If the high-stakes thrills, fierce heroines, and dystopian drama of The Hunger Games left you wanting more, you’re not alone. Suzanne Collins’ gripping trilogy redefined young adult fiction, setting the standard for stories with rebellion, survival, and deeply flawed futures. Thankfully, there are other books that echo its energy while carving out bold new territory. Whether you’re after revolution, emotional resilience, or twisted governments, these five novels will pull you right back into that pulse-pounding world you’ve been missing.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In a world divided by the color of blood—silver for the elite with superhuman abilities, red for the powerless—Mare Barrow is an anomaly. Though she bleeds red, she possesses a deadly power usually reserved for silvers. To cover it up, the ruling class hides her in plain sight, forcing her to live as a long-lost Silver princess. But Mare isn’t about to play by their rules. With political games, a love triangle that keeps you guessing, and a protagonist who evolves from pawn to player, Red Queen captures the spirit of The Hunger Games while introducing a new, electricity-charged world.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Tris Prior lives in a fractured society where everyone must choose a faction that defines their entire future. When she discovers she doesn’t fit neatly into any one category, she becomes a threat to the social order. Much like Katniss, Tris must learn to survive in a system built on control while uncovering deep government secrets. Packed with action, intense training sequences, and a growing rebellion, Divergent is a gripping ride that explores identity, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Legend by Marie Lu
In the Republic—a militarized future version of the United States—two teenagers are caught on opposite sides of the law. June is a prodigy of the ruling elite, while Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. Their paths collide when June is assigned to hunt him down, only to uncover disturbing truths about her government and her own family. The dual perspectives in Legend add emotional depth and make the tension crackle. It’s a gritty and fast-paced tale of justice, betrayal, and revolution.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
In this chilling and haunting novel, girls in Garner County are banished for their “grace year,” a ritual intended to purge them of dangerous magic before they return to be wives. Sixteen-year-old Tierney James enters this cruel exile only to find that the real danger isn’t magic, but the brutality of the other girls and the twisted system that created it. With a blend of Lord of the Flies and The Handmaid’s Tale,The Grace Year mirrors the isolation and rebellion found in The Hunger Games, wrapped in an atmosphere of eerie suspense.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
In a world where death has been conquered, a group of individuals known as Scythes are tasked with population control through “gleaning.” Citra and Rowan are chosen as apprentices, but only one can ultimately become a Scythe—and the other must die. This imaginative premise offers a fresh take on dystopia, replacing war with moral dilemmas and ethical quandaries. Scythe explores questions of power, justice, and mortality with the same urgency and complexity that made The Hunger Games so compelling.
These five books offer gripping tales of dystopian futures, courageous characters, and high-stakes rebellion.
