Top 5 Brave New Reads for 2011
Top 5 2011 Dystopian Books for a Brave New World
On the heels of Mockingjay, stories set in sci-fi dystopias are so hot right now. Dark societies armed with futuristic technologies and dictatorial laws -- and the heros and heroines who are trapped in them --never fail to fascinate, as they stretch our imaginations to the breaking point while reminding us that our current world isn't always that far off. It looks like 2011 brings some dazzling new books to the genre.
1. Divergent by Veronica Roth (May 3, 2011)
It's been called Hunger Games meets The Matrix, and I can't think of a 2011 book that comes anywhere nearDivergent in buzz. The first in a series, it follows Beatrice Prior in a futuristic Chicago, where all sixteen year olds select one of five factions dedicated to a particular virtue: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Following Beatrice's shocking selection, she enters a highly competitive initiation, where she struggles to keep a secret that could mean her death but also the salvation of those she loves from the conflicts building in her "perfect" society.
Romance, betrayals, heartpounding pace....this is a MUST read for me, and I'll keep my eyes peeled for advance giveaways (like THIS ONE!) so maybe we can all get ahead of the buzz.
2. The Death Cure by James Dashner (exact pub date TBD, Fall 2011)
The final book in the Maze Runner trilogy, The Death Cure promises to have answers to all the burning questions asked first in The Maze Runner, then twisted on their head in The Scorch Trials. (Um, Teresa has some ‘splaining to do!) It is no secret that “the Dashner dude” is a huge fan of Lost, so it's no surprise that answering a question with a riddle is his specialty, and it makes for a thrilling read.
Recent movie news only ramps up the excitement about the finale to this frightening survival trilogy. Could this be a midnight bookstore party candidate?
3. Across the Universe by Beth Revis (January 11, 2011)
Amy has been cryogenically frozen (yep, that's right, she's a girlsicle), and is a passenger on Godspeed, a spaceship bound for a planet 300 years in the future. When she awakens 50 years before her scheduled landing, she finds the ship has been taken over by a tyrannical ruler, Eldest, and his rebellious (and swoonworthy!) son, Elder. Should she trust Elder as she tries to uncover who is unfreezing the passengers and jeopardizing the mission?
If you missed the excerpt, check it out here!
I SERIOUSLY hope this is the start of a new space opera trend in YA fiction. I think a touch of Firefly and Battlestar Galactica would be a nice twist on dystopian domination.
4. Crossed by Ally Condie (November 1, 2011)
So we don't yet know much about what to expect out ofCrossed, except that we want to read it! At the end ofMatched (see my review here), we left Ky, an Abberation and Cassia's true-love-but-not-Match, in the Outer Provinces fighting the war, with Cassia determined to find him before he becomes a casualty. While I do hold out hope they will find each other, I kind of hope Xander isn't totally out of the loop. He was crafty, intelligent, and brave (ready to dole out forbidden pills for a friend, and very protective of Cassia) and I feel like he should have a bigger role than just one point of a love triangle.
No teasers are available for Crossed yet, but you can read a bit of Matchedhere if you haven't already given it a try.
5. Delirium by Lauren Oliver (February 1, 2011)
This is a daring new story from Before I Fall author Lauren Oliver, in which love -- known as the deliria -- is considered a disease. The government demands all citizens take the cure by age eighteen, and Lena is just ninety-five days away from taking her cure when she does the unthinkable -- she falls in love. The phrase "crazy in love" takes on a whole new dimension in this tale of forbidden romance and pushing societal boundaries. Lauren's gorgeous writing style promises to make this an unmissable literary dystopian tale.
Get a taste of the madness here!
And when you're sufficiently hooked, head over to Lauren's blog, where she is currently giving away Delirium ARC's from the other side of the pond (and some "Delirium" essential oil from the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab).
Runners-up (not in the beauty queen sense, where they tear each other's eyes out).
Um, there are waaaay too many fantastic upcoming reads for just 5, and let's face it, I'll probably read them all.
Wither by Lauren DeStefano (May 22, 2011)
The first book in the Chemical Garden trilogy, this debut is a harrowing tale of genetic science run amok and survival. Scientists perfect one human generation, with one tiny flaw: males only live until age twenty-five, and females until age twenty. In an attempt to keep the population going, The Gatherers kidnap young girls and force them into polygamous marriages. Sixteen year old Rhine is given to her husband Linden by the Gatherers, and despite the fact that he is hopelessly in love with her, she plots to escape and return home to her twin brother.
Check out an excerpt here to get a sneak peek!
Away by Teri Hall (September 15, 2011)
The sequel to the fantastic futuristic tale, The Line, continues Rachel’s story as she crosses over into the forbidden and frightening outside world across The Line, known as Away, which is inhabited by the Others. Much like Jeanne DuPrau’s Books of Ember, this book explores the boundaries of a post-nuclear world and it makes for a harrowing read.
Bumped by Megan Mccafferty (April 26, 2011)
This Children of Men-esque dystopia features a society in which no one over the age of 18 can have children. This will be quite the departure from the norm for the Jessica Darling series author Mccafferty, but Bumped is to be unmissable. Would-be parents over the age of eighteen pay teen girls to carry their babies for them, and they become the most prized possessions in society.
Check out the book in Megan's words here.
Possession by Elana Johnson (June 7, 2011)
If you liked Matched, Possession is a natural next-read – it’s another of the shadowy-bunch-in-charge-of-your-love-life rebellious kind of story. In this book, Vi knows that kissing and even walking with boys is forbidden, but she’s willing to break the rules with Zenn, especially when she finds out he’s been chosen by The Thinkers as her match.
Check out the official Possession website for more info.
Modelland by Tyra Banks (September 13, 2011)
Who better to imagine a world in which Intoxibellas (aka Top-of-the-pyramid, better than perfect, models) run a special academy which the young and beautiful vie to attend? Miss Banks (the supermodel/TV host) chronicles the travails of a young cadet at this academy who strives to fit in and excel in an environment of so much beautiful exterior -- and, of course, so much ugly interior.
For a not quite toxic dose of Intoxibellas, check out this excerpt.
So what do you think? Excited by these books? Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!
Also: be sure to stay tuned next week for more lists, and a few choice 2011 ARC giveaways!
13 Comments
Reader Comments (13)
those all look really cool, but the book i'm waiting to read is the City of Fallen Angels, the fourth book of the mortal instrument series!! :D i love Cassandra Clare. I think this book comes out in may 2011
I TOTALLY agree with you, Chloe! I'm saving that for my paranormal lists which I'll post next week. (I can't wait for the movie too!)
I'm really looking forward to Divergent too, it sounds really cool. Also, I am just starting the scorch trials right now, and I'm really liking it.
Do you know if Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore is coming out next year? I couldn't find it anywhere, but I heard it was coming and I really love Fire and Graceling. If so, you should add Bitterblue on your dystopian list, Kristin is awesome! :)
Oh my gosh, 'Across the Universe' comes out in 10 days! I'm so excited for every one of these books! :) Can't wait!
Do you have any other Dystopian reads for us? I'd love it if you'd post some more, because I am officially out of books right now! :) Thanks!
I got an Advacned Reader's Copy of Wither and it was amazing!! It's not even out yet but I am looking forward to the sequel :)
Mari - I checked and it looks like Bitterblue IS coming out in 2011 (yay!) I completely agree - I loved Fire and Graceling so much, and I can't wait to see what happens with Bitterblue (I guess after Graceling's events I need to start calling her Queen Bitterblue, right?) And I hear Katsa and Po make minor appearances.
Cannot wait to read this!
Sarah - I know I can't believe Across the Universe is almost here! I'm going to stop mid-stream in whatever book I'm in to read it, that's how excited I am. :)
Of course I'll post some more dystopian books - both for 2011 and books that are out now so you don't have to wait - being out of awesome books is the worst.
I love dystopian books so much, ever since I read The Hunger Games and the following books!!!! I'm really excited to read Matched, Divergent, and Delirium. Oh- and come by my blog sometime!! www.theglasswindow.webs.com
OHH I LOVE HUNGER GAMES.!
if these books are as good as the hunger games then i will read :)
If while you wait for the new ones to come out you need a dystopians, check
Out Obernewtyn by isobelle carmody! It is a great series!
Wow, I want to read ALL OF THESE NOW. I love the cover for AWAY. And I'm thrilled you have Possession on the list! Thank you so much!
well, i have either read or pre ordered every book on this list... im officially out of books to read! any recommendations????