5 Books to Read After The Hunger Games

The Sunrise on the Reaping film adaptation, the latest prequel in The Hunger Games series, comes out in November, and we’re beyond excited. With its timely themes of oppression and violence as entertainment, and a laser focus on classism, The Hunger Games series continues to be a thought-provoking series for all.

While we anxiously await the latest film in the series, you may be looking for something to tide you over in the meantime. If you’re looking for other dystopian novels with similar, thought-provoking themes as The Hunger Games, these five books are for you.

1. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabba Tahir

Laia lives under the brutal Martial Empire. When her grandparents are murdered and her brother is arrested for treason, Laia teams up with the rebels to save her brother.

In return for saving her brother, Laia agrees to spy on Blackcliff, the Empire’s deadly military academy, fighting for her own survival while there.

Elias is the academy’s finest soldier — and the son of the Empire’s brutal Commandant. But Elias yearns for freedom from the totalitarian empire he lives under.

This ties Elias’ fate with Laia — in more ways than one.

An Ember in the Ashes is an excellent novel for both fantasy and dystopian fans. It blends oppressive government regime commentary and an exploration of popular dystopian novels with a richly built world based on Ancient Rome.

Sabaa Tahir is a masterful storyteller, detailing the brutality of the Empire. She also richly develops Elias and Laia as three-dimensional characters. If you’re looking for a great, thought-provoking novel, this one is for you.

2. Sword of the Seven Sins by Emily Colin

Eva lives in the totalitarian world of the Commonwealth, a world that punishes anyone who commits one of the Seven Deadly Sins. When she’s forced to work as an assassin, she finds herself inexplicably attracted to her mentor, Ari.

Loving is one of the deadly sins, yet Eva can’t deny her attraction to Ari, even as he enforces the very rule of the Commonwealth that she despises.

Ari, too, cannot hide his attraction to Eva, despite knowing what it would cost them. But they can’t deny their feelings for each other — and they may no longer be able to hide them.

Sword of the Seven Sins also blends a totalitarian government setting common in dystopian novels with magical elements reminiscent of fantasy. It excels in its clever use of the seven deadly sins concept by creating a brutal world that punishes engaging in one of the sins.

Another great strength of this novel is the character building. Eva and Ari feel like fully-realized humans, making it easy for you to root for them. They also have great chemistry.

If you’re into forbidden romance and want a provocative read like The Hunger Games, check out Sword of the Seven Sins.

3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Mare lives in a world with two types of blooded people: Silvers, the elites who have special abilities, and Reds, who society sees as common. As a poor Red, Mare spends her days stealing to support her family.

However, Mare’s life changes when she unleashes an ability she never knew she had in front of the royal family. Now, she finds herself thrown into court politics, a growing Red rebellion, and her growing feelings for two princes.

With its unique premise, Red Queen does an excellent job of blending fantasy with a chilling dystopian setting. There’s a real sense of danger among the court politics Mare encounters, making this an instant page-turner.

Red Queen also poses thought-provoking questions about classism, war ethics, and politics. Many characters feel morally gray, adding a layer of realness to the story.

If you enjoy your dystopia with a dash of romance and court intrigue, you’ll love Red Queen.

4. The Verdant Cage by Jess Lourey

Rose lives within the Wall in Noah’s Valley, a barrier that keeps the people safe from the outside world. She’s been told to never question the rules.

However, that all changes when her mother is murdered — and her brother is accused of killing her.

Now, Rose races to find her mother’s killer and prove her brother’s innocence. Along the way, she discovers secrets about the world she thought she knew.

An exciting dystopian novel, The Verdant Cage is reminiscent of the 2010s dystopian era, particularly The Hunger Games. It keeps you turning page after page with its thrilling murder mystery and the constant threat of danger lurking around.

With its short, fast-paced chapters and general excitement, The Verdant Cage has all the vibes of The Hunger Games.

5. Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

Inesa lives in a future ruled by Caerus, a large corporation that has accumulated power by encouraging its citizens to get into massive debt with Caerus.

When Inesa’s cruel mother wracks up too much debt, she sends Inesa to the Gauntlet, Caerus’ live-streamed assassination that also doubles as entertainment for the upper class.

Melinoë, one of Caerus’ assassins, has gone through extensive programming by Caerus to be the perfect killer for the Gauntlet. After her public breakdown from her past Gauntlet, she’s sent to kill Inesa to redeem herself.

However, neither Melinoë nor Inesa can deny their growing attraction.

This standalone dystopian novel touches on similar themes to The Hunger Games, including classism, violence as entertainment, and the indifference culture of the wealthy.

However, Fable for the End of the World also brings up topics The Hunger Games didn’t tackle. It expertly examines the insidiousness of debt and the culture of live-streaming. This makes it a slightly more modern take, keeping up with the times.

With its timely premise and sapphic romance, Fable for the End of the World is worth a read.

 

Have you read any of the books on this list? Let us know in the comments below!