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Quick answer: If you finished Unravel Me, try Ignite Me, Shatter Me, Divergent, Legend, Delirium and Red Queen. They give you dystopian romance, special powers and rebellion.
Tahereh Mafi's Unravel Me (2013) is the second book of the Shatter Me series, following Juliette, a girl whose touch can kill, as she joins a rebellion and faces Warner. It is dramatic, romantic and written in a stylized voice. Readers who finish it want more YA dystopia with powers and love triangles. These 15 books suit ages 13 and up.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shatter Me | Tahereh Mafi | 13+ | the first book |
| Ignite Me | Tahereh Mafi | 13+ | the direct sequel |
| Defy Me | Tahereh Mafi | 13+ | series readers |
| Divergent | Veronica Roth | 13+ | dystopia fans |
| Legend | Marie Lu | 13+ | readers who like cat-and-mouse |
| Delirium | Lauren Oliver | 13+ | readers who like romance |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | 13+ | readers who like class conflict |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | 12+ | survival fans |
| Uglies | Scott Westerfeld | 12+ | readers who like social critique |
| The Selection | Kiera Cass | 13+ | readers who want romance |
| Matched | Ally Condie | 12+ | readers who like quiet dystopia |
| Under the Never Sky | Veronica Rossi | 13+ | readers who like survival |
| Cinder | Marissa Meyer | 13+ | readers who like fairy tales |
| The Darkest Minds | Alexandra Bracken | 13+ | readers who like road-trip dystopia |
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | 14+ | readers who like fantasy romance |
1. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
The first book. Juliette is freed from prison by Warner and faces choices. Start here if you have not.
Best for: the first book.
2. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
The third book in the trilogy, with a final battle and surprising turns. Fast and intense.
Best for: the direct sequel.
3. Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
The fifth book in the extended series, with new threats. Fast and romantic.
Best for: series readers.
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Tris chooses a faction in a divided Chicago. Fast and romantic.
Best for: dystopia fans.
5. Legend by Marie Lu
June, a prodigy soldier, hunts Day, the country's most wanted criminal. Fast and dual-narrated.
Best for: readers who like cat-and-mouse.
6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Lena lives in a world where love is a disease and falls for a boy. Lyrical and tense.
Best for: readers who like romance.
7. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Mare, a Red girl with a Silver power, is forced into a deadly court. Fast and twisty.
Best for: readers who like class conflict.
8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss volunteers for a televised fight to the death. Tense and fast.
Best for: survival fans.
9. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally lives in a world where everyone is made pretty at 16. Fast and thoughtful.
Best for: readers who like social critique.
10. The Selection by Kiera Cass
America Singer enters a competition to marry a prince. Romantic, with a hint of dystopia.
Best for: readers who want romance.
11. Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia questions the system that chooses her mate. Gentle and thoughtful.
Best for: readers who like quiet dystopia.
12. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Aria and Perry survive a world of storms and tribes. Romantic and wild.
Best for: readers who like survival.
13. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder, a cyborg mechanic, is drawn into royal plots. A sci-fi Cinderella.
Best for: readers who like fairy tales.
14. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Ruby, a teen with powers, escapes a camp and joins other fugitives. Fast and emotional.
Best for: readers who like road-trip dystopia.
15. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Celaena, an assassin, competes to become the king's champion. Action and romance.
Best for: readers who like fantasy romance.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Unravel Me: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
For the series itself, read Ignite Me. For other dystopian romance, start with Divergent, Legend or Delirium. For class conflict, read Red Queen. A simple plan is to alternate a dystopia with a lighter romance. Mafi's style uses crossed-out lines and metaphors, which not everyone enjoys, so try a sample first. If you like the series' dramatic style, follow it with another voice-driven YA dystopia such as Delirium. For quieter dystopia, try Matched. Audiobooks are popular for this series. A helpful tip: if the poetic style slows you down, read in short bursts. Compare each book's love triangle with the others on this list, and note which rebels you like best. Teens who like superhero stories may enjoy the powers in Red Queen and The Darkest Minds.
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
Do I need to read Shatter Me first?
Yes. Unravel Me continues directly from it.
How many books are in the series?
The main series has six books, with companion novellas.
What age is it for?
It is recommended for ages 13 and up, with violence and romance.
Why is the writing so unusual?
The narration uses poetic metaphors and strikethrough text to show Juliette's thoughts.
Is Shatter Me a trilogy?
It began as a trilogy and expanded to six books.
Is the romance steamy?
It is intense but not explicit, with kissing and tension.
How long is Unravel Me?
About 450 pages, though short paragraphs make it quick.
Is there a film or TV version?
A screen adaptation has been discussed for years, so check current news for updates.