After the release of squid game In the second season, many readers may be wondering if there is any book that has the same atmosphere as the South Korean thriller series, and luckily there is. First released in 2021, squid game follows a man named Gi-hun who struggles with incredible debt which he cannot afford. However, when he hears about a week-long game that could earn him billions of won, he goes in without a doubt. Soon, Gi-hun discovers that these children's games are not as easy as they seem and, in fact, could cost him his life.
While it may seem difficult to find books that are similar to TV shows, squid game in fact, it has a very popular premise in novels: the trials. Countless pieces of fiction are based on this idea of a set of deadly tasks that characters must survive to win a big prize. Furthermore, these books are often underpinned by important ideas about class, race, and prejudice. Despite the fact that squid game has cemented its own colorful and dark atmosphere, readers will be happy to know that there are countless novels that have a similar premise and feeling.
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The Year of Grace: Kim Liggett
Girls are sent away at 16
A young adult novel that takes a different view on Squid Games' premise is The Year of Grace. Published in 2019, This book follows Tierney James, a young girl who lives in a society where girls are banished at the age of sixteen due to its increasing power of seduction. Hopefully the girls will lose their magic during their time away - or be killed. As Tierney approaches her “Grace Year,” she fears for her life and prepares to fight her own classmates.
At first sight, The Year of Grace may look very different from Squid Game, But it is these differences that make the recommendation so fundamental. In the same way that Lula's Games antagonize poor people, the society in The Year of Grace villainizes young womenmaking her beauty a demerit against them. Furthermore, The Year of Grace investigates the violence that social expectations can cause among victims. Thus, it is a strong candidate for those who are interested in women's issues and dystopian societies.
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The test: Joelle Charbonneau
Young people rebuild a broken society
Another young adult story that is more on the science fiction side is The test. The 2013 novel is set on a planet where a violent war has destroyed almost everything. Now, The brightest young minds are being chosen to audition and become the world's new leaders. Teenager Cia is excited to take part in the Test, but soon discovers that not everything is as it seems and, worse, she can't trust anyone.
The test It definitely has the ambiance of early 2010s dystopian novels, but that nostalgia may be more of a benefit than a detriment. Readers may feel transported back to their youth with this simple YA dystopia, which appears to have a very similar feel to Squid Game: a character starts a big task expecting one thing and gets something completely different. Despite being for a younger audience, The test can provide the same mystery and corruption as Squid game.
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#Murdertrending: Gretchen McNeil
A Teenager Is Featured in a Killer Reality Show
Something that is truly special squid game it's how it balances the darkness with the wacky comedy. Another story that manages to follow this line is #murdertrends. In this 2018 book, Dee is a teenager who was wrongly accused of murdering her half-sister. As a result, she is thrown into a horrific social media live stream where convicted criminals fight to the death in a place called Alcatraz 2.0. Dee must not only save her own life, but also prove her innocence.
It's one thing to be a dark suspense novel, but including elements of comedy and ridiculous realism is another skill altogether. #murdertrends is a great example of a book that has high stakes but is also willing to be silly and self-reflective. As Squid Game, This is a strong example of artistic criticism of life in the most fun and exciting way possible. Additionally, as a young adult novel, readers of almost all ages can enjoy this play.
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Red Rising: Pierce Brown
A poor young man enters a dangerous game
It's no surprise that squid game It is violent, but sometimes this aggression can be particularly shocking. The same goes for Pierce Brown's science fiction novel, Red Rise. Set in a galaxy where the poor are completely oppressed by the rich, a young man tries to take revenge for the murder of his lover by infiltrating rich society and become an important member of your class. Then, with his new power, he will strike down those who made him suffer. But first, he must make a name for himself through a series of intense trials.
Although Darrow lives in an intergalactic world and Gi-hun lives in a (mostly) normal world, both characters fight for the same thing: justice.
Red Rise is a perfect accompaniment to Squid Game, even despite their gender differences. Although Darrow lives in an intergalactic world and Gi-hun lives in a (mostly) normal world, both characters fight for the same thing: justice. Both characters are scrappy, talented, and have a strong sense of morality that is called into question by the situations they are placed in. The only thing that Red Rise really adds to the squid game history is an attractive and cruel world of bodily transformations and Roman-like government.
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Running Man: Stephen King
A man enters a terrible game to take care of his family
A story that is a very close parallel squid game by a renowned author is Hallway. Published by Stephen King under the pen name Richard Bachman in 1982, Hallway centers on Ben Richards, a man who has no money and must care for his sick daughter. and his wife. Desperate for money, Ben decides to risk his life by becoming a contestant in a televised game where players become prey but win incredible fortune if they survive.
Clearly, Hallway and squid game has several parallels. Money is desperately needed, father and daughter have a strained relationship, and the main character will risk his life for the audience's pleasure to get what he needs. Of course, Hallway has a more Americanized version of squid game history, but the two are inextricably linked. Even better, Hallway is being adapted into a 2025 film starring Glen Powell. In this way, squid game the public should prepare for even bloodier ordeals.
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The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins
A teenager gets into a fight to the death
When it comes to books about violent trials, it's hard to ignore one of the most praised dystopian works of all time, The Hunger Games. Originally published in 2008 and developed into blockbuster films in the 2010s, The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian country where two children from every 12 districts are chosen once a year to participate in a televised fight to the death. When Katniss Everdeen's younger sister is chosen, she decides to volunteer in her place.despite knowing that he could very well lose his life.
The Hunger Games is an iconic series for a reason. Collins writes a world that is so deep and so corrupt, and through Katniss's eyes, readers can compare the horrors of Panem with the real horrors of our world. In this way, it is like Squid game. Katniss and Gi-hun simply want to survive and try to save as many people as they can. along the way. While Katniss's trials are far from childish games, they offer the same sense of tension and injustice.
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Battle Royale: Koushun Takami
Children are forced to fight on a deserted island
A story with a very similar premise to The Hunger Games and Royal Battle. A Japanese novel published in 1999, This book follows a group of high school students who are left on a desert island and forced to fight to the death. until there is only one survivor left. With influences from Lord of the Flies, This story explores the issues of youth and trying to survive in a world that doesn't want you to succeed. Royal Battle was successful in Japan and is definitely an important source when it comes to new stories like Squid game.
Royal Battle is one of the only books on this list that will tell a story that is not completely Americanized. Although anyone from any culture can enjoy Squid Game, It is undeniable that the South Korean setting plays a role in its atmosphere. That's why, Royal Battle there is an environment that is getting closer and closer Squid Game. Furthermore, despite having young people as the main characters, Royal Battle it still presses the idea of injustice and an unjust class system.
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Lord of the Flies: William Golding
Boys are trapped without adult supervision
Another undeniable classic that has links with squid game and Lord of the Flies. This 1954 novel follows a student plane that crashes on a desert island. At first, the boys are delighted to be away from the eyes of adults, being able to do whatever they want. However, as their “society” develops, they begin to face problems and enormous moral dilemmas. The boys begin to understand that the world is much scarier than they could ever imagine.
Although the characters in squid game are adults, it's easy to see how society looks Lord of the Flies plays a role.
Although the characters in squid game are adults, it is easy to see how society looks Lord of the Flies plays a role. When all squid game players gather in their mysterious room, suddenly they become a society that must work together to survive. squid game season 2 emphasizes this idea, as Gi-hun tries to save them from death. Yet, It's clear that greed and evil separate these players, creating a society that cares less about community than self-preservation.
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Alice on the Border: Haro Aso
A young man is transported to a parallel gaming world
The next entry is a manga series rather than a novel, but it's too perfect to leave off this list. Alice on the Border is a manga that follows Ryohei Arisua young man who is tired of his boring life. So, when you are transported to a parallel world full of games, you are enchanted. That is, until he and his friends realize that if they don't play, they won't survive. As evidenced by the title, Alice on the Border is inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic, Alice in Wonderland.
Of all the books on this list, Alice on the Border may be the only one that involves real games, as well as Squid game. Not only is Ryohei Arisu subject to trials throughout his life, but they are literal games that he has no choice but to play if he wants to stay alive. Furthermore, This parallel world looks a lot like that of Squid Game, where terrible things happen in a strangely colorful place this is impossible to escape. Alice on the Border was adapted into a Netflix TV show, and that's perfect too squid game follow.
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The most dangerous game: Richard Connell
A man is hunted
Finally, there are The most dangerous game by Richard Connell. Some might say this is the original model for death game stories. In this novel, A great hunter is shipwrecked on an island and discovers he is being hunted by a Russian aristocrat. As a result, he must figure out how to turn his hunting skills into skills to survive a hunter.
Due to its publication in 1924, The most dangerous game It probably reads very differently from any other book on this list. However, it's worth picking up. This kind of story is what inevitably inspires stories like squid game. Visceral fear is a discomfort that permeates The most dangerous game it's the feeling that countless stories have continued for decades. For those who want to get the full dose of survival stories, The most dangerous game It's the thing to read.