Fifteen years after Katniss Everdeen first stepped into the arena with her bow and a heart full of defiance, readers are still searching for that same pulse-pounding thrill. The Hunger Games didn’t just redefine young adult fiction—it ignited a cultural phenomenon that reshaped the landscape of dystopian storytelling. With the release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel that delves into President Snow’s chilling rise to power, fans old and new are once again immersed in the brutal, high-stakes world of Panem.
But once the final arrow has been loosed and the last page turned, the question remains: What’s next? For readers hungry for more adrenaline-fueled narratives, survival challenges, and rebellious underdogs, the world of YA literature offers a treasure trove of books like The Hunger Games. These stories capture the same electrifying blend of political intrigue, moral complexity, and emotional intensity that made Suzanne Collins’ trilogy a global sensation.
In this deep dive, we’ve curated 15 must-read YA dystopian and fantasy series that echo the themes, pacing, and emotional resonance of The Hunger Games. From magical competitions and oppressive regimes to forbidden romance and revolution, these books deliver everything fans love—sometimes with even higher stakes. Whether you’re drawn to futuristic sci-fi, mythologically rich fantasy, or psychological thrillers, this list has something for every reader seeking their next obsession.
And the best part? These aren’t just imitations—they’re original, powerful, and often groundbreaking stories that stand on their own while honoring the legacy of Katniss, Peeta, and the Capitol’s twisted games. Let’s step into the arena.
What Makes These Stories So Addictive?
To understand why readers are endlessly searching for books like The Hunger Games, we need to unpack what made the original trilogy so unforgettable. At its core, The Hunger Games is more than just a story about survival—it’s a searing critique of power, media manipulation, and systemic oppression, wrapped in a high-octane narrative that keeps readers breathless.
1. Survival Against Impossible Odds
The heart of The Hunger Games lies in its life-or-death competition. The annual Reaping, the brutal training, and the televised battle to the death create a relentless tension that mirrors real-world fears of inequality and exploitation. Readers are drawn to the primal stakes: every decision could mean survival or death. This theme resonates deeply in dystopian novels for teens, where protagonists must outwit, outfight, and outlast forces far beyond their control.
2. Oppressive Governments and Rebellion
Panem’s Capitol is the ultimate symbol of authoritarian control—lavish, manipulative, and utterly merciless. The districts suffer under its rule, and Katniss becomes the face of a growing resistance. This dynamic of oppressive regimes vs. grassroots rebellion is central to the genre. Readers are captivated by stories where teen protagonists ignite revolutions, challenging corrupt systems with courage and sacrifice.
3. Strong, Complex Protagonists (Especially Female Leads)
Katniss Everdeen redefined what a YA heroine could be: not perfect, not always likable, but fiercely loyal and morally grounded. She’s a hunter, a survivor, and a reluctant symbol of hope. This archetype has inspired a wave of YA books with strong female protagonists who are equally flawed, brave, and multidimensional. Whether they’re fighting in arenas, leading rebellions, or navigating magical conspiracies, these characters give readers someone to root for—and learn from.
4. Forbidden Romance and Emotional Stakes
While action drives the plot, it’s the emotional core—especially the forbidden romance and rebellion between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale—that keeps readers emotionally invested. The love triangle isn’t just drama; it’s a reflection of Katniss’s internal conflict between survival and humanity. Many of the best Hunger Games -like novels weave in romantic tension that feels earned, not forced, adding depth to the high-stakes world.
5. Moral Ambiguity and Psychological Depth
One of the trilogy’s most powerful aspects is its refusal to offer easy answers. Is violence ever justified? Can propaganda be used for good? What does it mean to win when you’ve lost everything? These moral dilemmas elevate the story beyond mere entertainment. Readers crave teen dystopian thrillers that challenge them to think critically about power, identity, and justice.
6. Fast Pacing and High-Stakes Challenges
From the moment the tributes enter the arena, the pacing never lets up. Cliffhangers, betrayals, and sudden twists keep readers glued to the page. This urgency is mirrored in futuristic survival games and magical competition stories, where every chapter feels like a countdown to disaster.
In short, books like The Hunger Games succeed because they blend action, emotion, and social commentary into a narrative that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking. Now, let’s explore the best novels that carry this torch forward.
15 Best Books Like The Hunger Games – The Ultimate List
1. An Ember in the Ashes Series by Sabaa Tahir
If The Hunger Games were remixed with Game of Thrones and Harry Potter, you’d get Sabaa Tahir’s explosive An Ember in the Ashes series. Set in a brutal, Roman-inspired empire, this quartet follows two teens on opposite sides of a violent power struggle: Laia, a Scholar slave desperate to save her brother, and Elias, a Martial soldier trained to serve the ruthless Commandant.
The story begins when Laia infiltrates the Empire’s elite military academy as a spy, while Elias dreams of escaping the life of violence he was born into. Their paths collide in a world where rebellion simmers beneath the surface, and every decision could mean death.
Series Info:
- An Ember in the Ashes (2015)
- A Torch Against the Night (2016)
- A Reaper at the Gates (2018)
- A Sky Beyond the Storm (2020)
With its rich world-building, heart-wrenching twists, and unflinching portrayal of injustice, this series is a must-read for fans of action-packed YA fantasy and YA novels with high-stakes challenges.
2. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
When Thomas wakes up in a metal elevator with no memory of who he is, he finds himself in the Glade—a walled compound surrounded by a shifting, deadly maze. The only way out? Solve the Maze. But the walls move every night, and the Grievers—mechanical monsters with stingers—hunt anyone who ventures too far.
This dystopian sci-fi thriller taps into the same primal fears as The Hunger Games: isolation, manipulation, and the fight for survival. Like the Capitol, the organization behind the Maze (WICKED) believes the ends justify the means, testing teens to find a cure for a global pandemic.
Series Info:
- The Maze Runner (2009)
- The Scorch Trials (2010)
- The Death Cure (2011)
- Prequels and spin-offs explore the origins of WICKED.
For readers who love sci-fi books similar to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner delivers relentless suspense and a mystery that unfolds layer by layer.
3. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Zélie Adebola once lived in a world where magic thrived. But when the monarchy slaughtered the maji and stripped magic from the people, her world turned to ash. Now, as a Reaper with latent powers, Zélie must fight to restore magic before the king erases it forever.
Tomi Adeyemi’s debut is a masterpiece of cultural mythology and social commentary, drawing from Yoruba traditions to create a world where oppression, identity, and resistance are woven into every spell.
Series Info:
- Children of Blood and Bone (2018)
- Children of Virtue and Vengeance (2019)
- Children of Anguish and Anarchy (2024)
This series is a standout among YA dystopian books that blend fantasy with real-world themes of racism, power, and resilience.
4. Legend Series by Marie Lu
In the Republic—a futuristic, militarized America—June is a prodigy from the elite class, while Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. When Day is accused of killing June’s brother, their paths collide in a story of propaganda, betrayal, and unexpected love.
Marie Lu’s trilogy is often called “The Hunger Games meets Divergent,” and for good reason. The Republic is a surveillance state where children are tested for intelligence, and those who fail are executed. The divide between rich and poor is extreme, and rebellion is inevitable.
Series Info:
- Legend (2011)
- Prodigy (2013)
- Champion (2013)
A best Hunger Games-like novel for readers who love YA series with political intrigue and fast-paced action.
5. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Mexican-Inspired Fantasy with Demigods and Deadly Tournaments:
Seventeen-year-old Teo, the trans son of the goddess of birds, is chosen to compete in the Sunbearer Trials—a magical tournament where eight semidioses battle to the death. The winner becomes the next Sunbearer; the losers become sacrifices.
Aiden Thomas, author of Cemetery Boys, blends LGBTQ+ representation, Aztec mythology, and high-stakes competition into a story that’s both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
Series Info:
- The Sunbearer Trials (2021)
- The Sunbearer Ascends (2023)
Perfect for fans of fantasy books with tournaments and YA reads for fans of dystopia.
6. Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
Years before The Hunger Games, Japanese author Koushun Takami wrote Battle Royale —a novel about a class of high school students forced to fight to the death on a remote island. Armed with random weapons, they have three days to kill each other until only one remains.
Suzanne Collins has acknowledged Battle Royale as an inspiration. The similarities are undeniable: teenagers in a death match, government control, and psychological horror.
Series Info:
- Battle Royale (1999, English translation 2003)
- Battle Royale II: Requiem (novelization of the film, 2003)
- Prequel Novel: Battle Royale: Angels’ Border (2003)
A must-read for mature audiences exploring the roots of the genre.
7. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
The Others attack Earth in waves: first, an electromagnetic pulse; then tsunamis, plagues, and finally, human infiltrators. Cassie Sullivan, a teenage girl with nothing left to lose, must survive the 5th Wave and save her younger brother.
Series Info:
- The 5th Wave (2013)
- The Infinite Sea (2014)
- The Last Star (2016)
A YA dystopian thriller that combines sci-fi and emotional depth.
8. This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson
In the kingdom of Arden, magic is outlawed—punishable by death. Yet for Mikira, a desperate young woman with nothing left to lose, it’s the only path to survival. When her father is imprisoned and sentenced to execution, Mikira sees only one way to save him: win the Illinir, a legendary cross-country horse race known as much for its glory as for its gruesome fatality rate.
Series Info:
This Dark Descent (2023)
Perfect for fans of dystopian novels for teens who crave originality, cultural depth, and heart-pounding suspense, This Dark Descent proves that the most dangerous arenas aren’t always made of stone and fire—they can be paved with secrets, spells, and sacrifice.
9. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Imagine a world where magic is real, rare, and ruthlessly guarded by a secret society. Now imagine being one of six brilliant young Medians —individuals with extraordinary magical abilities—invited to compete for a spot in the Atlas Institute, an elite organization that protects ancient knowledge and wields immense power. The prize? A lifetime of influence, wealth, and immortality. The catch? Only five will be chosen. One must be eliminated.
Welcome to The Atlas Six, the TikTok-viral dark academia thriller that took the book world by storm. Olivie Blake’s novel is a masterclass in tension, betrayal, and intellectual warfare, where the battlefield is not an arena, but a library—and the weapons are minds, magic, and moral compromise.
Series Info:
- The Atlas Six (2021)
- The Atlas Paradox (2022)
- The Atlas Complex (2023)
This trilogy is a best Hunger Games-like novel for readers who love futuristic survival games reimagined in a scholarly, magical context. It’s The Hunger Games meets The Secret History —a story where the deadliest weapon isn’t a bow or a sword, but knowledge.
10. Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
In the vibrant, magic-wired city-state of Castellane, power is everything—and survival is a gamble. Kel, an orphan stolen from the slums as a child, has spent his life as a “Sword Catcher”—a body double trained to take the place of the Prince in public appearances, absorbing any assassination attempts meant for him. His life is worth less than a breath, but his skills are unmatched.
When a near-fatal attack reveals a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government, Kel is pulled into a web of espionage, forbidden magic, and shifting alliances. Teaming up with Lin, a scholar from the provinces, he begins to uncover the truth: a secret society is manipulating the kingdom, using ancient magic to control the elite and destabilize the realm.
Series Info:
- Sword Catcher (2022)
- Chain of Iron (sequel in development)
Though marketed as adult fantasy, its themes of teen agency, survival, and rebellion make it highly accessible and appealing to YA dystopian books readers. It’s a sci-fi books similar to The Hunger Games in spirit, even if set in a secondary fantasy world.
11. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
If Katniss Everdeen traded her bow for a revolver and stepped into a sun-scorched desert ruled by djinn and ancient magic, she might look a lot like Amani Al’Hiza , the fierce protagonist of Alwyn Hamilton’s Rebel of the Sands . Set in the fictional desert nation of Miraji, this series blends YA dystopian books with Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy, creating a world where oppression, destiny, and rebellion collide in spectacular fashion.
Series Info:
- Rebel of the Sands (2016)
- Traitor to the Throne (2017)
- Hero at the Fall (2018)
This trilogy is a standout among action-packed YA fantasy series, offering not only thrilling battles and desert chases but also a deep exploration of freedom, self-worth, and the cost of war.
12. And I Darken by Kiersten White
Move over, Katniss—Lada Dragwlya is here, and she’s not interested in being a symbol. She wants blood. And I Darken, the first book in Kiersten White’s acclaimed trilogy, reimagines the legend of Vlad the Impaler as a fierce, unapologetically ruthless young woman raised in the Ottoman Empire. This is not a story of reluctant heroism; it’s a tale of ambition, vengeance, and the brutal realities of power.
Series Info:
- And I Darken (2016)
- Now I Rise (2017)
- Bright We Burn (2018)
This series is ideal for readers who loved the rebellion arcs in The Hunger Games but wanted a darker, more psychologically intense experience.
13. The Long Walk by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)
Before The Hunger Games, before Battle Royale, there was The Long Walk. Written under Stephen King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, this 1979 novel is a chilling, prescient vision of a totalitarian America where 100 teenage boys walk across the country in a government-sanctioned death march. The prize? Anything they want. The cost? Their lives.
Note: This book is not for younger readers. It’s darker, more violent, and emotionally devastating than typical YA dystopian books, making it better suited for mature teens and adults. But for those seeking the roots of the genre, The Long Walk is essential reading.
Though not marketed as YA at the time, its themes of teen protagonists facing impossible odds and government manipulation make it a powerful companion to The Hunger Games.
14. Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
When Mariko Oshiro’s convoy is ambushed by the Black Clan, she survives by disguising herself as a boy and infiltrating the very group that tried to kill her. What she finds is a world of secrets, honor, and forbidden romance —and a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of imperial power.
Series Info:
- Flame in the Mist (2017)
- Smoke in the Sun (2018)
This duology is a must-read for fans of fantasy books with tournaments and YA novels with high-stakes challenges, even if the arena is a palace instead of an arena. Ahdieh’s lush prose and deep cultural research elevate this beyond a simple adventure story, making it a rich, immersive experience.
15. Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza
In the far reaches of the galaxy, Rhee Ta’an is the last surviving heir of a powerful dynasty—until she’s publicly assassinated during a peace summit. But she survives, and now she’s on the run, hunted by those who want her dead. Meanwhile, Alyosha, a refugee turned celebrity, is framed for her murder and forced to flee as well.
Told in dual POV, Empress of a Thousand Skies is a space opera with the emotional depth of The Hunger Games and the media-savvy tension of modern politics. Rhee must reclaim her throne while battling public perception, while Aly struggles to clear his name and protect those he loves.
Series Info:
- Empress of a Thousand Skies (2017)
- Blood of a Thousand Stars (2018)
Though this duology didn’t receive the same mainstream attention as The Hunger Games, it’s a best Hunger Games-like novel for readers who love sci-fi books similar to The Hunger Games with a strong emotional core. Belleza weaves timely social commentary into her narrative, exploring issues of privilege, displacement, and the cost of power.
Keep the Fire Alive
The Hunger Games may have ended, but the fire of rebellion burns on in these 15 powerful, pulse-pounding series. From magical competitions to interstellar wars, these best Hunger Games-like novels prove that the genre is alive and evolving.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the world of YA dystopian books, there’s a story here waiting to ignite your imagination. So grab your bow, sharpen your sword, and step into the next arena.
Your Story Could Be the Next Arena. We’ll Help You Build It.
At Book Publishing LLC., we don’t just publish books—we launch movements. If your novel has a warrior like Katniss, a world like Panem, or a tournament more dangerous than the Sunbearer Trials, we’re here to help you bring it to life with professional editing, jaw-dropping covers, global distribution, and author branding that makes readers stop scrolling.
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