BookRank
Where to start

Dystopian novels to read

Not sure which dystopian novels to read? We ranked 81 of them using 115,493 reader ratings; the average is 7.7/10. Below: three books to start with, then short reads, series starts, new books, and classics.

If you read only one, make it Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (8.5/10). If you prefer a series: start The Hunger Games with its first book.

Start here

Three dystopian novels that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.

  1. Nineteen Eighty-FourGeorge Orwell · 1949 · 318 pages8.5/10 · 9,320 ratingsOrwell’s novel is admired less for comfort than for clarity.
  2. Red RisingPierce Brown · 2014 · 468 pages8.4/10 · 4,193 ratingsRed Rising Saga · book 1 of 7
  3. WoolHugh Howey · 2012 · 552 pages8.3/10 · 2,035 ratingsSilo · book 1 of 3

Short reads: under 300 pages

For a weekend or a commute. 18 of the rated dystopian novels are this short; these score best.

  1. Animal FarmGeorge Orwell · 1945 · 128 pages8.3/10 · 7,828 ratings
  2. The RoadCormac McCarthy · 2006 · 256 pages8.1/10 · 2,774 ratings
  3. The GiverLois Lowry · 1993 · 200 pages8.0/10 · 3,281 ratingsThe Giver Quartet · book 1 of 4
  4. Fahrenheit 451Ray Bradbury · 1953 · 190 pages7.9/10 · 5,668 ratings

Series worth starting

The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.

  1. The Hunger GamesSuzanne Collins · 2008 · 399 pages8.3/10 · 9,286 ratingsThe Hunger Games · book 1 of 5 · Reading order →
  2. ScytheNeal Shusterman · 2016 · 450 pages8.3/10 · 1,273 ratingsArc of a Scythe · book 1 of 3 · Reading order →
  3. The Handmaid's TaleMargaret Atwood · 1985 · 352 pages8.2/10 · 3,682 ratingsThe Handmaid's Tale · book 1 of 2 · Reading order →
  4. LegendMarie Lu · 2011 · 320 pages7.8/10 · 760 ratingsLegend · book 1 of 4 · Reading order →

New in 2025 and 2026

The best-rated new books with at least 50 reader ratings.

  1. Exit PartyEmily St. John Mandel · 20267.9/10 · 51 ratings
  2. What We Can KnowIan McEwan · 2025 · 449 pages7.8/10 · 81 ratings
  3. The Dream HotelLaila Lalami · 20257.7/10 · 110 ratings
  4. Where the Axe Is BuriedRay Nayler · 2025 · 257 pages7.6/10 · 56 ratings

Classics from before 1976

Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.

  1. A Clockwork OrangeAnthony Burgess · 1962 · 192 pages7.9/10 · 1,531 ratings
  2. Brave New WorldAldous Huxley · 1932 · 251 pages7.8/10 · 4,587 ratings
  3. This Perfect DayIra Levin · 1970 · 318 pages7.7/10 · 50 ratings
  4. It Can't Happen HereSinclair Lewis · 1935 · 376 pages7.7/10 · 106 ratings

Liked this? Try that

Pairs from our similarity data: the same kind of story, a different author.

If you likedtry
The Hunger GamesSuzanne CollinsMore like this in “Find a book” →ScytheNeal Shusterman · 8.3/10
The RoadCormac McCarthyMore like this in “Find a book” →Station ElevenEmily St. John Mandel · 8.1/10
Never Let Me GoKazuo IshiguroMore like this in “Find a book” →Oryx and CrakeMargaret Atwood · 7.8/10
Station ElevenEmily St. John MandelMore like this in “Find a book” →The Girl with All the GiftsMike Carey · 8.0/10

How long are the rated dystopian novels?

Under 300 pages18
300–499 pages47
500 pages or more10

75 of 81 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: 300–499 pages.

Narrow it down with “Find a book”

“Find a book” holds 57 dystopian novels. Pick a shortcut — the filters are already set:

Dystopian novels in a series23Standalone dystopian novels35Short dystopian novels (under 220 pages)9Dystopian novels, mood: dark42Dystopian novels with a film or series12Award-winning dystopian novels19
All dystopian novels in “Find a book” →

Questions readers ask

What dystopian novels should I read first?

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell: 8.5/10 from 9,320 ratings, and it needs no earlier book. Next on our list: Red Rising and Wool.

What is a good dystopian novel under 300 pages?

Animal Farm (128 pages, 8.3/10) is the highest-rated one under 300 pages.

Which dystopian novel series should I start?

The Hunger Games: begin with the book of the same name, the first of 5 books. The reading order page lists every volume.

What are the best new dystopian novels?

Exit Party (2026) leads the recent titles at 7.9/10 from 51 ratings.

How are these books chosen?

Only books with enough reader ratings to be ranked (at least 50) are picked. The score is a weighted average across independent rating sources, pulled toward the category average when ratings are few.

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Other genres: where to start

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