No one can deny the insurmountable popularity that The Hunger Games enjoys. As of 2023, there have been 100 million copies sold worldwide. But what about fans who have read the series and are hungry for more? For those of you having a difficult time moving on from the premise of the series, here’re ten recommendations that are sure to satisfy.
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
Battle Royale is a classic that predates The Hunger Games. It takes place in alternate history fascist Japan in a world where Japan won WWII. Following protagonist Shuya Nanahara, it’s about a group of students forced to kill each other on a remote location for the government’s military program.
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
The Games Gods Play is a cross between Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games. Every 100 years, Gods choose champions to fight for them in a bid to see who the next ruler of the gods will be. Lyra, cursed by Zeus, is chosen by none other than Hades in this challenge.
The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
Looking for something with a POC protag? The Blood Trials has you covered. After the assassination of her grandfather, Ikenna pursues revenge and answers in The Praetorian Trials. Only a quarter of the participants survive these trials, and on top of that, Ikenna must also navigate the racist and misogynistic society that she lives in while keeping her own powers a secret.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
In this interplanetary story, the protagonist, Darrow, and a group of people classified as reds, work the land of Mars to be livable for future generations. However, Darrow finds out that Mars has been livable for centuries, and that his people are being used as slave labor. In retaliation, Darrow disguises himself as an elite god and infiltrates them. Join Darrow as he passes various trials in order to gain freedom for the rest of the reds.
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
Cia’s only chance for a brighter future is the testing, an exam that certain people are chosen for in her dystopian society. Cia’s father had taken the test in his own youth, and warns her that the testing is more dangerous than it seems. Cia’s father doesn’t remember what happened during the testing exactly, but he has nightmares of being unable to save people from death and worse.
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
After the second civil war, The Heartland War, which was fought over abortion, ends, it is decreed that children between the ages of 13 and 18 could be unwound at the request of parents. This means that their organs can be taken for dissection and later use at Harvest Camps. The people rationalize this horrible decision by saying since 99% of the body is used, the children still live on.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Marie Lu spins a tale of fantasy with her novel that takes place after the blood fever. Blood fever has decimated all the adults who caught it, leaving marked child survivors behind. Upon realizing that family members and those close to the marked, or malfettos as they’re called, experience misfortune and death, malfettos become second class citizens, despite the magical abilities they gained. Adelina Amouteru is one such marked child, who accidentally murders her abusive father when her powers manifest. She must learn to gain control and escape persecution.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
In Portland, Maine, 2091, Lena lives in a society where love is viewed as a disease. At age 18, all citizens must undergo a surgery to permanently cure it. Those who don’t undergo the surgery live in what’s called the wilds, which is separated by an electric fence. The only problem is that Lena falls in love with Alex, who has not taken the cure and lives in the wilds, before her surgery. Lena must now make the choice to either proceed with the surgery, or to escape with Alex.
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
In a world where everyone can hear something called the noise, a culmination of everyone’s thoughts. On this New World, or alien planet, there was a war called the spackle where all women and most men were killed. The main character Todd discovers a spot of silence, where he discovers the first girl he’s ever seen, and who lacks noise.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
16-year-old Thomas wakes up with no memory outside of the maze, a government controlled area with no exit. Thomas and the other gladers, a new one coming every month, run the maze in order to find an exit. Everything changes when Teresa, the first girl, arrives with a note saying she’s the last one.
Whether you’re looking for another dystopian or something else, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone on this list. If you’re looking for more of that Hunger Games magic, you’re sure to find a book to curl up with here.
For lighter recommendations, check out this article.
For even more dystopian recs, check out our list here.
