1984, an iconic dystopian novel by George Orwell wastes little time with pleasantries;
something is off with this world from the brilliant first line: “It was a bright cold day in April,
and the clocks were striking thirteen” (Orwell 1). Protagonist Winston Smith works for the
oppressive Oceanic government; he mulls over past news and texts to alter the past in order to fit
the desires of the government. As the novel progresses, he grows wary of the government’s
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a classic dystopian book. Jonas receives the Assignment or job of
Receiver of Memory. The old Receiver of Memory, otherwise known as the Giver, is giving
Jonas the memories of the world. The Giver begins by giving Jonas happy memories.
Memories of sledding and sunshine. But, the Giver must also give Jonas the memories of pain,
memories of war, starvation, and death. Jonas knows that there are many things wrong with his
War Storm by Victoria Aveyard is the fourth book in the Red Queen series. After Cal’s betrayal,
Mare decides to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all and bring Maven down. Mare
must work together with Cal and his silver allies to ensure their success. Maven doesn’t back
down and is still fixated on having Mare as his own. He will do anything, even destroy anything
King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard is the third book in the Red Queen series. Maven, now a king,
has imprisoned Mare and took away her lethal power. Her new team prepares for war, and Cal,
the rightful, but exiled, heir to the throne of Norta, will do anything to get Mare back from his evil
brother. Will they succeed, or will Norta burn down in flames after the heated war breaks out?
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard is the second book in the Red Queen series. Only people with
silver blood, the royals, hold powers. Mare, red-blooded, finds out she holds a deadly power of
her own, which can match any silver. She finds out more people are out there like her, and sets
out on a quest to find people to rebel against a friend who has betrayed her. What she didn’t
Morning Star is a dystopian science fiction novel written by Pierce Brown which ends the trilogy.
Darrow remains captured and is tortured by his captors severely. In his lowest point he must
escape and stop the Jackal and the Soveriegn from controlling the Society. Darrow shall
regroup with his fallen friends, Sevro and Ragnar, while also cooperating with his old flame
Mustang to once and for all break the shackles that hold the Red from freedom. Darrow must
Golden Son is a dystopian science fiction novel written by Pierce Brown. Darrow remains
undercover as a Peerless Scarred Gold. He is in danger of losing favor of being discarded by
the Archgoverner of Mars due to not meeting expectations. With no news from Ares Darrow is a
spy left stranded and isolated from comrades and friends. Darrow’s dream is put to the test
when he has to face the political maneuvering of High Society and the reigning Sovereign. The
Red Rising is a dystopian science fiction novel written by Pierce Brown. The story is about a boy
name Darrow who is a low born miner in Mars who infiltrates the upper class Golds to free his
low class Reds from oppression. The different classes are separated into colors such as low
class colors: Red and Brown and high class colors: Gold and Silver. The only way Darrow can
become a Peerless Scarred and a Gold who can have true power is to be tested in a battle
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a dystopian novel. Mare lives in a world which is separated
by blood. The Silvers have powers and are rulers and royals, while the Reds are villagers. Mare
starts working in the Silver Palace and she discovers that even if she’s red-blooded, she holds a
deadly power. The Silvers fear Mare, so they disguise her as a long lost Silver princess. Knowing
she will die if the silvers find out, Mare secretly starts working with a group named the Red
Scythe by Neil Shusterman is the story of Citra and Rowan, who live in a world without disease,
hunger, injury, or death. In order to prevent overpopulation, Scythes end the lives of random
citizens. Citra and Rowan are chosen as apprentices to a scythe and must learn the ways of
scythes. Neither wants to be a scythe, as scythes are feared by many. In order to survive, the
two must take on the dreaded responsibility of killing others. This book was absolutely brilliant.
