Thrillers for Teens

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

This dystopian thriller takes readers on a journey through a post-apocalyptic world, where a tyrannical government holds an annual event called “The Hunger Games.” In this game, children are chosen to fight to the death, and the last one standing is declared the winner. The book is a thrilling page-turner that has captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world.

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins is an excellent thriller for teens because it features a gripping and suspenseful plot, relatable characters, and explores themes that are relevant to young adult readers.

The novel’s plot is incredibly engaging, with a unique and exciting premise that captures the reader’s attention from the start. The concept of a televised fight to the death in a dystopian world is thrilling and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the story. The narrative is also filled with twists and turns, creating suspense and surprise at every turn. These elements make the book a page-turner and an ideal thriller for young readers who are looking for an exciting and suspenseful story.

The characters in “The Hunger Games” are relatable and well-developed, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their journey. Katniss, the protagonist, is a strong and independent young woman who defies traditional gender roles and is an excellent role model for young adult readers. Peeta, her fellow tribute, is kind and supportive, providing a balance to Katniss’s strong and independent personality. The supporting cast of characters is also well-written, with each character having their own unique backstory and motivations.

“The Hunger Games” explores themes that are relevant to young adult readers, such as social inequality, oppression, and rebellion. These themes resonate with readers who are experiencing similar issues in their own lives and provide a relatable backdrop for the story. The novel also explores the importance of standing up for oneself and fighting for what is right, making it an empowering read for young adults.

Overall, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins is an excellent thriller for teens because of its exciting plot, well-developed characters, and relevant themes. It is a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and suspenseful story that also has a deeper meaning.

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson is a fantastic thriller for teens due to its gripping plot, relatable characters, and exploration of important themes.

 The novel follows the story of Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior who decides to investigate a murder case for her senior project. The murder case involves a popular girl named Andie Bell, who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend five years ago. As Pippa delves deeper into the case, she uncovers shocking secrets and risks her own safety to uncover the truth.

The plot of “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is incredibly engaging and suspenseful. The novel is written in a unique format, including interviews, journal entries, and police reports, which adds to the intrigue and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The mystery surrounding Andie’s murder is complex and twists and turns as Pippa uncovers new clues, making the novel a page-turner and a must-read for young adult readers who are looking for a thrilling story.

The characters in “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” are well-developed and relatable. Pippa, the protagonist, is smart and determined, making her an excellent role model for young adult readers. The supporting cast of characters is also diverse and interesting, each with their own unique backstory and motivations. The characters’ relationships with one another are complex and realistic, adding depth and nuance to the story.

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” explores important themes that are relevant to young adult readers, such as the power of social media, the impact of toxic relationships, and the dangers of making assumptions. The novel also highlights the importance of speaking up and taking action when something is not right, making it an empowering read for young adults.

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson is an excellent thriller for teens due to its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and exploration of important themes. It is a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting and suspenseful story that also has a deeper meaning.

“The Maze Runner” by James Dashner

In this action-packed thriller, a group of boys wakes up in a maze with no memory of their past lives. As they try to escape, they discover that the maze is full of deadly creatures and hidden traps. With pulse-pounding action and unexpected twists, “The Maze Runner” is a thrilling read for teens and adults alike.

In “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner, readers are taken on a thrilling journey through a post-apocalyptic world that is both mysterious and dangerous. This novel is a great choice for teen readers who enjoy fast-paced adventure stories and thought-provoking dystopian fiction.

The novel follows the story of Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in a mysterious glade with no memory of his past life. The glade is surrounded by a massive maze that is filled with deadly creatures and traps. Thomas and the other boys in the glade must work together to solve the maze and find a way to escape, while also trying to uncover the truth about why they are there and who put them there.

One of the strengths of “The Maze Runner” is its well-crafted world-building. The post-apocalyptic setting is both eerie and fascinating, and the maze itself is a unique and intriguing element that adds a sense of danger and urgency to the story. The novel also features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, making them relatable and engaging to read about.

Another reason why “The Maze Runner” is a great choice for teen readers is its fast-paced plot. The novel is full of action and suspense, with plenty of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The story is also thought-provoking, exploring complex themes such as memory, identity, and the ethics of scientific experimentation.

Overall, “The Maze Runner” is a thrilling and engaging novel that would be an excellent choice for teen readers who enjoy dystopian fiction and action-packed adventure stories. With its well-crafted world-building, diverse cast of characters, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is sure to captivate young adult readers and leave a lasting impression.

“The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins

This psychological thriller follows the story of Rachel, a woman who becomes obsessed with a couple she sees from her train window every day. When the woman goes missing, Rachel becomes involved in the investigation, leading her down a dangerous path. “The Girl on the Train” is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

“The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins is a thrilling novel that would be a great choice for teen readers who enjoy mysteries and psychological thrillers. With its gripping plot, well-developed characters, and exploration of complex themes, this novel is sure to keep young adult readers hooked from beginning to end.

The novel follows the story of Rachel, a woman who takes the same train every day and becomes obsessed with a couple whose house she passes by on her journey. When the woman from the couple goes missing, Rachel becomes embroiled in the investigation and must confront her own demons in order to uncover the truth.

One of the strengths of “The Girl on the Train” is its plot, which is both intriguing and unpredictable. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including Rachel’s, the missing woman’s, and the husband’s, which creates a sense of mystery and suspense. The novel also features several twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Another reason why “The Girl on the Train” is a great choice for teen readers is its well-developed characters. Rachel is a flawed but relatable protagonist who struggles with alcoholism and the aftermath of a failed marriage. Her struggles with addiction and relationships will resonate with many young adult readers who may be going through similar challenges in their own lives. The other characters in the novel are also complex and multi-dimensional, adding depth and nuance to the story.

“The Girl on the Train” explores important themes that are relevant to young adult readers, such as the dangers of obsession, the consequences of secrets, and the power of memory. The novel also addresses issues such as mental health and domestic violence, which are important topics for young readers to be aware of and understand.

“The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins is a thrilling and engaging novel that would be an excellent choice for teen readers who enjoy mysteries and psychological thrillers. With its well-crafted plot, well-developed characters, and exploration of complex themes, this novel is sure to captivate young adult readers and leave a lasting impression.

“One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus

This young adult thriller is a modern-day twist on the classic “whodunit” mystery. When five high school students walk into detention, only four walk out alive. As the investigation unfolds, secrets are revealed, and the truth becomes more and more elusive. With complex characters and unexpected twists, “One of Us Is Lying” is a thrilling read that will keep readers hooked until the final page.

“One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus is a captivating thriller that would be a great choice for teen readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries. With its intriguing plot, relatable characters, and exploration of important themes, this novel is sure to keep young adult readers on the edge of their seats.

The novel follows the story of five high school students who are sent to detention, but only four come out alive. When the student who died is revealed to have been murdered, the other four become the prime suspects. As the investigation unfolds, the students must work together to uncover the truth about what really happened.

One of the strengths of “One of Us Is Lying” is its well-crafted plot, which is full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. The story is told from the perspectives of the four main suspects, which allows the reader to see different sides of the story and adds to the suspense. The novel also features a number of red herrings and false leads, which makes it difficult to predict the ending.

Another reason why “One of Us Is Lying” is a great choice for teen readers is its relatable characters. The four main suspects are all high school students who struggle with issues such as popularity, identity, and family dynamics. These issues will resonate with many young adult readers who may be going through similar challenges in their own lives. The characters are also well-developed and have distinct personalities, making them interesting and engaging to read about.

Finally, “One of Us Is Lying” explores important themes that are relevant to young adult readers, such as the dangers of stereotypes and the impact of social media. The novel also addresses issues such as mental health and LGBTQ+ identity, which are important topics for young readers to be aware of and understand.

“One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that would be an excellent choice for teen readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries. With its well-crafted plot, relatable characters, and exploration of important themes, this novel is sure to captivate young adult readers and leave a lasting impression.

The world of thriller books for teens is filled with countless options for readers looking for a thrilling escape. From dystopian worlds to psychological thrillers, the genre has something for everyone. With each turn of the page, readers will be transported to new and exciting worlds, filled with danger, suspense, and unexpected twists. So why not pick up a thriller book today and let the adventure begin?

Other great thrillers for teen readers:

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

Stay True by Hua Hsu

Mimi Lee Gets a Clue by Jennifer J. Chow

The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker

Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story by Lis Smith

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides