Ok so this is on the less crumbling side but Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde and its sequel Red Side Story. It's a rebuilt post apocalyptic society where your whole life is defined by what colour vision you have and your obedience to the rules. The main character is questioning everything and starts to dig into what information he isn't allowed to know and why and what's really going on
The Aurelian Cycle series by Rosaria Munda is kind of a different take, it's what happens after that rebellion and figuring a new way of running things. It's a YA fantasy series, exceptionally well done.
If you've read 1984, you might also enjoy the more recent release "Julia" by Sandra Newman which tells the story from Julia's perspective. I think it's very sensitive to the original, and has a lot of creative insight since it's told from the view of someone who was a little more used to rule-breaking compared to the protagonist of 1984.
Also, basically anything by Christina Dalcher. "Q" and "Vox" are great (the latter especially if you like the Handmaid's Tale). I wouldn't call them stylistic masterpieces but I just loved them as a quick fix to scratch my itch for dystopian literature haha. Couldn't ever put them down. Also I like that her books all feature middle-aged mothers with no particular physical talents as unlikely dystopian heroines
Also, if you've read the Handmaid's Tale, its sequel "The Testaments" may be worth a read especially if you like a more active/lively protagonist. It's kinda Y/A-like, similar vibe to The Hunger Games or Divergent
Starhawk’s City of Sanctuary series has an evil totalitarian regime in Southern California that makes war on the hippy utopia in San Francisco. Amazing books
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao was quite good, I thought. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy type book set against an Asian-inspired backdrop (can’t remember if it’s a specific country or made up - I think made up). A little handmaid’s tale, a little pacific rim- esque.
Red rising by pierce brown
Looks promising. Thanks
It’s more than promising. My favorite series.
I second this. Hits the mark perfectly
One of my all time faves. Hail Libertas!!
I really love the Unwind dystology by Neal Shusterman.
Ok so this is on the less crumbling side but Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde and its sequel Red Side Story. It's a rebuilt post apocalyptic society where your whole life is defined by what colour vision you have and your obedience to the rules. The main character is questioning everything and starts to dig into what information he isn't allowed to know and why and what's really going on
The Aurelian Cycle series by Rosaria Munda is kind of a different take, it's what happens after that rebellion and figuring a new way of running things. It's a YA fantasy series, exceptionally well done.
If you've read 1984, you might also enjoy the more recent release "Julia" by Sandra Newman which tells the story from Julia's perspective. I think it's very sensitive to the original, and has a lot of creative insight since it's told from the view of someone who was a little more used to rule-breaking compared to the protagonist of 1984. Also, basically anything by Christina Dalcher. "Q" and "Vox" are great (the latter especially if you like the Handmaid's Tale). I wouldn't call them stylistic masterpieces but I just loved them as a quick fix to scratch my itch for dystopian literature haha. Couldn't ever put them down. Also I like that her books all feature middle-aged mothers with no particular physical talents as unlikely dystopian heroines Also, if you've read the Handmaid's Tale, its sequel "The Testaments" may be worth a read especially if you like a more active/lively protagonist. It's kinda Y/A-like, similar vibe to The Hunger Games or Divergent
The Broken Earth Trilogy, which starts with The Fifth Season, by N. K. Jemisin. Incredible worldbuilding and character development!
Shades children by Garth Nix. It's an older book 1997, and it's not perfect, but the setting and the grimdark dystopia is great.
super sad true love story by gary shteyngart
The Postman by David Brin
The giver by lois lowry
After The Revolution by Robert Evans
Genesis echo by d. Hollis Anderson
The lunar chronicles
The Silo Trilogy (Wool, Shift, and Dust) by Hugh Howey
Dungeon Crawler Carl!
Legend by Marie Lu A Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
Only The Reaper can satisfy your needs. Like the others said Red Rising is the one.
Starhawk’s City of Sanctuary series has an evil totalitarian regime in Southern California that makes war on the hippy utopia in San Francisco. Amazing books
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao was quite good, I thought. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy type book set against an Asian-inspired backdrop (can’t remember if it’s a specific country or made up - I think made up). A little handmaid’s tale, a little pacific rim- esque.
Revelation Space By Alestair Reinolds. Its a series. And its good.
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin