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Quick answer: If you finished Tahereh Mafi's Imagine Me, read Restore Me and A Very Large Expanse of Sea, then try The Hunger Games, Divergent, Legend and Cinder. All pair fierce young heroines with dystopian settings and slow-burn romance.
Imagine Me is the final book in the Shatter Me series, where Juliette fights a corrupt regime in a world torn by power. Fans love Mafi's poetic, fragmented style and the high-stakes romance. The picks below share that dystopian action, with young heroes who defy a system. Most are for teens, and all are real, in-print books.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shatter Me | Tahereh Mafi | Teen | the series starter |
| Ignite Me | Tahereh Mafi | Teen | series fans |
| Restore Me | Tahereh Mafi | Teen | new Shatter Me arc |
| A Very Large Expanse of Sea | Tahereh Mafi | Teen | more Mafi |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | Teen | dystopian classics |
| Divergent | Veronica Roth | Teen | faction worlds |
| Legend | Marie Lu | Teen | two-hero stories |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | Teen | power and betrayal |
| Cinder | Marissa Meyer | Teen | fairy-tale sci-fi |
| Uglies | Scott Westerfeld | Teen | ideas-driven dystopia |
| The Selection | Kiera Cass | Teen | romance first |
| Delirium | Lauren Oliver | Teen | love under threat |
| Matched | Ally Condie | Teen | gentle dystopia |
| Under the Never Sky | Veronica Rossi | Teen | survival romance |
| Unwind | Neal Shusterman | Teen | ethical dilemmas |
1. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette's touch kills, and she is locked away until a soldier recruits her. Where the series begins, with the poetic crossed-out style that fans know.
Best for: the series starter.
2. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
The third book in the series sends Juliette to fight for her own power. Fast, emotional and full of twists.
Best for: series fans.
3. Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
The fourth book flips to Warner's point of view and opens a new arc. Slower and more political.
Best for: new Shatter Me arc.
4. A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
A Muslim teen in 2002 America faces prejudice and a tentative romance. A realistic contemporary novel by Mafi.
Best for: more Mafi.
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss volunteers to fight in a televised death match. Bleak, fast and widely read.
Best for: dystopian classics.
6. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Beatrice must choose a faction in a divided Chicago, and learns she doesn't fit. Action and training scenes with a love story.
Best for: faction worlds.
7. Legend by Marie Lu
A prodigy soldier hunts a street-wise criminal in a divided Los Angeles. Dual points of view and twists.
Best for: two-hero stories.
8. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
A girl with red blood and a hidden power is pulled into a royal court of silvers. Twists and a love triangle.
Best for: power and betrayal.
9. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A cyborg mechanic in New Beijing becomes caught in a plot. A Cinderella retelling with science fiction.
Best for: fairy-tale sci-fi.
10. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
In a world where everyone becomes pretty at sixteen, Tally discovers a secret. Thoughtful and fast.
Best for: ideas-driven dystopia.
11. The Selection by Kiera Cass
Thirty-five girls compete for a prince's heart. Light and romantic, with a dystopian backdrop.
Best for: romance first.
12. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
In a society that treats love as a disease, Lena falls in love. Lyrical and tense.
Best for: love under threat.
13. Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia's life is planned by the Society, until she sees a second face. Soft and romantic.
Best for: gentle dystopia.
14. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
A girl from a domed city and a savage boy team up to survive. Adventure and romance.
Best for: survival romance.
15. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
In a future where teens can be unwound for their organs, three runaways fight to live. Dark and thoughtful.
Best for: ethical dilemmas.
How to Choose
If you want more Mafi, read A Very Large Expanse of Sea or try the other books in the Shatter Me world. For a classic dystopia, choose The Hunger Games or Divergent. For romance first, The Selection or Delirium. For deeper questions, pick Unwind or Uglies. Check that you have read earlier books in each series before moving on. Dystopian series are best read in order and in a short span, so you remember the world. If you like Mafi's voice, take a break between series to avoid repetition. Look for audiobooks narrated by Kate Simses if you prefer to listen.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shatter Me series about?
Juliette has a lethal touch and is held captive by a government, until she joins a rebellion and learns to use her power.
Is Imagine Me the last Shatter Me book?
Imagine Me concludes the main series. Mafi has also written novellas and a sequel arc.
What order should I read the Shatter Me series?
Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me, Restore Me, Defy Me and Imagine Me are the main novels.
Is the series suitable for younger teens?
It has violence and romance, so it suits ages 14 and up better than younger readers.
What is Mafi's writing style?
Poetic, with metaphors, repetition and crossed-out lines that show Juliette's thoughts.
Are there Shatter Me novellas?
Yes. Destroy Me and Fracture Me are novellas that fill in Warner's side of the story and are best read after the first book.
Is there a Shatter Me TV show?
A series adaptation has been discussed for years, but no release has been confirmed.