Whether you’re a fan of the video game or the TV show adaptation (or both!), The Last Of Us follows a widely popular story of survival in a world of zombie-like creatures. Here are a list of thrilling books to read if you enjoyed The Last of Us!
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What is The Last Of Us About?
When the world is overrun by a fungal organism that takes over human bodies, the few remaining survivors do anything they can to keep humanity going.
Joel is one of those survivors, emotionally hardened by loss and trauma. But when he comes across a tough pre-teen girl named Ellie who may be humanity’s only chance, he realizes it’s up to him to help keep her alive on their journey across America.
I personally enjoy The Last Of Us because the characters feel real, the world-building is frightening and (mostly) believable, and the story itself has a lot of heart. It pulls you in, and you find yourself rooting so hard for the characters!
Why is it so popular?
The Last of Us TV adaptation is closely based on the original video game of the same name, which was developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2013.
The game was a breakout success, winning tons of awards, garnering an extremely high rating among users and critics alike, and becoming one of the best-selling video games of all time. Its sequel, The Last Of Us II, was wildly popular as well.
The game’s television adaption, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, was produced by HBO and released in January of 2023. So far, it’s been a hit success, and was already renewed for a second season.
Books Like The Last Of Us
And now, what to read if you love The Last Of Us!
I’ve included books with a similar genre or vibe, from post-apocalyptic thrillers to books with strong found-family character connections and other unique twists on the zombie fiction genre. Enjoy!
City of Thieves by David Benioff
Genre: Historical Fiction
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This historical fiction novel is based during WW2, and while there are no monsters, it does center around two characters who are forced together to survive and embark on a journey during a desolate, dangerous time.
The writer of the original The Last Of Us video game, Neil Druckmann, credits ‘City of Thieves’ as part of the inspiration for the game – so you can expect somewhat of a similar vibe!
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
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With a lot of similarities to The Last of Us, it wouldn’t be surprising if the creators of the game/TV show took inspiration from this classic post-apocalyptic novel. The Road is about a father and son as they journey through a ravaged world.
The Passage by Justin Cronin
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction & Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
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The first book in a trilogy, The Passage chronicles the fall of civilization as we know it at the hands of a devastating military experiment. It follows an FBI agent and the 6-year old orphaned girl he’s sworn to protect on a decades-long journey toward the world’s uncertain future.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Genre: Horror, Fantasy & Gothic Fiction
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What Moves The Dead is a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story, “The Fall of the House of Usher”. It’s a little different than many of the other books on this list in that it’s not a post-apocalyptic novel, but there are still some similarities to The Last Of Us (like creepy fungal growths!).
The Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Horror & Science Fiction
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When a majority of the population suddenly starts sleepwalking toward an unknown destination, a girl follows her sister on the journey in order to protect her. But this strange phenomena causes society to fall apart, leading to even more danger.
The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction & Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
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This novel follows a bright, young girl who loves school and learning about the world – and also happens to be a zombie. It’s uniquely told from the point of view of the girl/monster.
Swan Song by Robert McCammon
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Horror & Fantasy
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In an America destroyed by nuclear war, an ancient evil seeks out a child named Swan. But a group of survivors band together in order to protect her – and what’s left of their ravaged world.
Feed by Mira Grant
Genre: Young Adult Horror, Science Fiction & Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
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Twenty years after an apocalyptic event that turned humans into flesh-eating zombies, two bloggers are on the hunt to find out the truth about what caused the event – despite the dangers involved. (This is a series, written under a pseudonym of Seanan McGuire.)
The Stand by Stephen King
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Horror & Fantasy
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A classic of the apocalyptic/dystopian genre, The Stand follows an epic battle between good and evil in a world devastated by a deadly plague.
Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic & Science Fiction
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This story weaves between a lush apocalyptic version of our world (overrun with genetically modified animals and a small population of a new humanoid species) and the past (how everything came to be). It’s filled with stark emotion and a bittersweet exploration of human nature.
(This is the first book in a trilogy).
Wool by Hugh Howey
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction & Science Fiction
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This novel centers around a community of people who have been living underground for years, with strict rules – like being forbidden to go aboveground. (This is the first short book in a series.)
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Genre: Dystopian Fiction & Fantasy
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This unique series is set in a fantasy world on the brink of an apocalyptic event, with characters not so unlike ourselves – or Joel or Ellie from The Last Of Us. (This book is the first in a series.)
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Genre: Horror, Thriller & Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
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The world is driven to madness when something begins driving people to violence with a single glance. Five years later, one of the few survivors must venture back out into that world with her children – all blindfolded – to help save them.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
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Station Eleven focuses not only on the struggle for survival after a worldwide epidemic, but also the last survivors who search for hope and beauty in a ravaged world.
While Station Eleven isn’t exactly the same as The Last of Us in that it isn’t a horror, there are still some suspenseful elements, and there are also similar themes around humanity, survival, and human connection.
What did you think of The Last of Us (either the game or the tv show)? I’d love to hear your thoughts – let me know in the comments!
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