Top 10 Must-Read Books Similar to Squid Game

With the recent release of Squid Game season 2, many fans may seek out literature that mirrors the intense atmosphere of this popular South Korean series. Originally airing in 2021, Squid Game chronicles the plight of Gi-hun, a man entangled in overwhelming debt. Upon learning about a high-stakes competition promising a life-changing financial reward, he jumps at the chance. However, he soon discovers that the seemingly innocent children’s games are far more perilous than he anticipated, presenting a deadly challenge that could cost him everything.

While it may seem challenging to find books that resonate with the themes of television shows, the premise behind Squid Game—survival through trials—is a popular motif in literature. Numerous narratives explore the concept of deadly tasks characters must navigate to secure a significant reward, often intertwined with important societal themes, including class struggles and racial tensions. Luckily for readers, there exists a plethora of novels that encapsulate similar tensions and atmospheres to those found in Squid Game.

10 The Grace Year: Kim Liggett

Young Women Are Sent Away In Their 16th Year

A captivating young adult read that provides a fresh perspective on the Squid Game narrative is The Grace Year. Released in 2019, this novel centers on Tierney James, a young woman living in a society that ostracizes girls in their sixteenth year due to their burgeoning powers of seduction. Alone in an unfamiliar wilderness, the girls must either rid themselves of their “magic”or face dire consequences. As Tierney approaches her own ‘Grace Year,’ she grapples with the fear of both the wilderness and her fellow participants.

While The Grace Year diverges from the path of Squid Game, these differences deepen its significance. Just as the competition within Squid Game exploits the vulnerabilities of the impoverished, this society cruelly marginalizes young women, framing their beauty as a liability. The novel also explores the violent effects of societal pressures, making it a pertinent read for those intrigued by women’s issues within dystopian contexts.

9 The Testing: Joelle Charbonneau

Young People Rebuild A Broken Society

The Testing, penned in 2013, plunges readers into a war-ravaged world where only the brightest youths are selected to undertake a rigorous examination designed to identify future leaders. Teenager Cia is thrilled to participate, but soon uncovers an unsettling reality: nothing is as it seems, and trust is a scarce commodity.

This novel encapsulates the early 2010s dystopian nostalgia and shares an essential thematic bond with Squid Game. Both narratives involve characters embarking on epic quests, only to confront harsh truths along the way, guaranteeing intrigue and unexpected twists. Despite its young adult classification, The Testing delivers the same air of mystery and betrayal found in Squid Game.

8 #Murdertrending: Gretchen McNeil

A Teen Is Put On A Murderous Reality Show

One remarkable aspect of Squid Game is its balance of dark themes with moments of comic relief. This contrast is similarly explored in #Murdertrending, a thrilling 2018 tale featuring Dee, a teenager wrongfully accused of her step-sister’s murder. Her punishment? Being thrust into a gruesome live-streamed reality show where convicted criminals fight for survival, broadcasted from a nightmarish Alcatraz 2.0. Dee must navigate this perilous landscape to clear her name and save her life.

The success of #Murdertrending lies in its ability to weave together high stakes with whimsical satire. Like Squid Game, this novel cleverly critiques societal constructs while maintaining an engaging narrative that astutely balances suspense and humor, making it accessible for readers of various ages.

7 Red Rising: Pierce Brown

A Poor Young Man Enters A Dangerous Game

Reflecting the stark violence found in Squid Game, Pierce Brown’s Red Rising thrusts readers into a socio-economically oppressed galaxy. The protagonist, Darrow, seeks vengeance for his beloved’s murder by infiltrating the elite. To claim his rightful place among the privileged, he must conquer an array of brutal trials.

Despite their differing settings, Darrow and Gi-hun share a common quest for justice. Both narratives showcase protagonists confronting moral dilemmas within their respective societies. Red Rising enhances the Squid Game experience with its intricate world and ruthless power struggles, drawing readers deeper into the theme of survival.

6 Running Man: Stephen King

A Man Enters A Terrible Game To Take Care Of His Family

A literary counterpart to Squid Game is Stephen King’s Running Man, originally published in 1982 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. The story follows Ben Richards, a desperate man who volunteers for a lethal game show to secure financial support for his family. Facing off against sinister contestants, he must navigate an entertainment system that transforms him from contestant to prey.

With shared themes of dire need and life-threatening stakes, Running Man parallels Squid Game in its portrayal of entertainment’s darker side. As an added bonus, a film adaptation of Running Man starring Glen Powell is set to be released in 2025, positioning Squid Game fans for further exploration into life-or-death trials.

5 The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins

A Teenage Girl Enters A Fight To The Death

A cornerstone of dystopian fiction is Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, published in 2008. Set in the oppressive world of Panem, the story features Katniss Everdeen volunteering to take her sister’s place in a brutal, televised death match where survival is the only option. The narrative dives deep into themes of sacrifice and resistance against tyrannical powers.

What makes The Hunger Games resonate similarly to Squid Game is its exploration of survival and morality. Katniss and Gi-hun embody the struggle to navigate their grim realities, striving to protect those they care for amidst brutality. Through Katniss’ lens, readers glean insights into the harrowing realities of inequality and survival.

4 Battle Royale: Koushun Takami

Kids Are Forced To Fight On A Deserted Island

Battle Royale, a Japanese novel published in 1999, aligns closely with The Hunger Games as it follows junior high students vying to survive on a deserted island. This gripping plot examines themes of youth against adversity and societal constraints, while drawing on Lord of the Flies’ insights into human nature under pressure.

This impactful story differentiates itself by retaining a uniquely Japanese perspective, further echoing Squid Game’s localized environment. While both feature youth embroiled in deadly contests, Battle Royale delves profoundly into the injustices faced by young people in an unforgiving world.

3 Lord Of The Flies: William Golding

Young Boys Are Stranded Without Adult Supervision

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, published in 1954, presents a harrowing tale of schoolboys stranded on a deserted island post-plane crash. What begins as innocent play devolves into chaos and moral dilemmas as the boys grapple with the darkness within themselves. Their descent showcases the fragility of societal constructs when unbound from adult supervision.

Although Squid Game features adult contestants, the themes of societal dynamics and desperation resonate strongly. As the characters come together in pursuit of survival, the underlying greed and malevolence echo Golding’s warnings about human nature when civilized morality collapses.

2 Alice In Borderland: Haro Aso

A Young Man Is Transported Into A Parallel World Of Games

Haro Aso’s Alice in Borderland is a manga series that perfectly aligns with the themes present in Squid Game. The story follows Ryohei Arisu, a young man seeking excitement who finds himself caught in a parallel universe where survival games are a matter of life and death. The narrative draws inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s classic, enriching its modern twist with high-stakes thrills.

1 The Most Dangerous Game: Richard Connell

A Man Is Hunted

Lastly, Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game is often regarded as a foundational work concerning deadly games. This 1924 tale features a shipwrecked big-game hunter who becomes the hunted, forced to adapt his survival instincts to evade a determined adversary. The chilling narrative raises enduring questions about morality, humanity, and survival.

Although it reads differently from contemporary novels, its themes resonate with modern storytelling, influencing works like Squid Game. The visceral tension and primal fears present in The Most Dangerous Game have paved the way for countless survival narratives over the years, making it a must-read for fans fascinated by the dark complexities of games that blur the line between entertainment and survival.

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