Apocalypse(s) Now: The Dystopian Trend in Young Adult Fiction

Vampires, step aside: there's a new trend dominating the teen genre. Dystopian fiction commonly features a post-apocalytic human society reduced to a primitive, subsistence-level state. Causes include global warming, global warfare, and (a perennial favourite) zombie attacks. In the dystopian novel, teenage protagonists struggle to survive, often while attempting to right the wrongs of previous generations.

Here's where you can find reviews, reading lists, discussions and more relating to this popular genre.

Dystopian novels feature a unique perspective on love, a theme rendered poignant by their dark, gritty settings. »
Speculative fiction (sci-fi and fantasy) doesn't always garner the respect of literary critics. This dystopian novel beat the odds, winning one of the YA genre's most esteemed awards. What made it stand out from the crowd? »
The Hunger Games is the hottest teen series to emerge since Twilight, with fans awaiting the film versions with baited breath. Read one fan's analysis of why this dystopian story has gripped the imaginations of so many readers. »
Some teens may be wild about The Hunger Games; others may prefer apocalypses of the zombie variety (The Forest of Hands and Teeth). Here you can find recommended reading lists to suit all tastes in dystopian fiction. »
Have you read The Hunger Games trilogy more times than you can count? Wondering what you can do to fill the time until the movie? Here's a list of hot new dystopian novels that fans of The Hunger Games are sure to love, as well as a discussion of what gives this series its fire. »
Is Blood Red Road the next Hunger Games? One reviewer argues that not only is Blood Red Road destined to enjoy tremendous popularity, it is, in many ways, a better story. »

Heather Fawcett - Heather Fawcett is a Vancouver-based writer and editor. She holds an M.A. in English Literature and specializes in teen fiction, having ...