The Dwight Times

Dystopia: Society characterized by dehumanization, oppressive totalitarian governments, environmental disaster, or other terrifying societal ills (Merriam-Webster, 2018).

Post-Apocalypse: a time period after a major catastrophe or mass destruction of society.

My rating system for the books below:

1 star – Not very good

2 star – Okay, but many parts I did not enjoy

3 star – Overall pretty good book, not quite my taste

4 star – Amazing; definitely worth the read, kept me up all night

5 star – the most memorable, blanket-kicking book ever

1. House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

What the book is about:

House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is the first of a dystopian book series leaning towards the science fiction genre. 

It is set in an isolated territory between Mexico and America called Opium, ruled by the 142-year-old drug lord, El Patron. His descendants (akin to nobles there) hide a darker secret behind their snobby demeanor. Chips are inserted into brains to control mindless human slaves called “eejits” and there are clones whose brains are usually destroyed after birth—except for Matt’s.

Matt (Matteo Alacrán), the child clone of El Patron, struggles for survival, identity, and freedom. Most of all, his destiny as the clone. Tam Lin, a rough but kind hearted body guard with a mysterious past, and Maria, a sweet girl who befriends him opposed to the rest of the family, serve as his moral compass in the corrupt life he is thrusted into. Moral/ethical boundaries with humans, experimentation, discrimination, aristocratic life, and found family are woven together to give you a thriller story.

Why I particularly loved it:

• Sweet moments (or fluff) in the chapters of Matt’s Youth with his guardian, Celia, the cook for El Patron.
• The book is Matt’s life story up to 14—you get the childhood fluff and teenage angst. 
• Very suspenseful beginning following Matt’s point of view; a child who knows nothing .
• The survival theme throughout the book, physically & socially (against his rich family, who think of him as a disgusting beast).
• Matt’s slow exploration of the world for the first time, learning ugly truths, expectations, and meaning of love—spectactular character developement.

Things to Note:

• There isn’t one clear climax, there are multiple; sequential, like the life he navigates
• This book is longer than your average novel; approximately 130,000 words

If you like this one, you might also like: Unwind by Neal Shusterman and The Maze Runner by James Dashner.  

My Rating: 

★★★★☆

So, should you really read it?

I recommend it for teens with a high reading level who want to delve into more mature/deeper topics, and young adults will find it very interesting. It has won numerous awards including the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (USA) in 2002.

If you don’t mind a long story and want to explore the darker aspects of society through the mind of a 14-year-old, this book is for you.

2. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

What the book is about:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey is a science-fiction, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian thriller. 

Rule one: trust no one. That rule is what Cassie Sullivan lives by in the destroyed Earth. She, much like the rest of humanity, believed aliens to be harmless green creatures likely to beam cows into space. Until the Others proved them wrong. Until the Others sent wave after wave to destroy all of humanity—and I mean all—until only the last remained. And the Others don’t need a giant flying saucer to do it; they have Silencers, spies on Earth to kill off the rest of the population. Not only have they taken out more than 97% of society, but they have also kidnapped her younger brother: six-year-old Sam. 

Cassie is forced to harden to survive wilderness, psychological/moral turmoil, and desolation, all with a massive trust issue. But can she survive long enough to rescue her brother before the 5th wave?

Why I particularly loved it:

• The sweet family tropes in the early chapters; Cassie, her dad, and Sam’s survival together when the invasion first struck & Cassie’s promise to find her brother.
• Page turning; it makes you want to read more as the story goes on, raising shocking questions and a necessity to know.
• Cassie’s character was funny and witty, but you can tell the underlying hardened line beneath her talk that has been tempered by survival (and a bit of trauma). 
• Cassie’s thoughts are surprisingly accurate to that of a teenager, unlike other novels with adolescent protagonists who are too childish or too mature.
• Emotional moments were beautifully written, very fleshed out with backstories to up the tension for that release.
• It explores different outcomes of society after the invasion with other characters, and it is very realistic: survival camps, boot camps, child soldiers, dangerous loners/rogues, etc.
• An overwhelming amount of tension towards the climax.

Things to Note:

• Make sure to be paying attention for the first change in POV

If you like this one, you might also like:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy or The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

My Rating:

★★★★★

So, should you really read it?

This book is great for teens who live for those extremely tense, emotional moments with the characters and the plot. If this is you, check it out!

3. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

What the book is about:

I am Number Four is a YA (Young Adult) science fiction, action/adventure, and thriller novel.

Billions of miles away from Earth, the Mogadorians invade. They purge every last being in Lorien, leaving only nine children and their Cêpan to escape to Earth to preserve their legacy. A magical charm keeps them safe as they constantly move and evade the coming Mogadorians; they can only be killed in order. But the Mogadorians aren’t to be underestimated—they’ve hunted down number one, two and three. Unfortunately for John Smith, he’s number four. 

Why I particularly loved it:

• The father/son trope between John and his Cêpan Henri is to die for. There are so many angsty clashes and genuine care. 
• John’s school life interactions aren’t your typical day-to-day moments; they’re suspenseful and ironically funny as he tries to hide his identity from bullies, his girlfriend(?), and most importantly, the news.
• John’s mindset is pretty relatable. He’s tired of constantly moving, struggling, and his fears of being caught are perfectly understandable. 
• This book mixes lesser tense moments during school and the major, high-stake events of being on the run well. It embodies the word thriller action when it drops plot clues.

If you like this one, you might also like: 

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken or The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

My Rating:

★★★★☆

So, should you really read it?

If you’re looking for a suspenseful and heart-wrenching warming story of a supernatural teen struggling to blend in while on the run, this is for you.