Delirium by Lauren Oliver

     If you liked Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, you will love Delirium!  This dystopian novel is set in a futuristic United States of America.  The government has discovered a cure for one of the world's most dangerous diseases . . . love!  Teenagers are put through a procedure to make them incapable of feeling love for anyone or anything, thus eliminating the disease.
     Each chapter of the book begins with excerpts from government publications that explain the dangers of love.  These publications tell citizens horrible tales from the past when people suffered from the disease.  They describe the desperate and destructive things people were driven to do as a result of love.  One teenager, Lena, believes everything the government says, and she can't wait to have the procedure.  Her mother died from love, and Lena does not want to share her fate.
     Not surprisingly, there are many people in this society who do not share Lena's opinion.  They oppose the procedure and have escaped to the wilderness outside of civilization to live and love freely.  Just before her procedure, Lena meets a boy who begins to change her mind about everything she once believed.
     This novel is part of a trilogy by Laruen Oliver.  The second book in the series, Pandemonium is out, and the third book in the trilogy is expected to be released in the spring! 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

     Divergent is a great read!  This dystopian novel is set in futuristic Chicago.  Society is divided up into factions that represent and nuture certain values.  The factions include: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). When teenagers turn 16, they are tested to see what their aptitude is.  Then they are asked to choose a faction in which to live.  Once they make the choice, they must succeed in initiation, or they will be kicked out of the group and will be forced to live on the streets, factionless.
     Beatrice, the main character, comes from the faction Abnegation.  However, she does not want to remain there.  She has always felt that she didn't belong with the selfless people of Abnegation, but choosing another faction isn't easy.  Leaving her faction means leaving her family because the groups live apart and do not socialize with each other.  To make matters worse, when Beatrice is tested, something very unusual occurs that puts her in danger.  She has unique abilities that make her a threat to the society in which she lives.
     This book is action-packed and exciting!  Part of a trilogy, the second book, Insurgent, is out now, and the third book is due out next year.  Fans of The Hunger Games will definitely enjoy this series!

Legend by Marie Lu

     One of my favorite dystopian books is Legend by Marie Lu.  This book is set in the future in what used to be the United States of America.  There is civil unrest, as the Republic and the Colonies are at war.  The story is told from alternating points of view. June is a soldier for the Republic.  Day is an outlaw and the country's most-wanted criminal. 
     When June's brother is killed, she believes Day is the person responsible.  So, she goes undercover to meet Day, capture him, and bring him to justice.  However, once June meets Day, things aren't as black and white as she once thought.  The Republic that she loves so much isn't what it seems and neither is Day.  Things become complicated very quickly, and Day and June try to figure out where their loyalties lie. 
     I loved this book!  The alternating points of view made the story so much more suspenseful!  There was dramatic irony throughout, and the plot was eventful.  It was a fast, easy, enjoyable read.  This is the first book in a planned series, and I can't wait for the next book to be released!