Imagine this: something has gone terribly wrong with the world. The old way of life has collapsed, leaving humankind to salvage what they can from the destruction. Maybe war has decimated the planet, forcing different factions to fight for survival. Humanity is overcome, defeated, too exhausted to defend itself any longer. Only a scrappy band of young rebels continues to fight. They may be young, and their numbers may be small, but they are determined to beat the odds, expose the lies perpetuated by the new world order, and make a better life for everyone.
If any of that sounds familiar, you might be living in a dystopian audiobook series. Dystopian listens place a heavy emphasis on their bleak, startlingly different environments, so becoming immersed in the author's world is critical to fully appreciating the work. Audio is the perfect format for this—a great narrator can bring both the characters and their surroundings fully to life. So, if you love diving headlong into dystopian worlds, this list will give you a solid starting point.
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Girls with Sharp Sticks series by Suzanne Young
A girls-only private high school, Innovations Academy prides itself on the beauty, decorum, and obedience of its students. But the academy is not what it seems, and neither are the not-so-docile girls. Led by the astute Mena, several of the girls escape, only to realize that their problems extend far beyond the confines of their old school. Mena and her friends find themselves battling the corporation responsible for their plight, and the men who would seek to exploit them. It is a dangerous and ruthless fight. But if they are to have any hope of a decent life, it is a fight they must win.
Suzanne Young's unnerving yet timely series is performed pitch-perfectly by Caitlin Davies, who has narrated many other sci-fi/fantasy books. Her edge-of-your-seat delivery will have you as tense and suspicious as Mena herself. There are currently two audiobooks in the series. The third installment, Girls with Rebel Souls, is scheduled for release in March 2021, so you'll have plenty of time to get caught up before Mena and company continue their quest for freedom.
War Girls series by Tochi Onyebuchi
In the not-so-far-off future, year 2172, the planet is unrecognizable and all but uninhabitable. Devastated by environmental catastrophes and abandoned by the elites who fled Earth for the safety of a space colony, Nigeria has been further decimated by years of war. It is an unhappy existence, and Onyii and her sister Ify have had enough. All they want is to live together peacefully. But to find peace, sometimes you have to make war first. The sisters rely on their wits and fantastical technology to battle the artificially enhanced armies that stand between them and their shared dream. Do they have what it takes to survive being torn apart and keep fighting their way back to each other?
Adepero Oduye's narration adds another layer of intensity to a story already fraught with danger and emotion, while author Tochi Onyebuchi's skillful cliffhanger will leave you desperate for the second installment of this promising series. War Girls presents a colossal, jaw-dropping, and grim vision of the future steeped in Nigerian culture and traditions—and shows just how much devoted siblings are willing to risk and endure for each other.
Swipe series by Evan Angler
Being marked is a crucial right of passage for every 13-year-old member of the American Union. The mark is what turns a child into a citizen, and grants them access to jobs, shops, healthcare, mass transit, and freedom. But Logan Langly, months away from his 13th birthday, is already suspicious of the mark's origin and significance. His sister disappeared on the day she was supposed to receive hers, and now he decides to take a stand by refusing to be marked. This decision changes Logan's life forever. He joins, and ultimately leads, the markless rebellion, learning the history of the mark and spearheading the fight to free humanity from its true, sinister purpose. But what chance does a small rebel band have against an all-powerful global government?
There are currently four books in the Swipe series. Although written for a younger audience, the series taps into universal fears about lack of privacy and government surveillance run amok. Evan Angler has created a universe that will appeal to—and unsettle—listeners of all ages. Barrie Buckner’s narration brings this uncomfortably familiar world even closer to home.
The Secondborn Trilogy by Amy A. Bartol
Despite her lowly status as a secondborn child, Roselle St. Sismode is still a member of the Fates Republic's powerful ruling family. She lives a pampered, privileged, and televised life—until she turns 18. At that point, she suffers the fate of all secondborns: conscription into the ruling family's army, condemned to defend and even die for her oppressors. But when Roselle refuses to play by her family's rules, she finds herself caught in the middle of several threats. Her own family wants her dead. Scientists want to use her for experiments. Another rebel wants her love. But all Roselle wants is to live the life she chooses, ruled by no one but herself.
Author Amy A. Bartol mixes science-fiction, action, adventure, romance, and family drama into one epic trilogy, creating an intriguing (though unsettling) universe that will appeal to listeners who enjoy different genres and love rooting for the underdog. Broadway actor Kate Reinders brings both urgency and tenderness to Roselle’s many interlocking conflicts and her journey from government property to free woman with a mind and desires of her own.
The Children of Eden Trilogy by Joey Graceffa
The world is a wasteland of humanity's own making. The few survivors left live in Eden, where the population is strictly regulated. Rowan was born illegally and has spent her entire life hidden away in her family's compound. Her decision to escape will change all of Eden forever. Rowan encounters worlds she never knew existed, from an underground refuge for other "illegal" children to a seemingly idyllic, eco-friendly commune. Even when she thinks she has found safety at last, Rowan and her rebel friends continue to face threats to themselves, their loved ones, and all of humanity. When the fate of the world hangs in the balance, can Rowan do what it takes to preserve her future?
Written by YouTube star Joey Graceffa, Children of Eden is a complete trilogy. All three audiobooks are narrated by Sarah Grayson, who deftly navigates all the twists and turns in this spellbinding saga. Every success and every betrayal strikes directly to the listener's heart. Rowan's agony is so much more devastating in audio, just as her joy is so palpable that you could very well find yourself smiling along with her in moments of triumph.
Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette loves Adam. But Juliette has a terrifying power: terrible things happen to anyone who touches her. Worse, The Reestablishment wants to weaponize her power against her will. Forced to go on the run, Juliette is nonetheless determined to fight for her freedom. Along the way, she must deal not only with the constant risk of death, but also with Warner, a commander whose attraction to Juliette will either complete her or destroy her. Can she trust his motives? By the end of her quest, Juliette will embrace her powers and find a strength she never knew she was capable of. But who is Juliette, really? And what does the answer mean for The Reestablishment?
The Shatter Me series is complete, with eight listens—the main series, plus novellas told from supporting characters' points of view—waiting for you. Author Tahereh Mafi alternately breaks and mends your heart with her complex character interactions, tragic sacrifices, high-stakes confrontations, and themes of self-discovery and forbidden love. While narrator Kate Simses gives Juliette a consistent voice, some installments feature multiple narrators, who work together to give each character their own distinct voice. Shatter Me is an intricate dystopian book series that will leave you breathless until the very end.
Eileen Gonzalez is a freelance writer from Connecticut. She has a Master's degree in communications and years of experience writing about pop culture. She contributes to Book Riot and Foreword Reviews.
