5 Dystopian Books I'm Dying To Read

Hey there. It's time for another 2016 Dystopia Reading Challenge Discussion Round (I haven't done one for quite a while, so I apologise for that and hope you'll enjoy this post!). Today I want to talk to you guys about one of my favourite subjects in the book world. Any guesses? Why yes, I'm talking about Dystopia (what else?). Here's a list of the top 5 Dystopian Books I really really want to read. Now, because there are obviously many more books on my tbr list, I narrowed them down to the ones that I currently obsess over in my head without having read them yet. Do you do that too or am I the only one who thinks about plots that I can't even really understand yet? Anyways, without further ado, here are my current Top 5!

5. The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me #1 Summary

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Why I'm interested in this series I've heard a lot about this series, good and bad, and I want to make my own opinion on these books. The premise sounds real interesting and I think this could be a real interesting story to read. Also it does not yet sound as if there would be the typical love-triangle involved in the story, but who knows. Maybe the boys just aren't mentioned yet. (I'm still hoping though that that will stay that way.)

4. The Matched Series by Ally Condie

Matched #1 Summary

In the Society, officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one…until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion. Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.

Why I'm interested in this series This series has been on my TBR list for years now. A friend of mine even included it into her Finals' paper and she keeps pushing me to read it. I just haven't found the time yet, but one day I'll definitely read this series. The blurb sounds typical dystopian and kind of like the Divergent series, just with the slight difference that you don't choose your faction, but your love? Not sure if that's really true, but can't wait to find out.

3. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

The Selection #1 Summary

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

	Why I'm interested in this series So many people have told me to read this series. I can't even believe that I didn't start it yet. It sounds a little too girly (not in an offensive way!) for my taste because I'm not that into books who talk a lot about dresses, make up and so on, but if it turns out anything similar to Rebel Belle I'll probably really enjoy it!

2. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One Summary

It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune — and remarkable power — to whoever can unlock them. For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved — that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig. And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle. Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt — among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life — and love — in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape. A world at stake. A quest for the ultimate prize. Are you ready?

	Why I'm interested in this book Okay, have you read the summary? Then I don't think I have to explain any further why I want to read this book so bad! It sounds so awesome I can't believe it's been sitting on my shelves patiently waiting for me to grab it for a month now. I really have to get to it and start this one already!

1. The Last Star by Rick Yancey

The Last Star Summary

The Last Star is the heart-stopping finale to the bestselling 5th Wave series by award-winning author, Rick Yancey. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner. We’re here, then we’re gone, and that was true before they came. That’s always been true. The Others didn’t invent death; they just perfected it. Gave death a face to put back in our face, because they knew that was the only way to crush us. It won’t end on any continent or ocean, no mountain or plain, jungle or desert. It will end where it began, where it had been from the beginning, on the battlefield of the last beating human heart. Master storyteller Rick Yancey invokes triumph, loss, and unrelenting action as the fate of the planet is decided in the conclusion to this epic series.

Why I'm so excited about this book IT'S THE FINAL BOOK IN THE 5TH WAVE SERIES! Sorry, I just can't contain myself. I've been waiting for this book to come out for such a long time, I can't even think about anything else. This is by far my most anticipated new release in 2016! And now I'm just waiting for my order to get delivered to my house which I've preordered so many months before the publishing date. Those of you who haven't read a book in the 5th Wave series go and grab a copy and start reading! Seriously, this is my favourite dystopian series and I'm so sad about it ending. But still, I can't wait to finally figure out how it will end!

I'd like to know

So yeah, these are my Top 5 Dystopian Novels I'm dying to read. Which 5 books are on the top of your list? Do we have any in common? Or do you have other suggestions that I should check out? Let me know in the comments and have a great day!

Book Review: Champion

Title: Champion
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #3
Genres: YA, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Romance, Action
Published: November 5th, 2013
Read: February 2016
Rating: ★★★★ 


My Copy

Publisher: Penguin Books
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: The Works, London

Goodreads Summary: June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic - and each other - and now their country is on the brink of a new peaceful existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government's elite circles while Day has been assigned a high level military position.

Prequels: 

 

Legend (#1) (review) & Prodigy (#2) (review)

Book Review: Prodigy

Title: Prodigy
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #2
Genres: YA, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Romance
Published: January 29th, 2013
Read: February 2016
Rating: ★★★★ 


My Copy

Publisher: Penguin Books
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: The Works, London

Goodreads Summary: Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

Other books in the series:

 

Legend (#1) (review) &  Champion (#3)

Top 5 Dystopian Romance Novels

February Discussion Prompt (Dystopia Reading Challenge)

You've been on the run hiding in the woods of Qulf Forest from Government forces for the past month with your dystopian crew (or solo). Upon yuor foraging trek, you incidentally stumble upon an abandoned farmhouse. Dauntless as ever, you walk in and to your incredible surprise, right in the middle of the living room, a gorgeous and completely perfect bookshelf welcomes you. You race to the bookshelf allowing your grimy fingers to caress each book spine as you take in the wonder of all the yester-books and pages you once lost yourself in before the fall of society. Wait, what's this!? It's not just an ordinary bookshelf, but an entire bookshelf filled with dystopian romance novels! You beam with joy and dive into your all time favorites!

What 5 dystopian romance novels (or couples) do you choose to bask in?

Book Review: Legend

 

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #1
Genres: YA, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Romance
Published: November 29, 2011
Read: January 2016
Rating: ★★★★★ 


My Copy

Publisher: Penguin Books
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: The Works, London

Goodreads summary: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as mailicous as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

Other books in the series

 

2016 Dystopia Reading Challenge

Hey there :)

Yesterday I stumbled upon a great reading challenge that I just had to participate in right away. Maybe you've heard of it? It's called the 2016 Dystopia Reading Challenge and was created by Cornerfolds. I decided to participate in this challenge because dystopia is one of my favourite genres and I still have a lot of books on my TBR pile and this will make it even more fun to read them. 

The Challenge guidelines are as follow:

• This challenge will run from January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016.
• You can join at anytime before October 15, 2016.
• Books must be read and reviewed in 2016.
• Audiobooks, re-reads, short stories, and crossovers are fine.
• You don't have to be a book blogger to participate! You can track your progress on Goodreads, Shelfari, Booklikes, etc.
• Sign up on the designated Linky below with your post, shelf, etc. and leave a comment letting us know what your personal goal is. 
• Link up your reviews each month via the provided Linky!

The goal I set myself is to get the Rebel Badge which means I have to review and read 6-10 dystopia books in 2016. I've already read one dystopian book this year which makes me one book closer to that goal. The book is Homecoming by Kass Morgan and you can find my review as part of trilogy tuesday here. If you guys would like to join me and all the other participants in this challenge, or if you already are signed up, let me know! It would be great to have some bloggers to keep up with. 

Every book that I'll review for this challenge will be marked with the appropriate label so that you can easily find it. To have an exact overview on how many books and which ones I've read just have a look at my 2016 Reading Challenges page.  

Let me know of your thoughts about this challenge in the comment section below and good luck!

Trilogy Tuesday #1: The 100

  

I'd like to introduce you guys to a new monthly event (I guess a blogger would call this a meme?). Well, there are so many riveting trilogies out there and because I'm an absolute continuing stories lover I decided to create this label. Every last Tuesday of the month - like today - I'll be posting about a book trilogy. Careful: This segment is about the books only. If a book has been adapted into a TV series or a movie I might post something about that elsewhere, but here I will specifically only write about the book version. You guys are very welcome to join this meme. You can either pick the same trilogy as I did (I will always be posting the next post schedule at the bottom of the last post) or choose your own favourites. It would be great if you linked back to my blog. And now, without any further ado I present to you 

The Hundred Trilogy

Published March 18, 2014 ★★★★★

Goodreads Summary: No one has set foot on Earth in centuries until now. Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents, considered expendable by society, are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life... or it could be a suicide mission. Clarke was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. Wells, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves, but will she ever forgive him? Reckless Bellamy fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And Glass managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth. Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. [...] They may be mankind's last hope.

Published September 16, 2014 ★★★

Goodreads Summary: It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries... or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself. In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

Published February 26, 2015 ★★★★

Goodreads Summary: Weeks after crash-landing onto a rugged, nearly unpopulated planet Earth, the Hundred have managed to create a sense of order amidst their wild, chaotic surroundings. They work together to feed, shelter, and protect one another from countless dangers, including attacks by violent Earthborns. But their delicate balance comes crashing down with the arrival of new dropships from home--dropships carrying Glass and Luke, as well as the Vice Chancellor and his armed guards. Suddenly, Bellamy must flee transgressions he thought he had left behind in space, as Wells struggles to maintain his authority on Earth. And while Clark searches for clues about her parent's whereabouts, she finds herself torn between finding them and helping the injured new arrivals in camp. Lives hang in the balance, as the Colonists find themselves fighting not just attackers from the outside, but also enemies from within.

Being a huge fan of the TV series, I discovered these books after having watched the entire first season. Therefore, I had a total different view on what the books should contain. 

At first I was very suprised by the differences, but as I was reading chapter after chapter of The 100 I reallly started to enjoy the easy and fast paced storyline. The books are easy to be drawn in and not too dramatic, but still brought me to tears in different chapters.

The books have 4 different narratives focusing on the characters Clarke, Bellamy, Wells and Glass. While the first three of them go down to earth, Glass's story is still set up in spacec. The story follows their first few weeks on earth and a lot happens. They are taken by surprise by the earthborns because they didn't expect someone to have survived the cataclysm.

In my opinion the books don't explore enough the depth of these potential story lines as they could have. 

If you're a fan of the TV series be aware that the books are totally different, although most of the characters are the same. The setting and the pace have been changed and I believe Kass Morgan has done a lovely job telling the story of Clarke, Bellamy, Wells, Glass and the other characters in this trilogy. If you're a Bellarke (Bellamy/Clarke) fan as I am you should definitely read the books!

I'm a little disappointed that the covers have the pictures of the TV series' actors on them. I've never been a fan of books who bring out editions from the TV series or movies and specifically here they put a character on the cover who doesn't show up in any of the books (sorry Finn fans). 

Now it's your turn. I would be happy to read your comments about this book series. What are your thoughts? Have you read all of them or are they still on your TBR pile? Who's your favourite actor? And so on... 

Next scheduled post: Tuesday February 23, 2016 (The Infernal Devices)