Young adult dystopian novels are, without a doubt, one of the best genres out there. These books often explore universal themes of coming-of-age, personal autonomy, and morality. And while they might focus on young adult characters, they’re a great choice for readers of all ages.
The genre is especially fun for its fantastic series. It’s easy to get lost in the complex worlds of these young adult dystopian series. To help you choose your next read, we’ve compiled a list of our ten favorite dystopian young adult series.
So buckle up, and let’s dive in.
10. The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi
The most popular books in the series:
- Shatter Me
- Destroy Me
- Unravel Me
- Fracture Me
- Ignite Me
- Restore Me
This young adult dystopian series tells the story of young Juliette Farrars, who has a superpower: her touch can kill. Her abilities land her in prison by The Reestablishment, an authoritarian government. When Juliette escapes, she becomes a symbol of hope for the rebellion. Will she be able to rise to the challenge?
These books have been such a runaway success that Tahereh Mafi has just completed a deal to release three more books. We couldn’t be more thrilled.
Why we recommend it: I loved the writing style and the themes of empowerment in this series.
9. The Darkest Minds Series by Alexandra Bracken
Books in the series:
- The Darkest Minds
- Never Fade
- In the Afterlight
Almost all the world’s children die of a mysterious disease in this young adult dystopian series. The few survivors left begin to notice something strange: they’ve all developed dangerous superpowers. This dystopian series follows Ruby, one of the most powerful survivors, as she attempts to evade the government’s attempts to silence her for good.
Why we recommend it: I loved how this series played with superhero tropes.
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8. The Giver Series by Lois Lowry
Books in the series:
- The Giver
- Gathering Blue
- Messenger
- Son
Jonas is the Reciever of Memories in this young adult dystopian series, an important and prestigious title. But the memories he gains lead him to shocking revelations about the truth of his society. The Giver is one of our all-time favorite dystopian novels.
Why we recommend it: I loved how moving and emotional this series was.
7. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass
Books in the series:
- The Selection
- The Elite
- The One
“The Selection” is a contest where young women compete for the love of a prince in this young adult dystopian series. But when America Singer is chosen to compete, she must choose between affection and duty.
Why we recommend it: I liked the light tone of this series.
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6. The Legend Series by Marie Lu
Books in the series:
- Legend
- Prodigy
- Champion
June and Day, seeming rivals, are forced to team up in this young adult dystopian series. Will they manage to put aside their differences to expose government secrets?
Why we recommend it: I loved the character development in these dystopian novels.
5. Arc of a Scythe Series by Neal Shusterman
Books in the series:
- Scythe
- Thunderhead
- The Toll
- Gleanings
In this dystopian young adult series, humanity has successfully conquered death. But when Citra and Rowan are selected as “Scythes” who are responsible for permanently killing people, they enter a complex world of moral dilemmas.
Why we recommend it: I really enjoyed the philosophical aspect of this book.
4. The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld
Books in the series:
- Uglies
- Pretties
- Specials
- Extras
Tally is an “ugly” in this young adult dystopian series, which means when she turns 16 she’ll be able to undergo cosmetic surgery to become a “pretty.” When her friend Shay runs away in protest, Tally must reckon with the realities of her dystopian world.
Fans of this series can rejoice: the film can now be watched on Netflix, however, it’s getting some pretty poor reviews. We will be posting a podcast episode about our breakdown of the movie soon, so stay tuned and subscribe!
Why we recommend it: I liked the themes of conformity and beauty standards in this series.
3. The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner
Books in the series:
- The Maze Runner
- The Scorch Trials
- The Death Cure
Thomas wakes up in a mysterious maze with no memory in this young adult dystopian series. How did he get there, and how will he get out?
This series is a delightful mixture of mystery, suspense, and conspiracy.
Why we recommend it: I love the puzzle aspects of this series, which was engaging and thought-provoking.
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2. The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
Books in the series:
- Divergent
- Insurgent
- Allegiant
Society is divided into neat factions in this young adult dystopian series. But Tris has a problem: she doesn’t neatly fit into any of them, which makes her “divergent.”
As Tris uncovers the truth about her government, she is thrust into the center of a rebellion movement, becoming an unlikely symbol of hope.
Why we recommend it: I loved the themes of identity in this series, as well as the love story.
1. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Books in the series:
- The Hunger Games
- Catching Fire
- Mockingjay
This is one of the best young adult dystopian series out there, and it’s easy to see why. Katniss Everdeen is a heroine you can’t help but cheer for as she battles to survive in a dystopian fight to the death.
Why we recommend it: I love how thrilling this series is. It’s impossible to put down.
For both new and seasoned fans of dystopian young adult series, this list is sure to help you find inspiration for your next read. From corrupt governments to scary surgeries to mysterious puzzles, these series have it all.
As always, happy reading!
