Dystopian Fantasy and Sci-fi Recommendations

Dystopian is an ever-expanding genre that is quickly gaining popularity. It is not tied to a single genre either! Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Post-Apocalyptic are just a few fictional flavors that pair well with the gloomy world setting.

First up we have Dystopian Sci-fi.

Enhanced:

In the flashy but polluted city of New Beijing, Lee Urban balances the thin line between the Enhanced and the Naturals.

Urban’s adoptive family is one of the most popular and wealthy Enhanced but they seem obsessed with keeping Urban’s secret, she is a natural with no enhancements. Without the ability to fly, breathe underwater, read another’s mind, possess super strength, or even one of the minor enhancements, Urban finds it difficult to blend in and she wonders if she should even try.

Her boyfriend, a natural himself, encourages her to pursue her dreams of becoming an artist and going to college.

He hopes to follow her soon but can’t make any promises as his mysterious vigilante duties keep him occupied. Urban attempts to blend in at her new college but seems to welcome danger with every step. Her electric bike shuts itself off mid-race causing her to crash, a purple gas almost chokes the life out of her while she explores the campus, and worst of all one of her roommates may be a member of SAS a group that wants all Naturals eliminated. Urban will have to survive living on campus and keep up the Enhanced masquerade before someone takes her out.

This dystopian sci-fi will leave you on the edge of your seat. The tec and social scores that dictate the characters’ lives are frightening to think about as they may soon become a reality. What if you socialize with an outcast? You could pay the ultimate price.

I loved Urban and not just because of her awesome name. Her fighting spirit and complex conflicting emotions kept me rooting for her when everything seemed to go wrong. She is still kind to the lowly but knows how to survive in a world of popularity.

Score Sheet

• Violence: Mild. Blood and bruises are present.
• Spice/romance: Kissing and handholding are present.
• Morals/worldview: Christian/good morals
• Recommended reading age: 16+

Hybrid:

Hybrid is the thrilling sequel to Enhanced. Urban has survived the games, but can she survive life as a star with an incredible Sosh?

It forces her into the limelight, and to the dismay of her family, she embraces it, thinking this is what she has always wanted. But without her boyfriend or many close friends, she’s unsure how to proceed with this new life. Not to mention there is someone out there trying to kill or kidnap her. Then there is a possibility she may be this Natural Enhanced Hybrid everyone is looking for.

What would her life be like if she could change her DNA like they say? What could she become? Her life tumbles out of control when her boyfriend reenters the scene and wants to love her again but is getting her tangled up in his vigilante group who want to protect Naturals. Can she trust him with her heart? What about her biological parents? Are they still out there trying to find her? But why would they give her up? What if she is just a science experiment?

If you loved Enhanced, you need to dig into Hybrid. Hybrid answers many questions while also raising others. Is Urban the Hybrid? If she isn’t then who is? And who can she trust? Her family, her friends, or her enemies? The author will release this book on March 5th, 2024.

Score Sheet

• Violence: Mild. Fight scenes and animal experimentation are present.
• Spice/romance: Mild.
• Morals/worldview: Christian/good morals
• Recommended reading age: 16+

Next in our dystopian reads is dystopian fantasy with a hint of Norse mythology.

Well of Dreams:

Larissa doesn’t have time for her father’s tales of the old gods and their runes. She has an illegal second-born sister to hide and a produce quota to meet. Life is about survival, not dreams.

A familiar stranger interrupts her calculated way of living. She knows him but doesn’t remember why, nor does she want to. Conversely, the stranger named Darien has embraced his forgotten past and remembers everything. He refuses to let Larissa slip through the cracks and their chance encounter sets their fate in motion. Kings, queens, and ancient shapeshifters resurrect from their past, all in search of Larissa’s young sister. With only buried dreams, forgotten memories, and a friendly shapeshifter at their side, they face not only the controlling government but the gods themselves.

I ate this book up. I enjoyed this fresh take on Norse mythology and its multiple unexpected plot twists. The Hunger Games-esque world gave us a unique blend of post-apocalyptic fiction with a fantasy flavor. Larissa’s fighting spirit and Darien’s noble soul brought the perfect balance of strength and grace. While I was not a huge fan of their sassy ally Anara, her knowledge and tact were commendable. I am excited to see how the rest of the upcoming series turns out.

Score sheet

• Spice/Romance: Mild kissing and embracing.
• Violence: Mild. Multiple bloody wounds and injuries, but no excessive gore.
• Morals/Worldview: Good morals. Remains a clean read.
• Recommended reading age: 16+

If you have never picked up a dystopian read consider giving one of these books a try. They each have a unique flavor of storytelling and a wholesome message.