The End of the World as We Know It: Dystopian Books for YA Readers
by Dena McMurdie
Young adult books have seen a resurgence in dystopian stories recently, whether they’re new releases or re-discovered favorites. They allow readers to imagine how the future might look and how our current actions might impact it. With themes of control, rebellion, and young people rising up to save the day, it’s no surprise that these books are always popular with YA readers.
From modern classics to current chart-toppers, here are several binge-worthy YA books about dystopian societies.
Here are a few dystopian stories they might not know about.
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Hearts Still Beating
Buy from:When the world ended and a virus infected humans, Mara became a monster. Her first love, Rory, lost her mobility in an accident. Now that Mara has been cured, she moves in with Rory, and the two girls must figure out who they are, how to navigate their new reality, and how to move forward.
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Snowglobe
Buy from:Chobahm would do anything to leave her life in the factory and become an actor in the domed city of Snowglobe, the last warm place on Earth. When she gets the opportunity to move to the city and become famous, she discovers a dark undercurrent beneath the glam and glitz. The TV shows she watched her whole life were fake, and the future Chobahm wanted might not exist at all.
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The Last She
Buy from:After a plague wipes out every woman on the planet except for Ara, she is left alone to fend for herself. But when she gets captured by Kaden and his all-male clan, she becomes their prisoner. Ara and Kaden form an unlikely alliance to find the source of the plague. This dystopian novel captivates readers with its slow-burn romance, fractured society, and a plot that races at break-neck speed.
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Sanctuary
Buy from:Teen Vogue calls the world of Sanctuary “a dystopian future that doesn't feel so far away.” It’s 2032. There’s a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Under the threat of deportation, one family flees Vermont for California, and is separated along the way — leaving 16-year-old Vali to finish the journey with her younger brother on their own.
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Giften
Buy from:In a post-apocalyptic world, Ruthie is one of the few gifted people who can coax crops to grow in the wasteland where she lives. Her ability makes her a gift to her community and a highly sought-after commodity to society’s rulers in the City. With an army on her trail, Ruthie and her friends head out on a journey that will take them to the heart of corruption and danger.
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The Meadows
Buy from:At a prestigious state-run school called the Meadows, Eleanor and her friends learn how to conform to society’s expectations. But that doesn’t stop Eleanor from falling in love with Rose. Years later, Eleanor must grapple with the life she was forced into, the one she left behind, and the person she truly is. But the more she digs into the school and her history with it, the more perilous her situation gets.
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Nubia: The Awakening
Buy from:As the children of refugees, Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho don’t have high hopes for life in New York City. But when the three teens develop extraordinary abilities, they attract attention from influential people who want to control their powers. Now, the teens must choose between helping their community or leaving them behind to improve their own situation.
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Happy Head
Buy from:Seb enrolls in a new mental health center, hoping for some help. Instead, he finds something sinister lurking under the glossy exterior of the center. When he sees how the center treats rule-breakers like his friend, Finn, Seb realizes he is playing a game he can’t win. As things get increasingly dangerous, Seb decides to escape at any cost.
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Matched Deluxe Edition
Buy from:Cassia has never had a reason to question the Society’s choices for her. But when she gets “matched” with two boys — one a stranger and one her best friend — she starts to question everything she knows. This heartfelt dystopian series asks tough questions about free will, control, and following your heart. Once you finish the original trilogy, make sure to pick up the companion novel, The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2025.