The best dystopian books for girls

Who am I?

I’ve always been a reader. I love nothing more than to leap between the pages of a book and forget the rest of the world. The books I love take the world today and imagine it evolving into something slightly twisted and terrifying. Years of devouring this type of book led to me imagining my own dystopian worlds, and eventually, writing about them. As a woman who believes in equality, I’m naturally drawn to books which feature strong female characters or are written by women. The books on this list are among my favourites from the last four decades. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!


I wrote...

Flow

By Clare Littlemore,

Book cover of Flow

What is my book about?

In a world where sea levels have risen to unimaginable levels, an isolated society exists. Floodwaters constantly threaten existence, and rules must be followed to ensure survival. Sixteen-year-old Quin knows the Governor is hiding something.

When she receives a sudden promotion, she hopes the extra freedom will help her expose his lies. Her new role is not what she expected, though. And when she attracts the attention of the handsome, mysterious Cam, he warns her: asking questions could get her killed. But Quin can’t resist. She digs deeper and discovers that there's more to Cam than meets the eye. With her heart and her life on the line, how far is she willing to go to protect the people she loves?

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The books I picked & why

The Handmaid's Tale

By Margaret Atwood,

Book cover of The Handmaid's Tale

Why did I love this book?

I first read The Handmaid’s Tale at university, long before the TV series existed! It both fascinated and appalled me. Its heroine, Offred, has no control over her life, yet she attempts to rebel against the system using whatever means she can. Atwood asserts that everything which happens in the book has happened in real life, somewhere in the world. She is right, of course, and that’s the most shocking aspect of dystopian literature. This compelling story has always stayed with me and in part inspired my own most recent series, set in a dystopian world where women, and not men, have all the power.

By Margaret Atwood,

Why should I read it?

28 authors picked The Handmaid's Tale as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

** THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER **
**A BBC BETWEEN COVERS BIG JUBILEE READ**

Go back to where it all began with the dystopian novel behind the award-winning TV series.

'As relevant today as it was when Atwood wrote it' Guardian

I believe in the resistance as I believe there can be no light without shadow; or rather, no shadow unless there is also light.

Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead, a religious totalitarian state in what was formerly known as the United States. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford -…


The Giver

By Lois Lowry,

Book cover of The Giver

Why did I love this book?

The Giver does not have a strong female heroine, but is a powerful dystopian tale written by a female author. Almost a utopia to begin with, the seemingly perfect world of the book is slowly revealed to be a sham. Those who live in it have no negative experiences, but the payoff for this is harsh: they also don’t experience positive emotions such as happiness and love. The book has been banned in several places because of the challenging themes it tackles, but Lowry has argued against this. Such censorship, she claims, only supports the point of her book. A society that controls what people read is dangerously close to the society of The Giver. I loved the idea that life mimicked art here, and admire Lowry for taking a stand to defend her book.

By Lois Lowry,

Why should I read it?

17 authors picked The Giver as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE GIVER is soon to be a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift.

Now available for the first time in the UK, THE GIVER QUARTET is the complete four-novel collection.

THE GIVER: It is the future. There is no war, no hunger, no pain. No one in the community wants for anything. Everything needed is provided. And at twelve years old, each member of the community has their profession carefully chosen for them by the Committee of Elders.

Jonas has never thought there was anything wrong with his world. But from the moment he is…


The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins,

Book cover of The Hunger Games

Why did I love this book?

A modern classic, and probably not new to dystopian fiction fans, but The Hunger Games (written by a woman and with a truly strong female main character) cannot be missed off a list of dystopian fiction. It has everything: action, drama, romance, a real sense of the ‘haves-versus-the-have-nots’ and even a coming-of-age for the main character (whilst the world is going to hell). I love Katniss. She’s not always likable and is an extremely reluctant hero. But when it counts, she steps up, and learns a lot about what she’s capable of along the way. I love Suzanne Collins’ writing style, and have read and reread this book more times than I can count. 

By Suzanne Collins,

Why should I read it?

34 authors picked The Hunger Games as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. But Katniss has been close to death before - and survival, for her, is second nature. The Hunger Games is a searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present. Welcome to the deadliest reality TV show ever...


Legend

By Marie Lu,

Book cover of Legend

Why did I love this book?

Legend is a great example of a dual narrative, with an equal focus on two main characters, their very different worlds, and (once they meet) their interactions with one another. I love June, the female character, because she’s a strong, determined fighter with a real score to settle, and not your typical spoilt rich girl. Like The Hunger Games, the story focuses on class and presents a Romeo-and-Juliet-style relationship which develops amidst a country at war with its neighbours as well as within its own borders. The action is thrilling, the tension is high and the romance is sweet (and doesn’t dominate). I highly recommend! 

By Marie Lu,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Legend as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Legend is the much-anticipated dystopian thriller debut from US author, Marie Lu.

THE must-read dystopian thriller fiction for all teen fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth. A brilliant re-imagining of Les Miserables, the series is set to be a global film sensation as CBS films have acquired rights to the trilogy. The Twilight Saga producers, Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, will produce.

Los Angeles, California
Republic of America

He is Day.
The boy who walks in the light.

She is June.
The girl who seeks her brother's killer.

On the run and undercover,…


Book cover of The Quiet at the End of the World

Why did I love this book?

An interesting take on a dystopian world, whilst humanity is threatened in this book, the two main characters have pretty decent lives (aside from the fact that they’re destined to be the last humans ever). Loneliness is one of my biggest fears, and the concept of being one of the only two people left on earth is truly terrifying. This book was an intriguing take on the dystopian genre, focusing on what would happen if humans became unable to reproduce. It had some twists I honestly didn’t see coming and a really positive attitude towards diversity. Lowrie (the female narrator) is a compelling, realistic character who records the world around her with compassion. Definitely one for readers who prefer a more ‘positive’ dystopian outlook.

By Lauren James,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Quiet at the End of the World as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Lauren James is a genius at building tension." SFX Magazine

"James is one to watch." Kirkus Reviews

How far would you go to save those you love? Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking and looking for treasure - until a secret is uncovered that threatens not only their family but humanity's entire existence. Now Lowrie and Shen face an impossible choice: in the quiet at the end of the world,…


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One Giant Leap

By Ben Gartner,

Book cover of One Giant Leap

Ben Gartner Author Of The Eye of Ra

New book alert!

Who am I?

I love to read a good action-adventure story. I’ve also written a few. And I know that no matter how high the stakes, if there’s no heart in the characters then there’s very little engagement to make it any more memorable than a temporary thrill. I love thrills, but the stories that stick with you after the excitement of the moment is over, those are the true gems. Besides the fun of reading that type of book, maybe you even learn something about yourself or the world and come out a wee bit wiser than when you went in. And isn’t that a fantastic use of our imaginative powers?!

Ben's book list on new action-packed middle grade with heart

What is my book about?

I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! It’s a dream come true until space junk collides with the ISS, turning their epic trip into a nightmare of survival. Alone aboard the Aether starship, the kids have to work as a team to save the adults before the ISS is destroyed. Suit up, cadet, and launch into adventure with One Giant Leap!

By Ben Gartner,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked One Giant Leap as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! It’s a dream come true until space junk collides with the ISS, turning their epic trip into a nightmare of survival. Alone aboard the Aether starship, the kids have to work as a team to save the adults before the ISS is destroyed. Suit up, cadet, and launch into adventure with One Giant Leap!

Praise for…


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