Best Series For Teens in Dystopian Genre
Arguably, dystopian literature is overwhelmingly a crowd favourite. Hence, its popularity is increasingly high. It appeals to many readers from all walks of life and ages across the globe, especially to teens.
One can say that the teens are among the most passionate readers of dystopia-themed novels. That is the reason why dystopian books for teenagers are overflowing and wide-ranging. By saying so, I came up with a few list of the best dystopian-themed books for young readers.
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1. Harry Potter Series
Undeniably, the “Harry Potter” series by the notable and multi-awarded author J.K. Rowling is on the top of my list for best dystopian fiction novels for teens of all time. The seven-book series opened the doorway for teens and Young Adult (YA) dystopian literature.
Rowling’s masterpiece stands as the first-ever book to showcase dystopian themes for young people, and it has received an enormous response from the readers that gained the utmost popularity all over the world.
That is why the eight-film adaptations of this award-winning book series sky-rocketed in the box office hit registry with more than seven billion dollars to boast.
Synopsis:
The series chronicles the life of the young wizard Harry Potter, who struggles against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. Along with his thrilling adventure in “Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” he met new friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Together, they fight to stop the archenemies lead by Voldemort, who wants to bring down the “Ministry of Magic” and destroy all the wizards and non-magical people known as the Muggles.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Original Title Philosopher’s Stone)
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 309
Goodreads rating – 4.47/5
My rating – 9.95/10
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 341
Goodreads rating – 4.42/5
My rating – 9.92/10
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 435
Goodreads rating – 4.57/5
My rating – 9.93/10
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 734
Goodreads rating – 4.56/5
My rating – 9.92/10
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Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 870
Goodreads rating – 4.50/5
My rating – 9.90/10
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 652
Goodreads rating – 4.57/5
My rating – 9.93/10
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Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 759
Goodreads rating – 4.62/5
My rating – 9.98/10
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Also See: 8 Popular Hollywood Actors You Thought Were Americans
2. The Hunger Games Trilogy
It is also without a doubt that “The Hunger Games” series is one of the most famous dystopian books for teens of all time. Aside from the fact that its four-film adaptations have earned more than two billion dollars, the novel itself is on the top list of “Goodreads” and has received more than six million ratings.
Synopsis:
In the ruthless and harsh totalitarianism government of the “Capitol” in Panem, the rubbled of what was known previously as North America arose the bravery, perseverance, and quick-wittedness of sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen.
The Hunger Games
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 374
Goodreads rating – 4.33/5
My rating – 9.88/10
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Catching Fire
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 391
Goodreads rating – 4.29/5
My rating – 9.80/10
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Mockingjay
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 390
Goodreads rating – 4.04/5
My rating – 9.05/10
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Also See: Top 11 Golden Dystopian Movies Released in The 1980s
3. Divergent Trilogy
From Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games Trilogy” comes Beatrice “Tris” Prior in “Divergent Trilogy,” another favourite good read book by young readers.
With more two million ratings and almost a billion box office hit in its three-film adaptations, it is indisputable that it’s among the most received dystopian fiction novels for the younger generation of all time.
Synopsis:
Five factions comprised the society of the dystopian world of the ruins of Chicago. Each faction represents a particular moral standard, namely honesty, selflessness, bravery, peacefulness, and intelligence, which sixteen-year-old Tris has to choose. However, Tris has to make a valuable choice of whether to become who she intended to be or being with her family.
Divergent
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 487
Goodreads rating – 4.20/5
My rating – 9.75/10
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Insurgent
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 525
Goodreads rating – 4.03/5
My rating – 9.00/10
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Allegiant
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 526
Goodreads rating – 3.63/5
My rating – 8.70/10
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4. The Lord of the Rings Series
Another epic teen dystopian fiction book series that has also become a global success in its three-film adaptations is “The Lord of the Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien.
It also became part of many adaptations, including video games, music, and many others. That is why in 2003, this Tolkien’s masterpiece became the recipient of “The Big Read” by BBC as the best novel in Britain of all time.
Synopsis:
Dark Lord Sauron created an ultimate weapon to rule the other “Rings of Power” and the entire “Middle-earth” called “One Ring.” It narrates the great pursuit endeavoured by Frodo and the rest of the protagonists in “The Fellowship of the Ring.”
The Fellowship of the Ring
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 398
Goodreads rating – 4.36/5
My rating – 9.87/10
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The Two Towers
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 322
Goodreads rating – 4.40/5
My rating – 9.90/10
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The Return of the King
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 404
Goodreads rating – 4.53/5
My rating – 9.95/10
Also See: 4 Blockbuster Movies That Were Adapted From Dystopian Novels
5. The Maze Runner Series
Joining in my top list of best dystopian books for teens is “The Maze Runner” series by James Dashner. The storyline comes in five books, and the first one is the main title itself.
Due to the gripping plot of the novel, it gained media attention and featured in three-film adaptations that were all a box-office hit across the world.
Synopsis:
The book tells the story of the “Gladers,” a group of teens headed by Thomas thrown in a strange place called the “Glade.” One of its four doors leads to the “Maze” that opens every morning and closes during the night, every sunset. Thomas and the rest of the Gladers will have to fight against the “Grievers,” scary biomechanically made creatures.
The Maze Runner
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 384
Goodreads rating – 4.02/5
My rating – 9.00/10
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The Scorch Trials
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 362
Goodreads rating – 3.92/5
My rating – 8.89/10
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The Death Cure
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 325
Goodreads rating – 3.77/5
My rating – 8.75/10
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The Kill Order
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 327
Goodreads rating – 3.71/5
My rating – 8.72/10
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The Fever Code
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 347
Goodreads rating – 4.11/5
My rating – 9.10/10
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6. Delirium Trilogy
Lauren Oliver’s dystopian novel trilogy “Delirium” is also another book enthusiasts’ favourite. It became a TV-adaptation, which Oliver got the inspiration from the love and death genre books written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
She added that since her first novel talked about death, she desired her next plot would be around a love story. However, she figured of combining love and disease for her upcoming book when she saw the news on the pandemic while she was working out in the gym. Hence, she came out with her “Delirium Trilogy.”
Synopsis:
The story follows the life of teen girl Lena Haloway, who belongs to a society where love is a disease called “deliria.” With that, the government imposed that all eighteen years old should get the “Cure” procedure. However, Lena meets Alex, ninety-five days away from her treatment.
Delirium
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 441
Goodreads rating – 3.98/5
My rating – 8.98/10
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Pandemonium
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 375
Goodreads rating – 4.05/5
My rating – 9.05/10
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Requiem
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 391
Goodreads rating – 3.74/5
My rating – 8.70/10
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7. Unwind Trilogy
This Neal Shusterman’s trilogy is also among the most favourite dystopian novels by teens today. The spine-chilling plot of how children from thirteen to eighteen years will have to get “unwound” with the approval of their parents. That plot caught young people’s attention, making the “Unwind” trilogy a hit for readers.
Synopsis:
The narrative tracks the lives of three teens, namely Connor Lassiter, Risa Ward, and Levi “Lev” Jedediah Calder, who are all set to get “unwound.” The three teens will find a way to escape from this chilling procedure that allows the government to take out their organs to get transplanted to various donors.
Unwind
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 337
Goodreads rating – 4.18/5
My rating – 9.25/10
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UnWholly
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 416
Goodreads rating – 4.25/5
My rating – 9.75/10
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UnSouled
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 404
Goodreads rating – 4.23/5
My rating – 9.73/10
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UnDivided
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 372
Goodreads rating – 4.47/5
My rating – 9.50/10
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8. The Giver Quartet
Lois Lowry’s award-winning “The Giver” novel is a huge success in its film adaptation. This book is part of Lowry’s “The Giver Quartet,” which is consists of four series, and the namesake as its first.
The plot appeared initially as a utopian society, but as the story progresses, it reveals the dark side hidden behind it. Thus, revealing its dystopian dreadful side.
Synopsis:
It follows the journey of twelve-year-old Jonas, who thinks that he is living in a perfect utopian world. However, he starts to unravel the dreadful secrets of his society, when he was given his first assignment, as the “Receiver.”
The Giver
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 208
Goodreads rating – 4.13/5
My rating – 9.15/10
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Gathering Blue
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 240
Goodreads rating – 3.82/5
My rating – 9.85/10
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Messenger
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 169
Goodreads rating – 3.91/5
My rating – 8.90/10
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Son
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 393
Goodreads rating – 3.99/5
My rating – 8.90/10
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9. Uglies Series
At first, Scott Westerfeld created this novel as a trilogy but later on decided to add a fourth one. “Uglies” book series is giving the younger generation a thought-provoking plot that allows them to relate it to the current direction that the society is going.
The series includes the books “Uglies,” “Pretties,” and “Specials.” The fourth one’s main character is different from the first three.
Synopsis:
As Tally Youngblood is about to turn sixteen, the age where she can, at long last, receive her operation to becoming pretty, but her excitement will change when her friend Shay escapes. That’s when Tally finds out the ugly truth behind what she thought a beautiful world.
Uglies
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 425
Goodreads rating – 3.86/5
My rating – 8.45/10
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Pretties
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 370
Goodreads rating – 3.85/5
My rating – 8.85/10
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Specials
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 384
Goodreads rating – 3.77/5
My rating – 8.73/10
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Also See: 9 Top Selling American Novels in Dystopian Genre
10. The Selection Series
Kiera Cass creates this intriguing story about how girls go out into competition to get selected and have their lives changed in a modern world where the society is under different social classes. There’s the rich and famous, and then, there’s the lowest one.
“The Selection Series” is a five-novel series that includes “The Selection,” “The Elite,” “The One,” “The Heir,” and “The Crown.”
Synopsis:
The story mainly focuses on the fiery red-haired beauty America Singer who thinks that being included in “The Selection” is a nightmare. Unlike other girls who believe that this opportunity will change their lives forever, it’s tragic for America as she has to turn her back from her Aspen, who has a lower class than her. Yet, everything will change when she meets Prince Maxon.
The Selection
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 336
Goodreads rating – 4.14/5
My rating – 9.50/10
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The Elite
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 336
Goodreads rating – 4.02/5
My rating – 9.48/10
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The One
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 323
Goodreads rating – 4.20/5
My rating – 9.49/10
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The Heir
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 342
Goodreads rating – 3.80/5
My rating – 9.25/10
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The Crown
Genre – Dystopian Fiction for Teens
Pages – 278
Goodreads rating – 3.78/5
My rating – 9.23/10
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Final Say
Other than the books mentioned above, there are still many dystopian novels written particularly for teen readers. There’s a massive library collection for teen dystopian fiction literature.
Whatever storyline that you like to read with a dystopia-themed genre, may it be love and tragedy or fighting for what is right, there are ample that you can find, including “The Darkest Minds,” “Matched,” “Under the Never Sky,” “The Host,” and a whole lot more.
Main Image Source: Pixabay
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