Dystopian and/or post-apocalyptic books galore

Over the past year, after realizing I’ve read little material other than my textbooks, I thought it was about time I caught up. I took a fairly brute method to get this done: looking up a list of “popular young adult fiction” and trying to read my way through it.

I noticed one particular genre that seemed to emerge from the list: the post-apocalyptic and/or dystopian teenage romance, which seems to have flourished following the success of the Hunger Games just as vampire novels did in the wake of Twilight.

And, continuing with Twilight as my analogy, some turned out rather well, and others, a bit doubtfully.

Doubtful?:

Eve Anne Carey

I barely remember what happened in this novel, and that is my issue.  There was little to make a lasting impression.

The Selection Kiera Cass

I was fairly certain I would hate this before I started.  However, I actually thought it somewhat interesting; she appeared to have a strong character and attitude.  But then I realized that this was simply a massive girls-fantasy orgy: love triangles (one rival literally a prince and the other a requisite “forbidden” love), a personal 24/7 makeover team, plenty of pretentious events perfect for spasms of ladylike behaviour, and, of course, a Cinderella-like adoration of all the animals (i.e. servants).  There were some intriguing mentions of rebels, however, so I read the second book and nothing happened.

Shatter Me Tahereh Mafi

At first I was intrigued as this book has a very unique style of writing: the crossing out of words and almost stream-of-conscious flow, with a great deal of focus on reflection and her own experience of events.  But truthfully, after a little while it become almost physically painful to read her profound ponderings on subjects such as rain and love and the emotional torrent following any interaction between her and Main Love Interest.

My general impression was better:

The Chemical Garden Trilogy Lauren DeStefano

An exhausting storyline combined with a rather unbelievable/arbitrary premise, but interesting maneuvering around “ambiguity” and “feelings.”

Legend Marie Lu

I almost couldn’t get past the complete waste of colour ink and distracting font.  But, nonetheless, about two precocious children trying to save the world, rather adorable.

The Testing Joelle Charbonneau

The Hunger Games!  Except slightly different.

Really, I suspect it just might be my weakness for any rendition of the Weasley twins.  Gosh, even if they turn out evil.

On the other hand, here are some of my personal favourites:

Shades of Grey Jasper Fforde (You may note the unspecified quantity of shades)

Well, yes, not exactly a YA romance, but a clever and dynamic premise, where the social order is determined by how much colour one can perceive. As much as it resembles other dystopian fiction (the usual epiphany, followed by resolve to take down the government/something), this novel doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Ship Breaker Paolo Bacigalupi

A well-written novel that already resonates with the state of the matter in some parts of the world.  Likeable characters are always a bonus.