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I’ve wanted to put together a dystopian/post-apocalyptic list for a while now, mostly because I’ve read so many of them (it’s true. I lost most of 2013 to these novels… I regret nothing). I figured at the very least I’d be able to save people some time by presenting the ones I liked the most. I realize the dystopian genre did not start with the Hunger Games (or with YA in general, for that matter), but as they are my favorite representations, my list will be very YA-centric.
Top Ten YA Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Books!
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- The Jewel by Amy Ewing
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- Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
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- The Fifth Wave by Ricky Yancey
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- Partials by Dan Wells
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- Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
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- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
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- The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
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- Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
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- The Bane by Keary Taylor
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- Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The top row represents my absolute favorites – the ones I can recommend with 100% confidence. Hunger Games is a given, but my favorite on the list is actually Partials by Dan Wells. The bottom row represents the ones that I enjoyed thoroughly, but know many readers who didn’t feel the same way. As a side note, I actually didn’t give The Testing of very high rating, but loved the second book enough to include it on this list. Also, The Selection by Kiera Cass would have made the list had the third book not been such a disappointment (I feel like it still deserves an honorary mention, though). I have I read so many mediocre dystopians that it’s nice to be able to pay homage to the ones I feel were above par.
What’s dystopians/post-apocalyptic books would make your list?
The Obsessive Bookseller 
I loved Uglies, though I couldn’t get into the rest of the series!
My TTT
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I agree the second one was rough. He brought it home for me in the third one, though. :)
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I love this list, and you have some of my all time favorites on it. I absolutely love The Hunger Games, Delirium, Under the Never Sky, and The 5th Wave. And I can’t wait to read The Jewel. Besides the ones I already mentioned, I think Unwind by Neal Shusterman, Article 5 by Kristen Simmons, and Enclave by Ann Aguirre would make my list as well. :)
Here’s my TTT
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Oh nice! I’ve read enclave (and liked it) and have been eyeballing the other two. You make me want to pick them up sooner because of our similar tastes! I highly recommend adding partials to your list! :)
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Out of the 10 you’ve listed, I admit to have read only 2 (Hunger games and Under The Never Sky). Indeed they are good recommendations for YA newbies.
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Agreed! :) I think partials is still my number 1 though!
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I haven’t even heard of Partials until now.
*checking on Goodreads*
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If you like dystopian, you’ll love it!!
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Great list. I have an e-arc of The Jewel and keep putting it off because I only hear good things that I keeps making me nervous. Really need to get on reading that.
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Ooooohhh I hope you like it! Don’t let them scare you. ;)
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Wait wait wait — who doesn’t like Under the Never Sky?? They are fired. ;)
I can’t wait to read The Jewel and now apparently I must also read Partials… good to know. I am one of those who didn’t love Uglies, but I certainly thought it was the strongest of the series.
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I know!!! Hard to imagine, right!? ;) Partials is my #1 recommend for the genre, so I hope you have a chance to read it!
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I’ve heard The 5th Wave is awesome. I’ve wanted to read it for a while, but I haven’t got to it yet. Thanks for reminding me about it!
My TTT Post
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It’s fabulous and totally terrifying and awful (in the best way possible, of course). :)
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I’ve only read The Hunger Games on this list, but a lot of the others are on my TBR pile. Great recommendations!
Check out my TTT!
Katrina @ Chased By My Imagination
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Thanks! I hope you have a chance to check them out! :)
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Oh, no! The One isn’t as good as the others in the series? I’ve just bought it. :(
I loved the first two books in the Under The Never Sky and Delirium series. I wonder why it’s so hard to maintain the momentum in the third book. Have you read The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon? That was an unusual and great interperetaion of the genre. Also The Scourge by AG Henley (especially if you liked Under the Never Sky) and Defiance by CJ Redwine.
You have listed a few books I’ve not heard off – yay! More for my TBR list. :)
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The One was good, and worth reading, but I didn’t like it nearly as much as the first book. If you loved the second one, you should be okay. :) I have not read those three but thank you for the recommends!!! I actually just snagged defiance in hardcover, so you make me want to pick it up sooner rather than later!! :D
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*interpretation* Sorry. I don’t even know what went on there!
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Ughhhh–I am so stoked for The Infinite Sea, especially after those teaser excerpts posted last month. I’m currently really enjoying Ness’ Chaos Walking Trilogy and (I think) it gets better with each book!
Cheers,
joey via. thoughts and afterthoughts
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Ooh! Nice – I’ll have to check those out! I know what you mean – infinite sea can’t come too soon! I keep hoping to come across an early copy but it just hadn’t happened yet.
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Check out the comic series “Exiles,” it’s all fixing dystopian alternative dimensions. :) It’s awesome.
Here’s my list, if you wanna check it out. :) I’m experimenting with doing them on YouTube now, please like and comment if you can :) http://youtu.be/dapaLyFe-N0?list=UUP4Ao6fj3mLXHqOSSxyqh8w
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Thank you, I’m always up for excellent suggestions!
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