Summary without spoilers
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins is a thrilling mix of adventure, survival, and rebellion set in a dystopian world. It follows Katniss Everdeen, a fiercely independent teenager from the impoverished District 12, who unexpectedly finds herself in the middle of a much larger conflict.
The heart of the story revolves around the Hunger Games themselves—an annual, high-stakes competition where participants (known as “tributes”) must use their wits, skills, and alliances to survive.
Themes of friendship, sacrifice, and standing up for what's right shine through, with a colourful cast of memorable characters adding heart and humour. Fast-paced, addictive, and thought-provoking, it’s perfect for readers who love rooting for underdogs. May the odds be ever in your favour!
The Hunger Games publication order
This is the order in which the books were released, and is the best way to experience the series as intended by Suzanne Collins. We recommend this for first-time readers.
1. The Hunger Games (2008)
2. Catching Fire (2009)
3. Mockingjay (2010)
4. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020)
5. Sunrise on the Reaping (2025)
Why choose this order?
- Original experience: You follow the story as fans did, discovering twists, characters, and world-building in the order the author intended.
- Emotional buildup: The stakes gradually rise, and you experience Katniss’ journey first, making the prequels feel like rich backstories rather than spoilers.
- Thematic impact: After the main trilogy’s intense conclusion, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping feel like deeper explorations of how Panem became what it was during Katniss’ time.
The Hunger Games chronological book order
If you’re returning to Panem, try chronological order to catch details you might’ve missed the first time around.
1. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (10th Hunger Games)
2. Sunrise on the Reaping (50th Hunger Games)
3. The Hunger Games (74th Hunger Games)
4. Catching Fire (75th Hunger Games)
5. Mockingjay (Post-Games)
Why choose this order?
- Historical depth: You’ll understand the origins of the Hunger Games, Snow’s rise to power, and how the Games evolved into the brutal spectacle Katniss faces.
- Foreshadowing: Events and references in the main trilogy will hit differently when you know the backstory behind them.
- Character insight: Seeing how power corrupts in the prequels adds depth to your understanding of Panem’s leaders and the Games themselves.
How to Read The Hunger Games in Order
The best way to read the books in order as a first-time reader is to read them in publication order. This way, you can get the full emotional impact and gradual world-building and can appreciate the depth of the story, characters, and spot any Easter eggs. This would start with The Hunger Games, followed by Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and the latest book, Sunrise on the Reaping.
#1 The Hunger Games
Why we love it:
- It’s an introduction to the world of Panem and Katniss’ story.
- The gripping, high-stakes plot that’s centred around survival and rebellion.
The Hunger Games follows sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, a skilled hunter from the impoverished District 12 in Panem, a dystopian nation where the ruthless Capitol forces each district to send two tennagers to compete in a deadly televised event. When Katniss volunteers to save her younger sister, she enters the arena alongside Peeta Mellark, a baker’s son with a complicated past.
As the Games unfold, Katniss must rely on her survival skills, sharp wit, and unexpected alliances to outlast 23 other tributes. But with the Capitol watching, every move is a game of strategy—and survival may require more than just strength. Fast paced and addictive with short, punchy chapters, this novel blends heart-pounding action with political intrigue, making it impossible to put down.
#2 Catching Fire
Why we love it:
- There’s more action, more rebellion, and even more emotional weight.
- Stakes keep getting higher and unexpected twists keep you reading through the night.
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games and returns home as a victor with Peeta Mellark. But instead of relief, Katniss finds herself trapped in a new kind of battle. Gale is distant, Peeta has shut her out, and whispers of rebellion against the Capitol are spreading—whispers she may have unknowingly sparked.
Now, as she and Peeta embark on the Capitol’s oppressive Victory Tour, the pressure is greater than ever. They must convince the nation—and the ruthless President Snow—that their love is real, or face devastating consequences. But as unrest builds, Katniss begins to wonder: does she even want to stop what she’s started? Catching Fire takes everything great about The Hunger Games and raises the bar, making it a fan-favourite in the series and ends with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that will leave you desperate for Mockingjay.
#3 Mockingjay
Why we love it:
- For its intense, emotional, and thought-provoking conclusion to The Hunger Games trilogy.
- It’s a powerful and bittersweet finale that lingers long after the last page.
In Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen has become the reluctant symbol of a growing rebellion against the Capitol. As war erupts across Panem, she struggles with the weight of her role as the Mockingjay, torn between personal loss, political manipulation, and the fight for freedom. With Peeta captured and the resistance gaining momentum, Katniss must decide how far she’s willing to go—and what she’s willing to sacrifice—to bring down President Snow. In this intense and emotional conclusion to The Hunger Games trilogy, the battle for Panem’s future comes at a devastating cost.
#4 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Why we love it:
- It shows early Panem, revealing the Capitol’s post-war struggles and the origins of the Hunger Games.
- While different in tone from the original trilogy, Ballad is a thought-provoking, tension-filled deep dive into the making of a dictator.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes readers back to the 10th Hunger Games, decades before Katniss Everdeen's story. It follows a young Coriolanus Snow, long before he becomes the ruthless president of Panem. Tasked with mentoring a tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, Snow sees the Games as his chance to restore his family’s fading legacy. But as the Games unfold, alliances blur, morality is tested, and the line between survival and power begins to shift. This prequel explores the origins of the Hunger Games—and the choices that set Snow on his dark path.
#5 Sunrise on the Reaping
Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. Starting on the morning of the reaping of the fiftieth Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell), the book tells Haymitch Abernathy's story from tribute to victor as he's chosen to be one of four tributes from District 12.
Happy reading, and may the odds be ever in your favour!
The Hunger Games series is more than just a thrilling dystopian adventure—it’s a powerful exploration of survival, resistance, and the consequences of power. Whether you read it in publication order for the full emotional impact or chronologically to uncover Panem’s history from the ground up, each book adds depth to the world Suzanne Collins has created.
With unforgettable characters, high-stakes storytelling, and thought-provoking themes, this series continues to resonate with readers of all ages. No matter how you choose to experience it, one thing is certain—the world of Panem will stay with you long after the final page.
If you're wondering what book to read next, we've got you covered. Find some of the best books for your book club or if you fancy a bit of fantasy, you can learn all about the different reading orders for Throne of Glass.
