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Most YA fans have read The Hunger Games by Susan Collins. Not only is the book series extremely popular, the movies were also very successful. Here are some book series, other than Divergent, to read if you liked these books!
Picture this, you’ve just finished reading The Hunger Games and fallen in love with it. You’re looking for a new book series to read, and everyone keeps saying the same thing, Divergent. Now, Divergent is a great book series and we would highly recommend it, but if you’ve read The Hunger Games, then you have probably read Divergent, or at least seen the movies. (which don’t do the series justice and if you are basing your opinion solely on the movies, stop reading this and go read the book!) After putting our bookish brains together, we were able to come up with four less popular book series to read if you enjoyed The Hunger Games.
Legend by Marie Lu
The Republic and The Colonies have been at war for as long as anyone can remember, ever since the United States divided. Growing up in the Republic, every child participates in the Trials when they turn 10 years old. Their performance in these tests determines their future. Only one student has ever earned a perfect score, June Iparis, a calculating prodigy. Later, she is sent to hunt down Day, a trouble-making convict, after he is accused of murdering her brother. Although, they soon realize the true lengths that their country went through to keep them apart. Maybe they aren't so different after all.
We love this book series, (it’s even on our Top 10) and if you liked The Hunger Games, you may just fall in love with these books. June and Day have one of our favorite fictional romances, they always fight for each other. Even though they may not like one another at first, they eventually learn to trust one another, which totally reminds us of Katniss and Peeta.
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
A devastating war has left the majority of the planet a toxic wasteland. Attempting to rebuild the world is no easy task, and it is left to those who can complete The Testing. Only the best of the best are chosen to participate in The Testing which will provide both a college education and successful career. Cia is thrilled to be chosen as one of The Testing candidates in her final year of school. She has high aspirations of being one of the future Commonwealth leaders, which can only happen if she passes. The night before she leaves, Cia’s father gives her some advice that chills her to the bone, trust no one.
Similar to The Hunger Games, The Testing features young children fighting for their lives. We will leave what happens in The Testing a mystery for you to find out, but let's just say it gave us some serious Hunger Games vibes! It also features a strong female character. We are surprised that this book is not more popular and feel like it deserves some more attention, so we decided to include it on this list.
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
When Fallon was still a young child, Her homeland was invaded by Caesar’s armies and her sister was killed. Her father, a Celtic king, was obviously devastated; however, Fallon was inspired, she was going to become a warrior just as legendary as her sister. When she is taken captive and sold to Caesar himself, she assumes the worst, until she is placed in a training school, a school for female gladiators. Realizing that she could be closer to fame and glory than she thought, Fallon decides to fight in the arena, but has yet to think about what it will cost her.
The Valiant was definitely one of those book series that surprised us. We had never heard of it before when we picked it up at the bookstore and we aren’t sure why it isn’t more popular. Female gladiators fighting to the death sounds slightly reminiscent of The Hunger Games, don’t you think?
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
When Thomas wakes up in a metal elevator he remembers only one thing, his name. He soon discovers that the only exit is through the top and into the Glade. The Glade is a large field filled with boys just like Thomas, they all came through the Cage and have no memory of their past lives. The boys do know however, that the only way out is through the ever-changing Maze. A new boy shows up in the Cage every month with supplies, they have no idea where they come from. Everything changes when the supplies mysteriously stop coming and a girl arrives at the Glade with a note, “she is the last one.”
This book series may be the most popular on our list, but we needed to include it because it is not only a great series, but also extremely similar to The Hunger Games. Kids that are trapped in a maze, desperately trying to escape with their lives makes for a great story that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!