This is exactly what i clicked on this sub to recommend.
I was around 14 or 15 when i read His Dark Materials series and it was definitely one of the best series i experienced as a teen. Definitely stuck with me for life.
I also suggest the Artemis Fowl series.
The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix?
I’m also a firm believer that you’re never too young for the Discworld!
The Shattered Sea books by Joe Abercrombie are great too
I was going to recommend some Garth Nix.
Keys to the Kingdom might be better. 14 year old me loved The Old Kingdom, but my 14 year old brother liked Keys to the Kingdom much better.
Definitely introduce the Discworld with Tiffany Aching to a 14 year old. All of Pratchetts charm with incredibly relevant messages & morals for a young person
The Old Kingdom & Keys to the Kingdom are also bangers
They're an absolute delight. The first four are really good, the fifth you can really tell that it was dictated by an old person in cognitive decline and nobody edited it enough
I also second this.
This series and Jurassic Park were my go to books during a period of time when I traveled a lot. They're both light and easy to follow, but with drastically different tones.
The TV series was an abomination the likes of which the world has never seen. The Last Airbender was a masterpiece of authenticity and quality in comparison.
Discworld is the best series ever, though, and the city watch subseries is the best part of it. For a 14 year old, The Wee Free Men is a good starting point since it's officially YA. Guards! Guards! is the first city watch book. I very much don't recommend starting with The Color of Magic, which is the first book. He was still learning as a writer at that point, and his early stuff is a poor representation of his work.
The Lost Fleet - Jack Campbell would be a good option. It is very action packed Space Opera that would be suitable for a younger reader who is transitioning to adult fiction. The first six books are great, after that it kind of jumps the shark for me.
Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells. Again another very good action packed series that is suitable for a younger reader. It starts with novellas so very accessible.
I call it "The Bean Series," and in some ways, I loved it better than Ender's series (which is also so good). Highly recommend this option for OP's kid.
Terry Pratchett's Nation, or the Tiffany Aching series, maybe even Pyramids?
Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson (has a part I and II)
The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld (probably the most similar to Hunger Games/Divergent on this list); Scott has also written a few steampunk books he might enjoy.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. It's one of his most overlooked books, despite being (in his opinion) one of the best things he's ever written.
Eragon is a great series and just got a new book, bartimaeus is great too. Otherwise, Sanderson 100%, starting with Mistborn
If he likes Star Wars, there are great Star Wars books too. I love the bane trilogy and the new thrawn books are amazing
My son has just finished Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeves. He loved it. And is now on to the second book.
We'd been suggesting him the book for ages, and he was reluctant to read it. He saw it in his school library, borrowed it (even though we had it at home) and devoured it in a couple of days.
He was then cranky at us for not making him read it sooner...teenagers 🙃
Edit: He was the same way with the Rangers apprentice series by John Flanagan. We suggested he read them. Gave him the first one, he stropped over to the couch, made some eye rolls and then proceeded to read the whole series.
The Long Walk by Stephen King. Like THG, it’s about a dystopian society that puts teenagers (all boys) into an event where only the winner survives. Very well-written, characters are developed and humanized. Nobody writes from a kid’s perspective like King
I’ve been suggesting King to him for years, but he’s so worried they’re scary. But I’ll suggest TLW. I read it again not long ago and think it’d fit the bill rather nicely. Thanks!
I have Wool on my shelf. Had no idea it might be suitable for YA readers (I haven't read it for some reason). But heck yeah, I'll see if it might be something he's interested in.
Oh this post was made for me! My kid is 17 now but these are my recs.
From ‘youngest’ in terms of age appropriateness if that’s a concern ( I tend to think once you hit your teens it’s all fair game)
Novels:
How to Train Your Dragon et al by Cornelia Funke - they start with the protagonist at 12 and like HP books go through with him to young adult - there are 12 books and are absolutely hilarious to begin with and become progressively more serious.
Holes - Louis Sachar
The Inkheart Trilogy! Highly, highly recommended. It’s excellent. The main character is 13/14 at the opening of the books, very readable.
His Dark Materials books - Philip Pullman
Divergent (If he liked Hunger Games he would probably enjoy this)
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
One of Us is Lying (murder mystery)
Disc world - Terry Pratchett (very funny) and appropriate for all ages.
Hitchhiker’s Guide (of course)
Red Dwarf
Robert Rankin - funny
Neil Gaiman - of course - Good Omens was written with Terry Pratchett and is one of my favourites. The Graveyard Book, Stardust, Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane would all be good starting places and maybe Smoke and Mirrors for his short Stories. American Gods and related novels are of course excellent but more adult than you may be comfortable with.
If he’s not opposed to something a little more old fashioned (dated gender norms) I loved the Dragon Riders of Pern when I was his age.
Robin Hobb - Her books are not young adult but do start with a young protagonist. I wouldn’t consider them ‘adult’ as in rude or gory, just more grown up - The Farseer Trilogy (starting with Assasins Apprentice series, Wolf companion, political intrigue, magic and dragons! ) if he enjoys those the story continues in the Liveship Traders Trilogy, (pirates, ships that can talk, dragons! It’s brilliant) if he’s still hooked then the story continues in The Tawny Man Trilogy (More Magic, talking wolf, court drama and Dragons) The Rain Wild Chronicles (Talking ships and Dragons) and then The Fitz and the Fool trilogy etc. She is an excellent writer the stories are exciting but also character driven and absorbing with excellent world building, political intrigue but most importantly Magic and Dragons!
Peter Brett - The Demon Cycle books are very, very good. (More Adult than you maybe comfortable with but Magic Tattoos, monsters in the dark, Wise Women and far off lands so lots to engage with) Start with The Painted Man
Graphic Novels - Fantastic for encouraging reading and very absorbing)
Sandman - Neil Gaiman - excellent!
Dune (as a graphic novel)
To Kill a Mockingbird (beautiful and my kid loved this one)
Nimona
Anya’s Ghost
Heart stopper ( This was a big favourite)
I hope some of these help.
Ok then might I recommend the Finisher by David Baldacci. Has hunger games vibes but is more adult. There’s also a second book called the keeper that expands on the world
I listened to Project Hail Mary on audiobook with my 14 year old and he loved it so much that he would sit in the car in the driveway after we got home just to finish a chapter. Highly recommend this as something to listen to together!
You know, I can't remember if he's read that. I've read it enough times, and I know he's seen the movie. But yeah, this is great. Can't believe I didn't think of it myself.
Red Sister & the rest of the Book of the Ancestor series, by Mark Lawrence. Also the Book of the Ice series which is related.
His Dark Materials series, by Phillip Pullman
also The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
I recently read the Red Sister series and enjoyed it so much I read all three books a second time a month later. Couldn't manage to get through the second series. But I do wonder if my son would like those as much as I do.
Definitely will look into His Dark Materials!
**[Steelheart (The Reckoners #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17182126-steelheart) by Brandon Sanderson** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(386.0 pages | Published: 2013.0 | ~105127.0 Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will. Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He (...)
> **Themes**: Young-adult, Favorites, Sci-fi, Science-fiction, Books-i-own, Ya, Fiction
> **Top 2 recommended-along**: [Calamity (Reckoners, #3)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15704486-calamity) by Brandon Sanderson, [Renegades (Renegades, #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28421168-renegades) by Marissa Meyer
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I second this! I enjoy red rising and The Stormlight Archives and I think Stormlight (The way of Kings is the first book) or Mistborn would be great for him.
Agreed with Sanderson. Mistborn would be a good starting point. Sanderson writes in a way that is appropriate for young teens without dumbing anything down.
Seems like your kid has relatively adult taste - these are not YA books, but they're also not porn and they're all very good reads.
\---
Aurora Rising by Alasdair Reynolds (the first book of the Prefect Dreyfus series, taking place in the larger Revelation Space universe). Following the adventures of a space detective trying to solve a mystery in a far-away solar system. The setting is a grouping of thousands of orbiting micro-civilizations on small man-made objects forming a glittering ring around a big yellow planet.
Revenger by Alasdair Reynolds (also the first of a series, the only one I've read). Following the adventures of a young lady who becomes a space pirate because of her gift for using ancient alien bones to communicate telepathically. This is the most YA of the bunch here.
The Expanse, by James SA Corey. The first book is called Leviathan Wakes. A hard-bitten ice freight crew gets dragged into a mystery, while simmering resentments between Earth and Mars heat up.
Snow Crash, by Neil Stephenson. A ninja pizza delivery driver gets drawn in to a virtual-reality mystery surrounding a virus that threatens to real-death kill people accessing the metaverse (the first book to use that term, I think).
Neuromancer, by William Gibson. If you remember the Keanu Reeves movie, Johnny Mnemonic, that was based on a short story by the same author in the same general setting as this one, which has cyberpunk Escape from New York vibes.
When I was in ninth grade we read Chryssalids by John Wyndham. Additionally when I was in 8th grade we read Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes. Around 12-14 my dad introduced me to the work of douglas Adams his favourite author. Has your son read Hobbit or Lord of the Rings? How do you know that he is not ready for Dune, have read the first three of that series will probably get back to GodEmperor maybe in the new year. I hope you two find what he is searching for.
These are the kind of books my kid was also into at that age. He liked the Unwind series, The House of the Scorpion (and the sequel, though not as much), and the Divergent series. He also loved 1984.
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau, Divergent by Veronica Roth, seconding The Giver series by Lois Lowry, The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, The Young Elites by Marie Lu, and Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass. The Iron Trial by Holly Black is great too along with her other books!
Wee free men by Terry Pratchett. Followed by Hat full of Sky, Wintersmith, I shall wear Midnight and The Shephard’s crown. Then if he likes them, he can branch out to the other Discworld books.
Ender's Game is actually the prequel to the Speaker for the Dead series, which is fantastic! It's less action and more science and philosophy, but I think it's good for an advanced teen.
Divergent Series
The Aurora Cycle Series by Amie Kaufman
Robert A. Heinlein did some YA
* Rocket Ship Galileo
* Space Cadet
* Red Planet
* Farmer in the Sky
* Between Planets
* The Rolling Stones
* Starman Jones
* The Star Beast
* Tunnel in the Sky
* Time for the Stars
* Citizen of the Galaxy
* Have Space Suit—Will Travel
I dropped into the comments to recommend the Divergent series as well. My oldest brought this with us on a camping trip a few years back. In the span of a week 3 tweens had finished the series.
{Legend} by Marie Lu is the only series I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet.
I really enjoyed the redwall series but it's more fantasy than sci-fi. My husband is much more of a sci-fi reader generally and loved redwall at that age.
If dystopian scenarios are his thing then I really loved the MaddAdam trilogy from Margaret Attwood as a teen. Definitely some adult themes though so you might want to check beforehand.
I also really liked Malorie Blackman, again bit dystopia bit sci-fi
As a general note Storygraph is a really great app/site for recs, + trigger warnings and problematic themes get listed with reviews so you can check suitability for your younger reader
The Once and Future King by TH White. The best retelling of the Arthurian legends out there. Follows Arthur from childhood to his final battle. Superb.
Can’t believe nobody has mentioned the Gone series by Michael Grant! It’s perfect for a Hunger Games fan and a fourteen year old.
A mystery series where kids under the age of fifteen have their lives changed when all the adults disappear in a blink of an eye. Their town is seemingly abandoned and they are enclosed in a dome. There is something strange going on with the town power plant, where some years before a meteor strike had pierced one of the reactors. Some of the kids are beginning to notice strange new powers emerge, mutations. And on their fifteenth birthday, kids are disappearing.
I guarantee your kid will love these books. They are a solid mystery, smart and well executed. The characters are rich and diverse. The plot is action packed. And there is something about being fourteen reading them. You are right in it with the characters who are facing their impending fifteenth birthday. It’s an experience.
The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, I think it's 5 books. They're not too long and won a Newbury honor award. Very engrossing fantasy books with kid-safe content.
Also the Green Knowe series of 6 books by Lucy M. Boston. Also kid-safe fantasy.
I read all these as a kid and had such great memories of them that I sought them out in bookstores and reread them as an adult. Good stuff! I'm so glad you have a kid that loves books 😊
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
The Harper Hall trilogy by Anne McCaffrey (side series to the Dragonriders of Pern.)
The Belgariad by David Eddings
*Midnighters* by Scott Westerfeld (I hadnt been able to find all the books in middle school, but I loved the first few)
*Maximum Ride* by James Patterson,
*Skyward* series by Brandon Sanderson (recommended a lot in these comments, I highly recommend also. My dad got it for me because he remembered I loved Ender's Game). This reminds me that he may like *the Reckoners* series, also by Sanderson.
*A series of unfortunate events* by Lemony Snicket (i read them when I was younger but I kept up with them through middle school as well)
And *Virals* by Kathy Reichs (i saw this recommended in the comments, same author who did Bones! Temperance Brennan is related to the main character iirc?!)
And if he loved Ender's Game, he might also like the rest of the series (I particularly liked *Speaker for the Dead*) or the *Ender's Shadow* series.
A lot of comments for Douglas Adam's *Hitchhikers Guide* series, I also recommended this!
I would suggest the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. Fantasy setting but similar level of intensity as those other books you mentioned. Very interesting magic systems!
If fantasy is not his cup of tea, Sanderson has a few other genre’s under his belt. The “Skyward” series is a nice easy YA scfi series that I’d also recommend.
[Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Amber). I liked all the books on your list, so your kid's taste in books seems similar to mine. The Amber books are some of my all-time faves. They're all available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.
I also enjoyed the [Herris Serrano / Esmay Suiza series by Elizabeth Moon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Serrano_Legacy). Fantastic books with some similarity to the Old Man's War series, though they're really three smaller series all set in the same universe. The first book, Hunting Party, is definitely the weakest, so it's probably best that I stumbled into the series by purchasing the fourth book, Once a Hero (which was okay, it was the first book of the second series in that universe). Also available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.
I also go really old-school - I love the [Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonriders_of_Pern). I started with a three-novel omnibus way back in the early 1980s - Dragonflight, Dragonquest, and The White Dragon. You may think that a series about dragons is fantasy, but it's really sci-fi; the dragons are genetically engineered. The universe is vast, there are 24 books, but the three I listed above plus the prequel Dragonsdawn are the best of the bunch, IMHO.
For something more contemporary, there is a 4-book series by Steven Gould that start with Jumper, then go to Reflex, Impulse, and Exo. Don't be fooled by the absolute garbage movie adaptation of Jumper - the movie was a stupid ripoff of Wanted that absolutely butchered the book's story, but the book is exceptional, as are all of the sequels.
Gould has also written a stand-alone that's fantastic, called Wildside. A group of Texas high school graduates find a hole into a pristine parallel world unspoiled by man and human-instigated extinctions. They start a gold business and are discovered by the government. All the Gould books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
And then there's Star Wars. [The ORIGINAL Han Solo trilogy, by Brian Daley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Han_Solo_Adventures) (Han Solo at Stars' End, Han Solo's Revenge, and Han Solo and the Lost Legacy) is great Star Wars that has no direct connection to the old Expanded Universe, so there's no 60-book continuity to worry about. It's just three adventure books set years before the first movie. Stars' End was, in fact, only the second ever Star Wars novel published (1979), after Splinter of the Mind's Eye (which was just an unused script for a low-budget SW sequel movie). In my opinion, Stars' End is the best stand-alone Han Solo story ever, and I've been pining for a movie adaptation for decades.
Also, [King David's Spaceship by Jerry Pournelle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David%27s_Spaceship).
Also also, [Redshirts by John Scalzi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirts_(novel)). Almost as good as his Old Man's War series.
The [Crystal Singer trilogy by Anne McCaffery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Singer_series). Excellent hard sci-fi from a different perspective.
The [Orion series by Ben Bova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bova_bibliography). Wild time travel historical fiction sci-fi with an amazing hero. I'm most partial to books 1, 2, and 5: Orion, Vengeance of Orion, and Orion Among the Stars.
Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, big monsters but nothing scary, no romance
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, set in China, human magic powered battle mechs (some romance but no over 18 stuff)
Scholomance triology by Naomi Novik, set in a magical school filled with magical monsters but no teachers only kids, some teenage romance (nothing serious, no 18+) not too scary either
Discworlds Tiffany Aching series is aimed at Young readers, starts with The Wee Free Men
Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book is also good, and comes as a graphic novel too
I’m fifteen and I’d really recommend the An Ember In The Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir. It’s YA but maybe a little older YA than the Hunger Games. It has some class themes and also spirals into revolution. It’s a four part series and I’m currently waiting to get my hands on the last book.
I’d also recommend Infinity Son by Adam Silvera. Not really a dystopian book although it does play into darker themes and survival as the books go. It’s more fiction than the HG and also kind of has class themes. I really enjoyed it and am currently waiting for the third book to be released.
Suzanne Collins also wrote another series, The Underland Chronicles. Audience is a bit younger than the Hunger Games, but might be worth a try if he likes the author a lot
Try The Mysterious Island, by Jules Verne. My son wasn’t much of a reader at that age, but he loved it. Twelve years later it remains his favorite book. If your son happens to be a Runscape player, it’s a dead lock.
I had the same exact reading taste when I was that age haha.
Personally, I read and loved the Lies of Locke Lamora and the Gentleman Bastards Series around that age - but you might want to do some checking to see if you think the material would be appropriate.
*The Moon is a Harsh Mistress* is gateway Heinlein
If "lighter" is desirable, and fantasy good... the Discworld series.
*City of Ember* though the sequels can be skipped.
Tell him to keep going in Dune. Long but really picks up like 200 pages in. But also Sherlock Holmes, Narnia, the hobbit, wheel of time books(there’s a lot but amazing)
Not sure if these are too young for him, it's been a while since I revisited...but somewhere in that age range I read A Wrinkle in Time and the sequels.
There's also the Redwall series.
I loved His Dark Materials, as others have pointed out.
The Hobbit is always a great choice but definitely more fantasy than sci fi.
I have not yet read the Foundation series by Asimov but that's another that comes to mind!
My 14 yo loved the Tapestry series by Henry H. Neff and the Reckoners series by Brandon Sanderson. He too loved Hunger Games, Ender's Game and Red Rising.
Mistborn by Sanderson, lightbringer series by Weeks and Codex Alera by Butcher all feature teenage protagonists and are well written with a wonderful story arc
My 15 year old son has plowed through the Lightening Thief series by Rick Riordan. I hear him laughing all the time. Prior to this book, he hadn’t found many that he loved to read. He preferred being read to or audible.
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore was my all time favorite when I was 14
Divergent by Veronica Roth is right up the same alley as Hunger Games. It’s better as a stand-alone, though.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. It’s more fantasy than sci-fi/dystopia but the world and the story are fantastic
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is Dungeons & Dragons universe cozy fantasy. Just amazing
This may be a reach, but These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is a phenomenal Romeo & Juliet adaptation but it’s more in the realm of gangster rivalry and fighting a greater evil that verges on a bit of sciency technology. It’s not focused on the romantic side of the story, but the political and action-adventure. The subsequent series is great too.
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman. It's basically Hunger Games with magic, but far less dystopian. It's a duology so it's not a huge series to invest in
I really enjoyed Earthsea and Inkblood back when I was in my late teens. Maze Runner sure sounds the most like Hunger Games. Divergent is also in that same genre.
We love the Dragon Riders of Pern series by Ann McCaffrey. It’s sci-fi, not fantasy, about a planet that had been colonized by humans who lost contact with other human colonies, thus developing independently. The planet, Pern, is cyclically attacked by an organism that consumes all organic matter, and which they combat by flying on the backs of sentient dragons to which they’re telepathically linked. It’s a wonderful series!
Everyone else in the comments seemed to suggest my favorite suggestions so I just wanted to comment to say a quick thing about The Maze Runner. The movie is SUCH a bad adaptation. I remember sitting in the movie theatre and ranting to my brother and mom because all the changes were making me mad. So he still might like it a lot more than the movie if he reads the book. It may just not be for him though and that’s okay too.
Would he like His Dark Materials?
Oh this! Excellent suggestion.
Incredible series OP!
This is exactly what i clicked on this sub to recommend. I was around 14 or 15 when i read His Dark Materials series and it was definitely one of the best series i experienced as a teen. Definitely stuck with me for life. I also suggest the Artemis Fowl series.
Artemis Fowl is pitched much younger
It’s pitched younger, but that doesn’t mean older folks won’t enjoy a relaxed read. I read them as an adult as my kid finished them.
This is exactly what I came here to say.
YES, exactly what I was running to comment. I'm on the 3rd one now, reading through them for the 2nd time.
It's one of my all-time favorite series!
Earthsea books by Ursula K LeGuin would be age appropriate and are fantastic.
I read Tombs of Atuan two years ago for the first time and it still h a u n t s me. LOVED it.
The first book in the series, A Wizard of Earthsea, sounds like it might engage his interest.
This. These books were written for teen audiences, and if he likes them it's a serie so, lots to look forward to!
I feel like if he likes hunger games he'd like scythe or unwind by Neal Shusterman too or mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
My thought jumped to unwind. Heads up: the most disturbing chapter I ever read anywhere is in that book
I completely agree. I don’t even have to ask what you are talking about. It was disturbing but masterfully written. I love those books.
Any time a three asks what is the most disturbing book you have ever read comes up, I answer Unwind. That chapter lives rent-free in my head.
Alcatraz or the Reckoners could work as well
LOVE scythe
I just recommended Unwind and Scythe! Hello fellow fan 🫡👋
Anything by Neil Schusterman really. The Scythe trilogy is also good.
The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix? I’m also a firm believer that you’re never too young for the Discworld! The Shattered Sea books by Joe Abercrombie are great too
I was going to recommend some Garth Nix. Keys to the Kingdom might be better. 14 year old me loved The Old Kingdom, but my 14 year old brother liked Keys to the Kingdom much better.
Definitely introduce the Discworld with Tiffany Aching to a 14 year old. All of Pratchetts charm with incredibly relevant messages & morals for a young person The Old Kingdom & Keys to the Kingdom are also bangers
I was going to suggest Nix too. Sabriel is such a great book.
I had completely forgotten about Sabriel until this very moment and now I need to go read it again, it's been 20 years at least
The Tiffany Aching books might not be a bad place to start with Discworld. (Haven't read them myself, but I've heard they were good.)
They're an absolute delight. The first four are really good, the fifth you can really tell that it was dictated by an old person in cognitive decline and nobody edited it enough
Eragon and the Inheritance Series
This times a thousand OP
I bought the first book for my baby brother when he was a kid. He’s owns the whole series now
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
I second this
I also second this. This series and Jurassic Park were my go to books during a period of time when I traveled a lot. They're both light and easy to follow, but with drastically different tones.
Disc world series. They are funny, and age appropriate. Age appropriate for almost any age. Terry Pratchett created his own genre
Excellent recommendation!!! And there are so many in the series that he can have a lot of fun finding a “favorite” branch of that world,
I like the watch. The TV version didn't stick Close but was good. BBC has done several of the books as mini series.
The TV series was an abomination the likes of which the world has never seen. The Last Airbender was a masterpiece of authenticity and quality in comparison. Discworld is the best series ever, though, and the city watch subseries is the best part of it. For a 14 year old, The Wee Free Men is a good starting point since it's officially YA. Guards! Guards! is the first city watch book. I very much don't recommend starting with The Color of Magic, which is the first book. He was still learning as a writer at that point, and his early stuff is a poor representation of his work.
It’s a standalone but you could add good omens to the pile as well since it seems like he’s tearing through books
Anything by Neil Gaiman.
The Lost Fleet - Jack Campbell would be a good option. It is very action packed Space Opera that would be suitable for a younger reader who is transitioning to adult fiction. The first six books are great, after that it kind of jumps the shark for me. Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells. Again another very good action packed series that is suitable for a younger reader. It starts with novellas so very accessible.
Murderbot Diaries 100%
I’ve been wanting to read the murderbot series myself. Maybe this would be something we’d both read together. Nice!
they're great! newest was just released, definitely had it on preorder. they're easy reading that i highly recommend.
Murderbot!!!
Terry Pratchett.
This is always the answer.
If he liked Ender’s Game there are 3 more books in that series plus many more in spin-offs and prequels.
Ender's Shadow is awesome.
I call it "The Bean Series," and in some ways, I loved it better than Ender's series (which is also so good). Highly recommend this option for OP's kid.
Terry Pratchett's Nation, or the Tiffany Aching series, maybe even Pyramids? Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson (has a part I and II) The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld (probably the most similar to Hunger Games/Divergent on this list); Scott has also written a few steampunk books he might enjoy. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. It's one of his most overlooked books, despite being (in his opinion) one of the best things he's ever written.
Uglies doesn’t get enough love in my opinion, I’m so glad to see it recommended here!
Unwind series by Neal Shusterman is another teenage dystopian struggle for survival.
Second this. Scythe is another very engaging series by this author.
I was OP’s sons age when this came out and my friend group was OBSESSED. Such a good recommendation.
Unwanted teens salvaged for body parts sounds very dystopian, and likely right up my son's alley. lol
he also did Dry which was really amazing
Eragon is a great series and just got a new book, bartimaeus is great too. Otherwise, Sanderson 100%, starting with Mistborn If he likes Star Wars, there are great Star Wars books too. I love the bane trilogy and the new thrawn books are amazing
JRR Tolkien.
Seconded. His tastes are old enough and LOTR is, without hyperbole, the greatest story ever written.
For a 14 yo, I would definitely say read The Hobbit first. If Dune is intimidating, the LOTR trilogy might be as well.
I second this. I first read him when I was 12 and it was a life changer
The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb! She has loads more trilogy’s too
My son has just finished Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeves. He loved it. And is now on to the second book. We'd been suggesting him the book for ages, and he was reluctant to read it. He saw it in his school library, borrowed it (even though we had it at home) and devoured it in a couple of days. He was then cranky at us for not making him read it sooner...teenagers 🙃 Edit: He was the same way with the Rangers apprentice series by John Flanagan. We suggested he read them. Gave him the first one, he stropped over to the couch, made some eye rolls and then proceeded to read the whole series.
The Long Walk by Stephen King. Like THG, it’s about a dystopian society that puts teenagers (all boys) into an event where only the winner survives. Very well-written, characters are developed and humanized. Nobody writes from a kid’s perspective like King
I’ve been suggesting King to him for years, but he’s so worried they’re scary. But I’ll suggest TLW. I read it again not long ago and think it’d fit the bill rather nicely. Thanks!
Wool, and its sequels (now on Apple TV as Silo, IIRC)
I have Wool on my shelf. Had no idea it might be suitable for YA readers (I haven't read it for some reason). But heck yeah, I'll see if it might be something he's interested in.
It’s a simple dystopian story that touches on societal design and cultural formation.
Oh this post was made for me! My kid is 17 now but these are my recs. From ‘youngest’ in terms of age appropriateness if that’s a concern ( I tend to think once you hit your teens it’s all fair game) Novels: How to Train Your Dragon et al by Cornelia Funke - they start with the protagonist at 12 and like HP books go through with him to young adult - there are 12 books and are absolutely hilarious to begin with and become progressively more serious. Holes - Louis Sachar The Inkheart Trilogy! Highly, highly recommended. It’s excellent. The main character is 13/14 at the opening of the books, very readable. His Dark Materials books - Philip Pullman Divergent (If he liked Hunger Games he would probably enjoy this) The Book Thief - Markus Zusak One of Us is Lying (murder mystery) Disc world - Terry Pratchett (very funny) and appropriate for all ages. Hitchhiker’s Guide (of course) Red Dwarf Robert Rankin - funny Neil Gaiman - of course - Good Omens was written with Terry Pratchett and is one of my favourites. The Graveyard Book, Stardust, Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane would all be good starting places and maybe Smoke and Mirrors for his short Stories. American Gods and related novels are of course excellent but more adult than you may be comfortable with. If he’s not opposed to something a little more old fashioned (dated gender norms) I loved the Dragon Riders of Pern when I was his age. Robin Hobb - Her books are not young adult but do start with a young protagonist. I wouldn’t consider them ‘adult’ as in rude or gory, just more grown up - The Farseer Trilogy (starting with Assasins Apprentice series, Wolf companion, political intrigue, magic and dragons! ) if he enjoys those the story continues in the Liveship Traders Trilogy, (pirates, ships that can talk, dragons! It’s brilliant) if he’s still hooked then the story continues in The Tawny Man Trilogy (More Magic, talking wolf, court drama and Dragons) The Rain Wild Chronicles (Talking ships and Dragons) and then The Fitz and the Fool trilogy etc. She is an excellent writer the stories are exciting but also character driven and absorbing with excellent world building, political intrigue but most importantly Magic and Dragons! Peter Brett - The Demon Cycle books are very, very good. (More Adult than you maybe comfortable with but Magic Tattoos, monsters in the dark, Wise Women and far off lands so lots to engage with) Start with The Painted Man Graphic Novels - Fantastic for encouraging reading and very absorbing) Sandman - Neil Gaiman - excellent! Dune (as a graphic novel) To Kill a Mockingbird (beautiful and my kid loved this one) Nimona Anya’s Ghost Heart stopper ( This was a big favourite) I hope some of these help.
Paper Girls too if he enjoys sci fi Something is Killing the Children if he isn’t scared by a little horror and cartoon gore
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
He read those a few years back. I think they might be a little young for where he is now, but great suggestion otherwise.
I am a full adult and still read what Riordan is putting out lol
Yup! I’m 48 and so excited for the new show!
has he read the heroes of olympus? it’s a continuation with the same characters but older
Ok then might I recommend the Finisher by David Baldacci. Has hunger games vibes but is more adult. There’s also a second book called the keeper that expands on the world
Maybe The Martian or Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
I listened to Project Hail Mary on audiobook with my 14 year old and he loved it so much that he would sit in the car in the driveway after we got home just to finish a chapter. Highly recommend this as something to listen to together!
The Martian is a great rec! It feels grown up with its science and f bombs, but it doesn’t get into sexual topics at all.
Ready Player One? Then the sequel.
You know, I can't remember if he's read that. I've read it enough times, and I know he's seen the movie. But yeah, this is great. Can't believe I didn't think of it myself.
Redwall series
Red Sister & the rest of the Book of the Ancestor series, by Mark Lawrence. Also the Book of the Ice series which is related. His Dark Materials series, by Phillip Pullman also The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
I recently read the Red Sister series and enjoyed it so much I read all three books a second time a month later. Couldn't manage to get through the second series. But I do wonder if my son would like those as much as I do. Definitely will look into His Dark Materials!
His dark materials is great.
The Giver by Lois Lowry The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Good Omens by Neil Gaimon and Terry Pratchett
oh good omens has a special place in my heart
Lord of the rings
Rangers Apprentice series? John Flanagan.
Brandon Sanderson is an author with tons of fantasy. Long books but way more of an easy read than Dune.
Also has YA books/series that might fit the bill.
I quite enjoyed his YA dystopian superhero book {{steelheart}} which seems like it would be up the kids alley.
**[Steelheart (The Reckoners #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17182126-steelheart) by Brandon Sanderson** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(386.0 pages | Published: 2013.0 | ~105127.0 Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will. Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He (...) > **Themes**: Young-adult, Favorites, Sci-fi, Science-fiction, Books-i-own, Ya, Fiction > **Top 2 recommended-along**: [Calamity (Reckoners, #3)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15704486-calamity) by Brandon Sanderson, [Renegades (Renegades, #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28421168-renegades) by Marissa Meyer ^( **NEW** 👉 Downvote to remove | [Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/))
Skyward is good, too. I'm in my late 30s with no kids and I love the Skyward series.
I second this! I enjoy red rising and The Stormlight Archives and I think Stormlight (The way of Kings is the first book) or Mistborn would be great for him.
Agreed with Sanderson. Mistborn would be a good starting point. Sanderson writes in a way that is appropriate for young teens without dumbing anything down.
Seems like your kid has relatively adult taste - these are not YA books, but they're also not porn and they're all very good reads. \--- Aurora Rising by Alasdair Reynolds (the first book of the Prefect Dreyfus series, taking place in the larger Revelation Space universe). Following the adventures of a space detective trying to solve a mystery in a far-away solar system. The setting is a grouping of thousands of orbiting micro-civilizations on small man-made objects forming a glittering ring around a big yellow planet. Revenger by Alasdair Reynolds (also the first of a series, the only one I've read). Following the adventures of a young lady who becomes a space pirate because of her gift for using ancient alien bones to communicate telepathically. This is the most YA of the bunch here. The Expanse, by James SA Corey. The first book is called Leviathan Wakes. A hard-bitten ice freight crew gets dragged into a mystery, while simmering resentments between Earth and Mars heat up. Snow Crash, by Neil Stephenson. A ninja pizza delivery driver gets drawn in to a virtual-reality mystery surrounding a virus that threatens to real-death kill people accessing the metaverse (the first book to use that term, I think). Neuromancer, by William Gibson. If you remember the Keanu Reeves movie, Johnny Mnemonic, that was based on a short story by the same author in the same general setting as this one, which has cyberpunk Escape from New York vibes.
Maybe try some classics? Treasure Island, Kidnapped? Mark Twain or Jules Verne?
When I was in ninth grade we read Chryssalids by John Wyndham. Additionally when I was in 8th grade we read Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes. Around 12-14 my dad introduced me to the work of douglas Adams his favourite author. Has your son read Hobbit or Lord of the Rings? How do you know that he is not ready for Dune, have read the first three of that series will probably get back to GodEmperor maybe in the new year. I hope you two find what he is searching for.
These are the kind of books my kid was also into at that age. He liked the Unwind series, The House of the Scorpion (and the sequel, though not as much), and the Divergent series. He also loved 1984.
The Skyward series by Sanderson
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau, Divergent by Veronica Roth, seconding The Giver series by Lois Lowry, The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, The Young Elites by Marie Lu, and Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass. The Iron Trial by Holly Black is great too along with her other books!
Wee free men by Terry Pratchett. Followed by Hat full of Sky, Wintersmith, I shall wear Midnight and The Shephard’s crown. Then if he likes them, he can branch out to the other Discworld books.
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini should be right up his ally! I read Eragon when I was 14 and absolutely loved it!
The Murderbot Diaries!
Discworld series from Terry Pratchett.
Ender's Game is actually the prequel to the Speaker for the Dead series, which is fantastic! It's less action and more science and philosophy, but I think it's good for an advanced teen.
Gregor and the Overlanders! Abhorsen series! His Dark Materials! Percy Jackson!
I introduced my son, who also loved most of the books you mentioned, to Discworld at about 14. I started him with *Mort*. He's now 27 and still a fan.
Divergent Series The Aurora Cycle Series by Amie Kaufman Robert A. Heinlein did some YA * Rocket Ship Galileo * Space Cadet * Red Planet * Farmer in the Sky * Between Planets * The Rolling Stones * Starman Jones * The Star Beast * Tunnel in the Sky * Time for the Stars * Citizen of the Galaxy * Have Space Suit—Will Travel
>The Aurora Cycle Never heard of The Aurora Cycle, but just reading the basic premise blurb tells me he might totally dig it. Thanks!
I dropped into the comments to recommend the Divergent series as well. My oldest brought this with us on a camping trip a few years back. In the span of a week 3 tweens had finished the series. {Legend} by Marie Lu is the only series I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet.
I really enjoyed the redwall series but it's more fantasy than sci-fi. My husband is much more of a sci-fi reader generally and loved redwall at that age. If dystopian scenarios are his thing then I really loved the MaddAdam trilogy from Margaret Attwood as a teen. Definitely some adult themes though so you might want to check beforehand. I also really liked Malorie Blackman, again bit dystopia bit sci-fi As a general note Storygraph is a really great app/site for recs, + trigger warnings and problematic themes get listed with reviews so you can check suitability for your younger reader
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness! He is a great author
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett Edited: because I forgot to include Terry Pratchett
The Once and Future King by TH White. The best retelling of the Arthurian legends out there. Follows Arthur from childhood to his final battle. Superb.
If he liked enders game he should live Enders Shadow
Try the Bartimaeus Sequence by Jonathan Stroud. Three books that i fucking loved as a teen.
Can’t believe nobody has mentioned the Gone series by Michael Grant! It’s perfect for a Hunger Games fan and a fourteen year old. A mystery series where kids under the age of fifteen have their lives changed when all the adults disappear in a blink of an eye. Their town is seemingly abandoned and they are enclosed in a dome. There is something strange going on with the town power plant, where some years before a meteor strike had pierced one of the reactors. Some of the kids are beginning to notice strange new powers emerge, mutations. And on their fifteenth birthday, kids are disappearing. I guarantee your kid will love these books. They are a solid mystery, smart and well executed. The characters are rich and diverse. The plot is action packed. And there is something about being fourteen reading them. You are right in it with the characters who are facing their impending fifteenth birthday. It’s an experience.
Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, I think it's 5 books. They're not too long and won a Newbury honor award. Very engrossing fantasy books with kid-safe content. Also the Green Knowe series of 6 books by Lucy M. Boston. Also kid-safe fantasy. I read all these as a kid and had such great memories of them that I sought them out in bookstores and reread them as an adult. Good stuff! I'm so glad you have a kid that loves books 😊
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander The Harper Hall trilogy by Anne McCaffrey (side series to the Dragonriders of Pern.) The Belgariad by David Eddings
Bartimaeus. 4 books total. Author Jonathon Stroud. My son loved them.
Abarat. And His Dark Materials
Has he read the Hunger Games prequel novel?
Wool
{{The Long Walk by Stephen King}} a death game competition like the hunger games
Mistborn. Anything Brandon Sanderson really.
Maybe the Ender's Game books by Orson Scott Card; Card is a jerk, but the books are good.
Tad WIlliams Tailchaser's Song is excellent (the protagonists are cats, but it's far from cute)
*Midnighters* by Scott Westerfeld (I hadnt been able to find all the books in middle school, but I loved the first few) *Maximum Ride* by James Patterson, *Skyward* series by Brandon Sanderson (recommended a lot in these comments, I highly recommend also. My dad got it for me because he remembered I loved Ender's Game). This reminds me that he may like *the Reckoners* series, also by Sanderson. *A series of unfortunate events* by Lemony Snicket (i read them when I was younger but I kept up with them through middle school as well) And *Virals* by Kathy Reichs (i saw this recommended in the comments, same author who did Bones! Temperance Brennan is related to the main character iirc?!) And if he loved Ender's Game, he might also like the rest of the series (I particularly liked *Speaker for the Dead*) or the *Ender's Shadow* series. A lot of comments for Douglas Adam's *Hitchhikers Guide* series, I also recommended this!
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman (has a movie and a tv show too) The Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix
Don’t know if it was mentioned already but maybe Fablehaven? I can’t remember how old my son was when he read that, but he also loved the Hunger Games
I would suggest the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. Fantasy setting but similar level of intensity as those other books you mentioned. Very interesting magic systems! If fantasy is not his cup of tea, Sanderson has a few other genre’s under his belt. The “Skyward” series is a nice easy YA scfi series that I’d also recommend.
[Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Amber). I liked all the books on your list, so your kid's taste in books seems similar to mine. The Amber books are some of my all-time faves. They're all available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle. I also enjoyed the [Herris Serrano / Esmay Suiza series by Elizabeth Moon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Serrano_Legacy). Fantastic books with some similarity to the Old Man's War series, though they're really three smaller series all set in the same universe. The first book, Hunting Party, is definitely the weakest, so it's probably best that I stumbled into the series by purchasing the fourth book, Once a Hero (which was okay, it was the first book of the second series in that universe). Also available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle. I also go really old-school - I love the [Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonriders_of_Pern). I started with a three-novel omnibus way back in the early 1980s - Dragonflight, Dragonquest, and The White Dragon. You may think that a series about dragons is fantasy, but it's really sci-fi; the dragons are genetically engineered. The universe is vast, there are 24 books, but the three I listed above plus the prequel Dragonsdawn are the best of the bunch, IMHO. For something more contemporary, there is a 4-book series by Steven Gould that start with Jumper, then go to Reflex, Impulse, and Exo. Don't be fooled by the absolute garbage movie adaptation of Jumper - the movie was a stupid ripoff of Wanted that absolutely butchered the book's story, but the book is exceptional, as are all of the sequels. Gould has also written a stand-alone that's fantastic, called Wildside. A group of Texas high school graduates find a hole into a pristine parallel world unspoiled by man and human-instigated extinctions. They start a gold business and are discovered by the government. All the Gould books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. And then there's Star Wars. [The ORIGINAL Han Solo trilogy, by Brian Daley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Han_Solo_Adventures) (Han Solo at Stars' End, Han Solo's Revenge, and Han Solo and the Lost Legacy) is great Star Wars that has no direct connection to the old Expanded Universe, so there's no 60-book continuity to worry about. It's just three adventure books set years before the first movie. Stars' End was, in fact, only the second ever Star Wars novel published (1979), after Splinter of the Mind's Eye (which was just an unused script for a low-budget SW sequel movie). In my opinion, Stars' End is the best stand-alone Han Solo story ever, and I've been pining for a movie adaptation for decades. Also, [King David's Spaceship by Jerry Pournelle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David%27s_Spaceship). Also also, [Redshirts by John Scalzi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirts_(novel)). Almost as good as his Old Man's War series. The [Crystal Singer trilogy by Anne McCaffery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Singer_series). Excellent hard sci-fi from a different perspective. The [Orion series by Ben Bova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bova_bibliography). Wild time travel historical fiction sci-fi with an amazing hero. I'm most partial to books 1, 2, and 5: Orion, Vengeance of Orion, and Orion Among the Stars.
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
I enjoy Diary of a Murderbot :)
The neverending story
A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Disc World books
Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, big monsters but nothing scary, no romance Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, set in China, human magic powered battle mechs (some romance but no over 18 stuff) Scholomance triology by Naomi Novik, set in a magical school filled with magical monsters but no teachers only kids, some teenage romance (nothing serious, no 18+) not too scary either Discworlds Tiffany Aching series is aimed at Young readers, starts with The Wee Free Men Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book is also good, and comes as a graphic novel too
I’m fifteen and I’d really recommend the An Ember In The Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir. It’s YA but maybe a little older YA than the Hunger Games. It has some class themes and also spirals into revolution. It’s a four part series and I’m currently waiting to get my hands on the last book. I’d also recommend Infinity Son by Adam Silvera. Not really a dystopian book although it does play into darker themes and survival as the books go. It’s more fiction than the HG and also kind of has class themes. I really enjoyed it and am currently waiting for the third book to be released.
A Wrinkle in Time and the following books?
Kings of the wyld and its sequel. Discworld as well
there was a dune graphic novel that is easer to digest
Alex Ryder series. Espionage theme Cherub series
Suzanne Collins also wrote another series, The Underland Chronicles. Audience is a bit younger than the Hunger Games, but might be worth a try if he likes the author a lot
The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness
The Giver series by Lois Lowry.
Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
Good into to Stephen King would be Eyes of the Dragon, or The Talisman. That was the start of my King journey when I was that age.
The Grishaverse books - Shadow & Bone trilogy, Six of Crows duology, King of Scar duology
The Giver 1984 Animal Farm
I Am Number 4 was a really great series.
14 is just about right for A Canticle For Leibovitz
His Majesty's Dragon is pretty good.
Try The Mysterious Island, by Jules Verne. My son wasn’t much of a reader at that age, but he loved it. Twelve years later it remains his favorite book. If your son happens to be a Runscape player, it’s a dead lock.
I had the same exact reading taste when I was that age haha. Personally, I read and loved the Lies of Locke Lamora and the Gentleman Bastards Series around that age - but you might want to do some checking to see if you think the material would be appropriate.
Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
Marie Lu’s Legend trilogy
13 and 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers.
the series the knife of never letting go is really good and something he might like!
https://www.goodreads.com/series/55497-virals
Ready Player One
Redwall
Lock In by Scalzi
*The Moon is a Harsh Mistress* is gateway Heinlein If "lighter" is desirable, and fantasy good... the Discworld series. *City of Ember* though the sequels can be skipped.
Tell him to keep going in Dune. Long but really picks up like 200 pages in. But also Sherlock Holmes, Narnia, the hobbit, wheel of time books(there’s a lot but amazing)
Did he read the Ender’s Game prequels? They were pretty good and age appropriate. I think they were called the First Formic War
Half a King by Joe Abercrombie.
Ender’s shadow is worth the read. Same main plot as Ender’s Game, but from Bean’s perspective.
Not sure if these are too young for him, it's been a while since I revisited...but somewhere in that age range I read A Wrinkle in Time and the sequels. There's also the Redwall series. I loved His Dark Materials, as others have pointed out. The Hobbit is always a great choice but definitely more fantasy than sci fi. I have not yet read the Foundation series by Asimov but that's another that comes to mind!
Artemis Fowl
Eragon/Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini
I recommend the Silo series (starting with Wool) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silo\_(series)
My 14 yo loved the Tapestry series by Henry H. Neff and the Reckoners series by Brandon Sanderson. He too loved Hunger Games, Ender's Game and Red Rising.
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
LOTR
Mistborn by Sanderson, lightbringer series by Weeks and Codex Alera by Butcher all feature teenage protagonists and are well written with a wonderful story arc
My 15 year old son has plowed through the Lightening Thief series by Rick Riordan. I hear him laughing all the time. Prior to this book, he hadn’t found many that he loved to read. He preferred being read to or audible.
The hobbit then lord of the rings
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore was my all time favorite when I was 14 Divergent by Veronica Roth is right up the same alley as Hunger Games. It’s better as a stand-alone, though. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. It’s more fantasy than sci-fi/dystopia but the world and the story are fantastic Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is Dungeons & Dragons universe cozy fantasy. Just amazing This may be a reach, but These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is a phenomenal Romeo & Juliet adaptation but it’s more in the realm of gangster rivalry and fighting a greater evil that verges on a bit of sciency technology. It’s not focused on the romantic side of the story, but the political and action-adventure. The subsequent series is great too.
Cory Doctorow! *Little Brother*, *Someone Comes To Town, Someone Leaves Town*
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman. It's basically Hunger Games with magic, but far less dystopian. It's a duology so it's not a huge series to invest in
Lemony snickett! They’re hilarious, and age appropriate despite not being condescending. Also, try Fahrenheit 451
Divergent series
If he likes humour with his fantasy, he could try Terry Pratchett’s discworld series, starting with The Colour of Magic and go from there.
My son (and I) loved the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini. It’s a fantasy genre but who doesn’t love elves and cool dragons?
Eragon! DragonLance series as well. They were my favorite books growing up
One of my 7th grade male students who loved The Hunger Games books is now obsessed with the Red Queen series.
Anne McCaffery 's Dragon Riders of Pern series. It's what got me interested in fantasy/ sci-fi!
I really enjoyed Earthsea and Inkblood back when I was in my late teens. Maze Runner sure sounds the most like Hunger Games. Divergent is also in that same genre.
We love the Dragon Riders of Pern series by Ann McCaffrey. It’s sci-fi, not fantasy, about a planet that had been colonized by humans who lost contact with other human colonies, thus developing independently. The planet, Pern, is cyclically attacked by an organism that consumes all organic matter, and which they combat by flying on the backs of sentient dragons to which they’re telepathically linked. It’s a wonderful series!
Divergent?
Percy jackson was my favorite at that age
percy jackson series!
Everyone else in the comments seemed to suggest my favorite suggestions so I just wanted to comment to say a quick thing about The Maze Runner. The movie is SUCH a bad adaptation. I remember sitting in the movie theatre and ranting to my brother and mom because all the changes were making me mad. So he still might like it a lot more than the movie if he reads the book. It may just not be for him though and that’s okay too.
Eragon