The Hunger Games, a popular book series published over a decade ago, features a daring female lead and is packed with action, energy, and suspense. Written for a Teen and Young Adult audience, the books in this collection are similar yet unique, with some pushing the reader’s comfort zone.
The author of this article, an Amazon affiliate, provides personal recommendations for books in this genre. While half of the recommended books lack parent reviews, the author plans to rectify this in the future.
1. Wither
Wither is a novel set in a dystopian future where people know exactly when they will die. Men die at the age of twenty-five, and women die at twenty.
The society is structured in such a way that women are kidnapped and forced into marriage to prevent the human race from going extinct. Rhine, the protagonist, is one such woman who has been captured and forced into marriage. She does not love her husband and wants to be free before she dies.
The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world, and Rhine is constantly faced with impossible situations, where she has to figure out how to survive and protect those she loves. Her world is one where everyone is for themselves, and she has to navigate this dangerous environment to stay alive.
The book is filled with content that will keep readers engaged and interested. It is recommended to read reviews before picking up the book to ensure it is a good fit for the reader.
2. Stalking Jack the Ripper
Stalking Jack the Ripper is a horror mystery novel that centers around Audrey Rose Wadsworth, a seventeen-year-old girl who has a passion for dissection. Her uncle, a coroner, teaches her everything she wants to know about the field. The story takes place during the time of Jack the Ripper, and Audrey and her uncle work together to solve the case using early forensics. However, things take a turn when her uncle becomes a suspect and is imprisoned, leaving Audrey to solve the mystery on her own.
The book is a great fit for those who enjoy NCIS or other detective murder mystery books. It features a strong female lead character, Audrey, who is independent and fiercely protective of her family. The story keeps the reader engaged and on their toes throughout. The book is recommended for grades 7-12 and has a PG-13 rating.
3. Three Dark Crowns
In the kingdom of Fennbirn, every generation the queen gives birth to triplet girls who are born with magic and are equal heirs to the throne. Mirabella, Katharine, and Arsinoe are the latest set of triplets, each with their own unique magical abilities. Mirabella is an elemental, able to create flames and storms with a wave of her hand. Katharine is a poisoner, able to ingest the deadliest poisons without any consequences. Arsinoe, a naturalist, can make flowers bloom in her palm and control the fiercest animals.
On their sixteenth birthday, the three sisters must fight to the death to determine who will become the queen. This is a battle they have been training for their entire lives. The book, “Three Dark Crowns,” has strong similarities to “The Hunger Games” with its violent and deadly competition. However, the addition of magical and political elements adds a new dimension to the struggle.
In addition to fighting for the crown, the sisters must also choose from the same pool of potential husbands. The book is rated PG-13 due to its level of violence and some language. Overall, “Three Dark Crowns” is a thrilling and intense read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they follow the sisters’ journey to the throne.
4. Everless
Jules, the protagonist of the story, lives in a small village called Crofton with her father. She becomes intrigued by a rumor that the Gerling family, one of the ruling families, is hiring servants for the upcoming Queen’s visit. Despite her father’s warning about the Gerlings, Jules decides to apply for the job and ends up serving her enemies at Everless.
Everless is not a utopian society, and the story does not follow conventional norms. The currency used in Everless is unique, and the story will keep readers guessing. Jules finds herself in a dangerous situation and realizes that her decisions hold much more weight than she initially thought. The entire fate of time itself rests in her hands.
Throughout the story, Jules learns the meaning of friendship and how to survive in a cruel world. The book is not necessarily dystopian, but it does have its own unique challenges and conflicts.
5. Illuminae
In Illuminae, the protagonists Ezra and Kady find themselves in a desperate situation after breaking up just three hours before. They must work together to escape from the genocide being carried out by BeiTech Industries and flee to safety.
Despite being in space, the danger still follows them, as they are pursued by an enemy dreadnaught. Their goal is to survive the nine-month journey to the jump station and bring BeiTech to justice.
This book is not for the faint of heart, as it features a zombie apocalypse, mass genocide, and an insane AI holding thousands of people hostage. Due to the violence and language, it is recommended for older teens and adults.
Although it is not set in a dystopian society, the female lead overcomes insurmountable odds to save those she loves. The themes of the book are explored in-depth in a review that delves into the violence and other elements of the story.
6. The Selection
Thirty-five girls have been chosen to compete for the heart of the prince in a reality TV show called The Selection. This competition is different from other love stories as it is full of drama but low on pettiness. The girls are brought to the palace, where they are surrounded by luxurious gowns and jewels.
For America Singer, one of the selected girls, this opportunity is her worst nightmare. She has to leave her secret love and her home to participate in the competition. Moreover, she doesn’t want to live in a castle that is under attack from a rebellion. However, after meeting Prince Maxon, America starts to question all the dreams she had and wonders if she can have a future that she never even imagined.
Even though America doesn’t want to participate in the competition, her family needs the compensation given for her participation. The Selection is not a typical love story, and their story doesn’t end at the end of the first book. There are two more books that follow America and Maxon’s story, namely The Elite and The One.
7. An Enchantment of Ravens
An Enchantment of Ravens is a captivating and original story that will keep readers engaged. The story follows Isobel, a talented portrait artist who works for dangerous clients, most of whom are fair folk unable to create anything on their own.
Isobel makes a grave mistake while working on her first royal commission, painting Prince Rook with a weakness that could cost him his life. To make things right, she embarks on a journey into the land of the fae with the Prince.
The book is not a typical instant love story, but it is full of high adrenaline chase scenes and intense kissing scenes. An Enchantment of Ravens is a fresh read that breathes new life into the world of fantasy. It is recommended for readers in grades 7 and up.
8. Little White Lies
In the novel, “Little White Lies,” Sawyer Taft, an 18-year-old car mechanic, unexpectedly receives a proposal from her estranged grandmother. Her grandmother offers her a six-figure contract to participate in the debutante season, which Sawyer accepts to get closer to solving the mystery of her father’s identity. This leads her to the world of high society, where she experiences makeovers, expensive dresses, and a lot of “bless your hearts.”
As Sawyer gains new friends, she discovers that everyone has secrets hidden in their closet. While she tries to uncover the mystery of her origin, she faces resistance from the people around her. The book features four independent female leads and is full of twists and turns that will keep the reader on their toes.
The topic of conception is mentioned a few times in the book as Sawyer searches for her biological father. The story is slowly revealed, making it an engaging read for young adults and teens who love drama and are ready for a soap opera.
9. Grave Mercy
Grave Mercy is a thrilling novel that follows the story of Ismae, a seventeen-year-old girl who escapes from a life of brutality and an arranged marriage to find refuge in the convent of St. Mortain.
Ismae discovers that she has been blessed by the god of Death with unique abilities that enable her to see where death will strike and make her immune to poisons. She undergoes rigorous training to become an assassin at the convent dedicated to Death, where her destiny is to serve as a handmaiden to Death.
Ismae’s first assignment takes her to the high court of Brittany, where she poses as a mistress to the mysterious Gavriel Duval. However, Ismae soon realizes that she is not prepared for the deadly games of love and intrigue that she is forced to play or the possibility of having to kill the one she loves.
The novel features an exciting and no-nonsense female lead who is thrown into a world of violence and destruction. Ismae’s adventure is full of self-discovery, and her motives change as she navigates the treacherous political landscape of the high court of Brittany. Ismae is quick-witted and just as deadly as Katniss in The Hunger Games.
10. Cinder
Cinder is the lead character in the Lunar Chronicles series, a science fiction retelling of classic fairy tales. She is a skilled mechanic working in New Beijing, a thousand years in the future.
Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Prince Kai, who seeks her help in repairing his android assistant. As they spend more time together, their friendship deepens, but political tensions and a deadly plague threaten to tear them apart.
Cinder is a strong and relatable female character who must navigate a complex world of politics and conspiracies. Her relationship with Prince Kai adds an extra layer of drama to the story. The novel is recommended for ages 13 and up due to mild language during moments of duress.
11. Graceling
Graceling is a young adult novel written by Kristin Cashore that follows the story of Katsa, a girl with a Grace for killing, in a world where select individuals possess unique skills known as Graces.
Katsa is the niece of the most powerful ruler in the land and works as his thug, but at sixteen, she decides to take on secret missions to thwart the five power-hungry kings. Throughout her adventures, Katsa struggles with love and fights against the system to make her world a better place.
Similar to Katniss from The Hunger Games, Katsa is a strong female character who challenges the status quo and fights for what she believes in. Graceling is recommended for readers in grades 7 and up, with a PG-13 rating for fighting and violence. Although it contains less violence than The Hunger Games, the book is still action-packed and full of adventure.
In Graceling, readers will follow Katsa’s journey as she discovers her true Grace and uncovers a secret that could potentially destroy all seven kingdoms with only words. With its powerful protagonist and thrilling plot, Graceling is a must-read for fans of young adult literature.
12. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a captivating novel that tells the story of Jacob, who travels to a remote island in Wales to find the ruins of an orphanage that his grandfather talked about before his death. The novel is a unique blend of different genres, including historical fiction, horror, mystery, suspense, and science fiction.
The cover of the book may give the impression that the story is dark and mysterious, but there is much more to it than that. As Jacob explores the abandoned home, he discovers that the children who lived there may be more than just peculiar, and they may still be alive. The book is suitable for grades 7-12 and contains no adult content. However, there is quite a bit of language, though not too terrible (PG-13) but still quite a bit.
13. City of Bones
City of Bones is the first book in a six-book series that follows the story of Clary Fray, a fifteen-year-old girl who witnesses a murder committed by teenagers covered in tattoos and wielding strange weapons.
The mystery deepens when the body disappears without a trace. Clary is soon pulled into the world of Shadowhunters, warriors tasked with getting rid of demons on earth, after her mother is kidnapped and she is attacked by a demon.
Set in modern-day New York, City of Bones features a determined protagonist who is willing to do anything to protect her mother. Clary teams up with unlikely allies to unravel the mystery behind the demon attacks and the interest in her and her mother. The book is rated for grades 10+ due to the amount of fantasy violence and a few intense kisses.
The book’s modern-day setting adds a unique twist to the story, making it stand out from other dystopian novels. Clary’s character is well-developed, with her strength and determination shining through in the face of danger. The plot is fast-paced and full of action, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end.
14. The Thief
Gen is a skilled thief who is approached by the King’s scholar, the Magus, to embark on a secret mission to steal an ancient treasure guarded by the Gods. However, there is a dilemma as Gen doesn’t believe in the Gods, making his task even more challenging. The Thief is a captivating novel that blends fantasy and epic journey, following Gen’s struggles and moral dilemmas as he tries to beat the broken system.
Similar to Katniss from The Hunger Games, Gen faces insurmountable challenges and has to rely on his quick thinking to solve complex problems. While the book isn’t as violent as The Hunger Games, there is still some fighting involved. The Thief is an ideal book for children in grades 4 and above, offering a perfect balance of adventure, action, and moral struggles.
15. Mistborn: The Final Empire
The Final Empire is the first book in the Mistborn series, set in a fantasy world that has been ruled by a tyrant emperor for over a thousand years. The sun has not been seen since the emperor’s rise, and ash constantly falls from the sky, making food scarce. The story follows Vin, a young Allomancer who possesses the ability to use metal magic.
Vin and her mentor, Kelsier, infiltrate the high society by pretending to be nobility to bring down the broken system and restore justice. Vin must learn how to behave like a lady to fit in and gather information. The book is similar to The Hunger Games, with its themes of overthrowing the government and action-packed scenes.
Vin is the secret weapon that will help them overthrow the emperor, but she must learn how to play nice. The Final Empire is recommended for Grades 7+ due to the violence and language used by certain characters.
16. A Kiss of Deception
In the book “A Kiss of Deception,” Princess Lia flees from her political match on the way to the altar, not realizing that she has two people on her trail. One is a jilted prince determined to find his would-be bride, while the other is an assassin sent to kill the princess in “an accident.” Both begin the dangerous game of courting her and attempting to win her heart, but can she uncover their true identities before it’s too late?
Despite initially appearing as a helpless princess, Lia learns to take care of herself as the story progresses. In later books, she becomes a symbol of change, similar to Katniss in The Hunger Games. It is recommended to read all three books in the trilogy before starting, and “A Kiss of Deception” is targeted towards teenagers and young adults.
17. Uglies
Uglies is a dystopian novel that is considered to be the pioneer of the dystopian trend. The book follows the story of Tally, a girl who is about to turn sixteen and is eagerly waiting for her operation that will transform her from an unattractive “Ugly” to a beautiful “Pretty.” In this post-apocalyptic world, being a Pretty means living a life of endless parties and fun without any responsibilities.
Tally’s best friend Shay, however, is not sure if she wants to become a Pretty and runs away before her operation. The authorities then give Tally an ultimatum: either she finds Shay and brings her back, or she will never become a Pretty.
The book explores themes of responsibility, plastic surgery, and authoritative pressure. It is a perfect read for fans of The Hunger Games and is recommended for grades 7 and above.
The novel is the first of four books that follow Tally’s journey and is set in a world where science and selfishness are used for the government’s benefit. Although there is some kissing and a small amount of violence at the end, the book is a thought-provoking read that challenges the reader’s perception of beauty and societal norms.
Summary
For fans of The Hunger Games, there are plenty of books out there that offer a similar reading experience. From dystopian societies to strong female protagonists, these 20 books are sure to satisfy Hunger Games fans. Some notable titles include “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, “Red Rising” by Pierce Brown, and “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner. With a variety of genres and themes, there’s something for everyone on this list.