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Home » Books » Library Finds » If You Liked The Hunger Games: 5 Other Dystopian Novels to Try
books for those who liked hunger games series
November 11, 2011

If You Liked The Hunger Games: 5 Other Dystopian Novels to Try

From the Kitchen of Katie Kick

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This year I’ve been hooked on Young Adult books. Particularly of the dystopian novels variety. Blame it on The Hunger Games. After devouring the trilogy in less than a week, and far too many very late nights I had one thing on my mind: Where can I get more? I want more books like The Hunger Games!

I scoured Goodreads for related titles so I could find a few new dystopian novels to get my hands on. I found a few (summarized below) that sounded promising and checked them out from the library. Here are some of my picks for fans of The Hunger Games. I read a few others, but these were my favorite recommendations of what I’ve read so far.

Luckily, all of these books are the first in a new series with multiple books queued up for publication in the next year or two, so you’ll have plenty to read. I have the sequel to Matched on hold at the library since it just came out this month. Can’t wait till it’s my turn!

If You Liked The Hunger Games: 5 Other Dystopian Novels to Try

DELIRIUM

Published 2011 by Lauren Oliver

Find Delirium on Amazon

delirium cover image

In Lena’s world love is a disease. There was a time, before the cure, that people thought love was a good thing. Now they know that a life without love is a life without pain. It is safe, predictably, and happy.

Now that scientists have eradicated love, Lena’s government requires all citizens to receive the cure to deliria before turning eighteen. Lena tries not to think about her mother’s last words to her (the forbidden “I love you”) or the rumors of a community of  uncured “invalids” beyond her Portland, Maine, border.

What’s the point? She believes that the government knows what’s best. That is until ninety-five days before receiving the cure, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. Look for part two, entitled  Pandemonium, early spring 2012.

DIVERGENT

Published 2011 by Veronica Roth

Find Divergent on Amazon

divergent cover image

Society is split into five factions — Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent) — each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, in the attempt to form a “perfect society.”

Upon turning sixteen, individuals must choose the faction which they will devote their lives. Beatrice “Tris” Prior makes the difficult choice to leave her family’s group and pursue another faction, a choice that surprises even herself.

After surviving the brutal initiation of the Dauntless faction, Tris discovers the brewing unrest and conflict beneath what should be the “perfect society.”

Tris bands together with others in the  Dauntless faction. Their mission: to uncover the truths about their identities, their families, and the order of their society itself. Look for part two, entitled Insurgent, late spring 2012.

Enclave

published 2011 by Ann Aguirre

Find Enclave on Amazon

enclave cover image

Deuce lives in an apocalyptic world where people earn the right to bear a name only if they’ve survived the first fifteen years.  By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups-Breeders, Builders, or Hunters.

The purpose of a huntress is clear–to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks.

Finally becoming a huntress as she’s dreamed of her whole life, Deuce is caught off guard by a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. Deuce’s troubles are just beginning when the mysterious Fade is assigned as her hunting partner.

Deuce quickly learns that Fade doesn’t like following orders and deviation from the society’s world results in harsh punishment. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their home, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth.

Book two, entitled Outpost, will release fall 2012.

MATCHED

published 2010 by Ally Condie

Find Matched on Amazon.

matched cover image

Cassia grows up in a world where nothing is left to chance. The Society calculates each choice for her – what she will eat, her future job, and her husband – thus removing “user error” from the equation.

Every choice is optimized for the best possible results and no one questions this method, until there’s a mistake in Cassia’s Match for husband. When she plugs in her microchip two faces are revealed rather than one: her lifelong best friend and another boy.

Does she follow The Society’s plan for her or rebel against their predetermined life to seek her own path? Book two, entitled Crossed, was released November 2, 2011.

WITHER

published 2011 by Lauren DeStefano

Find Wither on Amazon.

wither cover image

Rhine Ellery lives in a world destroyed by  genetic engineering. After scientists attempt at perfecting humanity by ridding the world of disease, cancer, and illness is proved a failure, the lives of future generations have literally becoming a ticking time bomb.

Men live to age 25 and women only to 20. In order to preserve the human population in their poverty-stricken world, girls are shipped off as young as 13 to marry and have children with eager husbands – some so eager they go to the extreme of kidnapping their future brides.

For Rhine life means being thrust into a posh life with Linden Ashby against her will. Though she lives in a gorgeous Florida mansion with her two sister wives and is treated like royalty, she longs to escape back to reality with her twin brother. Look for book two, entitled Fever, in February 2012.

What Young Adult Dystopian novels have you enjoyed?

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Meet Katie Kick

My lifelong interest in cooking has shown me that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. I love trying new foods, discovering new places & things that help my family live the good life.

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Updated: January 23, 2020

Reader Interactions

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  1. Shaelene Araguz says

    June 28, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Life as We Knew It is an amazing trilogy concering an astroid hitting the moon and sending Miranda’s life spirling out of her usual and normal life. Now she is forced to suvive natrural diasters and food famine while losing friends and holding onto the ones she finds most dear. I couldn’t put the book down, I seriously recommend all three books. The Dead and Gone and This World We Life In.

    Reply
  2. Amanda says

    June 27, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    I have read and recommend:
    * Wither trilogy 2/3 books released to date
    * Hunger Games trilogy 3/3 books released to date
    * Divergent trilogy (personal fav) 2/3 books released to date
    * Delirium trilogy 2/3 books released to date
    * Matched trilogy 2/3 books released to date
    * Eve trilogy 2/3 books released to date (2nd book release date 7-3-12)
    * The Selection trilogy 1/3 books released to date
    I heard the book The Forest of Hands and Teeth was good so we shall see…
    I need more with romance in it !!!!! I loved Twilight but right now I’m on dystopian romance not vampires or zombies …. Any other suggestions?!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      August 8, 2012 at 9:03 AM

      ****** UPDATE******
      I read these books and recommend too:
      * The Forest of Hands and Teeth
      * Hush Hush series (not dystopian)
      * Inside Out Series——- amazing book great love story
      * Enclave——- amazing book great love story
      * Shatter Me —- amazing book great love story
      I’m about to read:
      * The Forever Contract
      * Human .4
      * Across the Universe
      * The Compound
      * Legend
      * Uglies
      *The Declaration
      * Candor
      * Providence trilogy
      *Feed
      * Gone series
      I will update to let y’all know!!!! If you have any suggestions let me know!!!! Thanx

      Reply
    • Amanda says

      August 8, 2012 at 9:08 AM

      Oh yea the book Water Wars was good too !!

      Reply
  3. Kassie says

    June 13, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    The Divergent books are literally the best books I have ever read. I used to think that about Twilight, then Harry Potter took over, then The Hunger Games, but now I think this series is definately my favorite. It is just irritating that the third book hasn’t come out yet, and isn’t coming out until next year, she left a huge gap in the second book and I just want to know what is going to happen!

    Reply
  4. Christi says

    June 13, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    Thank you so much for the suggestions. I read all 3 Hunger Games books in under 2 days and the first 2 Divergent books in less than a day. My local library has an awful time keeping up with my reading and since I have read every YA book they have, the library has started requesting from other cities and even other states.

    Reply
  5. Jes says

    June 12, 2012 at 1:48 PM

    I loved the hunger games! Ship Breaker is another book close to hunger games.

    Reply
  6. christine hedley says

    June 8, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    Thanks for the list i am a 30 year old mother of two but im hooked on these books heres a list of what ive read so far and enjoyed.
    Hunger games trilogy
    The night world series
    Secret circle series
    Vampire diaries ( first 4 are amazing the rest are torture so dont bother)
    hush hush series (4th one out in oct, this is one of my all time faves)
    Fallen (4th one out this month, loved this)
    And last but definately not least my absolute favourite series bar twilight and hunger games is the mortal instruments series the only down side is book 6 isnt out until 2014 and i want MORE!!!!!!!
    Im about to start delirium then ill give divergent a go then move down this list!
    Thanks again
    😉

    Reply
  7. Tara says

    June 3, 2012 at 1:02 AM

    I just finished the last book of the hunger games and I must say it has taken over my brain. Cried so hard at the end of mocking jay! The movie was terrible compared to the book but I’m glad it’s gotten so popular because now more people will check out the books. I’m 32 by the way, a mom and career woman but these young adult books will stay with me forever. Thanks for the recommendations I will try them out. Oh love and loss and the horrors of war, thank you Hunger Games.

    Reply
  8. Kim says

    May 16, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    I highly recommend “The Uglies” series. I loved Divergent & Insurgent, Hunger Games, Birthmarked and Prized, Empty, Matched & Crossed, and many other books and I am currently hooked on “The Uglies.”

    Reply
  9. Amanda says

    May 11, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    The books I have read so far:
    The Hunger Games Trilogy- great books although Katniss frustrates me. Loved Peeta though!! Well written and it stays interesting up until the third book… I forced myself to read that book only to see who she ended up with!

    Divergent & Insurgent- LOVE it!!! Trus & Tobias “four” are amazing! For once I don’t dislike the female character!!! Great love story and action!!!!! Can’t wait for book 3 next year 🙂

    Wither & Fever- I enjoyed it a lot too … The idea is so weird but interesting!! I’m looking foward to the final book for the ending!!

    Delirium & Pandemonium- Love them too!! The ending of the 2nd book really left me mad… Really I don’t want to wait a year to find out who she picks 🙁 tell me now!!!!

    Matched & Crossed- great concept and matched was great but crossed felt like a filler book. Looking foward to the last for the ending!

    The Maze Runner- this book gives me a headache so I stopped reading it. Your constantly trying to figure out whose talking and what’s going on. I wouldn’t recommend.

    Does anyone have any other suggestions on good ya dystopian books?! I need a new one!!!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      May 16, 2012 at 9:35 AM

      Try “The Uglies” quartet. I like all the ones you said and am HOOKED on The Uglies right now.

      Reply
  10. Wallywork says

    May 10, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    I absolutely loved the Hunger Games with Peeta and all that jazz. But Divergent got me hooked. I read that book in no time. I was crazed wondering what will happen to Tris and Tobias “Four” through the perils of the 5 factions. I read Insurgent and it was a good book, I will admit some parts were a little hard to understand. I really like how Tris and Tobias are still together. It’s nice to have a couple that will hopefully have no other people involved. Life is in shambles, so lets hope it doesn’t involve another love interest.

    Matched: was extremely boring and unrealistic. There was no desire to read into Ky and Cassia’s journey. It was them just hiking and that’s it.

    The Maze Runner: Was terribly written, at least I thought. I couldn’t understand who was talking and what exactly was going on. A cool idea but not well preformed.

    Delerium and Pandemonium: Delerium was way better than Pandemonium but Pandemoniums ending was cray cray!

    I’ve read the Giver, and that was alright.
    Any other good suggestions?

    Reply
    • Kim says

      May 16, 2012 at 9:37 AM

      Empty is a good one, a little scary to think it could happen.
      You won’t be disappointed with Insurgent (Follow-up to Divergent).
      I enjoyed Birthmarked (and it’s follow-up Prized).

      Happy Reading!

      Reply
    • Kassie says

      June 13, 2012 at 7:14 PM

      I have a feeling that someone else will show up in the third book of the Divergent series, I just have a feeling, but it will make me SO upset! I love the love story and having someone else ruin it would ruin the whole book!

      Reply
    • Katie says

      October 30, 2012 at 11:07 AM

      more recommendations here: http://www.goodlifeeats.com/books/if-you-liked-the-hunger-games-5-more-dystopian-novels-to-try-part-2

      Reply
  11. Emily S. says

    April 30, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    Divergent beats the Hunger games in so many ways!!!! I mean, I still love te hunger games, but really? Calling people lucky to be able to go to the Capitol to kill a bunch of other kids that are probably younger than you? That is really weird, you have to admit! I really want to play the part of tris in the newest movie!!!!!!!

    Reply
  12. falicia says

    April 15, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    Divergent is wwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy better than the hunger games!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      July 17, 2012 at 9:45 AM

      I TOTALLY agree, although I did fall for Peeta too, lol!

      Reply
  13. apg says

    April 13, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    You should read The Giver by Lois Lowry.

    Reply
  14. Kayla says

    April 11, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    Hi im 13and love to read i finished all 3 Hunger game book in about 4 day and i just finished divergence i cant for the next one to comeoit in may…i put all the other books u suggested on my list (: Thx! Cant wait to download them on my Kindle

    If you have anyother books like The Hunger Games or Divergence tell me

    Reply
    • Kim says

      May 16, 2012 at 9:38 AM

      Try Matched and Crossed by Allie Condie.
      I also recommend The Uglies (series of 4 books).
      Birthmarked (and follow-up Prized) are also good.

      Happy reading!

      Reply
  15. maddy says

    April 6, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    well,i have read the hunger games and it is the best series ever in my opinion.i will try divergent i guess it sounds good atleast!btw i love love love peeta!can u recommend something with romance like the hunger games?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      May 11, 2012 at 8:11 AM

      Divergent has a great romance story in it as well as delirium!!!

      Reply
  16. Thuy says

    February 29, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    I loved the hunger games. I also loved the Birthmarked series. It’s very similar to the hunger games. Divergent was good and matched was good also. I am looking forward to reading some of the books you guys have recommened. But I loved the birthmarked series as much as the hunger games! IT was a very good read, I was hooked and I can’t wait till the next book comes out!

    Reply
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Meet Katie Kick

Hi, I’m Katie! Thank you so much for visiting my corner of the internet. I am passionate about cooking delicious and beautiful, yet accessible, food for my family and friends. I love tasting new foods, discovering new places and things that help my family live that good life.

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