6 Dystopian Series You Should Read To The End

So I have a major issue with Dystopian stories. I figure if you are going to destroy the majority of the human race you had better have a great and scientifically sound reason it happened. I assume that anyone venturing to develop a dystopian story would have a concrete history of why their setting/plot is their setting/plot. SILLY ME!!

What I have found is that only REALLY exceptional dystopian series have this vital level of world development, of setting, of reasoning. Most do not. Most just have some crazy stupid reason the end comes (I’m talking to you Divergent, Delirium, Some Fine Day, City of Ember, Matched, Eve, The Selection, Pawn, Birthmarked, ETC) or they don’t tell you the reason the world ended at all, and they really really needed to.

SO with such a shoddy body of literature to choose from, this is a list of dystopian novels that may or may not have a good reason for being what they are. HOWEVER, regardless of their shameful lack, I was convinced by the strength of the characters, or the enticement of the story in general, to finish them. I would say the BEST series here is The Partials series (though it was a bit slow in the middle) I give great kudos for the author having a real reason for things and following it through to the end. His is the only series I’ve read that did this AND there was the added benefit that his characters were strong and the books were, for the most part, well written. The Testing and The Maze Runner probably are the next best as far as making sense. The rest fill the middle space of having enough other goodies that I choose to ignore the lack of reasoning in the setting/plot and continue on to the end of the series.

One exception to all rules though is The Hunger Games. It is one of my favorite series of all time. I am bothered only peripherally that we have no idea how these people got to the place/predicament they are in. However I do respect that the author doesn’t even attempt to explain herself. She just demands that you accept her world with no other credence to it than it is masterfully written.

SO if you are looking for an amazing Dystopian series, GOOD LUCK! Until then, you can check these titles out.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Uglies by Scott Westerfield

Legend by Marie Lu

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Partials by Dan Wells

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

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