Top 10 Young Adult Science Fiction Book Series of The 21st Century: My Ultimate Favorites
It is very hard to pick favorites when it comes to Young Adult Science Fiction Book Series. I have read so many of them, and love all of them for different reasons. However, there are a few that stand out in my mind as being some of the best books on the market right now. They are not necessarily better than others because they were written by famous authors or published under big names, but more so because they are just really great reads with compelling characters who you want to get know intimately over time. These are my ultimate favorites!
1) The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi
Written by Tahereh Mafi, this series has it all: romance, action, suspense. It is about a girl named Juliette who lives in a dystopian world where the government demands conformity to its citizens’ ideas of perfection. Anyone who does not fit into these standards are branded as “Criminals” and forced into labor camps. When Juliette’s touch is discovered to be lethal, she finds herself imprisoned at the Reestablishment headquarters.
With only her words as weapons, Juliette must find an inner strength she never knew possible or die trying to escape. This series is riveting and keeps you wanting more, so it is highly recommended for all YA readers.
What’s great about this series is its compelling love triangle. Mafi does a good job of balancing it between Adam and Warner. I don’t want to add any more spoilers but I will say I am definitely Team Warner all the way.
2) The Delirium Series by Lauren Oliver
Written by Lauren Oliver, this series is about a future utopian society where love is seen as a disease—something to be eradicated with medication. When you are cured, you renounce your love for another and are released from the government’s control.
However, Lena Haloway has been in love with Alex since she was a child. She knows that if she is ever found out, she will be sent to the cure camp where Teddy—a former friend of hers—has already been sent. Lauren Oliver’s Delirium is a dystopia that details a world where love is considered a disease and the lengths you would go to keep it alive. This series will make you think of what is more important: keeping humanity safe from itself or embracing its natural state of passion, desire, and individuality.
2) The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
This book follows the character of Mara Dyer through so many twists and turns that you never know what’s coming next. It takes you on a dark journey exploring relationships between family, friends and lovers.
The story starts out on a stormy night when Mara finds herself the only survivor of a deadly accident that kills her best friend and boyfriend. Shaken by what has happened, Mara finds she cannot remember the last few minutes before the accident. She finds herself struggling to come to grips with life as it is now. There is a haunting presence that she feels yet cannot see. Mara finds herself being followed by someone or something that she cannot explain, but soon fears for her sanity.
3) Divergent by Veronica Roth
Written by the amazing Veronica Roth, Divergent is a dystopian series filled with action, adventure and betrayal. Set in a futuristic Chicago, this government is split into five factions: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave) and Erudite (the intelligent). When a teenager turns 16, they have to choose which faction they will dedicate the rest of their life to.
The main character, Beatrice Prior, comes from Abnegation (selfless) but quickly finds that she doesn’t fit into her old faction anymore. After failing her aptitude test, she finds herself choosing Dauntless (the brave). After entering Dauntless and finding a new best friend, Tris finds that her life is no longer safe among those who were supposed to protect her. She has secrets and they aren’t hers alone.
4) The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
Written by mega talented author, Cassandra Clare, the Mortal Instruments series is about a world where humans live alongside demons and werewolves. This is also the story of Clary Fray who discovers she’s not quite normal. She can see things that other people cannot. Like demons or werewolves etc… The Shadowhunters (a group of humans who have demonic blood in them) are on a mission to rid the world of these dangerous demons and upon meeting Clary find that she might be a Shadowhunter herself.
5) The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner
Written by the talented, James Dashner, The Maze Runner is about a boy named Thomas who wakes up inside of an elevator with no memory and ends up in a Glade. This glade is surrounded by a gigantic maze that changes each day and has walls that move and try to keep everyone trapped in there. Thomas realizes that there are more kids trapped in the maze with him and together they slowly try to solve the mystery of how they got there, who put them there, what are the creatures that live within it, etc… This series has an amazing plot twist at the end.
6) Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Written by the crazy talented Jennifer L. Armentrout, the Lux series is about aliens and alien hunters. This story follows Katy who can see aliens in her head when she touches people or objects. The thing is, these aliens aren’t cute little green men…no…they are much more dangerous than that. Not all of them are bad however. There are some aliens that have feelings too and just want to live in peace with the humans, but their world is much different from ours.
7) The V Girl by Mya Robarts
The V Girl is a mystery/thriller that explores the idea of murder and the lengths someone would go to in order to seek revenge. This story follows three best friends who are all trying to get over what happened one night during their senior year of high school.
8) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Written by amazing author, Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is set in post-apocalyptic North America where each year children are selected to participate in the hunger games. This series follows Katniss Everdeen who volunteers to take her sister’s place during the game. She ends up becoming a symbol of hope for many rebels against the Capitol.
9) The Fallen Series by Lauren Kate
Written by uber talented author, Lauren Kate, The Fallen series is about a girl named Luce who’s fallen from Heaven and found herself in high school again after she dies. There she realizes that they are actually at war with each other and when her past begins to haunt her, she must decide which side she’s on.
10) The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Written by uber talented author, Stephenie Meyer, The Host is about a world where aliens have taken over human bodies in order to keep moving. They are taking over humans because the planet they come from is dying. Unfortunately for these souls trapped within each body, when two souls find themselves in one being together, nothing good can happen.
In this blog, we’ve provided you with 10 books that are perfect for people who love reading. These novels have been written by a variety of authors and each has their own unique plot twist or story line to keep readers interested from chapter one until the last page. We hope our list helps give you some ideas on what to read next!
What are some of your favorite books? Let us know in the comments section!
Also, if you think there are any good books that we forgot to include, let us know that as well! We’ll be sure to take a look at it and see if it’s something we should add.