Children’s / Teenage fiction: Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic stories

Book SynopsisIn a perfect world, Jonas begins to see the flawsTHE GIVER is the classic award-winning novel that inspired the dystopian genre and a major motion picture adaptation for 2014 starring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift.It is the future. There is no war, no hunger, no pain. No one in the community wants for anything. Everything needed is provided. And at twelve years old, each member of the community has their profession carefully chosen for them by the Committee of Elders.Twelve-year old Jonas has never thought there was anything wrong with his world. But from the moment he is selected as the Receiver of Memory, Jonas discovers that their community is not as perfect as it seems.It is only with the help of the Giver, that Jonas can find what has been lost. And it is only through his personal courage that Jonas finds the strength to do what is rightThe Giver is the award-winning classic of bravery and adventure that has inspired countless dystopian writers as the fTrade Review"The Giver, a powerful and provocative novel, is sure to keep older children reading and thinking." New York Times “Lowry is once again in top form – raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers."Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe fifteenth anniversary edition of Exodus, a startling, thrilling novel set in a dystopian future ravaged by global warmingIt is 2099 - and the world is gradually drowning, as mighty Arctic ice floes melt, the seas rise and land disappears forever beneath storm-tossed waves. For fifteen-year-old Mara, her family and community, huddled on the fast-disappearing island of Wing, the new century brings flight. Packed into tiny boats, a terrifying journey begins to a bizarre city that rises into the sky, built on the drowned remains of the ancient city of Glasgow. But even here there is no safety and, shut out of the city, Mara realizes they are asylum-seekers in a world torn between high-tech wizardry and the most primitive injustice. To save her people, Mara must not only find a way into the city, but also search for a new land and a new home . . .This new edition celebrates the 15th Anniversary of Exodus featuring a new foreword from the author.

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Book SynopsisAward-winning author Victoria Williamson marks her debut into YA fiction with this explosive dystopian survival story.

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Book SynopsisWelcome back to the FAYZ! This is Book 2 in the series that Stephen King calls a driving, torrential narrative'.An uneasy calm has settled over Perdido Beach. But soon, fear explodes into desperation as food supplies dwindle and starvation sets in.More and more kids are developing strange powers and, just as frighteningly, so are the animals in the FAYZ: talking coyotes, swimming bats and deadly worms with razor-sharp teeth are just the beginning.For Sam Temple the strain of leadership is beginning to show and he''s got more than just dwindling rations and in-fighting to worry about Caine is back with the psychotic whiphand, Drake, by his side.And deep in the ground, the biggest danger of all is getting hungry . . .The GONE series is Lord of the Flies for the 21st century. In turns breathtaking, harrowing, and utterly terrifying. Its complex characters and moral dilemmas will delight fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner. This is dystopian fiction at its best.Have yoTrade Review‘A driving torrential narrative . . . I love these books.’ STEPHEN KING It's an absolutely barnstorming sequel – page-turning, plot-driven and absolutely compelling – The Bookbag

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Book SynopsisWelcome back to the FAYZ! This is Book 4 in the GONE series that Stephen King calls a driving, torrential narrative'.Disease is spreading through the streets of Perdido Beach: a devastating, hacking cough that makes the sufferers choke their guts up literally.Across town, Little Pete lies unconscious, struck down by the mysterious illness. With the most powerful mutant in the FAYZ out of action, the future of the world hangs in the balanceThe GONE series is Lord of the Flies for the 21st century. In turns breathtaking, harrowing, and utterly terrifying. Its complex characters and moral dilemmas will delight fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner. This is dystopian fiction at its best.Have you got all 6 titles in the New York Times bestselling saga?: GoneHungerLiesPlagueFearLightI am now free to leave the FAYZ, but my time there was well spent' Stephen KingTrade Review‘A driving torrential narrative . . . I love these books.’ STEPHEN KING ‘Plague was freaking awesome’ – The Book Smugglers

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Book SynopsisEvents take an unexpected turn in this ninth awesome foray into the worlds of the DemonataThe Disciples are being manipulated by beings older than time. Only Kernel Fleck knows that something is wrong. But he is in the grip of a creature who cares nothing for the fate of humanity. Voices are calling to him from the darkness and he''s powerless to resist.Kernel has already been to hell and back. Now he''s about to go furtherTrade ReviewPraise for the Demonata Series: “Utterly unputdownable” – The Times “The master of children’s horror at his blood-curdling best.” – Publishing News “As grossly entertaining as ever, Grubbs’s cynical teenaged voice carries the story along like a bat out of hell.” – The Times

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Book SynopsisThe incredible new novel from Newbery Medal winning author Donna Barba Higuera.This is the story as it was told to me by Leandro the Mighty.For 400 years, Earth has been a barren wasteland. The few humans that survive scrape together an existence in the cruel city of Pocatel - or go it alone in the wilderness beyond, filled with wandering spirits and wyrms. They don't last long. Thirteen-year-old pickpocket Leandro and his sister Gabi do what they can to forge a life in Pocatel. The city does not take kindly to Cascabel like them - the descendants of those who worked the San Joaquin Valley for generations. When Gabi is caught stealing precious fruit from the Pocatelan elite, Leandro takes the fall. But his exile proves more than he ever could have imagined - far from a simple banishment, his consciousness is placed inside an ancient drone and left to fend on its own. But beyond the walls of Pocatel lie other alebrijes like Leandro who seek for a better world - as well as mutant monsters, wasteland pirates, a hidden oasis, and the truth. A thought-provoking and beautifully written novel, creating a whole new imaginative world that holds a mirror to our own.Praise for The Last Storyteller: 'Truly a beautiful cuento' New York TimesTrade ReviewSubtle worldbuilding, flesh-and-bone protagonists, and magnetic writing make this . . . an instant classic. With measured pacing and layered character development, Higuera's latest is a masterly exploration of how corruption is an indelible part of every oppressive society. It's also a celebration; there will always be a beacon of hope in dark times, fueled by stories and community. * School Library Journal, starred review *The story examines how people can build better societies from the ashes of unequal, oppressive, and corrupt ones. Strong worldbuilding uses the familiar and the fantastic to prod readers to consider the story's parallels to real-world injustices and the ethics of power, storytelling, and greed.This heartfelt adventure signals hope for humanity, even in the aftermath of darkness. * Kirkus, starred review *Steeped in folkloric ambience and employing delicate character work, this stellar speculative narrative explores themes of identity across circumstance, centering an adolescent without structural power working to protect family and community. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *The high-stakes adventure awaiting Hummingbird Leandro is enthralling and studded with surprises that spur the narrative onward. Beautiful, imaginative writing fills this dystopian sf novel. Though it exposes cruelty and corruption, it raises up storytelling, culture, and kindness as stronger yet. A wondrous addition to any collection. * Booklist, starred review *Inventive, evocative, thought-provoking and complex, this dystopian fantasy by a Newbery-winning author will suit 9+ readers who enjoy intricate world-building. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *Her transporting new book, Alebrijes [...] weaves the past into a dystopian tale of survival for the upper end of key stage 2. -- Kitty Empire * The Guardian *The whole thing has the qualities of an epic film or a role playing computer game and will be of particular interest to readers who love world building and dystopian fiction. -- Louise Johns-Shepherd * Books For Keeps *

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Book Synopsis A post-apocalyptic rom-com perfect for fans of Adam Silvera. 'Could not have adored My Love Life and the Apocalypse any more.' CYNTHIA MURPHY, AUTHOR OF WIN LOSE KILL DIE 'The most fun you'll have in an apocalypse!' BRIANNA BOURNE, AUTHOR OF YOU & ME AT THE END OF THE WORLD 'A perfect blend of romance, humour and dark dystopia, Melissa Welliver has created something fun, thought-provoking and completely unique.' AMY MCCAW, AUTHOR OF MINA AND THE UNDEAD 'Wry, inventive, and heart-warming all at once' NADIA MIKAIL, AUTHOR OF THE CATS WE MEET ALONG THE WAY Planet Earth Sucks. Humans have gone and cities are empty, looked after by bots. But not all robots are machines. Echo is part-human, his heart ruled by an unreliable E-Mote chip which means he's pretty much a normal boy surviving on canned beans. Living his best life. Then a space-pod crash-lands in his neighbourhood with a girl on board. Pandora. She's his last hope, and apparently he's hers - if they really are all that's left alive ... A highly original and uplifting YA love story/science fiction mash-up with a slow-burn romance Set in an abandoned but fully maintained New York City where the characters live out all our empty mall dreams A thrilling adventure with plenty of unexpected twists and turns – and a dash of darkness YA readers will love Echo’s vintage 90s-00s culture obsession!

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Book SynopsisThe thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestseller and international multimedia phenomenon, Endgame: The Calling.Endgame is here. Earth Key has been found. Two keys and nine Players remain. The keys must be found, and only one Player can win.Queens, New York. Aisling Kopp believes the unthinkable: that Endgame can be stopped. But before she can get home to regroup, she is approached by the CIA. They know about Endgame. And they have their own ideas about how it should be Played. Ideas that could change everything.Kingdom of Aksum, Ethiopia. Hilal ibn Isa al-Salt narrowly survived an attack that leaves him horribly disfigured. He now knows something the other Players do not. But the Aksumites have a secret that is unique to their line. A secret that can help redeem humanity and maybe even be used to help defeat the beings behind Endgame.London, England. Sarah Alopay has found the first key. She is with Jago and they are winning. But getting Earth Key has come at a great cost to STrade Review“A unique dystopian adventure with anchors to the real world… set to become a cultural phenomenon.” ALA Booklist “The premise is engaging, in a Hunger Games-meets-National Treasure sort of way, and the diverse global cast is welcome.” Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisAn island of magic and mayhem floating above the flooded Earth, Bastion has long been the last country left in the world. Then one day best friends Kurt (an eight-foot mushroom with a fear of heights) and Flicker (a tiny, tough-talking gemstone faerie) stand on the edge of the land and see the impossible: a plane from nowhere is heading straight for them. Kurt and Flicker join forces with a brave gang of misfits -- including wood-nymph twins (one bounty hunter, one bookworm) and a gruff, shapeshifting wolf -- to rescue the pilot and face a dangerous enemy. Can the Cloudlanders save their floating island from crashing into the Endless Sea and the terrifying tentacles of a massive monster?Cloudlanders is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fantasy adventure with a unique cast of characters, tonnes of heart, and gasp-inducing moments. Fans of Ben Miller, Tom Fletcher and Terry Pratchett will love this quirky and sharply written debut novel from Kelpies Prize winner, Christopher Mackie.Trade Review'An enjoyably eccentric story full of imagination and thoughtfulness... A swift and cleverly plotted adventure, in which our heroic fairy and mushroom join forces with a gang of fellow misfits in a race to put wrongs to right... At the heart of this highly imagined fantasy is a time-old tale of Good versus Evil, which will resonate with old and young alike.'-- The Telegraph'Fasten your seatbelts and brace yourselves as you fly through this fantastical, wildly-imagined adventure, bursting with thrills, spills and a cast of memorable characters. Once you've arrived in Bastion, you'll never want to leave.'-- Justin Davies, author of Haarville'The world building is delightful, rich and expansive. I particularly love that the author champions difference as a good and powerful force, and that the friendship and family themes are at the forefront for overcoming obstacles... A sumptuous joy of a story.'-- Cat Anderson, The Edinburgh Bookshop'An original and a fun read from start to finish, Cloudlanders is a singularly outstanding fantasy adventure populated by an unusual cast of characters and compelling plot twists and turns.'-- Midwest Book Review'Quirky and fun.'-- School Library Journal'The novel’s riffs on classic fairy tales result in satisfying frisson between the familiar and the unexpected. In this potent, environmentally attuned fantasy novel, magical beings work together to save their home.'-- Foreword Reviews'An adventure like no other... The characters are cleverly crafted and made out of pure fantasy... This fast-paced, rollercoaster dystopian will be a brilliant and memorable hit.'-- Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books'With a host of wonderfully inventive characters to meet, this is a delightful book. The world-building in this book is that of pure fantasy and readers will delight at travelling through Bastion... A delightful escape.'-- Bonkers About Books

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Book SynopsisRelaunch of spectacular Robert Westall fantasy novel that was way ahead of its time.

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Book SynopsisWhen the world is ending, what matters most to you?Seventeen-year-old Aisha hasn''t seen her sister June for two years. She has no idea where she is, but that hasn''t stopped her from thinking about her every day and hoping she''s okay.But now that a calamity is about to end the world in nine months'' time, she and her mother decide that it''s time to track her down and mend the hurts of the past. They don''t have any time to spare - if they don''t resolve their issues now, they never will.Along with Aisha''s boyfriend Walter and his parents (and a stray cat named Fleabag), the group embarks on a roadtrip through Malaysia in a wildly decorated campervan to put the past to rest, to come to terms with the present, and to hope for the future, even with the world about to end.

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