Well, it's a new year. New me? Not so much, more of a continuation of some good stuff I built on last year while making some tweaks to my writing and working routine, and certainly one thing that won't change this year is my love for reading dystopian books.
As with every prolific reader, I have a TBR (to-be-read) list as long as your New Year to-do list, but there are a few books that I cannot wait to get into this year. These aren't necessarily all new releases (some are old that I've been meaning to read forever) but they will all be new to me.
Without further ado, let's get into it - my most anticipated dystopian reads for 2025...
The Memory Police
I have seen this one all over my social, recommended by readers like Léa on TikTok who offers fantastic, critical reviews.
A enthralling Japanese dystopia, The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa is right up my street and was shortlisted for the international Booker Prize in 2020.
Book blurb (taken from Amazon):
On an unnamed island, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses. . .
Most of the inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those who remember live in fear of the Memory Police.
To the people on the island, a disappeared thing no longer has any meaning. It can be burned in the garden, thrown in the river, or handed over to the Memory Police. Soon enough, the island forgets it ever existed.
When a young novelist discovers that her editor is in danger of being taken away by the Memory Police, she desperately wants to save him. For some reason, he doesn't forget, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for him to hide his memories. Who knows what will vanish next?
Sunrise on the Reaping
This one will come as no surprise - it's the next Hunger Games Book. I've been keeping a keen eye on whether they'll be a cool release party to attend for Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins but then I wonder how much I can be bothered if it's not on my doorstep (classic hermit mentality).
Book blurb (taken from Amazon):
When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?
As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive odds maker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.
As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been setup to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight .. . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
Silver Lies
There's a few fellow indie authors that I want to invest time into this year, including my current read of Us Dark Few by Alexis Patton. But also on the list is Silver Lies by Willa Layne. Beautiful covers, beautiful concept and I can't wait to give it a go.
Book blurb (taken from Amazon):
Rare. Unique. Special. But most of all… wanted.
All words that describe blondes in Novum. All words that Ash despises almost as much as she hates her hair. An unknown virus ripped apart civilization and destroyed millions of lives, leaving few light-haired people in its wake. Years later, life has regressed back to primitive methods of survival in tiny towns like Cedar Hill in the country of Novum.
After being abandoned by her parents as a child, Ash was adopted by Nan and Pop. Found in the woods and left for dead they raised her as their own. She grew up fast, becoming a skilled hunter because it was the only way to survive after Pop died when she was fifteen. Now at nineteen years old, Ash does all she can to stay hidden, being one of the most sought-after people in the country. Survival depends on avoiding the king, with soldiers and bounty hunters always on the prowl it is no easy feat. Ash's craving for freedom and belonging is like a tangible force ripping her heart in different directions.
Diesel is the only friend she has ever known but the way he looks at her is anything but friendly. With stunning green eyes and dark hair, it would be hard not to take notice of the way she feels when he is around. Ash’s secret keeps them apart but when he finds out the truth—how far will Diesel go to protect her? Does he hold the key to everything she ever wanted or will deeply-rooted lies tear them apart?
When Death is Coming
Another fellow indie author and the cover is giving me so many Divergent vibes. When Death is Coming by Jen Woodrum is the first in The Severed Series with the third coming out this year (I believe) so I'm excited to get into it.
Book blurb (taken from Amazon):
The “4” tattooed on the back of Corrie’s neck means she’ll die before she turns twenty.
The knowledge of death dates has become available to the world. Now, those with early death dates—the Threes and Fours—are forced to put their short lives to use in a labor camp called the Prime so the long-lived can thrive.
While Corrie tries to focus on using her leadership role to secretly create change in the Prime, her friend’s suspicious death makes her wonder how set in stone fate really is. In a search for the truth, Corrie finds the source of the death dates. She discovers that she has a family outside of the Prime…
…and her own death is even closer than she thought.
Facing rising questions about the world, her family, and her future, Corrie knows the answers lie outside of the Prime’s concrete walls. And if she can uncover them, then life must have a greater purpose—but can she find it before death arrives?
Onyx Storm
Yes, you've caught me. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is the next release in the fantasy series that started with Fourth Wing. Shock, I read more than dystopian books (perhaps I should talk about that sometime). However, the Empyrean Series does have many dystopian elements to its make-up - many have termed it as The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.
Something to note is that this is not clean romance. I would prefer the books that I read to be clean and non-explicit and for that reason, I do steer away from a lot of popular books out there. However, I felt compelled to read these ones from a professional perspective - to see Yarros' world building and character development has been tremendously helpful in developing my own voice and craft as a writer. But for those of you who have no interest in a book with 'spicy' scenes, steer clear of these.
Book blurb (taken from Amazon):
ARE YOU READY TO BRAVE THE DARK?
After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there's no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it's impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves - her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.
They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find - the truth.
But a storm is coming... and not everyone can survive its wrath.
The dystopian revival is coming in 2025!
So there you have it, all of my anticipated dystopian reads for this year. There are so many reasons why people love dystopian fiction and those contribute to why I believe dystopian books will make a comeback in 2025. But only time will tell!
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