The Hunger Games: Books in Order

The saga The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, is one of the most popular in the young adult literature. This story of dystopia, survival and revolution has captivated millions of readers around the world. The plot follows Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who is forced to participate in a cruel televised show where participants must fight to the death.

Since its publication in 2008, the saga has grown with the inclusion of a prequel, expanding the universe of Panem and delving deeper into the origins of the Games. Below, we present the reading order from the books of the saga The Hunger Games.

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Order of the Hunger Games books

1. The Hunger Games (2008)

The story begins in Panem, a country divided into 12 districts and ruled by the oppressive Capitol. Every year, the government organizes "The Hunger Games," where two tributes from each district must fight in an arena until only one survives. When the younger sister of Katniss Everdeen is selected, she volunteers to take her place. Along with Peeta Mellark, her district mate, Katniss will face a ruthless game where strategy and survival are key.

2. Catching Fire (2009)

After the events of the first book, Katniss and Peeta They try to adapt to their new life, but the Capitol is not willing to forget their defiance. They soon discover that their victory has ignited a spark of rebellion in the districts. As punishment, President Snow announces a special edition of the Games, the Vassalage of the Twenty-Five, where former winners must return to the arena. Katniss finds herself fighting for her life once again, but this time the game is even more dangerous.

3. Mockingjay (2010)

The rebellion has begun and Katniss becomes the symbol of resistance against the CapitolWith Panem on the brink of civil war, the young archer faces the difficult decision of embracing her role as the Mockingjay and leading the fight against the government. Amidst the conflict, Katniss must make sacrifices, confront betrayals, and uncover the truth about power and manipulation.

4. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020) – Prequel

This novel transports us 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games, focusing on the story of a young man Coriolanus Snow, long before he became the tyrannical president of Panem. In this year's Games, Snow mentors Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from the impoverished District 12. As the competition progresses, a dangerous relationship develops between them, and the origins of the Games and how the future dictator began his rise to power are explored.

5. Dawn at Harvest – (2025)

The fifth and final installment of the saga launched in 2025. The Fiftieth Hunger Games arrive, and fear spreads across Panem. This Quarter Quell demands double the tributes.

In District 12, Haymitch Abernathy just wants the day to end so he can be back with his beloved. But when his name is announced, his world comes crashing down. He's torn from his family and sent to the Capitol with three tributes: a near-sister friend, a boy obsessed with gambling, and the district's most haughty young woman.

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Questions about The Hunger Games saga

What is the best order to read the saga?

If you are new to the saga, it is advisable to follow the order of publication:

1. The Hunger Games
2. Burning
3. Mockingjay
4. Dawn at Harvest
5. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (as a prequel)

However, if you already know the story and want to explore it from its origins, you can start with the prequel and then continue with the main trilogy.

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Curiosities about The Hunger Games

• Suzanne Collins was inspired by Greek mythology and the Roman gladiators to create the Games.
• Katniss Everdeen was named after an edible plant called "katniss" or "sagittaria", which symbolizes survival.
• Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes reveals how some of the Games' cruelest rules came to be.
• The franchise has been adapted to film with great success, with Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss.

What book to read first The Hunger Games?

The first book you should read is The Hunger Games (2008), as it introduces the universe of Panem, the protagonists and the main conflict of the trilogy.

If you want to follow a chronological order within the universe of the saga, you could start with Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, but this book contains references that are best appreciated after reading the original trilogy.

Is there a book of the 5 Hunger Games?

Yes, the saga has just expanded in 2025 with the publication of the final book in The Hunger Games series, called "Dawn at the Harvest," published in March of this year.