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10 Dystopian Books to Read If You Hate Dystopian

We can understand why you wouldnt necessarily love dystopian novelstheyre works of fiction that show us the end of the world as we know it, and what life is like after. Kind of scary if were being honest. But really, theyre just speculation. A look at a future we dont have to live, but lowkey could be heading for a generation or two down the line
Back in the day, it seemed like every other book being published was a dystopian novel, and theres a reason for that. These novels are exciting! Theres action, romance, corrupt government, war, this list could go on and on. Theres so much content in these books to enjoy on both a surface level, and deeper level when we reflect on what brought these societies to that point.So yeah, they can be pretty scary but they are also an interesting and unique way to look at the world and what society could be. So go on, give it a shot!
Scroll down to see which dystopian worlds we thinkstand out above the rest.

10 Dystopian Books to Read if You Hate Dystopian

1.Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Originally a trilogy, the Shatter Me series is the dystopian genre at its best. Romance, superpowers, action, its got it all. Be sure to check out the newest book in the series, RESTORE ME, to see where this future is headed.
Juliette hasnt touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliettes touch is fatal. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe shes exactly what they need right now.

Find out more about Shatter Me!

2. Scythe by Neal Schusterman

The first book in a trilogy, Neal Schusterman presents an almost utopian future. Almost. The more you read about this future society, the more you see the cracks in its exterior.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death.
Now scythes are the only ones who can end lifeand they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythea role that neither wants. These teens must master the art of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Find out more about Scythe!

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Sure, youve heard of THE GIVER, but have you read it? It would be unjust to recommend a list of dystopian novels without acknowledging one of the works that started the genre.
Jonass world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world.
When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does Jonas begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back

Find out more about The Giver!

4. The Final Six by Alexandra Monir

Oh, climate change destroying the earth and affecting its ability to sustain humanity. Thats not at all a terrifying possible future! *laughs in uncomfortable fear but continues reading this book because its so good*
After erratic climate change has made Earth a dangerous place to live, the fate of the population rests on the shoulders of the final sixwinners of a competition chosen to scout a new planet.
Intense training, global scrutiny, and cutthroat opponents are only a few of the hurdles the contestants must endure in this competition. Its only when the finalists become fewer and their destinies grow nearer that the two can fathom the full weight of everything at stake: the world, the stars, and their lives.

Find out more about The Final Six!
Read the first four chapters!

5.Gone by Michael Grant

Most dystopian futures are a long-time-coming sort of thing. Thats not the case for the Gone series. One moment the world is normal, and the next, these teens seem to be the only people left alive, which makes it all the more terrifying. MONSTER, the seventh book set in this world, delves into the future of the survivors.

In the blink of an eye, everyone disappears. Gone. Except for the young. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out whats happened. Hunger threatens. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talentsunimaginable, dangerous, deadly powersthat grow stronger by the day. Its a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your 15th birthday, you disappear just like everyone else

Find out more about Gone!

6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Arguably one of the less anxiety-inducing dystopian future, but entertaining none-the-less. What if its not disease or war that ends society as we know it, what if its love?

In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isnt about to make the same mistake. But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the Wilds who lives under the governments radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?

Find out more about Delirum!

7. The Selection by Kiera Cass

Another less frightening but still harsh future is The Selection series. Not all must live in a bleak dystopian society, some still get to live like kings and queens. But wheres the fairness in that?

The Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesnt want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans shes made for herselfand realizes that the life shes always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Find out more about The Selection!

8. The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson

Another book where climate change brought us into a dystopian future. Not to be dramatic, but we should probably take these books as a warning.

Before the war, Edens life was easythen the revolution happened, and everything changed. Now a powerful group called the Wolfpack controls the earth and its resources. They killed Edens family, took everything from her. But Eden refuses to die by their hands. She escapes to neutral ground, a sanctuaryor so she thought. Her solace is short-lived, as Eden soon discovers this island might be deadlier than the world Eden left behind, but surviving it is the only thing that stands between her and freedom.

Find out more about TheSandcastle Empire

9. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Think the near future, but with monsters. Like, literal monsters. Its definitely a terrifying outcome we can only hope we never have to face [but can thoroughly enjoy reading]!

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided citya city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, all August wants is to be humanbut hes one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, whos just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers Augusts secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives

Find out more about This Savage Song!

10. Endgame by James Frey

Most dystopian novels show us the after. We see what the dystopian future looks like, but we dont see how society ended up there. Endgame isnt like that. Be prepared to experience the apocalypse!

Twelve thousand years ago, they came. They descended from the sky amid smoke and fire, and created humanity and gave us rules to live by. Before they left, they told us someday they would come back, and when they did, a game would be played. A game that would determine our future.
For ten thousand years the 12 original lines of humanity existed in secret. Each had to have a Player prepared at all times. Now, the time has come. This is Endgame.

Find out more about Endgame!

What otherdystopian bookswould you recommend to someone thats not crazy about the genre? Tell us in the comments below!
Check out our other genre book recs!Contemporary|Historical Fiction|Mystery Thrillers,|Paranormal Romances|Science Fiction| High Fantasy

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