If The Hunger Games left you wanting more—more rebellion, more edge, more survival—you’re not alone.
This list is for readers who crave high-stakes worlds, strong female leads, and stories that move fast but stay with you. Whether you’re here for the action, the character arcs, or the deeper commentary, I’ve curated 10 books like The Hunger Games that deliver.
Let’s get right into it.
Why Readers Love The Hunger Games
Before we jump into the list, let’s quickly talk about why The Hunger Games hit so hard—and why finding a good follow-up is tricky.
- It’s fast-paced, but not shallow
- The stakes are personal—life, death, freedom
- Katniss is flawed and real. She’s not a chosen one. She chooses herself
- It feels urgent. The politics aren’t background—they’re the battleground
The best books like The Hunger Games don’t just mimic the plot. They echo the feeling—that mix of fear, fire, and rebellion.
Best Books Like The Hunger Games
1. Divergent by Veronica Roth
“One choice can transform you.”
- What it’s about: In a fractured society divided by virtues, Tris Prior doesn’t fit in—and that’s dangerous.
- Why it works: Like Katniss, Tris is thrown into a brutal system she never asked for. And like Panem, the world feels real—ugly, structured, broken.
- Who it’s for: Readers who want action with a side of identity crisis.
2. Legend by Marie Lu
- What it’s about: Two teens—one a military prodigy, the other a criminal—collide in a future Los Angeles under martial law.
- Why it works: Dual POVs, tight pacing, and moral gray areas. Like Hunger Games, it’s more about survival than heroism.
- Who it’s for: Fans of strategy, chase scenes, and complicated enemies.
3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
- What it’s about: A girl with lightning powers lives in a world split by blood—red for commoners, silver for elites.
- Why it works: Rebellion, betrayal, and twists you won’t see coming.
- Who it’s for: Readers who loved the political side of Hunger Games and want more court drama.
4. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- What it’s about: A group of boys wakes up in a maze with no memory. Then the walls start to shift.
- Why it works: Fast, suspenseful, and full of mystery. Like Hunger Games, it dumps you into chaos without warning.
- Who it’s for: Readers who want less romance, more adrenaline.
5. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
- What it’s about: In a world where death has been conquered, only Scythes can end life. Two teens must train to become them.
- Why it works: Philosophical and violent. A fresh twist on dystopia without repeating the same tropes.
- Who it’s for: Thinkers who still want a fast-paced ride.
6. Matched by Ally Condie
- What it’s about: In a society where officials choose everything—even who you marry—Cassia starts asking questions.
- Why it works: Slower than Hunger Games, but deeper emotionally. Great world-building.
- Who it’s for: Readers who prefer introspective dystopias.
7. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
- What it’s about: Juliette’s touch is lethal. The government wants to weaponize her.
- Why it works: A unique writing style that feels raw and real. Think Hunger Games with more emotion and less structure.
- Who it’s for: Fans of poetic prose and personal transformation.
8. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
- What it’s about: After four waves of alien attacks, Cassie is alone. And survival might mean trusting the enemy.
- Why it works: End-of-the-world tension, layered with internal conflict.
- Who it’s for: Readers who liked the bleak parts of Hunger Games and don’t mind aliens.
9. The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
- What it’s about: Girls are banished for a year to rid themselves of “magic.” Many don’t return.
- Why it works: Think Hunger Games meets The Handmaid’s Tale. Brutal, haunting, and fiercely feminist.
- Who it’s for: Readers who want to feel unsettled—in a good way.
10. Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
- What it’s about: On a planet ruled by brutal fate, two teens from rival nations form a bond.
- Why it works: Roth brings the same tension and pacing as Divergent, but in a deeper sci-fi world.
- Who it’s for: Fans of star-crossed loyalties and immersive world-building.
Who These Books Are For
- Teens and adults who want smart fiction that still moves fast
- Readers burned out on love triangles but still love a slow burn
- Anyone looking for the next page-turner that says something deeper about power, choice, and survival
Final Thoughts & Where to Start
If you loved The Hunger Games, you don’t want a clone. You want a feeling. That edge. That ache. That fire.
Start with Divergent or Legend if you want something familiar. Go for Scythe or The Grace Year if you want to push the genre a bit.
Each of these books brings something new to the table. None of them waste your time.
What book series should I read after The Hunger Games?
Start with Divergent, Legend, or Red Queen. They offer similar themes—rebellion, survival, and high-stakes decisions.
Are these books suitable for adults?
Yes. While many are categorized as YA, the themes, pacing, and depth appeal to adult readers too.
Do these books have strong female leads like Katniss?
Most of them do. Characters like Tris (Divergent) and Cassia (Matched) are just as compelling and complex.
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