I've seen the future, and it doesn't look good

Because of the fate of Overdrive requests, I have been immersed in a dystopian future.  I have started three different series and all three books became available at one time.  Our future looks bleak: a caste system, deadly college entrance exams, and infection.  What, exactly do we fear?  This was my Overdrive bookshelf:

My least favorite is the Delerium Trilogy second installment: Pandamonium by Lauren Oliver.  Actually, I liked this book better than then first.  In this future, love is considered a disease, literally.  At eighteen, proper citizens receive a brain surgery to "cure" them of the possibility of infection.  It also turns them emotionally flat.  Lara is nearly of age and can't wait to be free of the threat of love.  Then, she meets Alex and the unthinkable happens....she becomes infected.  She learns that love is both irrational and amazing.  She also learns of an underground movement opposed to becoming emotionally sterilized.  Thie second book follows her as she goes undercover as part of the resistance. While the plotting and fighting are exciting, the whole idea of society willing to have brain surgery just doesn't ring true.  Plus, without giving away too much, there is way too much moping.

My next favorite has been The Selection Trilogy by Kiera Cass.  I didn't expect to like it so much, actually.  In this future, America is ruled by a King, and is divided into castes.  The Prince conducts what is essentially a beauty pageant to find his bride-to-be.  Entrants are chosen from all the castes, making this a Cinderellla story.  Our main character is named America, and is from a lower caste of performers and artists.  She does NOT want to be there, but feels she must to better her family's future.  While the selection process progresses, revolution is brewing.  America finds herself thrust into the conflicting role of possibly falling in love with the Prince, and, wanting something more for her country.  Definitely girly, with little fighting that we have come to expect from dystopian books.  Still, it is engaging, and I find myself caring about the characters.

Finally, my favorite series is The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau.  In this future, in the wake of environmental failure, America is divided into territories that are attempting to bring the earth back to life.  From each territory, only the best and brightest are allowed to attended University.  And, the must complete a mysterious testing process.  Failure during the testing process means death.  Cia Vale is from a remote territory that hasn't sent a qualified student in years.  As luck would have it, this year they send students to compete.  Her father, who was a successful student himself, leaves her with mysterious, and chilling, advice.  She must learn the truth, not only about the horrible consequences of failure, but, with her continued success, the dark truth behind it all.  

With all these dark ideas about our future.....is there hope?!

Fun adventure, if maybe a bit too tidy

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver is part fairy tale and part Harry Potter.  It is filed with horrible adults, resourceful children, and some help from The Other Side.  It was a compelling read that kept me interested all through.

Poor Liesl has been kept locked in the attic by her evil step-mother ever since her father took ill and died.  She has no contact with anyone until she is visited by young Po, a spirit from The Other Side, accompanied by Bundle, an animal spirit that may be a cat, or perhaps a dog.  She has also been watched by Will, a young orphan who sees her at the attic window as he is running errands for n abusive alchemist for whom he slaves away.  Their lives unexpectedly converge as Will makes a terrible mistake with the greatest magic ever created.  Magic that, in its creation has stolen the sun from the sky.  Will must run far away to escape the wrath of the alchemist, at the same time that Liesl escapes with the help of Po, and Bundle, and begins a quest of their own to bury the ashes of her father.

My only complaint is that it was a bit too coincidental; things came together too easily.  I while I enjoyed reading it, that made it a little too simple to rise above a story for young people.  Because of the implications of what happens to us when we die, I wonder if it may be a bit too much for the young?