, dystopia, government control.
• Differences: More focus on challenges and the competitive nature of selection.

More Recommendations For You

If you’re looking for books that just have that certain feeling like The Hunger Games but don’t fit perfectly in the other categories, here are a few more suggestions.

• Matched by Ally Condie: A society where people are matched by a computer system. What happens when one girl decides she doesn’t want the match given to her?
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: A girl with a deadly touch must decide what side she is on in this action-packed series.
• The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld: A world where everyone undergoes a surgery to make them “pretty” at the age of sixteen. When one girl doesn’t want the surgery, she must figure out how to challenge society.
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: Set in the future in a world that has turned to VR gaming for escape. One young man must figure out how to win a competition left by a dead billionaire.

Finding a new series to love after finishing The Hunger Games can feel a little daunting, but there are lots of great options out there. These book suggestions all share elements of what makes the Hunger Games books so great such as dystopian societies, strong female characters, or standing up against injustice. Remember, the perfect book is waiting for you, it’s just a matter of diving in and seeing what you might find!