Today, The Hunger Games is considered a YA classic, and it’s not hard to see why. The dystopian series follows Katniss as she is thrown into the Hunger Games arena and must kill other teens and children in order to survive. Over time, she becomes the Girl on Fire, a leader of the rebellion against Panem’s President Snow. These 12 books like The Hunger Games contain stories of rebels, leaders, outcasts and those just trying to survive in their world. Stand alongside these brave characters as they fight for their friends, families and for a better life.

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao 

Princess Anastacya Mikhailov has a dangerous affinity for blood and because of it, she has lived a life behind the palace walls. But once her father is killed and she is made out to be the murderer, Ana flees the palace, determined to find the killer on her own. But her empire is not what she expected, and there is a greater conspiracy determined to change her world. Ana must team up with a con man in order to stop the chaos. 

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

Princess Guinevere has traveled to Camelot to marry a stranger, King Arthur, and be his protector with her magic. However, she must keep her true identity and name a secret because she is a changeling who has given up everything to protect Camelot. Guinevere must learn how to balance the old and new courts in order to protect the lie. 

Cursed by Thomas Wheeler

Nimue grew up as an outcast in her Druid village due to her connection to dark magic. But when her village is slaughtered, her dying mother sends her on a quest to return an ancient sword to a powerful sorcerer. Nimue must team up with the mercenary Arthur and refugee Fey Folk to travel across England in order to overthrow a corrupt king. 

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

Warrior Eelyn must fight to survive. But when she sees her long-dead brother fighting with the enemy, Eelyn’s world is turned upside down. Eelyn must survive the winter among enemy townspeople, but when the village is raided by a ruthless legendary clan, Eelyn must learn how to trust her brother’s friend, Fiske. The pair has no choice but to team up together and unite their clans or be slaughtered. 

Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan 

Kateri is a warrior princess who must defeat those in the arena who are trying to win her hand beside the battle. She has to defeat one more suitor to prove to her father that she is prepared to rule, but when she discovers who the last opponent is, she knows she will fail. After she flees to the desert, she begins training with her most despised enemy but that is not all that is challenged. Her worldview is flipped upside down about her kingdom and her father, and she is determined to do all that she can to change it for the better.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

In this modern retelling of The Lord of the Flies, the Raxter School for Girls has been under quarantine for over a year. Teachers died off first, then the students. The girls don’t dare leave their enclosed school grounds as they wait for a cure that has been promised to them. But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her – even enter the foreboding land beyond the fence. 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Scarlett has always dreamed of seeing the magical performance Caraval, but she has never left her island home. Then her invitation arrives and Scarlett and her sister are whisked away to the show. However, when they get there, Scarlett’s sister is taken from her and she learns that this season’s Caraval revolves around her sister. If Scarlett doesn’t find her during the five days of the game, she will lose her sister forever. 

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Zafira disguises herself as a man to hunt food for her people. Nasir assassinates those who speak out against his father, the sultan. But when they are both set on a path to find a lost magical artifact, they must team up to defeat the lurking evil that is slowly growing. 

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle, a girl with magic to control Beauty which is coveted above all else in Orleans. She is determined to become the Favorite and live and work within the palace. But when she enters court, Camellia realizes it’s not all that she imagined and that there is true horror behind the desire for beauty. 

Internment by Samira Ahmed

Layla Amin and her family are forced into an internment camp for Muslim Americans in the near future. Layla will soon lead her new friends, boyfriend, and others to rebel against the Camp Director in this powerful read from Samira Ahmed.

White Rose by Kip Wilson

Sophie, her brother and his fellow soldiers ban together to create the White Rose, a German resistance group during Hitler’s reign. They write anonymous letters to try to convince fellow Germans to act against the Nazis. But when Sophie and her brother are caught, they must keep the names of their fellow collaborators a secret – even if it kills them. 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette has the ability to touch any man and kill him. While she sees it as a curse, the Reestablishment sees it as a weapon. But when she reunites with someone who always believed in her, Juliette is determined to fight for herself.

(Feature image sourced from @thehungergames; designed by She Reads)

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