2025 marks 17 years since Suzanne Collins introduced the world to the brutal arena of The Hunger Games and its defiant heroine, Katniss Everdeen. With a new prequel arriving soon, now's the perfect time to revisit the books that started it all.
Set in a dystopian society where children fight to the death, The Hunger Games ignited a YA phenomenon and inspired countless readers. If you're ready to dive back into Panem, or experience it for the first time, here's the perfect reading order. You can also explore our guides to The Hunger Games movies and similar books.
AnswerSee ResultsHow to Read the Hunger Games Books in Order
While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes precedes the original trilogy, understanding the context of the first three books enhances the prequel experience. We recommend reading the originals first for optimal enjoyment. However, for a strictly chronological journey, start with Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
### Includes All 4 Books Hunger Games Box Set
7See paperback and hardcover options.See it at Amazon
1. The Hunger Games
### The Hunger Games
0Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun...See it at Amazon
This groundbreaking YA novel launched the Hunger Games franchise. Inspired by a blend of war coverage and reality TV, Suzanne Collins crafted a gripping tale of children forced to fight for survival. It's a brutal yet captivating dystopian story that spawned countless imitators and a hugely successful film series.
Katniss Everdeen, a resourceful young woman from impoverished District 12, volunteers as tribute when her sister is selected for the annual Hunger Games. This perilous journey tests her survival skills and forces her to confront the Capitol's cruelty alongside Peeta Mellark, her fellow tribute.
2. Catching Fire
### Catching Fire
0Sparks are igniting. Flames are spreading. And the Capitol wants revenge. See it at Amazon
Following their improbable survival, Katniss and Peeta face even greater danger. Their defiance has ignited a rebellion, and President Snow seeks to crush it. Forced onto a Victory Tour, Katniss witnesses the growing unrest across Panem, further fueling the flames of resistance. This installment expands the world, introduces beloved characters like Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason, and delivers a shocking twist that reshapes the narrative.
3. Mockingjay
### Mockingjay
0My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.See it at Amazon
The climactic finale plunges Katniss into a full-scale war against the Capitol. As the face of the rebellion, she fights alongside allies to overthrow President Snow, but the path to freedom is fraught with peril and moral complexities. This installment offers a surprisingly realistic and somber conclusion to the original trilogy.
Note: The film adaptation of this book was split into two parts: Mockingjay – Part 1 and Part 2*.
4. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
### The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
0Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its priceSee it at Amazon
This prequel, set 64 years before the original trilogy, offers a glimpse into the origins of the Hunger Games and the rise of President Snow. While it can be enjoyed independently, prior knowledge of the original trilogy enhances the reading experience. The story follows young Coriolanus Snow as he mentors a tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, whose actions will forever shape the Games.
Will There Be More *Hunger Games* Books? --------------------------------------
Preorder the Next Novel### Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel)
48Release: March 18, 2025.$27.99 save 30%$19.59 at Amazon$27.99 save 32%$18.99 at Kindle
Suzanne Collins announced a new installment, Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel set 40 years after Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and 24 years before The Hunger Games. It will feature Haymitch Abernathy and the Second Quarter Quell. A film adaptation is planned for November 20, 2026.
Looking for more book recommendations? Check out our reading lists for Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, and Game of Thrones.
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