“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”
If you loved the emotionally charged dystopian world of Shatter Me, you’re far from alone. Tahereh Mafi’s bestselling series has become a favourite for dystopian readers who love thrilling action, complex characters and intricate relationships. With Juliette’s dangerous power and her struggles to forge an identity in a fractured society, Shatter Me is a gripping journey of self-discovery, romance and rebellion. But, what happens when you’ve binged your way through the series and find yourself craving more strong female protagonists, supernatural powers and high-stakes adventures? Whether it’s dystopian worlds, slow-burning romances or heroines fighting back against oppressive forces, join us today at What We Reading as we run you through our favourite books like Shatter Me!
The Red Queen (Red Queen #1) – Victoria Aveyard
First up on our list of books like Shatter Me is Victoria Aveyard’s The Red Queen. In this dystopian world, the Silver-blooded elite possesses powerful abilities, whilst the Red-blooded commoners live oppressed and subjugated. Mare Barrow, a Red, unexpectedly discovers that she has a power of her own, one that should be impossible for someone like her to possess.
To protect her secret, she is forced to disguise herself as a Silver, becoming entangled in the dangerous politics of the royal family. As Mare navigates her new life, she becomes a symbol of hope for the downtrodden Reds and encounters impossible choices between love, loyalty and rebellion. With its themes of betrayal, self-discovery and revolution, The Red Queen is full of intense emotional stakes and is a powerful exploration of power and identity.
Divergent (Divergent #1) – Veronica Roth
In a future Chicago, society has been divided into five factions, each dedicated to a specific virtue: Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntless (bravery), Candor (honesty), Amity (peace) and Erudite (intelligence). Sixteen-year-old Beatrice ‘Tris’ Prior is forced to choose between factions, and makes the shocking decision to leave her family’s faction, Abnegation, for Dauntless.
As Tris undergoes intense initiation training, she uncovers a dangerous secret – she is Divergent, an individual who doesn’t belong to one single faction. She soon finds herself in the crosshairs of the power-hungry Erudite faction, who are looking to control the entire society. As Tris navigates her new life, she must grapple with betrayal, danger and her growing feelings for her instructor, Tobias. Like Shatter Me, Divergent features a strong female protagonist who struggles with her own identity and fights against a corrupt system in a dystopia filled with tension, romance and self-discovery.
Check Out The Best Books Like Divergent
Legend (Legend #1) – Marie Lu
Legend by Marie Lu is a fast-paced YA dystopian novel set in a future America, split between two warring nations. The Republic is a militaristic regime that controls much of the western continent, whereas the Colonies hold the eastern regions. The story centres on two protagonists: Day, a criminal on the run and the Republic’s most-wanted fugitive, and June, a prodigy and military elite who is tasked with capturing him.
When Day is pinned for the murder of June’s brother, she sets out on a mission to find him. But, as she peels away the layers of the Republic’s corruption, her loyalties are brought into question. Similar to Shatter Me, Legend is a story of a protagonist who finds themselves questioning the world they thought they knew, and a romance that develops amidst danger and high-adrenaline action.
The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1) – Alexandra Bracken
Alexandra Bracken imagines a world where a deadly disease has killed most of the children in the United States, leaving behind a group of survivors with dangerous powers in her YA dystopian series, The Darkest Minds. The government labels these children as a threat and imprisons them in internment camps.
Ruby, a sixteen-year-old girl, is one of these survivors. Her abilities are so powerful that she has been forced into a camp for the most dangerous children. When Ruby escapes, she finds herself on the run with a group of other gifted teens, each with their own mysterious powers. Together, they must fight not only their oppressive government but also their innermost fears and struggles. With its dystopian world fraught with danger and themes of survival, identity and trust, The Darkest Minds is one of the best follow-ups if you loved Shatter Me.
The Selection (The Selection #1) – Kiera Cass
The Selection by Kiera Cass is a captivating YA dystopian novel set in the future, where society has been divided into a rigid caste system. The story follows America Singer, a talented young woman from a lower caste who is chosen to participate in a nationwide competition to claim the heart of Prince Maxon, the heir to the throne; although America initially enters the competition out of obligation, her heart already belongs to another – her true love, Aspen.
As the competition progresses, America finds herself caught between her feelings for Aspen and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Amidst political intrigue, jealousy and the pressures that come from living in a palace, America is forced to navigate the worlds of power, romance and rebellion in a way that any fans of Shatter Me are sure to recognise.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Selection
An Ember In The Ashes (An Ember In The Ashes #1) – Sabaa Tahir
Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes is set in a brutal ancient-inspired empire where soldiers known as the Masks rule with cruelty and fear. The story follows Laia, a young woman whose family is torn apart by this oppressive regime. In a desperate attempt to save her brother, Laia becomes a spy for a band of rebels, infiltrating the Military Academy. There, she encounters Elias, one of the Masks whose secrets longs to escape the violence.
As Laia and Elias are plunged into a world of danger, treachery and rebellion, they are forced to wrestle with their growing feelings for one another whilst surviving surrounded by an empire hellbent on crushing them. One of the best books like Shatter Me, An Ember in the Ashes is a book all about loyalty, sacrifice and resistance against oppressive forces.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
