In Battle Royale, the government takes teenagers from their normal lives and puts them into a frightening battle for survival on a remote island. The concept is brutal—the students must fight to the death, and only one survivor can emerge from the chaos.
The tale showcases human fear, survival instincts, and violence against a backdrop of government cruelty and desperation.
With its extreme competition and sharp social critique, the novel directly influenced books like The Hunger Games, becoming a must-read for anyone fascinated by dystopian worlds.
Divergent introduces readers to a society divided strictly into factions based on distinct personality traits. When teenagers turn sixteen, each faces the difficult choice of which faction to join—for life.
But when protagonist Tris discovers she doesn't fit neatly into any one category, her dangerous secret threatens the rigid social order. Like The Hunger Games, the novel blends action, courage, and rebellion.
It's a compelling portrayal of battling against oppressive systems, and how being different can be both dangerous and powerful.
In The Maze Runner, teenagers awaken in a strange place called the Glade. Surrounded by towering walls and a lethal maze that changes daily, they don't know why they're there or what awaits them beyond those walls.
Survival means leading dangerous expeditions, fighting creatures, and solving mysteries about who's controlling their fate. The story delivers adrenaline-pumping adventure and strong teamwork, echoing the fight-for-survival scenarios that made The Hunger Games a beloved read.
In Red Queen, society divides those with red blood from elites who have silver blood and supernatural abilities. Mare Barrow, a red-blooded girl, unexpectedly reveals powerful, impossible gifts—forcing her into the dangerous world of the Silvers.
As Mare navigates deception, politics, and betrayal, the simmering conflict and rebellion connect closely with the themes seen in The Hunger Games. Mare, much like Katniss, becomes a reluctant symbol of resistance in a desperate fight against oppression and injustice.
Set in a fractured, dystopian version of America separated by class and governed by a harsh regime, Legend tells the story of June and Day. She's a gifted military prodigy; he's a resourceful outlaw.
Although initially enemies, their paths intersect and uncover truths that shake their beliefs about the nation they live in.
Like The Hunger Games, this novel captures tense action, intriguing conspiracies, and strong characters who battle powerful injustices to change their world.
An Ember in the Ashes is set in a harsh empire controlled by brutal military leaders.
It follows Laia and Elias—she is a girl determined to free her brother, he a reluctant soldier at the empire's cruel academy—whose intertwined lives lead to dangerous political resistance and steps toward rebellion.
Filled with tension and complex narratives, the novel mirrors themes found in The Hunger Games, including deadly tests, injustice, and characters who rise courageously to dismantle oppressive regimes.
Scythe offers a distinctive take on a utopia where humans successfully eliminate disease, poverty, and death itself—resulting in population control becoming necessary.
Teenagers Citra and Rowan are chosen as apprentices by a respected scythe, yet soon realize the cost and corruption in becoming society's sanctioned arbiters of death.
Like The Hunger Games, it explores powerful themes, raising thought-provoking questions on morality and the burden of choosing who lives and who dies.
In The Fifth Wave, humanity has nearly vanished after a sudden, deadly alien invasion. Cassie Sullivan, determined and resourceful, must navigate horrifying dangers, mistrust, and struggle to save her younger brother.
Mixing the intensity of survival scenarios and rapid-paced action similar to The Hunger Games, this story explores vulnerability and resilience among young heroes forced to face impossible situations and fight back against overwhelming threats.
In Uglies, society pressures teens to undergo surgery at sixteen—to become uniformly "pretty." This ensures conformity and order, but some teens resist these restrictions, sparking awakening and rebellion.
The novel's powerful exploration of societal standards and enforced conformity, intertwined with teenage rebellion, strongly echoes The Hunger Games. It reveals what happens when characters choose freedom over a perfect but controlled existence.
In Gone, all adults suddenly vanish, leaving teenagers trapped beneath an impenetrable dome. Forced to forge their own society, these teens soon discover strange powers emerging among them. Alliances form, rivalries grow deadly, and survival becomes an extraordinary challenge.
Like The Hunger Games, it shifts to teens grappling with power dynamics, morality, and the emergence of heroes who confront frightening new realities and oppressive influences.
Graceling introduces readers to Katsa—a fearless heroine born with the supernatural gift, or "Grace," for killing. She serves as royal assassin, but resents her role and secretly rebels against oppressive rulers.
In a richly imagined fantasy world filled with intrigue, danger, and adventure, readers will appreciate the fierce young heroine reminiscent of Katniss. Both heroines confront cruelty, grapple with their identity, and find the strength to fight injustice.
Throne of Glass begins with Celaena Sardothien, a gifted young assassin, drawn into a deadly competition held by a ruthless king. Winning means freedom, losing could mean death.
Blending intrigue, action, and a mysterious magical element, Celaena's fierce spirit and fight echo Katniss Everdeen.
The competition itself, along with political maneuverings and startling twists, echo the tense drama of survival and rebellion that The Hunger Games readers will find familiar.
In The Grace Year, teenage girls face exile into a treacherous wilderness for a full year, forced to survive harsh nature and one another. The community believes the girls possess dangerous magic they must purge.
The suspenseful focus on female relationships, power dynamics, deception, and survival creates an atmosphere similar to Collins' haunting arena. Bravery and strength emerge in the face of internal and external threats, giving echoes of Katniss' own predicament and warrior heart.
Warcross immerses readers in a high-stakes virtual world championship where teenage hacker Emika Chen accidentally becomes famous after disrupting the games. Drawn into international intrigue, rigorous competition, and conspiracy, Emika faces risks both digital and real.
Its thrilling action, dynamic heroine, and vivid conspiracies recall the high tension and excitement of Katniss' saga, delivering gripping adventures and themes of corruption, bravery, and resistance against oppressive forces.
Children of Blood and Bone transports readers to the kingdom of Orïsha, where magic vanished due to oppressive rulers. Zélie, a spirited young heroine, embarks on a quest to restore magic to her people and end ruthless tyranny.
Like The Hunger Games, it showcases a defiant heroine facing overwhelming opposition, rising against injustice and oppression. Rich world-building, strong characters, and powerful resistance themes resonate closely with the emotional intensity found in Collins' famed series.