An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is the first book in the series. Laia, who witnesses the murder of her grandparents and her brother getting arrested, must risk her life as a spy for the rebels by going into the Empire’s greatest military academy as a slave. Elias, who is a soldier in the academy, plans to desert, but deserting isn’t easy. If Elias gets caught, it could cost him his life. Both Elias and Laia want to seek freedom but find out it’s harder than they think.
Mare, a girl with red blood, is a thief waiting to get conscripted into the army when she turns eighteen, per the mandate. In this dystopian society, people had silver blood, meaning they had powers, or they had red blood, meaning they did not. When Mare learns that her friend, Kilorn, lost his job, meaning he must get conscripted, she does anything she can to save him from that fate. After meeting a stranger in a bar who turns out to be the crown prince, Cal, Mare gets a job at the castle which saves her from getting conscripted.
Katniss, the main character, volunteers in The Hunger Games to save her sister from the same fate. The hunger games are a free for all in which all twelve districts are required to participate. One boy and one girl are randomly chosen, the winner gets rich. You really want to win because if you lose you die and if you win you get popular and have a “wonderful” life.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a dystopian novel by Suzanne Collins, serving as a prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy. The story is set in the Capitol of Panem during the early years of the Hunger Games, focusing on the character of Coriolanus Snow, who later becomes the ruthless President Snow. The novel explores his journey from a privileged but struggling teenager to a calculating and power-hungry young man, as he mentors a tribute from District 12 in the 10th Hunger Games.
They Both Die at the End is an extremely popular book and rightfully so, as Adam Silvera’s dystopian world forces you to experience a world beyond your imagination. When Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio meet each other, they both know that it’s their final day on Earth. Readers are hit with feelings as the characters suffer through tear-jerking goodbyes with their loved ones, as well as past memories resurfacing during their final moments. As they prepare for the end, their true adventure begins.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi follows the gripping tale of Juliette Ferrars, a young girl with a deadly touch who has been imprisoned for years. In a dystopian society plagued by environmental decay and authoritarian rule, she becomes a pawn in a power-hungry regime's plans. When she is unexpectedly freed, Juliette must navigate a world of danger and intrigue, torn between her desire for freedom and the responsibility that comes with her lethal abilities.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a classic novel that explores the dark aspects of human nature. The story begins with a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes during wartime. Initially, they attempt to establish order and rules, electing a leader, Ralph.
Proxy by Alex London is a captivating dystopian young adult novel set in a future society where the privileged few lead luxurious lives while others serve as their proxies, taking the punishment for their wrongdoings. Syd is a poor orphan working as a proxy for the wealthy Knox, taking on the consequences of Knox's reckless behavior. When Knox's latest misstep leads to a deadly accident, Syd finds himself on the run, seeking justice and freedom.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner is a thrilling dystopian novel that follows the story of Thomas, a young boy who wakes up in a mysterious glade surrounded by a massive ever-changing maze with no memory of his past. He joins a group of boys who have been trapped in the Glade, trying to survive and find a way out. As they navigate the deadly maze, they face terrifying mechanical creatures known as Grievers and uncover unsettling secrets about their existence.
