Why YA Dystopian is my favorite genre (and I really hope it makes a comeback!)
- Charity Harvey
- Jan 3
- 4 min read
If you’ve checked out one of my early blog posts or my About Me, you already know this is my favorite genre! But why, you might wonder? YA Dystopian hit its peak a while back, and some people are kind of over it. So why do I still love it? And which YA Dystopian books do I still recommend and read? Keep scrolling to find out and see if you’re on the same page!
One reason I love YA Dystopian is because it is part of the science fiction genre, which really allows the author a lot of creative liberty. I feel like almost anything can happen! Dinosaurs? Yes. Aliens? Yes. Crazy natural disasters that remind us of the movie Twister? Yes. Another reason I am continually drawn to it, is because it is usually pretty action packed. I love stories that are fast paced and action driven with plenty of adventure. I don't need or necessarily want a lot of drama or relationship problems and details. Just seeing someone trying to survive is enough for me!
For me personally, I think YA Dystopian tends to remind me of the old westerns I grew up watching. Because in most dystopian novels, society as we know it is gone, and people live like the wild, wild west again. Defending yourself, vigilante justice, and so on. I grew up on old black and white movies starring John Wayne and that's the kind of stuff I still like to see! Especially when the "good guys" finally bring justice. If you've even seen Rio Bravo, you know what I'm talking about. And if you haven't, please go watch it!
I also specifically like YA and even some MG, because the subject matter is more "clean" and not graphic. Call me old fashioned (because I am) but I want the adventure without the mature material. That just isn't for me. I'm still a big kid at heart, and I act like one! So, to sum it all up:
Why YA Dystopian Feels Like the Wild West:
Society's Gone Wild: Picture tumbleweeds rolling through abandoned cities.
Vigilante Justice: Everyone's a cowboy (or cowgirl) now, and the law? What law?
Good Guys vs. Bad Guys: Just like John Wayne, but with more futuristic gadgets!
Why I Prefer YA and MG:
Clean Adventures: I want my thrill without the blood and guts!
Old-Fashioned Taste: Bring back the good ol’ days of storytelling!
Strong or Mature Rating? No Thanks: I’ll take my dystopias without the extra drama!
So, which ones do I read over and over again? And wish you would too? I'm so glad you asked! Prepare yourself: I know some of you are expecting books you've heard about or read, and seen turned into blockbuster movies. But these are not the books you've heard about a million times. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see some titles you've never heard of before! You already know about the first series I recommended, The Extinction Trials (pictured below). How about another one with dinosaurs? Of course that is next on my list. It is the Edge of Extinction series by Laura Martin.
This series also involves a world taken over by dinosaurs, after the elite decided it would be a good idea to recreate them in a lab and make them pets. Once they realized (too late, of course) that they couldn't control them, all of mankind has been forced to live underground to remain safe. But when Sky Bundy's father goes missing in another compound, she breaks the rules and makes it to the surface to find her dad. I love everything about these series, no complaints from me.
Next is a standalone, by one of my favorite authors: The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen. This one involves a plague and a governor hoping to control everyone with it. (Just know it was published in 2016 if some of you are thinking it was inspired by recent events!)
The setting is dystopian but when you look at the cover and begin reading the book, you begin to picture abandoned castles and cobble stone streets, so it isn't your typical dystopia setting.
It's got a little bit of mystery along with the action, which is nice. Everything is not what it seems in this novel.
Next is one that has been a bit more popular and we did see the first book turned into a movie (which I also love and watch again and again): The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau.
This book is probably the one that started it all for me. It's got a dystopian setting, mystery, action, and great characters.
It's also a series, so the story continues and grows and takes exciting turns. I know it came out almost 20 years ago (wow I am getting old), but in my opinion, it's a classic.
So that's just a start to my list, really. There's definitely more but I will have to save them for another day, another post. I hope you found a book on this list you'd like to read, or go find and read them all! I'm pretty sure if you go to your local library, you'll find most of them. Happy reading!
