Waiting for Squid Game Season 3? Read These 6 Books

If the intense, high-stakes world of Netflix’s South Korean hit Squid Game had you hooked, you're not alone. The series captivated global audiences with its deadly games, psychological tension, and social commentary.

Luckily, there are several books that offer the same adrenaline-pumping energy, morally gray characters, and survival-driven plots. Whether you’re drawn to dystopias or brutal competitions, here are six must-read books like Squid Game to add to your reading list.

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Why You’ll Love It: Deadly competition, dystopian politics, and a fight for survival
Vibe: Squid Game meets revolution

An absolute must for Squid Game fans, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen as she’s forced into a televised death match for the entertainment of a totalitarian regime. With its social critique, class divisions, and emotional depth, this YA classic mirrors many of the themes explored in Squid Game. It’s fast-paced, brutal, and unputdownable.

2. All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman

Why You’ll Love It: Magic meets bloodsport in a high-stakes competition
Vibe: Squid Game with spells and secrets

In the cursed town of Ilvernath, seven magical families send one champion each to compete in a brutal tournament where only one will survive. Dark alliances, betrayals, and morally complex characters make All of Us Villains a fantastic fantasy parallel to Squid Game. It’s violent, emotional, and full of twisty turns.

3. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Why You’ll Love It: Psychological games in a post-apocalyptic setting
Vibe: Academic survival horror

Imagine a world where college entrance exams are not just stressful—but deadly. That’s the concept behind The Testing, where students must survive a brutal evaluation process to earn a place at a top university. If you liked the mind games and manipulation in Squid Game, this book delivers a similarly tense atmosphere with a dystopian edge.

4. The Plotters by Un-Su Kim

Why You’ll Love It: Korean noir with assassins, conspiracies, and existential dread
Vibe: A more cerebral, character-driven Squid Game

Written by South Korean author Un-Su Kim, The Plotters is a gritty, noir-style novel about a hitman named Reseng who begins to question the secretive organization that controls every assassination in the country. This book reflects the emotional introspection and critique of power seen in Squid Game.

5. Panic by Lauren Oliver

Why You’ll Love It: Teens compete in secret challenges with life-changing stakes
Vibe: Small-town Squid Game without the body count

In a forgotten American town, graduating seniors take part in Panic, a high-risk game that tests their courage and desperation. While less deadly than Squid Game, the book explores themes of poverty, fear, and the cost of risk in a similarly gripping way. A compelling read for those drawn to psychological tension and twisted games.

6. The Long Walk by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)

Why You’ll Love It: One rule: keep walking or die
Vibe: Squid Game on foot

In a dystopian America, 100 boys compete in The Long Walk—a deadly endurance challenge where stopping means instant death. As fatigue sets in, friendships form, alliances break, and the line between hope and madness blurs. This Stephen King classic echoes Squid Game’s slow psychological unraveling and critiques of societal cruelty.

Whether you loved Squid Game for its shocking twists, social commentary, or emotional complexity, these six books offer equally thrilling and thought-provoking stories. From magical death matches to dystopian survival tests, each one delivers the high-stakes intensity that made the Netflix series unforgettable. Happy reading—and may the odds be ever in your favor.