Summary: In today's article, I have compiled 20 of the best books similar to Divergent that will transport you to thrilling dystopian worlds filled with rebellion, survival, and self-discovery. My top 3:
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Matched by Ally Condie
- Legend by Marie Lu
Books similar to Divergent are perfect for readers who love fast-paced, action-packed stories set in dystopian worlds where society's rigid structures are challenged. These novels often feature young protagonists grappling with identity, choice, and rebellion against oppressive systems, weaving in elements of romance, moral dilemmas, and thrilling adventures.
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to Divergent
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Matched by Ally Condie
- Legend by Marie Lu
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver
- The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
- The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
- The Selection by Kiera Cass
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
- The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
- The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig
- The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
- Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
- The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
1. The Hunger Games
- Author: Suzanne Collins
- About: In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided into 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year, two “tributes” from each district are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place, facing moral dilemmas and survival challenges.
- Style of Writing: First-person narrative with a fast-paced and descriptive style.
- Length: Approximately 99,750 words.
- Year Written: 2008
- Emotional Impact: Highly impactful; explores themes of sacrifice, societal control, and personal integrity, leaving a lasting impression.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; suitable for young adult readers.
- Why Read It: Offers a gripping narrative that delves into the consequences of authoritarianism and the resilience of the human spirit.
2. Matched
- Author: Ally Condie
- About: In a society where the government dictates every aspect of life, including marriage partners, 17-year-old Cassia Reyes begins to question the system when she is “matched” with her best friend but discovers a glitch showing another boy's face.
- Style of Writing: Lyrical and introspective, with a focus on internal conflict.
- Length: Approximately 89,000 words.
- Year Written: 2010
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking; challenges readers to consider themes of free will, love, and societal control.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible to young adult readers.
- Why Read It: Explores the tension between individual choice and societal expectations in a controlled dystopian setting.
3. Legend
- Author: Marie Lu
- About: In a militarized future America, prodigy June Iparis and notorious criminal Day are on opposite sides of the law. Their paths cross when June's brother is murdered, and Day becomes the prime suspect, leading them to uncover startling truths about their society.
- Style of Writing: Dual first-person perspectives with a suspenseful and action-driven narrative.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Engaging and intense; delves into themes of loyalty, justice, and societal corruption.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; suitable for young adult readers.
- Why Read It: Combines action and intrigue in a dystopian setting, highlighting the complexities of morality and loyalty.
4. The Maze Runner
- Author: James Dashner
- About: Teenager Thomas wakes up with no memory in a mysterious maze populated by other boys with similarly erased memories. They must work together to navigate the maze and uncover the truth behind their predicament.
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative with a focus on suspense and mystery.
- Length: Approximately 101,000 words.
- Year Written: 2009
- Emotional Impact: Tense and suspenseful; explores themes of survival, trust, and identity.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible to young adult readers.
- Why Read It: Offers a thrilling mystery with a focus on teamwork and the search for identity in a dystopian environment.
5. Red Rising
- Author: Pierce Brown
- About: Darrow, a member of the oppressed Red class on Mars, infiltrates the ruling Gold class to lead a revolution against the oppressive societal hierarchy.
- Style of Writing: First-person narrative with rich world-building and intense action sequences.
- Length: Approximately 124,000 words.
- Year Written: 2014
- Emotional Impact: Powerful and inspiring; delves into themes of sacrifice, rebellion, and societal transformation.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to advanced; contains complex themes and vocabulary.
- Why Read It: Provides a compelling narrative about class struggle and revolution in a richly imagined dystopian future.
6. Delirium
- Author: Lauren Oliver
- About: In a society where love is considered a disease, Lena Haloway looks forward to being cured until she falls in love just before her scheduled treatment.
- Style of Writing: First-person narrative with poetic and descriptive prose.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving; explores themes of love, freedom, and societal control.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; suitable for young adult readers.
- Why Read It: Challenges the notion of love as a societal construct and explores the importance of emotional freedom.
7. The 5th Wave
- Author: Rick Yancey
- About: After waves of alien attacks devastate Earth, teenager Cassie Sullivan navigates a world filled with danger and distrust as she searches for her missing brother.
- Style of Writing: First-person and multiple perspectives with intense, suspenseful storytelling.
- Length: Approximately 115,000 words.
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: Suspenseful and gripping; explores themes of survival, trust, and humanity.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible to young adult readers.
- Why Read It: A thrilling mix of sci-fi and dystopia, delving into resilience and human connection.
8. The Darkest Minds
- Author: Alexandra Bracken
- About: A mysterious illness kills most of the children in the U.S., and the survivors develop dangerous powers, leading to their imprisonment. Ruby escapes and joins others to fight back.
- Style of Writing: First-person narrative with vivid, emotional descriptions.
- Length: Approximately 140,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Emotionally intense; highlights themes of friendship, courage, and the fear of the unknown.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; suitable for young adult readers.
- Why Read It: Explores the power of resilience and the importance of finding strength in others.
9. Shatter Me
- Author: Tahereh Mafi
- About: Juliette, whose touch is lethal, is imprisoned by a repressive government that seeks to use her as a weapon. She must find her inner strength to fight back.
- Style of Writing: Poetic and fragmented, reflecting the protagonist's emotional turmoil.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Deeply personal and raw; delves into self-discovery and empowerment.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; experimental writing style may challenge some readers.
- Why Read It: A unique blend of dystopia and personal growth, exploring themes of power and redemption.
10. Uglies
- Author: Scott Westerfeld
- About: In a society where everyone undergoes surgery at 16 to become “Pretty,” Tally Youngblood questions the cost of beauty and conformity.
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative with engaging world-building.
- Length: Approximately 87,000 words.
- Year Written: 2005
- Emotional Impact: Eye-opening and thought-provoking; critiques societal beauty standards.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; suitable for young adult readers.
- Why Read It: Offers a compelling commentary on identity and societal expectations.
11. The Selection
- Author: Kiera Cass
- About: America Singer competes in a televised event to marry the prince, navigating romance, rivalry, and rebellion in a caste-based society.
- Style of Writing: First-person narrative with a focus on romance and personal growth.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Light yet engaging; highlights themes of choice, love, and societal roles.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate; ideal for young adult readers.
- Why Read It: A romantic and political tale with a dystopian twist.
12. Cinder
- Author: Marissa Meyer
- About: A cyborg mechanic, Cinder, discovers secrets about her past while becoming entangled in a planetary conflict.
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative with a fairy-tale-inspired dystopian setting.
- Length: Approximately 87,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Intriguing and imaginative; combines themes of identity and bravery.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible to young adult readers.
- Why Read It: A unique retelling of Cinderella with a sci-fi twist.
13. An Ember in the Ashes
- Author: Sabaa Tahir
- About: In a brutal empire, a slave and a soldier's paths cross as they fight for freedom and justice.
- Style of Writing: Alternating first-person perspectives with intense, vivid imagery.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: Powerful and harrowing; delves into themes of loyalty, courage, and resistance.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; some dark and mature themes.
- Why Read It: A richly woven tale of survival and rebellion in a brutal world.
14. The Giver
- Author: Lois Lowry
- About: In a seemingly utopian society, a boy named Jonas learns the dark truths about his community through memories passed down from “The Giver.”
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative with simple yet profound prose.
- Length: Approximately 43,000 words.
- Year Written: 1993
- Emotional Impact: Deeply reflective; explores themes of freedom, memory, and individuality.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible to middle and high school readers.
- Why Read It: A classic exploration of individuality in a controlled society.
15. Steelheart
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: After a mysterious event grants powers to humans, turning them into ruthless “Epics,” a young man joins a rebel group to take down the most powerful of them, Steelheart.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced and action-driven with sharp dialogue.
- Length: Approximately 110,000 words.
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: Exciting and memorable; focuses on courage and the price of power.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible for both young adult and adult readers.
- Why Read It: A fresh take on superhero themes with a dystopian twist.
16. The Knife of Never Letting Go
- Author: Patrick Ness
- About: In a world where everyone hears each other’s thoughts, Todd discovers a dark secret and goes on the run with his dog, Manchee, and a mysterious girl.
- Style of Writing: First-person narrative with a stream-of-consciousness style.
- Length: Approximately 112,000 words.
- Year Written: 2008
- Emotional Impact: Raw and intense; explores themes of trust, freedom, and morality.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; the unique writing style may challenge some readers.
- Why Read It: A gripping tale of survival and self-discovery in a uniquely crafted dystopian world.
17. The Fire Sermon
- Author: Francesca Haig
- About: In a post-apocalyptic world, every human is born as a twin: one “Alpha” (perfect) and one “Omega” (imperfect). Cass, an Omega, struggles against the oppressive Alpha system.
- Style of Writing: Poetic and evocative, with a focus on character depth.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: Haunting and reflective; explores discrimination, power dynamics, and resilience.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; rich language and themes may require focus.
- Why Read It: A thought-provoking exploration of equality and the bonds between siblings.
18. The Bone Season
- Author: Samantha Shannon
- About: In a world where clairvoyance is outlawed, Paige Mahoney, a rare type of psychic, is captured and discovers a hidden society.
- Style of Writing: Detailed and immersive, with intricate world-building.
- Length: Approximately 130,000 words.
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: Captivating and thought-provoking; highlights themes of freedom, loyalty, and defiance.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to advanced; complex plot and terminology may require attention.
- Why Read It: A richly crafted dystopian fantasy with a unique take on psychic powers.
19. Carve the Mark
- Author: Veronica Roth
- About: In a galaxy where fate determines power, Akos and Cyra from rival nations must work together to navigate war, destiny, and their own abilities.
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative with vivid descriptions and character focus.
- Length: Approximately 121,000 words.
- Year Written: 2017
- Emotional Impact: Engaging and intense; examines themes of fate, family, and morality.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; suitable for fans of science fiction and fantasy.
- Why Read It: A captivating story of fate and resistance in a richly imagined universe.
20. The Testing
- Author: Joelle Charbonneau
- About: In a post-war society, Cia Vale competes in the Testing to secure a place in the government’s leadership program, only to uncover its dark and deadly side.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced and suspenseful, with vivid descriptions.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: Tense and thought-provoking; examines themes of power, trust, and survival.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible to young adult readers.
- Why Read It: A thrilling, high-stakes dystopian story reminiscent of The Hunger Games.
Conclusion
If you loved the fast-paced, action-packed world of Divergent, I think you’ll really enjoy The Hunger Games, Matched, and Legend. These top three picks have everything I look for in a great dystopian read: strong characters, gripping stories, and thought-provoking themes that stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Whether it’s standing up to a corrupt system, fighting for freedom, or uncovering the secrets of a fractured world, these books—and the others on this list—are ones I’d highly recommend to keep you hooked from start to finish.
