Now that we’ve all been blessed with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I think it’s safe to say that our collective Hunger Games phase is back and better than ever. I, for one, am thrilled to reminisce on the early 2010s — arguably some of the best years for pop culture. While a great way to relive this era is to rewatch the original movie trilogy and reread the books, what’s a girl to do next? Here are six book series for when you’re done with The Hunger Games and eager for another good read:
- The Maze Runner
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Okay, I’ll admit it: I actually liked The Maze Runner MORE than any other book series at the time. While Katniss is arguably a much cooler and more likable main character than Thomas, the rest of the characters are what really make the series shine. From the new, innovative worldbuilding to the found family trope, James Dashner’s writing has a special place in my heart. I’ll never forget when I read The Death Cure in class at age 14 and genuinely cried over how attached I was to the characters—and maybe you will be too!
- The Empyrean
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A newer (and unfinished) series, reading The Empyrean by Rebecca Yarros this past month felt like a breath of fresh air. Set at a war college where the students have to fight for their lives against the other students AND dragons, these books have made me feel closer to the vibes of The Hunger Games than I have for a long time. Violet is a strong female character whose unexpected strength lands her at the forefront of a rebellion (sound familiar?). Additionally, the love story between Violet and Xaden is one of the better romances I’ve read this year.
- The Raven Boys
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This is a little bit of a biased recommendation, considering The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater is genuinely one of my favorite series of all time. The plot is admittedly a little complicated, following a group of friends as they follow magical ley lines to seek the ghost of a mystical Welsh king. Between the unique plot, the gorgeous slow burn romance, and the magical writing, The Raven Boys is a series like no other (and it probably ruined all other books for me!).
- divergent
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I know this is maybe THE most obvious pick on the list. It feels like The Hunger Games’ spiritual successor in the YA dystopian genre, but the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth (and the films) is kind of iconic in its own right. If you’re a big Hunger Games fan and want something as close as possible to the originals, reading Divergent is probably your best bet. While I personally think it pales in comparison, they’re still a lot of fun to read.
- Throne of Glass
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I actually refused to read Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas for a while because I didn’t think I would enjoy the series, which was a big mistake. While the first book in the series follows an infamous assassin who finds herself fighting in a tournament for her own freedom, this series goes so many different ways and it’s pretty much impossible to predict what comes next. Prepare yourself for countless cliffhangers, carnage, and plot twists along the way while you fall in love with the main character, Celaena, and her entire crew.
- These Violent Delights
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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong might just have the coolest plot of the whole list. A Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai where the two main characters are heirs to rival gangs? As someone who is obsessed with Shakespeare retellings, I was hooked from the plot summary alone. If you’re looking for a star-crossed lovers story with as much emotional pull as Katniss and Peeta, look no further.
Whether you’re an avid reader in a slump or just someone looking to recreate the magic you felt during The Hunger Games, it’s hard to find something that will fill the void. Hopefully one of these book series will be your new favorite read. Few books released today have the cultural impact of The Hunger Games — but it’s nice to know that there are always more good books around the corner, if you know where to look.