1
The Hunger Games
2008
Required
Start here for first-time readers (publication order).
Publication order recommended for newcomers.
Hunger Games books in order
Publication: The Hunger Games (2008), Catching Fire (2009), Mockingjay (2010), Ballad (2020), Sunrise (2025). Story order: Ballad → Sunrise → original trilogy.
How the books were released — start here if you have not read the series.
2
Catching Fire
2009
Required
Second novel in the original trilogy.
Read after The Hunger Games.
3
Mockingjay
2010
Required
Closes the original trilogy.
Read after Catching Fire.
4
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
2020
Optional
Prequel novel (10th Games). Helpful before Sunrise; not mandatory.
Optional enrichment for Sunrise. Avoid ending spoilers in discussions.
5
Sunrise on the Reaping
2025
Required
Set around the 50th Hunger Games; story order sits between Ballad and the trilogy.
No ending spoilers on this site. Publication order: after Ballad.
Tip: Publication order preserves reveals. Chronological order is better after you already know the trilogy.
FAQ
Publication or chronological reading order?
New readers: publication order (2008–2025). Chronological story order is Ballad → Sunrise → trilogy, better after a first pass.
Where does Sunrise on the Reaping sit in the books?
Publication #5 (2025). Story order: 50th Games — after Ballad (10th), before the original trilogy.
Do I need Ballad before Sunrise on the page?
Optional but helpful for early-Games context. Not a gate — see the Ballad decision pages.