Neuromancer by William Gibson

Through a story about a giant tech company attempting to take control of the future human population via the gaming industry, Neuromancer has given the foundation for countless features in the cyberpunk theme. Neuromancer shares Gibson’s opinion that an unbound love for technology could be disastrous to the body and mind. Even in a tech-ridden world, somebody has to maintain a healthy perspective towards humanity.

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

A book about shared virtual reality released in the early 1990s, Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson seems even more relevant today than ever. A hacker/part-time pizza delivery person and skateboarding courier must rise to the occasion and bring people back to living in a real society. Their weapon of choice is Snow Crash, a sophisticated virus that would make all computer screens look like TV static.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Humanity on Earth is approaching its demise, and most people have moved to some other planets to survive. A bounty hunter is tasked with finding few android offenders who crossed the planetary borders through illegal means. Stories in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? have been adapted to films multiple times, most prominently by Blade Runner. To some extent, it is also the book behind Total Recall and Minority Report.

Akira Series by Katsuhiro Otomo

Most sci-fi fans in the Western hemisphere are familiar with the iconic animated film “Akira” released in 1988. The film is an adaptation of a 1982 manga of the same title. The manga series ends up being colorized and collected into six volumes. Events in the series are set in futuristic Tokyo where a few people with telekinetic powers are targeted by an authoritarian government.

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow

There is a mad futuristic world inside an unusual section of Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It is a place where life is all about anti-aging technology, death and resurrection, as well as a poorly-run government led by an animatronic President. The author presents the whole package of cyberpunk-themed story inside a wrapping tale of friendship and betrayal.

Mirrorshades (Edited) by Bruce Sterling

The cyberpunk anthology is comprised of multiple genre-defining tales from stereotypical post-humanism to counter-culture isolation. Bruce Sterling edited the collection and co-authored two stories. Contributing writers include William Gibson, John Shirley, Pat Cadigan, and Tom Maddox, among others.

Accelerando by Charles Stross

In addition to the typical paperback and hardback editions for sale, the e-book version of Accelerando is available for free under Creative Commons license. Artificial Intelligence has finally surpassed human intellect. Biotechnological beings are now the dominant force on Earth, powered by molecular science and self-reprogramming capabilities. In spite of all the sophistication, however, some individuals are still bound by the old greed and are willing to take a long journey to avoid taxation. And that’s just the beginning of the thrill.

Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan

Humans have reached a level of technological development where everybody (with money) can store memories and minds in a cartridge implanted in the spinal column. When their current bodies become too old, they can simply transfer the “conscience” files to new sleeves. Takeshi Kovacs, a resurrected private detective of some sort from another planet, has to deal with a murder case in which the rich victim is still very much alive.

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

While the Earth is disintegrating due to the effects of extreme climate change, Peter is tasked with spreading the word of Jesus to extraterrestrial species in a distant space station. In an era where space travel is commonplace, the old-school human problems never really go away.

The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi

Flambeur is a former thief in the distant post-human future. After a long period of incarceration, he wants to stay away from the underworld. When someone comes to hire him to do one last heist, he sees it as an opportunity to carry out his own plan: taking back old memories stored in a faraway city, somewhere in space.

Diaspora by Greg Egan

One of cyberpunk books best-described as imaginative speculation, Diaspora takes the reader’s mind into a wonderful yet dreary fictional future human civilization across the solar system. Most humans have chosen to transform their brain into supercomputers, leaving behind the physical bodies, and to live in a virtual reality. Individuals who still inhabit the Earth have also evolved into an enhanced-species with amplified intelligence and are disease resistant. Biology is no longer relevant.

Moxyland by Lauren Beukes

In a distant-future Cape Town, the government takes full control over the citizens’ lives. Anybody who breaks the rules will be disconnected from the network. It might not seem like a big deal, but it turns out that the fear of being offline can be a dangerous unifying force.

Distraction by Bruce Sterling

The year is 2044, and the United States is in a state of unsustainable chaos. The government has run out of money, and the cities have become private entities. Everywhere in the streets, the military is terrorizing the people. American has gone almost completely off the rails, and the economy doesn’t make any sense. Scientists bring little hope, buy they need help from the people to fix the nation.

Eclipse by John Shirley

The Soviet Union still exists and has expanded its territory to Western Europe. Amidst the uncertainty, a sinister corporation named the Second Alliance comes to surface. It has launched a large-scale propaganda program across the United States and to a space colony in an attempt to establish a New World Order. The only thing standing in the way is the New Resistance.

The Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow

Robots are upgraded with human tissues, whereas humans are enhanced with mechanical implants. Soon enough everyone is a cyborg, rendering the lines between biological organisms and robotic creatures blurry. In the middle of the confusion, Motoko Kusanagi is on a mission to hunt down cybercriminals capable of reprogramming humans into puppets to do their bidding.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Reality is a boring place filled with mundanity. The virtual world is where everybody goes for fun. Wade Watts finds a new purpose as soon as he enters a digital utopia known as the OASIS. It is a place full of puzzles and the promise of massive fortune to anybody smart enough to unlock the ultimate answer.

Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich

Unlike most cyberpunk books that depict the future as filled with all high-tech inventions, space travels, and miraculous medical wonders, Future Home of the Living God offers an entirely opposite perspective. Technology has broken down except in top-secret government buildings. Evolution is running backward, causing some animals to look like strange monsters. It is a biological apocalypse and affecting humans too.

We think the cyberpunk category of fiction is extremely cool! Especially in today’s world where technology and scientific knowledge can grow exponentially on a daily basis. Are you a cyberpunk reader? Do you have a favorite author? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know about.

Must read Cyberpunk novels

According to shereads.com these are some books you can’t do without. Check out this article by Shavanaty Minnis for more information about the books on this list.

• Company Town by Madeline Ashby
• Something (Full Murderhobo) by Dakota Korbut
• Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
• Artemis by Andy Weir
• Neuromancer by William Gibson
• Heart Threaded by James L Graetz
• Battle of the Linguist Mages by Scotto Moore
• The Last Reaper by J.N. Chaney
• The Rosewater Insurrection by Tade Thompson
• The This by Adam Roberts

15 Exciting Cyberpunk Books Filled with High Tech and Low Life By Orrin Grey

According to theportalist.com here are 15 lessor-known authors of cyberpunk that you might be interested in reading. Check out the website for more information about each of these novels. 

• Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling
• Data Runner by Sam A. Patel
• When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger
• Vacuum Flowers by Michael Swanwick
• Slant by Greg Bear
• The Coin Giver by M.M. Buckner
• The Man in the Moon Must Die by Jeff Bredenberg
• The Titan Strain by Virginia Soenksen
• The Whole Man by John Brunner
• Turning’s Delirium by Edmundo Paz Soldan
• Vn by Madeline Ashby
• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
• Synners by Pat Cadigan
• Maxyland by Lauren Beukes
• Cyberpunk by Victoria Blake

Cyberpunk Books: Beginner’s Guide

According to Yaika Sabat these are the books to read if you are just beginning to read cyberpunk novels. Go to bookriot.com for more details about each of these books. 

• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? By Philip K. Dick
• Neuromancer by William Gibson
• Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
• Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
• The Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow
• Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo
• Trouble and her Friends by Melissa Scott
• Moxyland by Lauren Beukes
• Synners by Pat Cardigan
• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
• Psion by Joan D. Vinge
• Infomocracy by Malka Older
• Company Town by Madeline Ashby
• Want by Cindy Pon

The post Best 17 Cyberpunk Books: Dystopian Elements in a High-Tech Future World appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

Warning against Totalitarianism

Nineteen Eighty-Four, also known as 1984, written by English novelist and journalist George Orwell, tells the story of Winston Smith in his battle against the threat of totalitarianism. The author’s name along with the concepts of Big Brother, Thought Police, and Room 101 have made their way into the mainstream cultures and retained a resonance since the first day of publication; an achievement very few books can match.

Big Brother takes the role of an omnipotent ruler, whereas Thought Police represents a government that dictates what and how people should think. The repressive regime utilizes Room 101, a torture chamber to brainwash rebels. The combination of the three makes for a fear mongering dystopian regime with an insatiable hunger for power and control. Citizens who resist Big Brother and the Thought Police are subjected to psychological and physical torments near impossible to endure. The sufferings only stop when their disobedience is subdued. 

Characters

There are only about a dozen characters in Ninety Eighty-Four. Among the most prominent are as follows:

·      Winston Smith: a Ministry of Truth employee, whose main job is to rewrite historical records in accordance with the government or the “Party.” Despite the job, Winston dislikes repression and despises totalitarianism. The 39-year-old everyman has a big dream of revolution.

·      Julia: also an employee of the Ministry of Truth, the beautiful girl is Winston’s lover. She enjoys sex very much and rebels against the government at a personal level – but only from the waist down.

·      Big Brother: the most powerful entity in Airstrip One (formerly Great Britain) of Oceania, where the story takes place. Big Brother never appears in person but is perceived as the undisputed ruler of the nation. His image, bearing a warning “Big Brother is Watching You” is an ever-present propaganda mark on everyday items like coins and TV.

·      O’Brien: an official of the Party and undercover Thought Police agent, posing as a member of some rebels known as The Brotherhood.

·      Mr. Charrington: another Thought Police agent on an undercover mission. Mr. Charrington poses as a secondhand store owner in the proletariat neighborhood and a friend of Winston’s. During his mission, he seems to support Winston’s idea of a revolution and even allows Winston to carry out an affair with Julia in a room above the store.

·      Emmanuel Goldstein: a former high-ranking figure in the Party turned leader of The Brotherhood. An enemy of the state, Goldstein never appears in the novel, but he exerts an influence over Winston’s life.

There are other supporting characters like Parsons and Syme, who are both Party loyalists and working at the Ministry of Truth. The former is uneducated yet friendly, while the latter – according to Winston – is too intelligent for his own good.

Total Obedience

A future fictional version of Great Britain, called the Airstrip One in the novel, is a dystopian society in which the government enforces constant monitoring over the citizens. It conveys two major themes: state-sanctioned widespread surveillance and repressive totalitarianism.

Citizens are under 24/7 monitoring by the Party’s informants living among the public, hidden microphones and cameras installed in various and numerous spots across the city, and two-way televisions. The Party’s knowledge of individual citizens is used as an advantage to inflict pain to anyone who demonstrates even the slightest hint of resentment. Anything less than complete obedience is unacceptable. Offenders are categorized as “unpersons,” punishable by imprisonment and torture in Room 101.

Control of Information

A major 1984 theme is control of information. As the novel was written before the advent of computers, it mentioned a complex mechanism the Party employs to exert total control over information and economic production. In an era where technology was near universally perceived as a tool to advanced human civilization, Orwell gave the idea that it too could become a device to extend the arms of evil. Objective journalism doesn’t exist. Every source of information and content of newspapers are written and rewritten only from the perspective of the Party. Negative views toward the government must be erased.

Control of History

Winston’s job at the Ministry of Truth is to create the truth by correcting old newspapers so the contents are always aligned with the Party’s version of the story. In a way, Winston is rewriting history on daily basis. Individuals are banned from keeping historical records and documents of any sort, rendering their memories unreliable and fussy at best. Big Brother’s government micro-manages the present, so they can manipulate the past. By taking control of the past, they can justify every questionable action.

Freewill is Life-threatening

At the end of the day, Winston is simply powerless against the far-reaching arm of Big Brother. Just as Mr. Charrington has enough information about Winston’s inquisitive mind about Emmanuel Goldstein and the idea of overthrowing the Party, the story is about to reach the end. Winston and Julia are captured and locked-up in Room 101 for “re-education” before they can be re-assimilated into the brainwashed public. 

Analysis

In short, Ninety Eighty-Four (1984) is a striking reminder of malicious power in the hands of unaccountable governments. Written in post-World War II Britain, the novel’s Big Brother appears to be directly inspired by both Stalinism and Nazism. Free speech is rewarded with imprisonment and torture, while critical thinking is crushed under propaganda. Winston Smith serves as a symbol of ordinary, civilized, and freedom – every value rendered vulnerable and meaningless before an all-powerful government.

For us, the government portrayed in 1984 (the book) was a frustrating and all too powerful entity that couldn’t be beaten. At least in The Hunger Games, Katniss and the gang had a revolution that promised to change the way things were done. Do you see similarities between events in 1984 and what’s happening now in our own world? Or do you just read the billboards and agree with whatever they say? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know about. 

10 of George Orwell’s famous quotes. 

According to bookroo.com there are some famous quotes from the George Orwell’s 1984. 

1. “We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”  
2. “The consequences of every act are included in the act itself.” 
3. “Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. 
4. “It is curious to think that the sky was the same for everybody, in Eurasia or Eastasia as well as here. And the people under the sky were also very much the same—everywhere, all over the world, hundreds or thousands of millions of people just like this, people ignorant of one another’s existence, held apart by walls of hatred and lies, and yet almost exactly the same—people who had never learned to think but were storing up in their hearts and bellies and muscles the power that would one day overturn the world.” 
5. “He felt as though he were wandering in the forests of the sea bottom, lot in a monstrous world where he himself was the monster. He was alone. The past was dead, the future was unimaginable.” 
6. “In the face of pain there are no heroes.” 
7. “If you loved someone, you loved him, and when you had nothing else to give, you still gave him love.”
8. “I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind except that you happen to be insane.
9. “Four legs good, two legs bad. 
10. “The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.”

For more quotes, go to bookroo.com and read George Orwell’s Quotes.

What are some other novels by George Orwell?

According to thriftbooks.com this is a list of his most popular books.

Nineteen Eighty-four

Animal Farm: A Fairy Story

Animal Farm and 1984

Homage to Catalonia

Down and Out in Paris and London

Go to thriftbooks.com for more titles and information about each of these books. 

Facts about George Orwell.

According to bl.uk Orwell was a novelist, journalist, essayist and critic. He is best known for his novels Animal Farm and 1984. 

George Orwell was the pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair. He used a pseudonym to avoid embarrassing his parents, a hedge against failure, and partly because he didn’t like the name Eric. 

At first Orwell wrote non-fiction. His first book was Down and Out in Paris and London. After writing this he moved to Paris. He wrote novels and short stories that no one would publish. He had several years of severe poverty. 

His political views were described as democratic socialism. He was somewhat controversial. 

He died in 1950 of tuberculosis. 

Go to bl.uk to read more details about George Orwell. It’s a very interesting read. 

The post 1984 the Book: Theme, Story, Characters, and a Whole Lot More appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

What if it’s nothing more than the wrong leadership being given ultimate power and allowed to have their ultimate way? A situation like that could turn into a dystopian world in a hurry. The worst part is that can really happen! Many believe it already has many times throughout history. 

Not sure what a dystopian world would be like? Even if you’re already an expert, you should check out the books below that deal with dystopian societies.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Regarded as a masterpiece of Ray Bradbury, it tells the story of a fireman whose work requires him to burn books. The law of the land in Fahrenheit 451 is that reading a book of any sort is prohibited. Guy Montag, the protagonist in the storyline, begins to wonder about his mission after taking a Bible from an elderly woman. 

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Dystopian fiction was born in 1924 with the release of “We” by Yevgeny Zamyatin. The novel was written several years earlier in Russian, but it was the English-translated version that first hit the bookstore shelves. The original Russian text only appeared 28 years later. “We” revolves around the idea that the future society is comprised of nameless robot-like individuals, identified only by numbers. 

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Set in the distant future when women become the ultimate leaders of the world, The Power talks about system’s inequality. Now that women are in positions of undisputed authority, they take advantage of the circumstances to redress every bit of imbalance from the old system. It comes with an interesting perspective because the narrator is a male author.

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Unlike most books on the list, The Dispossessed deals a lot with utopian society. It narrates the story of Shevek, who is trapped in two contrasting yet parallel worlds. His adventures shall unveil the striking differences between the constraints of capitalist society and the dangerous freedom of an anarchic one. 

Slaughterhouse–Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Billy Pilgrim flings back and forth between his years after returning to the United States and the time he spent as a soldier in World War II. When he is kidnapped by an extraterrestrial race, he cannot help but wonder how humans and aliens exhibit the same wartime sentiments. 

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

America is at a bleak point as the power of the government is now in the hands of a religious sect. Order of the society is reverted to the old rules, in which women only serve as subordinates to men. A young woman named Offred is assigned the role of a handmaid, whose only function is to produce children.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

At times the society expects too much from the youth, and Alex refuses to take the matter lightly. He is a rebel with every imaginable cause, expressing his discontent through brutal crimes and vandalism. Filled with haunting and vivid descriptions of violence, the dystopian fiction depicted in A Clockwork Orange might not be for everybody.

The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Abject poverty and anarchy are commonplace in a future America. A small, gated community, where Lauren lives, will do their best to be self-sufficient without coming out to the dangerous world beyond the fence. That said, Lauren doesn’t think the fragile peace can last any longer. She is prepared to travel north for a better life.

The Book of Dave

Five hundred years into the future, a devastating flood strikes and drowns much of London. Survivors concentrate in a small area known as the Isle of Ham. One day somebody discovers a metal tablet full of inscriptions and treat it as a holy text. They don’t know the text is nothing but an angry rant of a taxi driver named Dave. 

Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said

When the book mentions a future America, it refers to the late 1980s. Class boundary is apparent, and everyone is at risk of losing personal identity. Jason Taverner wakes up one morning and realizes that his celebrity status has disappeared. No one recognizes him anymore; his birth certificate doesn’t even exist. 

Snuff by Terry Pratchett

While on a holiday in his wife’s opulent mansion, the Duke of Ankh discovers all sorts of illegal businesses run by a crime syndicate. Most of the high-raking perpetrators are local magistrates and aristocrats. A massive part of the operation involves drug trades and goblin trafficking. Corruption and abuse of power render the law practically useless. 

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

In world dominated by American food corporations, the only fruits and vegetables in existence are genetically modified organisms. Emiko, a girl of Japanese origin, also is genetically modified to be obedient. The word “natural” has long gone from everyday conversation. Thailand becomes the last stronghold against the power of global GMO enterprises.

The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi

Another novel from Paolo Bacigalupi, The Water Knife takes a similar narrative approach to that of The Windup Girl. However, the organic substance that becomes the main issue in the former is water. The story is set in the American southwest against the backdrop of an entire country stricken by severe drought.  

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Compared to the other two works by Paolo Bacigalupi, Ship Breaker features the least fantastical storyline, and yet the bleakest dystopian fiction. About a century into the future, the southern coast of America no longer exists due to the melting ice caps. Amidst an unstable country controlled by economically oriented clans, Nailer struggles to find hope for better days with his work as a ship breaker.

After The Flood by Kassandra Montag

At the center of the story is a mother doing her best efforts to keep her two daughters safe. The oldest daughter, now 12, is mature enough for some raider crews known for their atrocity of forcing women to become pregnant. It is going to be a struggle because the family lives on a boat. 

American War by Omar El Akkad

The purpose of American War is simple: the author wants American readers to imagine what it is like if their country is reduced to ruins by a never-ending war and the escalating effects of climate change. Regulation to prohibit the use of fossil fuels triggers an uprising among the southern states, sending the nation into the brink of another bloody civil war. 

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

A natural phenomenon called the “Slowing,” in which the planet’s rotation decelerates, brings the threat of a global catastrophe. A 24-hour day no longer applies; by the end of the book, a single rotation takes an entire 12-week period. Radiation also intensifies as the planet’s magnetic field is changing.

The Salt Line by Holly Goddard Jones

The entire population of the United States is now confined inside giant walls, designed to prevent the ticks that carry the lethal Shreve’s disease from infecting humans. Life behind the walls is nothing extraordinary, but the rich and powerful are eager to make an adventurous journey into the natural world beyond the safe confinement. 

Vox by Christina Dalcher

The premise in Vox is similar to that of The Handmaid’s Tale where the United States has fallen under the control of fundamentalist. Women are only allowed to speak no more than 100 words per day. When the president’s brother suffers from an injury to his part of the brain that controls language, Dr. Jean McClellan – a mother of four – must step in.

We’d often rather read books about a zombie apocalypse than those about some person or group that rises to power and makes serious changes in our lives that negatively affect us all. Let’s face it, zombies are fun because they’re fake, but people often support a strong leader, even a bad one. Giving any person or group too much power is a bad thing for most societies. What are your thoughts on dystopian societies? Tell us what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

If you liked this, then check out Best Books on Post-Apocalyptic Fashion: Dress to Kill or Be Killed!

Things you might want to know about.

What are some examples of books about fictional dystopian societies?

According to exampes.yourdictionary.com there are many different books about dystopian societies in this genre. Here is a list a places you may want to delve in into.

1. 1984 by George Orwell…. Oceania

2.  A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess…. Futuristic England

3.  Animal Farm by George Orwell…. Dystopian England

4. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand…. Dystopian U.S.A.

5. Brave New World…. Futuristic England

6. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury…. Futuristic U.S.A.

7. Lord of the Flies…. Unnamed Island

8. The Handmaid’s Tale…. Gilead

9. The Hunger Games…. Panem

10. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson…. Undisclosed rural community 

What are examples of books with devastating dystopias?

According to britannia.com many authors use futuristic worlds in their novels when writing about the strength of the human spirit. Here is a list of books and authors for you to discover in your own time machine. Check out this website for more details.

1. The Time Machine (1895) by H.G. Wells

2.  The Iron Heel (1907) by Jack London

3.  My (1920: We) by Yevgeny Zamyatin

4.  Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley

5.  Atlas Shrugged (1957) by Ayn Rand

6. A Clockwork Orange (1962) by Anthony Burgess

7. The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) by Margaret Atwood

8. The Children of Men (1992) by P.D. James

9. The Giver (1993) by Lois Lowry

10. The Road (2006) by Cormac McCarthy

What are the characteristics of a dystopian society?

According to Michael Bodhi (studiobinder.com) you need to understand what a Utopian society is first. It derives from the Greek word meaning “no place”, which basically means that no place could actually exist because of human nature and its reality. Examples of utopia are Shangri-la from the novel called Lost Horizon and the 23rd century Earth in Star Trek. 

Dystopia is the opposite of utopia. Bodhi says it’s “a state in which the conditions of human life are extremely bad as from deprivation or oppression or terror (or all three). A dystopian society is characterized by human misery in the form of squalor, oppression, disease, overcrowding, environmental destruction, or war.”

Bodhi continues stating that “other real-life dystopias include massive fire destruction in the Western United States due to climate change; and the pandemic raging through authoritarian countries such as India and Brazil.”

Check out the interesting article that Bodhi (studiobinder.com) writes about dystopias and its characteristics.

The post 19 Books that Deal with Dystopian Societies appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness

Todd Hewitt is the only boy in Prentisstown, a settlement on an alien planet, where the entire population is made up of males only. They can hear each other’s unfiltered thoughts; every man is a living breathing walking chaos – noises are all around. Approaching his 13th birthday, he stumbles upon an area of complete silence in a swamp. The much desired silence apparently comes from a girl whose thoughts are private. In a world like that such a silence could start a war. The Chaos Walking series consists of three books: The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men.

Click here to view on Amazon!

The Sunset Warrior Cycle by Eric Van Lustbader

Todd Hewitt is the only boy in Prentisstown, a settlement on an alien planet, where the entire population is made up of males only. They can hear each other’s unfiltered thoughts; every man is a living breathing walking chaos – noises are all around. Approaching his 13th birthday, he stumbles upon an area of complete silence in a swamp. The much desired silence apparently comes from a girl whose thoughts are private. In a world like that such a silence could start a war. The Chaos Walking series consists of three books: The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men.

Click here to view on Amazon!

The Winterlong Trilogy by Elizabeth Hand

Wendy and her brother Raphael are finally reunited. They must now work together in the face of a menacing force that puts their world in grave danger. Their journey will eventually lead them to Araboth, which is again on the brink of an apocalypse. It will take a resurrection from a special warrior to prevent more destruction to the land. War is a certainty, prompting Wendy to join forces with the rebels. The series starts with Winterlong, followed by Aestival Tide, and the story concludes in Icarus Descending.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Fault Lines Trilogy by Tim Powers

Los Angeles comes in two sections: one part is the urban fantasy and the other is a strange spooky supernatural realm. The latter is a comfortable dwelling of ghost hunters as they yearn to capture souls, spirits, and memories. When Koot Parganas runs away from home, he enters this otherworldly territory of LA. Now the ghost hunters are craving for his essence of life. His adventure is depicted in the first book of the Fault Lines loose trilogy, Last Call. The second book, Expiration Date, tells a stand-alone story vaguely connected to the first one. The third book, Earthquake Weather, is a prequel to the two.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Helliconia Trilogy by Brian W. Aldiss

Planet Helliconia is inhabited by test subjects of a grand-scale science experiment. Every season is meant to last six centuries, several generations will never see the season change at all. As the planet approaches spring after a seemingly endless winter, the Helliconians still have not realized that their world and living conditions are mere variables in a study of climate change. The series takes off with Helliconia Spring, continues in Helliconia Summer, and wraps-up in Helliconia Winter.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

Book 1 of 3 in the Aftertime series tells the story of Cass Dollar, who has just recently discovered her daughter is nowhere to be found. The California she once knew also no longer exists, only a ravaged city full of cannibals. As it turns out, a government experiment had gone horribly wrong and turned people into zombies with insatiable hunger for human flesh. Cass herself doesn’t how she is still uninfected. Her secret makes her a valuable target. The series includes Aftertime, Rebirth, and Horizon.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Towers Trilogy by Karina Sumner Smith

In the City, where every single person is a magic practitioner, Xhea is the sole exception. She is born without the power, making her an outcast. What she lacks in witchcraft, she makes up for in the ability to communicate with the spiritual world. In an instance of such a communication, she comes across another girl named Shai. As their friendship grows, they found themselves in conflict against the City’s most powerful and dangerous magicians. Their stories are told in a three-book series comprised of Radiant, Defiant, and Towers Fall.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Memory Boy by Will Weaver

Mount Rainier, the highest active volcano in Washington, erupts and buries the entire country in ash. Resource scarcity in the aftermath of the natural disaster forces society to resort to violence. Miles Newell, a teenager with a MacGyver-like talent, has what he thinks is a good plan to take his family to an isolated cabin. As soon as they leave home in Minneapolis, the roads to the cabin grow even more chaotic by the mile. The Memory Boy series comes in two books: Memory Boy and The Survivors.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Earthquakes destroy the planet, create countless cracks on the ground, and open the pathways for the evil deep down to surface. The evil makes its way to penetrate human minds, turning people into heartless yet effective killer drones. Four teenagers take separate paths to different destinations but their fates will intertwine through a common history and goal. They want to forget about the past and survive, while trying to fend off the murderous evil within. Dark Inside series is comprised of three books: Dark Inside, Rage Within, and Fury Rising.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Lawless Saga by Tarah Benner

There are four books in the Lawless Saga, including Lawless, Lifeless, Ruthless, and Dauntless. In the first title of the series, the story follows Lark, an inmate serving time at a women’s correctional facility. Her life during the incarceration is filled with nothing but brutality. Her only consolation comes from the letters sent by an anonymous person in the men’s colony. One letter describes how the civilization outside the fence is crumbling. A big hope crosses her mind: if the world outside the prison walls is about to collapse, there might be a chance to escape her confinement. A chilling tale of survival begins here.

Click here to view on Amazon!

The Low Lying Lands by Bob Williams

A catastrophe known as “The Descent” has turned the majority of the US population into killing machines. An army of Freaks now takes control of the nation under the command of Chaos. Somewhere in the ravaged streets and buildings, Prescott is looking for his sister. When he finally finds her, the shocking reality forces him to run to Nashville where the landscape is just as depressing as in any other city. A dystopian horror series, The Low Lying Lands is wrapped in two books: Music City Macabre and Arch City Apocalypse.

Click here to view on Amazon!

Have you ever wanted to be the despised leader in a dystopian world? I mean, not everybody wants to be one of the rebels, right? As long a you maintain control in your world you can be as ruthless and self-serving as you want. Hmm…sound like politics. Let us know what your thoughts are about this. We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know about. 

1. What are the most popular dystopian novels aimed at adults?

https://www.readbrightly.com/the-best-dystopian-novels-for-adults/ gives us this list:

• The Road. by Cormac McCarthy.
• Station Eleven. by Emily St.
• The Passage. by Justin Cronin.
• The Handmaid’s Tale. by Margaret Atwood.
• On the Beach. by Nevil Shute.
• The Stand. by Stephen King.
• The Giver. by Lois Lowry

2. What is the most famous dystopian text?

George Orwell’s 1984 is probably the best known dystopian novel of all time, though in another hundred years The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins might be the one everybody is still talking about.

3. Why are there no more dystopian novels?

Because the traditional publishers say so. If Hollywood isn’t making the big bucks on every dystopian movie or show that comes out, then that genre will fade away for a while. If Hollywood isn’t in the market for dystopian intellectual property, well, the trad publishers won’t be publishing it. They’ll tell you society is ready for more positive uplifting stories, but in reality, they try to publish only what sells.

The post 11 Best Dystopian Book Series appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (1924)

Dystopian literary genre, characterized by the presence of a community where distress and fear run rampant, was the brainchild of Russian writer Yevgeny Zamyatin in his novel “We,” published in 1924. As it stands today, “We” is regarded as the principle role model for all dystopian texts after it.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

Events in “Brave New World” start in 2540 C.E., or as the novel calls it, AF 632. The term AF refers to “After Ford,” because Henry Ford’s assembly line is praised as a god-like invention. It tells the story of a futuristic society where a state-sponsored cloning program determines every individual’s characteristics, emotions, and fate.

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (1949)

Huxley’s Brave New World and Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four have an unmistakably similar premise of a country under brainwashing totalitarianism. The difference is that Huxley depicts a story in which government controls the people by inflicting pleasure, whereas Orwell pictures an undisputed authority by pain. 

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (1895)

The appropriately named “Time-Traveler” makes a journey to the future and finds a dystopian society split in two: the financially powerful Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks. The former represents the upper class of the British society, while the latter feeds upon them.

The Iron Heel by Jack London (1908)

It is a fictional yet somewhat prophetic political novel to illustrate the rise of fascism in the early 20^th century. The Iron Heel depicts the gradual decay of capitalism and transformation into plutocracy system. Democracy is powerless in the face of such pervasive force.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (1957)

When corrupt moochers hold important positions in the United States government, the country is on a collision course with an economic disaster. Intelligent members of society choose to leave the dystopia and create their own utopia elsewhere.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (1962)

Some people are born violent. The seemingly incorrigible Alex fights his way through the state-controlled society and ends up being subjected to a series of psychotherapy of the utmost degree. It is his natural depravity against a fabricated one.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)

Women are relegated to the roles of breeders, servants, and wives in a future dystopian United States. Handmaids are breeders; their sole purpose in life is to supply babies for the hierarchically higher-ranked wives who cannot have children of their own. The novel is a feminist’s view towards an unbound conservatism.

The Children of Men by P.D. James (1992)

One thing that makes The Children of Men a chilling read is its plausibility. In the near dystopian future, humans are infertile. The absence of a young generation leads the Warden of England to enforce female inspections, mandatory sperm tests, and voluntary suicides of the elderly.

The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)

A compassionate figure known as the Giver transfers the memories and knowledge of past wars, pains, and fears to Jonas, the Receiver. Through those memories, Jonas learns their utopian society is a dystopia in disguise. 

The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2006)

A disaster transforms the United States into a lawless nation. In this award-winning novel, a father and his son make a journey to nowhere just to stay sane against an all-around dystopia.

Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich (2017)

Evolution engages the reverse gear and runs at full throttle in the wrong direction. Every newborn is more regressed than the one before. The future of human population is at its bleakest state. 

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (2005)

When Ruth and Tommy decide to escape their confinement, they begin to learn about the ever-present dystopia in the society. Things get harder as they come to realize the poignant roles they must play. 

The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard (1962)

Global warming has rendered London uninhabitable. Some scientists must endure every challenge the dystopian city throws at them in the hope of reviving the wasteland back to its former glory.  

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami (1996)

Young students are left with no choice but to fight for their lives against a tyrannical government. Battle Royale is like The Hunger Games in many respects, but with more intense violence.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (1993)

Political unrest and climate change sweep through the nation like a wildfire. Resources are scarce, forcing Lauren to flee through a world full of wreckage and find refuge somewhere in the north.

Borne by Jeff VanderMeer (2017)

The world is now a dystopian barren land in the aftermath of a biotech experiment conducted by the Company. The experiment is a genetic-engineering program to create new creatures. The discovery of a shape-shifting animal will change the life of a scavenger.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (2005)

Everyone is considered naturally born ugly. As soon as people reach the age of 16, the law requires them to undergo cosmetic surgery, so they may join an approved class of citizens known as “Pretty.” Those who have doubts about the system form their own colony, the Uglies.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (2015)

The fictional planet in the novel only has one massive continent. Disaster happens on a periodic basis. A disaster, whether natural or manmade, is called a season. Every fifth season is apocalyptic. The instability of the continent is only matched by its own volatile dystopian society.

Blindness by Jose Saramago (1995)

A major portion of the population suddenly suffers from vision loss one morning. The society has to learn quickly to accept and live with the new unfortunate situation. Blindness explores the fragility of human civilization in dealing with an unpredictable challenge.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (2020)

Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island are five sentient boroughs; each is represented by a human avatar. When the primary avatar of New York City falls, the other five avatars come together to face a common adversary. 

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta (2011)

The world is grieving and left with many unanswered question when 2% of the population vanishes. The remaining 98% must find some ways to cope with the unprecedented loss. Some end up in bottomless despair, others find solace in extreme religions. 

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker (2019)

People cannot wake up due to a mysterious illness. In their deep sleep, their brain activity is higher than ever. It turns out they are dreaming about lives they never knew. 

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn (2001)

In a borderline dystopian society across America, it is against the law for people to use certain letters in any form of writing. The hardly reasonable linguistic rule forces people to make use of clever word play.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa (1994)

The dystopia grows slowly in the society of an unnamed island. Physical objects and eventually abstract ideas began to disappear without apparent reason. It is the job of the Memory Police to make sure that the “disappeared” remain out of sight.

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (2020)

Sudden chaos happens in New York City. Normal days are slowly fading as a dystopia comes closer to everyday life. Two families are on their way to figure out how to survive amid a new unpleasant reality.

The Wall by John Lanchester

A catastrophic climate event called the “Change” has made life gloomy across Britain. The borders are shut, and every youngster must perform a mandatory service of patrolling along 10,000 km walkways to keep the “Others” at bay.

Afterland by Lauren Beukes (2020)

Only 1% of the world’s population remains in the aftermath of a cataclysmic disaster. The 12-year-old Miles does not want to be adopted by another family, but at the same time he has no intention to father the repopulation.

Followers by Megan Angelo (2020)

In the present day, Floss is a star on social media. In the near future, popular celebrities become government agents whose lives are broadcast to the population at large. The internet-obsessed citizens gradually suffer from an obvious lack of real-life social connections.

Vox by Christina Dalcher (2018)

Women in a dystopian America are only allowed to speak no more than 100 words per day. Exceeding the limit is punishable by electric shocks. A mother and her daughter try to find freedom, as her husband and sons begin to like their new power. 

Red Clocks by Leni Zumas (2018)

The United States is changing. In Red Clocks, the most punitive change comes from a law that makes abortion illegal, which is not so far off from the reality. Five women attempt to live their lives as normal as possible despite the change.

It’s no wonder so many dystopian books have been made into movies or TV shows. They stir up our strongest emotions and really get us thinking about our own lives and how we’re being treated. What’s your favorite dystopian book? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you may want to know about.

1. Who are some well-known dystopian protagonists?

Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games

Winston Smith in 1984

Guy Montag in Fahrenheit 451

Alice Michaels in The Things We Cannot Say

Alexis Bledel (Ofglen) in The Handmaid’s Tale

Theo Faren in The Children of Men

2. Is Harry Potter a dystopian? 

As we have seen the Harry Potter series seems to serve as a gateway for YA dystopian literature and stands as the first novel to develop key dystopian themes for children and young adults.

Thanks to: 

Harry Potter as a bridge between two cultures — Anglais

3. Who are some authors of dystopian books?

George Orwell — 1984

Ray Bradbury — Fahrenheit 451

José Saramago — Blindness

Anthony Burgess — A Clockwork Orange

Margaret Atwood — The Handmaid’s Tale

Cormac McCarthy — The Road

P. D. James — The Children of Men

The post 31 Best Dystopian Novels for a Thought-Provoking Read appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

Gone by Michael Grant

People older than 14 vanish all of a sudden. Internet, TV, and phones are gone as well. The kids are left alone in the world, which means the bullies quickly rise to power. Some pre-teens develop dangerous powers and the animals transform into monsters. 

The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt

A 16-year-old boy named Tiuri is tasked with delivering a scarlet letter to the King. The letter is so important, the future of the realms depends on it. The problem is that the King lives across the mountain. To deliver the letter, Tiuri has to make the most perilous journey of his life. 

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection is the golden ticket for 50 girls to win the opportunity to live a luxurious life in a palace with Prince Maxon. More than that, it is the only chance to escape their gloomy circumstances. America Singer is standing at a crossroad and has to make the decision of a lifetime: either win the contest and be with the prince, or nurture a secret love with Aspen.

Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin

Think of Coram Boy as an old-school version of The Hunger Games. Instead of a dystopian landscape, the premise is set in the long gone past. Desperate mothers turn to the Coram man to help them deliver their babies to the Foundling Hospital. Instead of keeping the promise, the man murders the babies.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Following the end of the Second Civil War, the government allows parents to have their kids unwound, harvesting the children’s organs for donors. Neal Shusterman came up with the idea for Unwind after reading a news story about the possibility that all organs and parts of human body can be transplantable in the future.

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Clarissa Fray discovers she is a descendant of an otherworldly parent. During her interaction with the Shadowhunters, protectors of the non-supernatural world from evil forces, Clarissa becomes aware that she received angel blood while still in her mother’s womb. The blood gives her angel-like powers.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

The city of Portland, Maine is encircled by an electric fence. No one is allowed to go in or out. The government has decided that love is a disease and there is a cure for it. When Lena falls in love with a man living outside the fenced city, the journey to discover her true family begins. 

Partials by Dan Wells

Humans are at war with the “Partials.” When a lethal disease, apparently engineered by the Partials, infects humans and decimates the population, a doctor-in-training believes a cure lies in the connection between the warring parties themselves. On the brink of civil war, she has to stand at the forefront of the research.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

In the year 2070, an alien race superior to humans launches an invasion to Earth and threatens to annihilate the population. A six-year-old genius named Ender Wiggin is willing to put into pratice everything he has learned from a battle school to defeat the enemy and save the world.

The Last Survivors by Susan Beth Pfeffer

A meteor has knocked the moon closer to the Earth. The Last Survivor series is a story of Miranda and Alex as they navigate the new realities triggered by the change in the planetary system. They are in a constant struggle to keep their families safe amidst a sequence of catastrophic natural disasters.

The Dwellers by David Estes

A group of people now lives as a subterranean society in the aftermath of a global-scale destruction. A young girl named Adele is on her way to reconnect with her family after spending time in prison due to wrongful conviction. She soldiers on despite being hunted down by a deranged heartless murderer.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Lugh is abducted by some mysterious men on horseback, who also kill his father. Saba and Emmi are now alone but determined to find their missing brother. On the treacherous journey, they will come across some warlords, and Saba must fight like a gladiator to save Emmi’s life. 

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

David Strorm has a telepathic ability. That said, he lives in a world where even the slightest sign of aberration is regarded as blasphemy punishable by death, exile, or sterilization. When he can no longer hide the talent, he must escape from town. An intensive manhunt ensues.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

People of red blood descendants are deemed commoners, whereas the silver blood ones take their place as society elites. Mare Barrow is a red girl hired to work as a servant at a Silver palace. Thanks to her electro-kinetic powers, she is adopted as a Silver blood. However, this is where all her real problems begin to take shape.

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

Triffids are giant predator plants that devour humans, who become easy prey because a green meteor shower has turned everyone blind. Josella and Bill Mason are among the few who still can see. They must navigate through the dangerous city of London, fighting against not only the plants but also the desperate blind people.

Flame in the Mist Series by Renée Ahdieh

The story revolves around Mariko, whose father is a well-respected samurai, in feudal Japan. While on the way to the city, the Black Chan gang intercepts the journey to kill her. The assassination attempt fails, prompting Mariko to infiltrate the group in the hope of discovering the mastermind of the attack.

Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

Events in the novel and its sequel, Blood of a Thousand Stars, are set in an interplanetary stage. Rhee, the heir of a thriving dynasty, teams-up with a fugitive named Aly, to find a way through the galaxy which is on the brink of large-scale conflict. It is a story of family betrayal and political intrigue in space. If the storyline sounds familiar, it is only because Star Wars has a somewhat similar premise.

Rebel of the Sands Series by Alwyn Hamilton

In a world full of mythical beasts, Amani’s skillfulness at using guns counts to nothing. Her prospects are grim, especially without financial means and family to support her. Following an encounter with Jin, she finds a new purpose to liberate the entire nation from magical powers.

Blood Rose Rebellion Series by Rosalyn Eves

Anna is unlike everyone else in her family. Not only is she unable to perform magic, but also involuntarily disruptive to the power. It turns out the disruption is her true gift, for which she is exiled to Hungary. In the new place, she becomes the beacon of hope to break the spell of evil.

An Ember in the Ashes Series by Sabaa Tahir

Elias is a prized soldier, whereas Laia is a slave; both are subjects of the Empire. They cross paths when Laia’s brother is arrested on the suspicion of being anti-Empire. After the meeting, they begin to realize that their fates are meant to intertwine.

Last Reality Series by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Otherworld is an addictive virtual reality game. Simon is one of the most ardent fans of it. Inside the game, he finds a peaceful beautiful place, a far better world than the real one. He will soon figure out that the company behind Otherworld has sinister plans for all of humanity.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

New York City is in ruins. War and disease ransack through the city like a devastating flood. The life expectancy of the underground-dwelling survivors is only about 20 years. Two hunters, Deuce and Fade, discover that “Freaks” have just destroyed another colony.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Katsa has a special talent for fighting and killing. Thanks to her extraordinary abilities, she is employed by the king as an executor. Her life-changing adventures begin after she meets Po, another gifted individual with mind-reading ability. The two discover that the king has a secret power to make everyone believe his lies.

Something about reading a dystopian book or series kind of makes you want to rebel against authority, doesn’t it? I mean, the injustice caused by the government, corporation or religious group can really make you angry, even if it is supposed to be science fiction. What are your thoughts on it? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know about. 

1. What is a true dystopia?

The word dystopia comes from the Greek language and means simply “bad place.”  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystopia)

2. What is a good example of dystopia?

One of the best examples in relatively recent history is Nazi Germany. (Dystopia Examples and Definition – Literary Devices)

3. How do you survive a dystopia?

According to https://younghollywood.com/scene/how-to-survive-a-dystopian-society-according-to-books-movies-like-the-5th-wave.html, the best way is to conform. But that makes for an unjust feeling in your gut and a boring story.

The post Top 23 Best Dystopian Books to Read after The Hunger Games appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

Legend by Marie Lu (2011)

A fictional future version of the United States is split into two opposing factions; the western and eastern sides are at war. The country has turned into a police state. Using the political background, the novel tells the story of an unlikely couple, June and Day, on an investigative journey to uncover the nation’s dark secrets.

Divergent by Veronica Roth (2011)

Beatrice Prior lives in Abnegation, one of the five factions that divide her futuristic city. Each faction holds a belief that the previous generation failed due to a specific human trait. Beatrice is on the verge of disproving her own faction and moving to another.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009)

A group of boys and teenagers, aged between 12 and 18, live in a small area encircled by stone maze. A new boy comes to live with them every month. They don’t remember anything about their younger years. Things start to change when Thomas arrives.

Matched by Ally Condie (2010) 

Everyone has a predetermined fate. The government known as “The Society” controls how the citizens should live and who they marry. A glitch in the matchmaking system puts Cassia and the man she loves in all sorts of trouble.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (2013)

Cassie Sullivan thinks the society is on the brink of falling into a dystopian regime following an alien invasion. She has good reasons to believe that everybody has been killed, expect her. 

The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson (2017)

A revolution has changed Eden’s life. In this version of a dystopian world, a dangerous group known as the “Wolfpack” controls all the available resources and is about to kill her, too. Even after she flees to a safe place, the situation can always turn for the worse.

Brave New Girl by Rachel Vincent (2017)

Five thousand girls have identical looks and behaviors. Dahlia is one of them, clones created using a single genome. Following an encounter with Trigger, she begins to question her own identity and whether everything around her is actually part of the true reality.

Want by Cindy Pon (2017)

Through a well-constructed blend of science fiction and real life possibility, “Want” creates a dystopian world where Taipei is overpopulated. The rich and powerful have the resources to buy health, and therefore live longer than most. The poor and powerless must die young.

Perfect by Cecelia Ahern (2017)

Life is good for Celestine North. She has a loving family, good boyfriend, and circle of affectionate peers. There is only one problem: any form of disobedience or violation of the rules is punishable by death.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (2011)

Juliette has a lethal touch. In a world where having supernatural power is against the law, she is a wanted criminal. However, the government sees an opportunity to weaponize her power upon realizing the destructive effects it may cause. 

The Great Library Series by Rachel Caine (2015 – 2019)

In an alternate reality where The Great Library of Alexandria still exists and thrives, Jess Brightwell is sent to an espionage mission at the facility on behalf of his book-smuggling family. The mission soon turns into a thrilling adventure when he encounters the power that threatens the very existence of knowledge. 

Diverse Energies by Tobias S. Buckell & Joe Monti (2012)

It is an anthology featuring short stories by modern authors, including but not limited to Malinda Lo and Ursula K. Le Guin. The dystopian narratives range from nuclear disasters to corrupt governments, making Diverse Energies an excellent introduction to the genre.

Mirador Series by Dan Wells (2016 – 2018)

With a premise similar to that of The Matrix, young readers should find the Mirador Series familiar. In the near future, people practically live online 24/7. An implantable device is required that makes sure everyone is accounted for; those who control the network determine the fate of the real world.

The Generations Trilogy by Scott Sigler (2016 – 2017)

Several teenagers find themselves in an unfamiliar corridor. They don’t remember anything prior to that moment. The corridor turns out to be a prison. One girl takes the lead to unravel the mystery and escape their confinement. What follows is a battle against a corrupt violent enemy.

Noughts & Crosses Series by Malorie Blackman

Set in an alternate universe in which the slavers are African-American and the enslaved are white Europeans, Noughts and Crosses series is as far as it can be from real life history. Segregation is at its worst and racial prejudice runs deep, but the roles are reversed.

The Australia Trilogy by J. P. Smythe

Planet Earth is now inhabitable. The last remaining survivors are on an interstellar ship named Australia. Life on the ship is not that much different from what it used to be before the journey. Criminals, murderers, and cults run the show on the spaceship people now call home.

True Born Trilogy by L. E. Sterling (2016 – 2018)

Margot and Lucy are resistant to the plague that has recently decimated the human population. They may hold the key to saving the fate of human race. The disappearance of Margot forces Lucy to join the True Born, a gang led by two charismatic men.

Penryn & the End of Days Trilogy by Susan Ee (2011 – 2015)

Angels come down to Earth with the sole purpose of destroying humanity. The world is now under their control, but Penryn is determined to keep her sister safe even if it means standing in the way of the mighty angels.

After: Nineteen Stories of the Apocalypse and Dystopia (2012)

It is a carefully selected collection of dystopia and apocalypse texts. Short stories from celebrated authors (N.K. Jemisin, Gregory Maguire, Nalo Hopkinson, etc.) give young readers the chance to have a glimpse of the genre, one story at a time. 

The List by Patricia Forde (2015)

The City of Ark is under a dystopian regime. To keep the citizens from having too much freedom, they are only allowed to speak no more than 500 words. Letta, a young apprentice of a wordsmith, starts to question the purpose of the restriction.

Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw (2018)

Every citizen of a future England is implanted with a microchip to allow the government to monitor all their activities. The borders are closed down to prevent anyone from escaping. An orphan named Jake joins a group of Outwalkers to break free.

Forgotten City by Michael Ford (2018)

A father and his son live alone in an abandoned school building, keeping themselves safe from deadly mutants outside. When the father fails to return on time from a trip to the city, the son makes a risky journey to find him. Mutants are not the real enemies.

Dreambender by Ronald Kidd (2016)

The dystopian rulers in “Dreambender” prevent the society from having thoughts about anything other than technology. The arts are forbidden. When one of the dream-bending agents discovers music in Callie’s dream, he cannot help but to keep on listening to the tunes.

A Whisper of Horses by Zillah Bethell (2016)

According to the dictatorial government of Lahn Dan, the world outside the city’s walls is toxic. When Serendipity finds a map showing where the horses are, she escapes the city and discovers a society more dynamic than she has ever known. 

The Firefly Code by Megan Frazer Blakemore (2016)

Every kid in the company town is a perfect blend of nature and genetic engineering. It is a utopia, until Mori discovers an abandoned home where the company founder used to live. She begins to wonder about life and whether perfection is right for her.

Parched by Melanie Crowder (2013)

Coastal cities in southern Africa are drowned in chaos when fresh water becomes undrinkable. Shortage of water leads some desperate men to raiding Sarel’s farm to find her family’s well. The men kill her parents, but she and the dogs survive the attack. The real struggle begins.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008)

People of the Capitol want their underprivileged counterparts in the Districts to play a deadly game every year for entertainment. Katniss volunteers to take part in the dead-or-alive sport in her sister’s stead, and the storyline takes-off from there.

Are you a dystopian fan? If so, then tell us more. We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know about. 

1.     What are some characteristics of a dystopian society? 

— Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. 

— Citizens have a fear of the outside world. 

— The natural world is banished and distrusted.

— Citizens live in a dehumanized state. 

Thanks to:

Utopias and Dystopias: Definitions and Characteristics

2.      What are the 3 types of dystopia?

— bureaucratic control – a government with relentless regulations rules.

— corporate control – a large corporation controls people through media or products.

— philosophical/religious control – an ideology enforced by the government controls society.

Thanks to:  https://examples.yourdictionary.com/what-are-examples-of-dystopia-23-fictional-societies.html

3. Does a dystopian society always have to be protrayed in the future?

No. If you look at the characteristics of a dystopian society (above), you’ll see that the United States may already be dystopic. Only you can decide that, though.

The post 27 Best Teen Dystopian Books That Will Fire Up Your Emotions appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

1. THE HUNGER GAMES BY SUZANNE COLLINS

The Hunger Games will always be at the top of any list of teen dystopian novels. It is the best teen dystopian novel and series of all time, inspiring other authors to write about teen dystopia as a result. The plot centers around a nation, Panem, and its ruling branch, District 1, that houses all the country’s wealth. Every year, two children from each state are chosen to battle to the death. Katniss volunteers to fight in place of her younger sister. A great book with strong characters!

2. THE 100 BY KASE MORGAN

This story is set in a future where a nuclear war has rendered the globe uninhabitable. The storyline follows the survivors as they attempt to live in a spaceship with resources running out. That‘s why 100 teenage passengers have been chosen to be dispatched to Earth to investigate the situation.

3. THE 5TH WAVE BY RICK YANCY

After The Hunger Games, this is another excellent teen dystopian novel about the impending 5th wave of earth destruction caused by an alien force, which includes earthquakes and tsunamis. Cassie, a teenage girl, is ready to save her younger brother with the help of another survivor named Evan Walker.

4. DRY BY NEAL AND JARROD SHUSTERMAN

After years of warnings to save water, California is set to enter a water scarcity war. Both Neal and Jarrod, father and son, envision a dire situation if wells run empty.

5. LEGEND BY MARIE LU

This dystopian thriller leads us to a nation at war, where they devised a cat and mouse game for two teenagers who are opposed to one another: June, who comes from a wealthy family and wishes to join the military, and Day, who comes from the slums and is a wanted criminal.

6. MATCHED BY ALLY CONDIE

Matched is a teen dystopian novel that follows young Cassie as she searches for her match on her computer screen. She can’t decide between the face on the screen and the face that flashed into her head.

7. THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO BY PATRICK NESS

This teen dystopian novel is set in a world where everyone’s thoughts are heard by everyone else. Todd Hewitt, a child from a village of all males, is at the core of the plot. He is aware of a secret that everyone keeps hidden. It also discusses Todd’s peculiar meeting with a girl in the woods.

8. DELIRIUM BY LAUREN OLIVER

Delirium is a dystopian teen romance novel set in a world where love has been outlawed due to health concerns. THE CURVE is a procedure that monitors teenagers once they turn 18. Lena Haloway, a teen girl, has fallen in love with a strange boy from the wild who has not been treated to prevent getting the disease “love.”

9. THE MAZE RUNNER BY JAMES DASHNER

This is a fun young adult novel about a guy who wakes up alongside other boys inside a strange labyrinth and loses his memory. The story follows those who are trying to discover a way out by sending solo runners through a perilous maze.

10. UGLIES BY SCOT WASTERFELD

This book explores the anxiety of self-image difficulties in teenagers. Tally is about to turn sixteen and wants to have extensive surgery to transform her appearance from ugly to beautiful because she feels self-conscious about her appearance.

11. THE HOST BY STEPHENIE MEYER

This gripping thriller by Stephanie Meyer centers on an alien onslaught that steals people’s minds while leaving their bodies intact. Melanie takes on the aliens and makes Wanderer the host of Jared’s thoughts, beginning the search for the missing Jared.

12. RED QUEEN BY VICTORIA AVEYARD

Red Queen is a genetic twist on mankind that is divided into two bloodlines: one SILVER that is more powerful and the other that is red-blooded like normal humans. Mare Borrow discovers her exceptional powers and embarks on her quest to become the Silver Princess.

13. THE GRACE YEAR BY KIM LIGGETT

This story is set in a male-dominated society where 16-year-old girls are put into seclusion for their grace year to prepare them for eligible bachelors. Tierney James is one of them, but she is determined to permanently alter this dystopian world.

If you like reading dystopian novels as much as we do, drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know about.

Why are dystopian novels banned?

Libraries often ban dystopian novels for even a small portion of the book having sexual content, offensive language, or the content being unsuited for the age group. Check out docs.lib.Purdue.edu for other classics that the libraries have banned over the years. You can type in the search bar “banned novels.”

Why are dystopian novels popular with teenagers?

The main reason is that teens find dystopian novels exciting. The Hunger Games started the fascination for this genre, although this isn’t new according to theguardian.com. A Winkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (1962), House of Stairs by William Sleator (1974), and The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993) are three other examples.

Another reason that teens are drawn to dystopia is that the books are based on things that are strictly controlled in their everyday lives, like school, home, and peers. Going into a world of the future with a hero that includes darkness and danger is just exciting for the reader. 

What is a dystopia and utopia?

quizlet.com describes dystopia as “an imaginary futuristic world in which society lives under the oppression and control of a totalitarian government, a repressive society, a force of technology, or a corrupt business cooperation.” Utopia is an “illusion of a perfect society that turns out to be the opposite.” 

Check out quizlet.com for a set of flash cards for dystopian novels. You could create your own dystopia trivia game. 

The post THE 13 BEST TEEN DYSTOPIAN BOOKS appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.

“DESTROYING THINGS IS MUCH EASIER THAN MAKING THEM.”

“It Takes Ten Times Longer To Put Yourself Back Together Than It Does To Fall Apart.”

“You Don’t Forget The Face Of The Person Who Was Your Last Hope.”

“As Long As You Can Find Yourself, You’ll Never Starve.”

“Gale Gave Me A Sense Of Security I’d Lacked Since My Father’s Death. His Companionship Replaced The Long Solitary Hours In The Woods. I Became A Much Better Hunter When I Didn’t Have To Look Over My Shoulder Constantly When Someone Was Watching My Back…Being Out In The Woods With Gale…Sometimes I Was Actually Happy.”

“I Am Not Pretty, I Am Not Beautiful. I Am As Radiant As The Sun.”

“Happy Hunger Games!”

“You’ve Got About As Much Charm As A Dead Slug.”

 “Some Walks You Have To Take Alone.”

“My Nightmares Are Usually About Losing You. I’m Okay Once I Realize You’re Here.”

“Stupid People Are Dangerous.”

“But Our Lives Aren’t Just Measured In Years. They’re Measured In The Lives Of People We Touch Around Us.”

“Remember, We’re Madly In Love, So It’s All Right To Kiss Me Anytime You Feel Like It.”

With One Sweep Of My Arm, I Push Her Behind Me, “I Volunteer!” I Gasp, “I Volunteer As Tribute!”

“I Always Channel My Emotions Into My Work. That Way, I Don’t Hurt Anyone But Myself.”

“May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor.”

“It’s The Worst Torture In The World, Waiting When You Know There’s Nothing You Can Do.”

“They’ll Either Want To Kill You, Kiss You, Or Be You.”

“Nobody Decent Ever Wins The Games.”

“Your Job Is To Be A Distraction So People Forget What The Real Problems Are.”

“Hope, It Is The Only Thing Stronger Than Fear. A Little Hope Is Effective, A Lot Of Hope Is Dangerous.”

So, what do you think? Do you like them? Or do you know about some better ones? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

If you liked this, then check out 17 Best Post-Apocalyptic Books!

Other things you may wonder about…

Was The Hunger Games ever banned?

The books were banned from libraries and schools country wide for being “anti-ethnic, anti-family, having offensive language, occult and satanic, and having violence.” It was third on the list on the American Library Associations banned books list for 2011. In American high schools it’s one of the most common books that are banned. 

Other popular books that have banned in past years are The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and James their Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. 

What does holding up 3 fingers mean in The Hunger Games?

In the movies it represents solidarity in the dystopian world where there is an all-powerful tyrant that rebels are fighting for freedom. In Thailand it was used after a coup in 2014 and was later banned.  It has also been used to stand for solidarity and resistance by Myanmar protesters. 

What is the rating of The Hunger Games movies?

It is rated PG-13 because of intense violence and disturbing images that involve teenagers. It’s about a competition were 24 teens are forced to fight to the death until only one is still alive. 

How are The Hunger Games books rated?

Scholastic books rates the books as grade 5.3 and the age range is 11-13. There have been concerns by parents that the books are centered around violence. There is graphic violence throughout the books and much of the plot of all the books focuses on “the games,” which involves children killing children.

The post 21 OF THE BEST THE HUNGER GAMES QUOTES appeared first on Stories At Worlds End.