Dystopian YA Literature Pt. 2

Well, I've gotten over a little bit of my angst about all of the dystopian literature that has appeared on the market for teens in the last few years. I would have to credit some of the recent stories I've read for helping me out of my slump: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi and Starters by Lissa Price.

I can't say that the prose in Starters is as good as in Under the Never Sky, but Starters has a pretty interesting premise that was definitely worth the read. In the future after a plague has taken all but the young and the very old, children who haven't been claimed by grandparents are homeless and considered a threat to society. Protagonist Callie's parents are dead, and she is left in charge of her little brother Tyler who is sickly. With no money, Callie turns to Prime Destinations where she can essentially sell her body for Enders (the elderly) to rent out and use for any activities they choose. Of course, Enders sign an agreement that they won't do anything life threatening, but Callie finds out later that Enders don't take that clause very seriously. The opening two chapters or so really get things moving and create the setting of this odd future as well as showing all of the massive conflicts Callie is up against. And while there are two boys in the story who could be love interests, the basic plot does not revolve around whom Callie will pick, but rather how Callie will be able to stop Prime Destinations from stealing the bodies of teenagers to give to the elderly.

Under the Never Sky is completely different except that it also takes place in a dystopic future. In this setting, the haves/the wealthy live in a sort of domed society to avoid the sky which is rife with electricity. Inside the domes, the people mainly exist in virtual realms where they can do anything they want -- much like Simms. Main character Aria participates in a childish prank in which she leaves the dome for the real world where she KNOWS she will die if she breathes the air or will be eaten by cannibals. After getting caught leaving the dome, she is kicked out of her society to live in the "real" where she honestly does think she will die if she breathes the air and/or be eaten by cannibals. She comes across a "savage" named Perry who is in search of his nephew, kidnapped by the "dwellers" (the ones who live in the domes). They team up and go on a quest to fix Aria's eye piece which will not only show that she isn't to blame for the prank, but will also help Perry and Aria get in touch with the domes so Perry can find his nephew.

Both great page turners. Both unique.

My faith in the publishing world is not completely dead.