Dystopian must-reads
19 stories
Dust by angrychinchillanoise
angrychinchillanoise
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All the earth is torn asunder. There used to be grass, and the sun used to be golden. Children played outside, climbing trees with smiles on their faces and grass stains on their knees. People worried about a million things that would soon be irrelevant, continuing without a clue of the disaster to come. Centuries later, what little is left of humanity survives in a society constructed beneath the surface of a glass dome, the world outside converted to little more than a desert wasteland. Survival is a routine rather than an effort, and all rules are surpassed by only one: if you want to survive, you never leave the dome. There's nothing alive out there. The radiation that soaks the earth makes sure of that. Until one day, someone finds a bloody, dust-covered handprint on the outside of the glass. Nothing will ever be the same again. Book 1 of the Burning Series Highest ranking: #13 in Adventure on 03/04/16
The Imperfect's Journal: 1 by TLBainter
TLBainter
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This is the journal of Darren Stratt, an "imperfect" who is being hunted in America due to a new law which has stripped disadvantaged individuals--now called "imperfects"--of their rights. In Darren's journal, he documents the horrors of a world run by an all-powerful government that helps itself by pretending to care about the greater good. In Part 1 (April-June, 2066), the Perfect America Bill is signed into law for the first time. The effects are instantaneous; armed men and women are breaking down doors, killing and capturing so-called imperfects, gunning down anyone who stands in their way, and (worst of all) enjoying every second of it. Darren is currently hiding in a bunker beneath his house, but it won't stay safe for long. Soon, he'll need to start thinking of a new safe point.
Daughter of Nox by scottclemons
scottclemons
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Founders have it all. Beautiful homes, prestigious schooling, extraordinary wealth -- it's all part of the life guaranteed to the Ministry's ruling class, and it's the life sixteen year old Freya Arma was born into. Set to Ascend to her father's seat as First Marshall, Freya is headed for Academy, an elite grooming school for firstborn Founders. Ascension is a destiny Freya is bound by blood and tradition to accept, but one she would have never chosen for herself. But as the Separatist war plagues the Ministry, Freya is thrust into the fast-paced life of an Academy Novice. Set against the backdrop of civil war and family strife, Freya must balance academic rigors and romance with an outcast Founder. But even if she does manage to carve a path through these new challenges, she might find herself drawn into the war in a way that no one could have expected.
Celestia by oderawrites
oderawrites
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Celeste is the daughter of the Citizen Principia, but when she stumbles upon a conspiracy and is kidnapped by rebels, the future of Verium rests in her hands. ***** Celeste Navarie is the sixteen-year-old daughter of the Citizen Principia, which means she lives a life of privilege in a dystopian world that allows no personal freedom. Celeste dreams of adventure and smuggles herself beyond the walls regularly, to purchase books and documents from the outside world. During her journeys, she uncovers a conspiracy: members of the palace staff are part of the rebellion, and she finds evidence her father is a murderous tyrant. Not sure who to trust, Celeste is kidnapped and has no way to escape. The future of Verium rests on Celeste's shoulders, and if she makes a mistake it will doom not just her, but everyone. [[word count: 50,000-60,000 words]]
71 by GreenPastels
GreenPastels
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The world ended a long time ago. Some humans survived. But in order to do so, the original Survivors enhanced themselves with animal DNA, adopting traits that allowed them to live in this mutated wilderness of giant Beasts and vast, unexplored swathes of jungle-AKA, the Wold. But something that unnatural had to come at a cost. Meet Ash-one of the unlucky ones. She's almost human-71%, to be exact. With cat claws, ears, and a lot of anxiety, she's on the run to avoid death or slavery at the hands of human purists in the Capital. And, she just might have accidentally set out to save the rest of her kind along the way. When she encounters Stone on her quest, a brooding wolf-boy who relies on knives and sarcasm to fight his way through the Wold, she may get a lot more than she signed up for, as he decides to accompany her along on her quest. Through endless battles, hidden villages, and touching encounters with the travelers of the Wold, Ash and Stone may just change the world as they know it.
Embers of Frost by ErikaTappy
ErikaTappy
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"To trust someone is to place your life in their hands, either a blessing or a curse. And if I were to be cursed, it wouldn't be by you." A tragedy unforeseen. A death written by destiny. Dawn and Dusk Willows' lives are turned upside down one fateful night when their mother is murdered by a mysterious man. The peasant twins are torn apart, stranded on different corners of the world. Different kingdoms, different upbringing, different fates. She's a mere commoner; he the future king. Her flames seek out her long lost twin, his ice crystals carving out a path for him. Her temper knows no bounds, his calm attitude perfect to play tricks on others. Dawn enlists a band of outlaws' help to search him, while Dusk longs to avenge his mother one day. Their paths had converged long ago, yet remained intertwined in the intricate web of fate. Now they shall meet once more. Fire will clash with ice. Blizzards will blaze. And the embers of frost will fall again. ~ Slow and sporadic updates ~
The Claiming by Beautiful_Dreamer
Beautiful_Dreamer
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The kingdom of Bayfell requires that every male and female must marry after he or she turns sixteen. Of course, not everyone loves this law, but the kingdom's population is dwindling. The Claiming is a ceremony in which one young man writes down the name of three women of his choosing, listing most preferable to least. At the event, the announcements are made of whom each man chose to be his wife. The woman does not get a say in it whatsoever. She is stuck with whoever picks her. Isabella Reyes is unfortunately sixteen, and she is terrified. She grew up in the Facility, a home for orphans born to women of the lower class. Little does she know that the claim that is made for her hand will change everything. *Disclaimer: If you think this is a werewolf novel, you are very much wrong! I didn't realize the title's connection to werewolf lore until MONTHS after I was halfway into it. But please, give it a try if you were fooled! It's a mixture of fantasy, romance, and dystopian that has yet to disappoint!* Book cover credits to @Teddy_Ninja Thank you so much for the brilliance you have created for my story!
U.T.O.P.I.A.  | BOOK 1 of Death of the Future Series by KrystalM
KrystalM
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Olivia has always been ready to meet her Matched partner. However, when the Matching system fails, she is paired with Neo - a heartbroken boy who is totally uninterested in her. *** Olivia Jensen has always known that she will be meeting with her Matched partner at eighteen. She is confident that she will be the perfect pair for him to love her. What she does not expect is Neo Carmichael, a boy who already has loved someone outside of his Match and is not interested in being with her. Completely taken aback by his confession, Olivia finds herself to be the first incompatible Match with Neo by a seemingly 'perfect' Matching system. What seems to be the first signs of the system failing ends up opening a whole new world for Neo and Olivia as they navigate a life that they discover to have been built upon lies and secrets. (Book One of the Death of the Future Series) [[Editor's Pick | April 2021]]
Citizen by poisoned_pen
poisoned_pen
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- The Command Series (book 1) - In a society where everything is controlled, there is no room for deviance. Each morning, the citizens of Arabel put on bracelets that send commands to their brains and give them electric shocks if they fail to obey. Smile, Citizen. Be silent, Citizen. Do not harm yourself, Citizen. Kyra Jackson is a perfect citizen. Loyal, hardworking and smart; how everyone is supposed to be. When Kyra's future is decided, she changes from the controlled to the controller. However, this power puts her in a dangerous position, leading her to make decisions that are not only about right and wrong, but life or death. - 2018 Wattys Longlist. Winner of science fiction genre in the Digital Dreamer competition. Previous title: I Control You, Citizen.