22 Books Like The Hunger Games
Hey fellow bibliophile.
I know how much you loved The Hunger Games. I mean, who didn’t?
The gripping story, the intense characters, the dystopian world—what’s not to love?
But now that you’ve devoured all three books, you’re probably craving something similar, right?
Well, I’ve got you covered.
Let’s dive into a list of books that you will love if you liked The Hunger Games series.
Whether you’re into dystopian societies, fierce heroines, or high-stakes competitions, there’s something here for you.
Let’s go.
Books Like The Hunger Games
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Here’s a book that’s a bit different but still hits those dystopian notes.
In Prentisstown, everyone can hear each other’s thoughts in an overwhelming stream known as Noise. Todd Hewitt is the last boy in a town of men, and as he approaches manhood, he uncovers a dark secret that forces him to flee.
Along the way, he meets a girl—a shocking event in a town with no women.
Why you’ll love it: The Knife of Never Letting Go is unique with its concept of Noise and the eerie, unsettling atmosphere of the town. The intense chase, the survivalist elements, and Todd’s journey to uncover the truth will give you those Hunger Games feels, but in a totally fresh way.
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
Here’s another masterpiece by Veronica Roth.
Carve the Mark is set in a galaxy where everyone develops a unique power, known as a currentgift. The story follows Cyra, the sister of a brutal dictator, and Akos, a captive from a peaceful nation.
Their paths intertwine as they navigate a world of political power plays, violence, and destiny.
Why you’ll love it: The complex characters, particularly Cyra’s struggle with her lethal currentgift, and the intense world-building make Carve the Mark a gripping read. If you loved the mix of action, emotion, and world-building in The Hunger Games, this book will definitely appeal to you.
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Snow Like Ashes is set in a world where kingdoms are divided by seasons.
Sixteen years ago, the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its people enslaved. Meira, an orphan and one of the last Winterians, has been training to reclaim her homeland.
When she discovers the key to restoring Winter’s magic, she embarks on a dangerous mission to retrieve it.
Why you’ll love it: If you enjoyed the theme of rebellion and the quest for freedom in The Hunger Games, Snow Like Ashes offers a similar journey of resistance and hope, but with a fantasy twist. The world-building and strong, determined heroine will definitely draw you in.
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Imagine a world where a mysterious disease has killed most of America’s children, and the survivors develop dangerous powers.
The Darkest Minds follows Ruby, who is sent to a government “rehabilitation camp” due to her abilities. After escaping, she joins a group of kids on the run, searching for a safe haven while trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities.
Why you’ll love it: This book has the same high stakes and dystopian backdrop as The Hunger Games, with a focus on survival and the bond between the characters. Ruby’s growth from a frightened girl to a determined fighter will remind you of Katniss’s journey.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Graceling takes place in a world where some people are born with a special skill, known as a Grace.
Katsa, the protagonist, is Graced with the ability to kill, making her a powerful and feared enforcer for her uncle, the king. But Katsa secretly rebels against her role and starts to question the true purpose of her Grace.
Why you’ll love it: Graceling offers a strong, complex female lead much like Katniss. The story is packed with action, political intrigue, and a journey of self-discovery. If you’re into tales of empowerment and defying expectations, this one’s for you.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette’s touch is fatal—literally. She’s been locked away because of her dangerous ability, but when the world is on the brink of collapse, she’s given a chance to fight back.
As she struggles to control her power and decide where her loyalties lie, Juliette must figure out whether she’s meant to be a weapon or a warrior.
Why you’ll love it: The themes of isolation, power, and rebellion in Shatter Me mirror the intensity of The Hunger Games. Juliette’s internal struggle and her evolution into a strong, independent force will keep you captivated.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Here’s a classic that you might have read in school, but it’s worth revisiting.
The Giver is set in a seemingly perfect society where everyone’s life is meticulously controlled, and emotions are suppressed. Jonas, the protagonist, is chosen to be the Receiver of Memories, the one person in the community who holds all the true memories of life before the “Sameness.”
Why you’ll love it: The Giver shares the dystopian theme and the questioning of societal norms found in The Hunger Games. Jonas’s discovery of the truth and his subsequent rebellion against the system is a powerful and thought-provoking journey.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
If you haven’t already picked up Divergent, now’s the time.
Set in a futuristic Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to a particular virtue—Candor (honesty), Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peacefulness), and Erudite (intelligence). The story follows Tris Prior, who discovers she doesn’t fit neatly into any one faction.
Just like Katniss, Tris is thrown into a situation where she must challenge the norms of her society, face her fears, and ultimately decide who she wants to be.
Why you’ll love it: Divergent is packed with action, a strong female lead, and a society on the brink of collapse—much like The Hunger Games. Plus, the tension and the twists will keep you glued to the pages.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
If you’re into mysterious, adrenaline-pumping stories, The Maze Runner is a must-read.
Thomas wakes up in a strange place called the Glade, surrounded by a massive, ever-changing maze. He has no memory of how he got there, and neither does anyone else.
The only way out is through the maze, but it’s filled with deadly creatures and dangerous traps.
Why you’ll love it: This book gives off serious Hunger Games vibes with its survivalist theme and life-or-death stakes. The mystery behind why the characters are trapped in the maze will have you turning pages faster than you can say “Katniss Everdeen.”
Legend by Marie Lu
Legend is set in a dystopian future where the United States has split into two nations perpetually at war.
The story revolves around two teenagers—Day, a notorious criminal, and June, a prodigy groomed for military success. When June’s brother is murdered, Day becomes the prime suspect, and she sets out to hunt him down.
However, things aren’t as black and white as they seem.
Why you’ll love it: Legend is all about survival, rebellion, and uncovering dark secrets, much like The Hunger Games. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Day and June adds a unique twist to the story, and the alternating perspectives keep things fresh and exciting.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Imagine a world where your blood determines your status in society.
In Red Queen, people with red blood are commoners, while those with silver blood possess extraordinary abilities and rule as the elite. Mare Barrow, a Red, discovers she has a power of her own—something that should be impossible.
She’s thrown into the Silver world and must navigate treacherous political games while hiding her true identity.
Why you’ll love it: If you’re into the whole “ordinary person discovers they’re special” trope with a mix of rebellion against an oppressive regime, Red Queen will be right up your alley. The plot twists and Mare’s journey from underdog to revolutionary will keep you hooked.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Aliens, anyone?
The 5th Wave takes place in a world devastated by an alien invasion. The human race has been decimated by four waves of attacks, and the few survivors are left fighting to stay alive.
Cassie Sullivan, a teenage girl, is on a mission to save her younger brother. Along the way, she encounters other survivors, but trust is a luxury she can’t afford.
Why you’ll love it: The intense survival scenarios and the overarching theme of trust and betrayal will remind you a lot of The Hunger Games. Cassie’s determination and resilience make her a character you’ll root for, just like Katniss.
Matched by Ally Condie
In the society of Matched, everything is controlled by the authorities, including who you marry.
When Cassia is matched with her best friend, Xander, it seems perfect—until she sees another boy’s face flash on her screen. This small glitch makes Cassia question everything she’s ever known about her society and the supposed perfection of the system.
Why you’ll love it: This book is more introspective and less action-packed than The Hunger Games, but it shares themes of questioning authority and rebelling against a controlled society. If you’re into stories about personal choice and the consequences of defying the norm, Matched is a great pick.
The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Selection is a bit like The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor.
In a future where society is divided into castes, girls are selected to compete for the hand of the prince. America Singer, from a lower caste, reluctantly enters the competition, only to find herself caught between her past love and the possibilities of her future.
Why you’ll love it: While The Selection focuses more on romance than survival, the competition aspect and the underdog story will definitely remind you of The Hunger Games. Plus, the behind-the-scenes politics and the pressure of being in the spotlight add an intriguing layer to the story.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
In the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death.
Laia is a slave, and Elias is a soldier, both trapped in a brutal world. When Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she goes undercover as a spy to rescue him.
Elias, on the other hand, secretly wishes to escape the Empire’s tyranny. Their paths cross in unexpected ways, leading to a story filled with tension, rebellion, and resilience.
Why you’ll love it: The brutal, unforgiving world in An Ember in the Ashes is reminiscent of Panem’s districts, and the characters’ struggles for freedom and justice will resonate with any Hunger Games fan. The blend of action, political intrigue, and a dash of magic makes this book a compelling read.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
The Young Elites is set in a world where a deadly fever has left some survivors with strange, powerful abilities.
These survivors, known as the Young Elites, are feared and persecuted. The story follows Adelina Amouteru, a girl who discovers her own dark powers and joins a secret society of other Young Elites.
Why you’ll love it: This book combines a dark, gritty world with complex characters and a plot filled with power struggles and revenge. If you liked the morally ambiguous aspects of The Hunger Games, you’ll appreciate the depth and intensity of The Young Elites.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
If you’re in the mood for something a bit different, Illuminae might be just the thing.
The story is set in the year 2575, where two mega-corporations are at war over a planet. When Kady and Ezra’s home is destroyed, they’re forced to flee on different ships.
But when a deadly plague breaks out and an AI goes rogue, survival becomes a desperate race against time.
Why you’ll love it: Illuminae is a fast-paced, sci-fi thriller with high stakes and a unique storytelling format that includes emails, transcripts, and military files. The tension and the characters’ fight for survival will definitely remind you of The Hunger Games, but with a futuristic, space-based twist.
The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow
In The Scorpion Rules, the world is kept in peace by a brutal system: the children of rulers are held hostage, and if war is declared, the hostage dies.
Greta is one of these hostages, raised in a facility where she’s been taught to accept her fate. But when a new boy arrives and challenges everything she’s been told, Greta begins to question the system and her role in it.
Why you’ll love it: The political intrigue and the moral dilemmas in The Scorpion Rules will remind you of the complex, ruthless world of The Hunger Games. Greta’s transformation from a passive hostage to a girl determined to change her fate is both gripping and inspiring.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
In The Bone Season, set in 2059, London is controlled by a powerful organization called Scion.
The story follows Paige Mahoney, a “dreamwalker” who works in the criminal underworld, using her abilities to break into people’s minds. When she’s captured by Scion and taken to a secret city, she discovers that there’s much more to her powers—and her world—than she ever imagined.
Why you’ll love it: The dystopian setting, coupled with a strong, resourceful heroine and a plot full of twists and turns, makes The Bone Season a perfect read for Hunger Games fans. The rich world-building and the complex characters add layers of intrigue and excitement.
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
In a post-apocalyptic world, the United Commonwealth’s brightest students are selected for The Testing, a rigorous and dangerous series of exams to determine who will become the leaders of the future.
Cia Vale is chosen, but as she navigates the brutal tests, she realizes that failure could mean death—and success might be even worse.
Why you’ll love it: The competitive, high-stakes environment and the survival elements in The Testing are reminiscent of The Hunger Games. Cia’s determination and resourcefulness, along with the shocking twists, will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Children of Blood and Bone is set in a world where magic has been eradicated by a ruthless king, and the maji, who once wielded it, are oppressed.
Zélie Adebola, a young girl who has the potential to bring back magic, embarks on a dangerous journey to restore it and save her people.
Why you’ll love it: This book offers an epic, action-packed story with rich world-building and a strong female protagonist. The themes of resistance, reclaiming power, and fighting against oppression will resonate with Hunger Games fans, while the West African-inspired setting adds a unique and vibrant flavor to the story.
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
In a future society where everyone undergoes extreme cosmetic surgery at 16 to become a “Pretty,” Tally Youngblood can’t wait for her turn.
But when her friend Shay runs away to avoid the operation, Tally is forced to choose between finding Shay and turning her in or never becoming Pretty at all. What she discovers about her world changes everything.
Why you’ll love it: Uglies tackles themes of conformity, beauty standards, and rebellion in a dystopian setting, much like The Hunger Games. The story’s mix of adventure, mystery, and social commentary makes it a compelling and thought-provoking read.