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 on the horizon.
The Hunger Games series, set in a dystopian world where children fight to the death, captivated readers and inspired a global phenomenon. This guide outlines the optimal reading order, considering the chronological timeline and the enriching context each book provides.
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 enhances the prequel's impact. However, a strictly chronological reading order is also perfectly acceptable.
### 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 AmazonThis groundbreaking YA novel introduces Katniss Everdeen, a young woman from impoverished District 12, who volunteers as tribute to save her sister. Her journey of survival, alongside Peeta Mellark, exposes the brutality of the Capitol and ignites a rebellion.
2. Catching Fire
### Catching Fire
0Sparks are igniting. Flames are spreading. And the Capitol wants revenge. See it at AmazonKatniss and Peeta's survival has unforeseen consequences. Their actions inspire rebellion, leading to a second arena and escalating conflict with President Snow. This installment introduces beloved characters like Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason.
3. Mockingjay
### Mockingjay
0My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.See it at AmazonThe climactic finale sees Katniss leading the rebellion against President Snow. The fight for freedom comes at a heavy cost, revealing the complexities of war and power. Note: This book was adapted into two films.
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 explores the origins of the Hunger Games and the rise of President Snow. It introduces Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray Baird, whose intertwined fates significantly shape the future of Panem.
Future Installments?
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, promising to further expand the Hunger Games universe. This installment will feature Haymitch Abernathy and the Second Quarter Quell. A film adaptation is also planned.