Did you love the Divergent series — perhaps watched or read them numerous times — and are now looking for more books with similar tropes? Luckily, we’ve gathered a list of incredible young-adult dystopian books that will deliver the same thrilling adventure and heartfelt romance plot as Tris and Four. No matter how old we get, we believe the YA genre of dystopian literature will always be a favorite in our hearts; it’s a genre that holds the books you could read over and over again without tiring of it. So sit back, turn on the Divergent soundtracks in the background, and take a look at these exciting reads!
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Ruby wakes up on her tenth birthday and realizes something has changed about herself, something so alarming that her parents lock her in the garage and call the police to have her sent away to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” While she may have survived the current mysterious disease that killed almost all of America’s children, she now finds herself and others emerging with frightening abilities they cannot control. At sixteen now, Ruby is one of the most dangerous ones. To protect herself, she runs away and joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. This read will have you in suspense as you go on a journey with their group and witness the thrilling adventure they pursue, the hardships they run into, and a kindling romance the more some of them spend time together.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Could you withstand being locked away for over 200 days? Juliette Ferrars has a dangerous ability, one that can kill with a single touch. Faced with this curse and burden she can hardly withstand, Juliette feels entirely alone. But the Reesteblishment holding her sees this power as a gift, one that can be used as an opportunity for a deadly weapon. Juliette has never fought for herself before, until she meets one person who seems to finally care for her, not her power.
Legend by Marie Lu
The western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation in the midst of a brutal war. Fifteen-year-old June was born in an elite family of one of the wealthiest districts in the Republic, and she became a prodigy destined for success in their highest military circles. On the other hand, Day was born in the slums, and is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they appear. Two characters growing up in entirely different worlds, they unexpectedly meet when Day becomes a prime suspect after June’s brother is killed. Will the two become brutal enemies, or find out there is a more dangerous secret awaiting them that will bring them together?
Skyhunter by Marie Lu
Strikers are loyal with deadly fighting skills and a willingness to sacrifice their own lives in order to defend Mara, the last free nation in their world. But for Talin, she is seen as an outcast first and a Striker second by the very people she protects. Regardless of what other thinks, Talin will continue protecting them and keep the evil Federation and its army of mutant beasts at bay. That is, until she meets a mysterious prisoner who disrupts Talin’s entire world. Not knowing if he is a spy or a product of a sinister experiment, Talin has to race against the clock to unravel his secrets and find out if he’s the weapon that will save or destroy them all.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The first installment of a spectacular trilogy filled with forbidden love, revolution, and the power of choice, Delirium takes place in an alternate United States. Love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen-years-old to receive a procedure known as the Cure. Lena Haloway is ready and looking forward to being cured after watching love destroy her mother. But with three months left until her treatment, she unexpectedly meets Alex, a boy who lives under the government’s radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love? In a world that forbids it?
This exciting genre is filled with suspenseful adventures, adoring romance, and characters you will remember long after you close the book. Have you read any of these thrilling dystopian’s yet?
Interested in reading other books by Divergent’s author, Veronica Roth? Click here.
Check out our Dystopian recommendations on bookshop.org here!
