Amelia Andriacco
Dystopian novels became a huge craze with books like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Maze Runner. It’s easy to get hooked on these kinds of books, searching for the next series to dive into. However, after reading the most popular ones, how do you find your next read? Here are the best young adult dystopian books like The Hunger Games that you need to check out.
6. Matched by Ally Condie
This book trilogy takes place in a world where all your decisions are made for you. From occupation to romance, the system chooses your perfect life. When it’s Cassia’s turn to discover her ideal mate, her best friend’s photo is shown. She is confident in this decision, until the face of another boy flashes followed by the screen turning black. Cassia is stuck between the life she’s always known, and the life she could have.
Fans love the blend of romance and dystopian life. Matched is perfect for fans of books like The Giver, as it shows a world where people think their lives are perfect, but in the end, they’re wrong.
5. The Selection by Kiera Class
America Singer belongs to Caste 5. Prince Maxon is a 1, the highest caste. When Prince Maxon becomes of age, the selection begins. This is an opportunity for 35 lower class girls to compete for Prince Maxon’s hand and say goodbye to her old life. While this is the dream for most girls, America dreads the idea of being among the selected. Her simple life allows her to be free from rebel attacks on the palace, and continue to live out her secret romance with Aspen, a member of Caste 6. When America meets Prince Maxon, her feelings start to change.
The Selection is another great dystopian novel that blends romance with a futuristic world. This is perfect for people who loved The Hunger Games, as it forces lower-class citizens to compete for a prize–whether they want to or not.
4. Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh
Aspen is an indentured outsider, serving years of her life to those in the higher class who have powers and citizenship. Astrid seems to have the worst assignment of all: surrogate to Princess Renya. When Renya steps out of line, it’s Astrid who gets whipped as punishment. After seeing the effects this life has had on her sick father, she is prompted to enter the race of oblivion.
This race is the only shortcut to citizenship. Any outsider has the opportunity to enter, but it comes with consequences. Racers are given the drug oblivion, which erases all memories of who they once were. They are dropped into the race with no memory, with only the first clue to get them started. Racers often die in the race trying to secure citizenship for themselves and their family.
This is another great book for Hunger Games fans. The lower class competes for a better life, often risking their lives. Participants turn on each other, valuing victory over other people. Though this book is a standalone, it is perfect for any dystopian fan.
3. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This five-book series follows a girl named Mare Barrow. Mare has red blood, like the rest of the commoners. The silver-blooded people are considered elites, as they are born with powers. Reds live a life of poverty and are ultimately sent off to war if they can’t find a job by their 17th birthday. After a chance meeting with a stranger, she is set up with a job of her own right before her time runs out.
While working her job at the palace, she discovers she has powers of her own. Recognizing her potential, the silver royals disguise Mare as one of their own. This leads to a story of resistance and rebellion, as Mare fights for a better life.
The Red Queen is the perfect mix of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian societies.
2. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
This series incorporates classic fairy tales into a futuristic, chaotic world. Beginning with Cinder, each book follows a different Disney-inspired character. Cinder, the second-class cyborg citizen, is a retelling of Cinderella’s story. While humans, androids, and cyborgs crowd the earthly streets, lunar people watch from above. Cinder takes it upon herself to learn about her past in order to protect the future of their world.
This series is perfect for anyone who loves a new take on the classics. If you’re a fan of princesses, but also classics like Star Wars, this series offers familiar yet original ideas.
1. The Missing by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This series follows a thirteen-year-old boy named Jonah. Jonah is adopted, which he never considered to be a big deal. However, Jonah–alongside other adopted children–starts receiving mysterious letters. These letters tell them that they are “one of the missing.”
“The missing” refers to a group of adopted teenagers who were plucked from history by futuristic time travelers. After realizing they want to take them back to their original time periods, the teens go on a journey to fix history and return home.
This series incorporates the future and the past. It’s perfect for anyone who loves learning about history or people who enjoy new worlds and technology.