Legend
by Marie Lu
About the Book
In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day and June live in worlds apart. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, June is a prodigy being groomed for success. Day is the country's most wanted criminal.
Why You'll Love It
'Legend' resonates with fans of The Hunger Games due to its portrayal of a corrupt, authoritarian regime and the fight for justice. Like Katniss, June and Day find themselves in a fight for freedom that challenges their beliefs, and their journey highlights the resilience and strength needed to combat oppressive systems.
Key Themes
Matched
by Ally Condie
About the Book
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
Why You'll Love It
With its themes of control, rebellion, and self-discovery, 'Matched' echoes the spirit of The Hunger Games. Cassia's journey to find her own identity against societal expectations mirrors Katniss's struggle to break free from the Capitol's control.
Key Themes
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
About the Book
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone. Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze.
Why You'll Love It
Similar to The Hunger Games, 'The Maze Runner' features young characters placed in a hostile environment where survival is uncertain. Both books emphasize camaraderie, strategy, and endurance as they explore the psychological toll of high-stakes environments and the drive to uncover hidden truths.
Key Themes
The Selection
by Kiera Cass
About the Book
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
Why You'll Love It
'The Selection' offers a unique blend of romance and dystopia, reminiscent of the societal divisions seen in The Hunger Games. Fans of Katniss's journey through a world defined by strict class systems will appreciate America's struggle to find her place in a divided society.
Key Themes
The 5th Wave
by Rick Yancey
About the Book
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them.
Why You'll Love It
Like The Hunger Games, 'The 5th Wave' focuses on a strong female protagonist in a high-stakes, survivalist scenario. Both Cassie and Katniss must navigate dangerous environments and form alliances to survive, creating a thrilling, emotionally charged reading experience.
Key Themes
The Giver
by Lois Lowry
About the Book
Jonas lives in a perfect world where war, pain, suffering, and choices have been eliminated. Everyone is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is chosen to become the new Receiver of Memory, and learns the terrible secrets behind his fragile community.
Why You'll Love It
For fans of The Hunger Games, 'The Giver' offers a different but equally compelling take on dystopia. Both stories explore the loss of personal freedom and the awakening of young protagonists to the flaws in their societies, providing thought-provoking commentary on control and individuality.
Key Themes
Divergent
by Veronica Roth
About the Book
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue. On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives.
Why You'll Love It
Fans of The Hunger Games will love 'Divergent' for its strong-willed female protagonist and the brutal challenges she faces. Both Katniss and Tris defy the constraints of their societies and must fight against systems designed to control them, creating a thrilling narrative of rebellion, survival, and self-discovery.
Key Themes
Red Rising
by Pierce Brown
About the Book
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago.
Why You'll Love It
Fans of The Hunger Games will find a familiar mix of rebellion and strategic plotting in 'Red Rising.' Both Katniss and Darrow must learn to play by their oppressors' rules to bring about change, leading to intense moments of danger, betrayal, and the courage to stand up against tyranny.
Key Themes
Scythe
by Neal Shusterman
About the Book
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Why You'll Love It
'Scythe' appeals to Hunger Games fans with its exploration of authority, ethical dilemmas, and rebellion against a flawed system. Like Katniss, the protagonists are forced to confront the darker aspects of their world and grapple with their own moral beliefs.
Key Themes
The Darkest Minds
by Alexandra Bracken
About the Book
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government 'rehabilitation camp.'
Why You'll Love It
With its themes of survival, government oppression, and the resilience of young characters, 'The Darkest Minds' captures the spirit of The Hunger Games. Like Katniss, Ruby faces a harsh world where survival is key, and she must use her wits and powers to navigate the dangers around her.
Key Themes
Your Next Dystopian Adventure Awaits
These gripping novels capture the same intensity, rebellion, and hope that made The Hunger Games so compelling. From authoritarian governments to survival competitions, each story explores the power of individuals to challenge oppressive systems and fight for freedom. Whether you're drawn to high-stakes action, complex moral dilemmas, or strong protagonists facing impossible odds, these recommendations will satisfy your craving for dystopian adventures that examine what it truly means to be human in a world gone wrong.