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GWU | Culture

The Revival of 2010 Dystopian Literature

Giovanna Perillo Student Contributor, George Washington University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at GWU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

2010 Dystopian fiction was a childhood staple. From Veronica Roth’s Divergent to Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games, our generation was raised on protagonists fighting against corruption. In recent years, readers ditched Panem, the Dauntless compound, and other futuristic United States societies. In their place, they ventured to mystical worlds,  favoring Holly Black’s Elfhame and Stephanie Garber’s Valenda. 

Although these meticulously constructed fantasies provide a much needed escape from mundane life, they negate certain feelings distinct in dystopian novels. Where are the training montages? How about the fight scenes where our protagonists must save their families? What happened to the eerie worlds built after civilization collapsed?

The old dystopian genre might have left us for a brief intermission, only to revive better than ever. In the past years, leading industry authors announced new additions to their universes. 

The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins’s expansion on the Hunger Games universe began this revival of dystopian literature. Not only has Collins written two additional Hunger Games novels within the past five years, but both novels have already, or will soon, be released in theaters. We all adore the incredible acting from Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler; The whole cast and crew brought early Panem to life in vibrant colors. All of us are on the edge of our seats for Sunrise on the Reaping, where Mackenna Grace, Joseph Zada, and the rest of the cast are sure to tear up our hearts once again. 

Shatter Me

After a four year break following Tahereh Mafi’s Believe Me novella, the Shatter Me author published her second series in the futuristic world. With Watch Me released in 2025, she once again brings us into her dystopia, mixing special powers and struggles for political standings into her stories. Although Mafi didn’t necessarily take as long of a recess from publishing as Collins, she is creating her second series during the new yearning for dystopian fiction. 

Divergent

At the end of Veronica Roth’s Divergent series in 2014, it seemed as if she relinquished her dystopian world for more fantastical stories. Many people, including myself, were distraught at the thought that we wouldn’t be able to read more about Four. True, Tris died, but it seemed as if there were more stories Roth could tell about her world. Thankfully, this October, Roth announced the release of an alternative Divergent book called the Sixth Faction in October, 2026. Roth’s newest book received 4.10 out of 5 stars on Goodreads with over 7,000 reviews.

Dystopia in the 2010s ignited many passions for literature. Without their engaging stories and critical themes, less people in our generation would be motivated to read. Not only am I thrilled that these worlds are explored further, but I can only hope that dystopia will kick-start teens’ love for reading as they did for myself. 

Giovanna Perillo

GWU '27

Giovanna is a senior at the George Washington University. Her favorite dinosaur is a pterodactyl because, even though she hates heights, they can fly and that’s cool. If Giovanna were to have superpowers, she would want to be able to turn invisible. She loves the beach, her friends and family, her dogs (even though they are brats sometimes). When she isn’t with people, she enjoys reading and writing.