The Hunger Gamesbooks have become modern classics, and each of them does a stellar job digging into the realities of power, class dynamics, and rebellion — butsome installments in Suzanne Collins' best-selling series prove more compelling than others. ThefirstHunger Gamesbookdebuted back in 2008, resulting in a rise in dystopian fiction in the years that followed.Catching FireandMockingjaycontinued Katniss' story, giving readers insight into the power dynamics of Panem and how they could be dismantled.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesstands out from the otherHunger Gamesbooks, as it came out a decade after the original trilogy concluded. It told a different story, serving as a prequel about Coriolanus Snow rather than an addition to Katniss Everdeen’s narrative. 2023’s movie adaptation ofThe Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesgot people talking aboutThe Hunger Gamesfranchise again. And with Collins another prequel novel in 2025, it’s safe to say the story will remain front of mind. Readers may even revisit the best books in the series.
I’m Excited For More Hunger Games, But There’s Another YA Dystopian Book That Deserves Your Attention This March
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is one of the biggest new books coming out in March, but another 2025 dystopian story also deserves love.
A Strong Addition To The Franchise (But Not The Hunger Games)
The Hunger Gamesbooks are all incredibly close when it comes to quality, butThe Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesis probably the weakest of the franchise. This isn’t all that surprising; the other novels make up a three-book narrative, whileThe Ballad of Songbirds & Snakespulls readers into a very different story. And the fact that this prequel is centered on a young President Snow is part of the reason it’s not as strong as its predecessors. While Lucy Gray offers a compelling perspective, Snow isn’t a lead that readers want to root for.
Snow being unlikable already puts his story at a disadvantage compared to any of the books chronicling Katniss' journey.
Snow being unlikable already puts his story at a disadvantage compared to any of the books chronicling Katniss' journey. However, it’s not just his personality that makesBalladrank lower than the otherHunger Gamesnovels. The fact that readers have a pretty good idea of where things will go also lowers the stakes.Lucy Gray’s fate may remain a mystery, but there’s never any doubt that Snow will make it out of the prequel story — or that the Hunger Games will continue.
Even with these downsides, however,The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesproves a strong addition to the franchise. Given a few more books, Lucy could easily win over readers in the same way that Katniss did. The prequel’s commentary on good and evil — and what leads people to choose the latter — is thoughtful. And seeing an earlier iteration of the Hunger Games proves a fascinating experience, especially for longtime fans.The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesmay not compare toThe Hunger Games,but it earns its 3.96 average rating onGoodreads.
4Mockingjay (2010)
Suzanne Collins Sticks The Landing, But It Can’t Compare To The First 2 Books
Mockingjayis the third and final book inThe Hunger Gamestrilogy, andit delivers a satisfying ending for Panem and the characters residing there. Not all dystopian series stick the landing, butMockingjaymanages it. Collins' finale is both thrilling and emotional, and it packs a punch in its final chapters. While there are no official Hunger Games in this installment, watching Katniss and her companions navigate a booby-trapped Capitol is more than enough to keep readers invested. Seeing Katniss step into the role of the Mockingjay is also satisfying.
Prim’s death and Katniss' decision to kill Coin elevate the ending ofMockingjay,bringing the story full circle in a tragic way. Katniss' entire reason for entering the Hunger Games is to save Prim. And while she sparks massive change for the people of Panem,The Hunger Games’heroine ultimately fails to save her sister. Her death is one of the series' most gut-wrenching, while Coin’s serves another purpose.Katniss killing Coin raises discussionsabout tyranny and how it arises. Through President Coin, Collins suggests that the response to oppression sometimes threatens to repeat it.
AlthoughMockingjayprovides a great ending toThe Hunger Games— it certainly deserves its 4.09Goodreadsrating — it does have a few shortcomings that cause it to rank lower than its predecessors. For one,Mockingjaycould have easily been a bit longer. Katniss and Peeta’s endings are well done, but supporting players like Gale sort of fade into the background. The future of Panem is only briefly touched upon, despite how interesting it would be to see the characters rebuilding. Essentially,Mockingjay’s conclusion could have gone further than it did.
What If Katniss Never Volunteered? How Prim Would Fare In The 74th Hunger Games
The Hunger Games begins when Katniss takes her sister Prim’s place in the Hunger Games, leaving the question: would Prim have survived the Games?
3Sunrise On The Reaping (2025)
A Fascinating Look At Haymitch And Other Victors
Sunrise on the Reapingis the second prequel novel for the originalHunger Gamestrilogy. The novel has an advantage over the first prequel in that it is centered around one of the most-loved characters in the franchise: Haymitch Abernathy. A Hunger Games victor and Katniss’ mentor in the original trilogy, Haymitch is very different as a teenager than he is as a seasoned veteran of the spectacle associated with the Games, and his story is a compelling one to see unfold.
Set during the second Quarter Quell, the novel has twice as many tributes as other games since what made these games “special” was sending in four children from each district instead of two.The story of how Haymitch ends up in the games and the allies he makes is an unexpected one, but it’s a welcome way to flesh out his backstoryand to understand why he does not tell Katniss about all of his plans with rebels leading up to the events of Catching Fire.
Sunrise on the Reapingis the only Hunger Games novel told in a first-person point of view so far.
Also a welcome sight in the book is that Haymitch is not the only previous victor with whom the audience gets to spend time. We also get to learn so much more about characters like Mags, Wiress, and Beetee, who are allies of Katniss 25 years later - and how Haymitch first meets Effie Trinket.The novel both expands the world of the franchise and revisits characters fans have been clamoring to know more about for years in a way that is a lot more satisfying thanBallad of Songbird and Snakes.
The new characters that we already know are fodder for the Games are also compelling additions, which is not always the case. It would be easy to make the characters disposable stereotypes, but instead, Maysilee, Wyatt, Louella, and the rest do feel like characters you want to spend more time with and get to know. The novel easily outpacesBallad of Songbirds and Snakes, but it also makes a strong case for outpacing some of the original trilogy as well. During the month of its release, it currently has a 4.74 rating onGoodreads, the highest of the franchise by far.
2The Hunger Games (2008)
An Opening Worthy Of Spawning A Franchise
Some series take time to find their footing, butthe originalHunger Gamesbook makes an instant impression— then keeps readers hooked from cover to cover. The series' opening does a great job of establishing its main cast, oppressive world, and deadly tournament without overdoing the exposition. Collins masterfully weaves her story inThe Hunger Games,and that’s precisely why the 2008 book spawned an entire franchise. There’s so much to love about the first novel, from its unflinching social commentary to its well-developed characters and setting.
Katniss is easy to root for throughoutThe Hunger Games,so it’s no wonder she became something of a blueprint for YA heroines after the first book came out.Katniss and Peeta’s love storyis compelling, and it does a solid job of engaging readers. Collins cleverly pulls them with the book’s characters and relationship dynamics, then sends poignant messages once she’s grabbed their attention. Scenes like Rue’s death and Katniss' decision with the berries will no doubt stick with readers long after the 2008 novel ends.
There’s so much to love about the first novel, from its unflinching social commentary to its well-developed characters and setting.
The Hunger Gameshas the highest averageGoodreadsrating of the original trilogy, sitting at 4.34. It’s just aboveCatching Firein terms of reader reviews, but it’s arguably a bit weaker than its sequel. AlthoughThe Hunger Gamesstarts strong, its world still takes some getting used to. And despite Katniss' bold actions throughout the first book, there’s a smaller focus on rebellion.The first installment andCatching Fireare nearly equals, but the latter comes out on top for these reasons.
One Catching Fire Line Makes Me Desperate For This Hunger Games Story To Be Told
Sunrise on the Reaping will explore the second Quarter Quell, but a throwaway line from Catching Fire makes me want a book about the first one more.
1Catching Fire (2009)
The Hunger Games' Most Thrilling Installment
The Hunger Gamesis one series that doesn’t suffer from second-book syndrome; in fact,Catching Fireis the best installment in Collins' YA dystopian trilogy.Catching Firebenefits from readers knowing who the characters are and how the world works, and it’s able to raise the stakes of the Hunger Games in a way that feels natural. The Quarter Quell makes for a nail-biting journey into the arena, and its enhanced threats and challenges come with some interesting twists. Watching Katniss and Peeta be forced back into the Games is heart-wrenching, especially after getting to know them in book one.
The Capitol increases its cruelty towards the districts, even before the 75th Hunger Games begins. This allows Collins to explore how tyrannical governments control their citizens, and it perfectly sets the stage for what comes later.Catching Fireis the book that pushes Katniss and the people she loves firmly into the rebellion. There are many great moments of defiance against the Capitol, from Katniss' wedding dress transforming into a Mockingjay costume to the tributes holding hands and standing together on-stage.
Catching Firebenefits from readers knowing who the characters are and how the world works, and it’s able to raise the stakes of the Hunger Games in a way that feels natural.
Catching Firealso briefly touches on propaganda, with President Snow hoping to control the masses by presenting a certain image of Katniss and Peeta during their Victory Tour. It’s impressive that Collins is able to provide social commentary before, during, and after the Games. Every part ofCatching Firehas something important to say.
Catching Firealso has the best ending ofThe Hunger Gamestrilogy, slapping readers with multiple twists before coming to a close. The revelation that District 12 is gone is devastating, and it’s only topped by the fact that District 13 actually exists. Even the realization that Haymitch and the other tributes planned to get Katniss out of the arena is surprising, and Peeta’s fate is a punch to the gut. These developments, along with the brutal Quarter Quell itself, makeCatching Firethe bestHunger Gamesbook — even if its 4.31 averageGoodreadsrating falls slightly under the first book’s.
