This article provides a reading order guide for Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games series, including the prequel. It's a perfect time to revisit the original trilogy, especially with a new prequel launching soon.
The Hunger Games series, set in a dystopian world where children fight to the death, ignited a YA phenomenon. If you're ready to dive in or revisit this captivating world, here's the recommended reading order:
AnswerSee ResultsHow to Read the Hunger Games Books in OrderWhile The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes precedes the original trilogy chronologically, reading the original three books first provides crucial context for a richer understanding of the prequel. However, a strictly chronological approach is perfectly acceptable.
### Complete 4-Book Hunger Games Box Set
7See paperback and hardcover options.See it at Amazon### 1. The Hunger Games
### The Hunger Games
0Winning brings fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun...See it at AmazonThis groundbreaking YA novel launched the entire franchise. Inspired by a blend of war coverage and reality TV, Collins crafted a gripping tale of children forced to fight for survival. Katniss Everdeen, from impoverished District 12, volunteers as tribute when her sister is chosen, embarking on a harrowing journey of survival against other children and the Capitol's tyrannical regime.
2. Catching Fire
### Catching Fire
0Sparks ignite. Flames spread. The Capitol seeks revenge. See it at AmazonPeeta and Katniss, victors of the Hunger Games, face even greater danger. Their defiance has sparked rebellion, and President Snow threatens their loved ones. Their subsequent "Victory Tour" exposes them to the growing resistance, ultimately leading them back into the arena. This installment expands the world, introducing beloved characters like Finnick and Johanna, and culminates in a pivotal twist.
3. Mockingjay
### Mockingjay
0My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.See it at AmazonThe climactic installment throws Katniss and her allies into a full-scale war against the Capitol. As they strive to overthrow President Snow, Katniss becomes the reluctant face of the rebellion, navigating treacherous battles and confronting unsettling truths about the fight for freedom. This emotionally charged conclusion offers a surprisingly realistic and somber ending.
Note: The film adaptation of this book was divided into two movies: 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 AmazonThis prequel, set 64 years before the original trilogy, explores the origins of the Hunger Games and the rise of President Snow. It follows young Coriolanus Snow as he mentors a tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, whose talent and charisma impact the Games' history. This prequel provides a fascinating backstory for the series and offers new perspectives on familiar events.
Future 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 KindleA new prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, is set for release on March 18, 2025, taking place 40 years after 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.
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