Have you ever wondered why we love dystopian young adult literature so much? This genre has become widely popularized over the past two decades with the arrival of books like The Hunger Games and Divergent. Like other sci-fi and fantasy genres, these stories offer an escape from reality into a fictional world.
However, dystopian worlds are famous for being bleak, segregated, and oppressive. How can these fascinating, yet dark universes draw so many intelligent, positive readers?
Despite the outwardly negative atmosphere, these unusual books actually benefit readers of all ages. Let’s talk about three reasons why we need dystopian young adult literature now more than ever!
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Reason #1: Dystopian Stories Encourage Critical Thinking
One of the key themes of young adult dystopian books is the portrayal of class differences. Those fictional social hierarchies can help us view our world through a different lens. For example, dystopian literature exposes young readers to the concept of privilege. How? Well, these stories illuminate how the privileged can use their status to perpetuate oppression. This oppression inevitably comes at the expense of the less fortunate. That concept can be eye-opening for many young readers who haven’t yet encountered injustice in their own lives.
Further, young adult dystopian books offer a critique of society that encourages readers to question the status quo. These books can empower young readers to think critically about the world around them. That’s an invaluable gift! Asking questions and seeking answers is especially important in today’s political climate, where many people are quick to accept everything they hear without questioning its validity.
Reason #2: Young Adult Literature Promotes Positive Action
In addition to highlighting class differences, young adult dystopian books also encourage readers to make a positive difference in their communities. Many of these series feature teenage protagonists who struggle against an oppressive government, fighting for a better world. These characters can serve as role models for young readers, inspiring them to take action and make a positive impact in their communities and social circles.
One of the most famous examples of this is in The Hunger Games series. Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist, becomes a symbol of resistance against the oppressive government of Panem. Her courage, determination, and willingness to fight for what is right are qualities that young readers can emulate in their own lives. Through this genre, young female readers can also analyze unconventional role models, like:
- Mare Barrow, a hopelessly romantic thief and hooligan with a heart of gold (Red Queen)
- Margot Gardner, an inquisitive, industrious scientist who struggles to reconcile her boyfriend’s prejudice against a minority group (Survivors of the Rising Sea)
- Eira Estridsen, an autistic princess who wants to escape royal responsibilities and an abusive guardian (Post-Apocalyptic Princesses)
- Jada Breaker, a socially anxious genius and goody-two-shoes celebrity who has to break the rules to discover the truth about her best friend’s murder (Miles & Breaker)
Reason #3: Dystopian Fiction Softens Prejudice
In addition to inspiring action, these books can also encourage readers to develop empathy and compassion for others. Through the portrayal of diverse characters and perspectives, young adult literature can challenge stereotypes and promote acceptance by exposing readers to a range of experiences. These stories can help even young readers to understand and appreciate differences, rather than fearing or hating them. That’s how reading diverse fiction helps soften and overcome prejudice.
Why You Should Keep Reading Dystopian Young Adult Literature
In conclusion, young adult dystopian books are important for several reasons. They can help readers to understand the inequalities and injustices that exist in our society, as well as encourage them to question the status quo and make a positive difference in their communities. Additionally, these books promote empathy, compassion, and acceptance, helping to overcome prejudice. So, young adult dystopian books have enormous potential to not only entertain but to educate, inspire, and empower readers of all ages.
Free Bonus Gift for Dystopian Literature Lovers
In the mood for a page-turning dystopian story you won’t be able to put down? Read Girl in the Dark, the prequel to the Post-Apocalyptic Princesses series, for free!
Girl in the Dark features:
- A rags-to-riches retelling of Cinderella
- Medieval fantasy elements mixed with modern technology
- An explosive battle
- An assassin
- Plot twists and betrayals from start to finish!
- An intense grumpy and sunshine romance
- And more…
Girl in the Dark: A Tale of Dystopian Royalty by Nicole Adrianne
Evil stepmothers aren’t born—they’re made.
After a devastating plague nearly destroyed humanity, Vespera never expected to leave the safety of her rural homestead. But the ruling royals chose her to help repopulate the kingdom’s capital city, and a single peasant girl can’t defy a power-hungry new government without a death wish.
Things go from bad to worse when, instead of rewarding her loyalty as promised, the city officials doom her to a life of servitude and labor in the lowest class of society. When blind obedience to her rulers leaves her unemployed, homeless, and estranged from her family, Vespera’s attempt to change her fate and avenge the peaceful life she lost leads to even more trouble.
Because in a city swarming with nobles, soldiers, and rebels, revenge will come at a desperate cost…
If you can’t get enough of Grimm’s imaginative Fairy Tales, Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen, and Kiera Cass’ The Selection series, then you’ll be enchanted by the heart and suspense of Post-Apocalyptic Princesses.
Girl in the Dark, a dystopian fairytale retelling loosely inspired by Cinderella, is the series’ prequel. It takes place chronologically before the first Post-Apocalyptic Princesses novel, Girl in the Snow.
Grab a copy of Girl in the Dark to start this chilling, villainous royal dystopian fantasy story today!
