Five Best Dystopian Novels To Add To Your To-Read List [March 2023]

The best dystopian novels from Next Chapter [March 2023]

Dystopian science fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction that explores the darker aspects of society, often set in a future world that is plagued by oppressive governments, environmental disasters, and technological advances that have gone awry. These stories present a warning to readers about the potential consequences of our actions in the present and how they may lead to a bleak future.

One of the most famous examples of dystopian science fiction is George Orwell's "1984," which depicts a totalitarian government that controls every aspect of citizens' lives. Another popular example is Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," which takes place in a society where women are oppressed and forced to bear children for the ruling class. Both of these novels serve as cautionary tales, urging readers to be aware of the dangers of government overreach and the importance of individual freedom.

Dystopian science fiction has become increasingly popular in recent years, reflecting growing concerns about the direction of society and the future of humanity. These stories provide a way to explore complex issues and examine the impact of our actions on the world around us. Despite their often grim and unsettling subject matter, dystopian science fiction can be a powerful tool for inspiring change and promoting a better future for all.

On this page, we’ve collected five of the best dystopian novels from Next Chapter authors, all available from major online bookstores including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Rakuten Kobo and Google Books.

We hope you enjoy the stories on this page - and if you do, please don’t forget to leave the author a review! Don’t agree with our choices? Please leave a comment below and let us know which dystopian novel is your favorite :)

Books featured on this page

• The Running Game (Reachers Book 1) by L.E. Fitzpatrick

• Dawn of Rebellion (Dawn of Rebellion Book 1) by Michelle Lynn

• Maelstorm (Gideon Rayne Book 1) by G.A. Franks

• 28 Days (The Reluctant Doorkeeper Trilogy Book 1) by Sue Parritt

• Minus Life by Stuart G. Yates

The Running Game (Reachers Book 1) by L.E. Fitzpatrick

Book excerpt

It took eight years for the British Empire to fall.

Like dominoes, major players in Europe and the western world started to topple, one by one. Each country falling hard enough to ensure the chain reaction was cataclysmic across the globe. Historians disagree where the trouble started; some argue it went as far back as the second world war when the powers in charge set to picking up the broken pieces of the world and gluing them back together. Others are more cynical, claiming that man was destined towards devastation as soon as the first communities were formed by primitive apes.

However it happened, the cracks had been under the surface for a long, long time, growing weaker and more unstable. Internal conflict kept many countries in a stalemate. Where poverty and war still had a stronghold the effect of what was about to happen would barely touch the Richter scale. But in places like America, France, and Britain, places that had settled comfortably into peace and grown rich from their warring neighbours, the disturbance would be off the charts.

It was the financial crisis that struck the first blow. Each country struggled to balance its homeland cashbook, taking more credit and lending out money until the value of currency plummeted. When the system fell apart civilised government started to crumble, unable to compromise political greed and public integrity. The people revolted, seeing big cats in the big cities squandering money while their families starved in the suburbs. In France and Britain the rioting lasted five years, erupting into a burst of devastating civil war. Places like Red Forest and further north became impassable trenches of conflict that even the militia couldn’t conquer.

The civil unrest was brought to a temporary halt when disease started to spread through Yorkshire and Lancashire. Birth deformities, viruses, and contamination concerns separated Britain into two halves and all who could fled south to escape the troubles. Northern Britain was abandoned and even Wales and Cornwall found themselves lost in isolated beacons out of London’s reach. Disease spread, terrorism battled prejudice, and before anyone had realised it, aid packets were being flown over from Germany and the Australians were holding rock concerts for British kids in poverty. Most of the country slummed, counties broke off, and suddenly all that anyone seemed to care about was the thriving capital, where business men still wore Armani and sipped espressos. And that was the hardest pill to swallow; despite what was happening less than a hundred miles away, London was still thriving in a modern utopia.

Dawn of Rebellion (Dawn of Rebellion Book 1) by Michelle Lynn

Book excerpt

I’m screwed.

“Gabriella Nolan, you're hereby accused of thieving behavior, taking place at the Fenwick's department store. You assaulted a dedicated soldier. You have been seen on vid and fled the scene of the crime. These are very serious charges and will be met with a very serious punishment. Here in England, we do not indulge reckless persons.”

I look up as my accuser finishes reading my crimes and am surprised to find that I am face to face with the district commander himself. I have been sitting here for hours, unsure of what was going to happen, but now I know I’m in some serious shite. All I did was take one measly bracelet, but apparently, this is about more than a crime. The commander doesn't get involved in petty theft.

I shake with anger as I look at this man with his cropped hair and pressed uniform. He’s handsome, just like Drew, his son. They have the same dark hair and smooth skin. Unlike Drew, however, as this man smiles down at me, it gives me no comfort, only dread, as if he takes great pleasure in my situation.

I finally unclench my jaw enough to speak, “What about my trial?”

“My dear girl,” This isn't a term of endearment, but of superiority. “This is your trial. I am your judge. I am your jury. I have already found you guilty.”

“You can't do that.” I stare defiantly into his eyes, full of wickedness and glee. He’s so pleased with himself that he actually winks at me and says;

“On the contrary, I can and I have. Enjoy your stay in the colonies.”

A thunderstorm shakes the plane and I jolt awake. For a moment, I think maybe it was a dream, but no. It was no dream. Surely my own country wouldn't do this to me. I see his face in my mind and am disgusted with the way he looked at me. He considered me trash, not worthy of dating a district commander's son and so he threw me away. Would it have made a difference to tell him that Drew and I weren't even that serious? I liked him, sure, but we were just having fun. It's not like I was truly a threat to the commander.

I shake my head to clear it of those thoughts. Drew has no place in my mind as I head into the unknown. The plane lurches. As I try to brace myself, the shackles around my wrists tug at my skin. My feet are chained to the seat awkwardly and I let out a grunt as I try to get some semblance of comfort.

I have never been on a plane before, much less one going to my doom. Trying to get my bearings, I realize I’m not alone. I count nine others, all drugged, unaware that they too are heading chain in place.

Maelstorm (Gideon Rayne Book 1) by G.A. Franks

Book excerpt

Gideon rose early on selection day; sleep had mostly evaded him anyway. With a yawn, he reached across to his bedside table and grabbed his tatty old Kaotab. The ageing wrist mounted device acted as his communicator, computer, streaming device and a million other things combined into one. It was hardly the best or latest model, far from it in fact, but it was all he had been able to scrape together enough to buy. The Ktab’s bio-hack link disk embedded in his wrist had cost almost a year’s CP on its own. He’d bought that part first, so that when he had eventually been able to afford the tablet, he had been able to use it straight away. Now that he was permanently connected to the New Britain network, it allowed him to share his life on 'The Home Feed’, where people documented their every moment, thought and desire. Kaoteck Industries monitored the feed for likely candidates to join their organisation. If a person wanted to be selected for a career with Kaoteck, they needed to impress the watchers and the algorithms that kept track of their every move and decision, from their heart rate to their choice of toothbrush.

Peering through sleep-heavy eyes, he used the device to activate the cameras in the walls of his room and started streaming himself live to his feed followers. He posted a status update and large 'cheery-face' emotinote leapt into the air above his Ktab's screen, accompanied by the message 'Sorry no sleepcam…big night! Awake and ready for selection day!' Vaulting out of bed and pattering off to the sink, he felt pleased to see his vital 'CP' or 'Community Points' had jumped up quite a bit from the night before, it meant his followers were anticipating his big day. Community Points granted people access to life's essentials, such as the right to apply for better jobs, housing permits, travel permits and more. You could even cash them in for Kaoteck products, even the discounted reclaimed ones taken from dead people or unlucky folk who had been forced to hand theirs over for misuse.

The advertising screen embedded in Gideon’s mirror burst into life upon his approach, reminding him that he could still boost his CP by purchasing Kaoteck products, he waved the advert away and navigated to his Kaoteck Industries application portal. The selection deadline countdown timer that had occupied his every waking moment for as long as he could remember read '0003:00'. In three hours, he would find out if he'd been selected to board the famous ‘Train to the future’ that connected the Factory and Rainbow zones to the Kaoteck headquarters, beyond the wall down in the flooded south.

Browsing through his suitability profile one more time, he noted a slight deficit in his martial arts and self-assertiveness tabs, both prerequisites for anyone hoping to make it into the Constabulary. It was too late to do much about being assertive, so he decided to spend his last morning in the home streaming himself practising his fighting skills.

After a perfunctory breakfast of a glass of water and an all-day energy bar, Gideon began flipping, leaping, and kicking his way around the home's basement, always making sure to keep half an eye on the steady flicker of emotinotes and 'CP' building on his profile page. Seeing the number slowly creep up filled him with a warm sense of achievement. Eventually, Jakub poked his head around the basement door with a goofy grin, “Happy selection day! I bet Burnett let you off easy for getting back so late, didn't she?”

28 Days (The Reluctant Doorkeeper Trilogy Book 1) by Sue Parritt

Book excerpt

Next morning, the portal continued to display blank columns followed by the red announcement and a call to Will James confirmed his own search had produced the same result. So far, there had been no government broadcast advising the problem was being dealt with, or instructing users to redirect employment inquiries to another database. Impatient for news, Emma asked Will if his friend had had any ideas.

‘Sandra’s certain someone’s hacked the system,’ Will replied.

‘So, what now?’

‘I guess we just have to wait.’

‘I tried calling the Department,’ Emma persisted, ‘but couldn’t get through. Not even a recorded message asking me to try later.’

‘Did Jack say anything about the uni system? Only I didn’t go in yesterday.’

‘All good, he said when I asked.’

‘That’s a relief. I’ve got an exam today.’

‘I won’t keep you then. Let me know if you hear anything.’

‘Sure.’

‘Good luck with the exam,’ she said, but Will had already disconnected.

Gathering up dirty clothes from Jack’s bedroom – he’d flown out the door saying he was late and would miss the train – occupied a few minutes, but Emma thought she’d go mad if she stayed indoors any longer, so decided to visit the market even though she had no vouchers left for purchases. She could give Uncle Charlie a break, provided neither of the Ritchie brothers showed up.

Minus Life by Stuart G. Yates

Book excerpt

Bremen fiddled around with the tap and finally managed to get it to work. He filled up the water cup from the fountain, drained it, and placed it carefully down on the tray. He rubbed his mouth, stared at his hands and wished they’d stop shaking. He needed a cigarette but knew he’d have to wait until he was outside, somewhere private. For now, he had the present to worry about. Water, the most precious commodity there was. He licked his fingers, like they said you had to. Mustn’t spill a drop.

“You’ve done well.”

Miller clapped him on the shoulder.

“Thanks, boss.”

“You don’t look happy.”

“Should I?”

“You got the result, got the money in your account.”

Bremen pushed past his superior and went over to his desk. He threw his jacket over his chair, leaned over the desktop, stared down at the mess of papers strewn there. “It’s not just about money, Miller.”

There you go: the best dystopian novels from Next Chapter in 03/2023. If you enjoy one of the books above, please take a moment to leave a comment below, or a review in Goodreads or your favorite store. We’d love to hear from you :)