2025 marks 17 years since Suzanne Collins introduced the world to the brutal landscape 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 reading order: You can also find 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 original three books enriches the prequel experience. We recommend reading the originals first for optimal enjoyment. However, for a strictly chronological journey through Panem, 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 created a captivating story of children forced to fight for survival. It's a brutal yet compelling entry into the dystopian genre, spawning countless imitators and a hugely successful film series.
Katniss Everdeen, a young woman from impoverished District 12, struggles to provide for her family. When her sister is selected for the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers, embarking on a harrowing journey of survival. Alongside Peeta Mellark, she must outwit both competitors and the tyrannical Capitol.
2. Catching Fire
### Catching Fire
0Sparks are igniting. Flames are spreading. And the Capitol wants revenge. See it at Amazon
Following their miraculous survival, Katniss and Peeta face even greater danger. Their defiance has ignited rebellion across Panem, and President Snow seeks retribution. Forced onto a "Victory Tour," Katniss witnesses the growing unrest, further fueling the flames of resistance. This installment expands the world, introduces beloved characters like Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason, and culminates in a shocking twist.
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 brutal war against the Capitol. As the face of the rebellion, she fights to overthrow President Snow, but discovers that the path to freedom is far more complex than she imagined. This installment offers a surprisingly realistic and somber conclusion to the 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 fascinating look at the origins of the Hunger Games and the rise of President Snow. It focuses on young Coriolanus Snow's mentorship of a tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, and their intertwined destinies. While enjoyable on its own, reading the original trilogy first enhances the experience.
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
Four years after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Suzanne Collins announced Sunrise on the Reaping, another prequel set 40 years after Lucy Gray's story and 24 years before the original novel. It will feature Haymitch Abernathy and the Second Quarter Quell. A film adaptation is planned for November 20, 2026.
Looking for more? Check out our reading lists for The Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, and Game of Thrones.
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