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List of 15 authors like Lauren Oliver

Lauren Oliver crafts books that often take readers to worlds that are dystopian and feature strong female characters. If you enjoy that type of story and want to find authors who create books with a similar feel, then this article is perfect.

Oliver’s novels often look at ideas about identity and control. You might find something new to read in this list of authors.

  1. 1
    Neal Shusterman

    Neal Shusterman is an author who creates gripping characters and thought-provoking storylines similar to those found in Lauren Oliver’s novels.

    His book “Unwind” introduces a world in which society allows parents to “unwind” their teenagers, breaking them down for organ donation.

    This chilling scenario follows teenagers Connor, Risa, and Lev as they flee their fates, struggle to survive, and confront a system they are determined to defy.

    Readers who enjoy compelling dystopian themes and strong emotional stories, often featured in Lauren Oliver’s novels, will appreciate Shusterman’s powerful storytelling and complex characters.

  2. 2
    Gayle Forman

    Gayle Forman crafts YA stories full of emotion and thoughtful characters. Readers who enjoy Lauren Oliver’s emotional depth and realistic portrayal of teenage experiences will find plenty to connect with in Forman’s books.

    In “If I Stay,” Mia, a talented cellist, faces a tragic car accident that leaves her hovering between life and death. During an out-of-body experience, she looks back on her relationships and memories to decide if she still wants to live.

    Forman delivers her story in a voice that’s genuine and heartfelt, resonating especially with readers drawn to powerful narratives about love, loss, and tough decisions.

  3. 3
    Jenny Han

    Readers who enjoyed Lauren Oliver’s emotional storytelling might also appreciate Jenny Han and her novel “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Han writes stories that revolve around teenager experiences, first love, family dynamics, and self-discovery.

    In this book, Lara Jean Covey keeps her love letters hidden away as a private way to say goodbye to past crushes, but chaos unfolds when her letters accidentally get sent out.

    Suddenly quiet Lara Jean must deal with real-life consequences of her secret feelings, revisit past friendships, and possibly discover something unexpected about herself and love along the way. Han’s warm and sincere voice creates characters readers quickly grow attached to.

  4. 4
    Veronica Roth

    Books by Veronica Roth often explore dystopian worlds through strong characters and powerful storytelling. If you’ve enjoyed Lauren Oliver’s novels, Roth’s debut novel “Divergent” could be a great choice.

    Set in a futuristic Chicago, the city is divided into five factions that each value one virtue—bravery, honesty, kindness, intelligence, or selflessness. The story follows sixteen-year-old Tris Prior as she chooses her faction.

    But during initiation, she learns unsettling truths about herself and the society she lives in. Packed with action, difficult choices, and intriguing characters, “Divergent” offers a gripping read for fans of thoughtful, character-driven dystopian fiction.

  5. 5
    Tahereh Mafi

    Books by Tahereh Mafi offer heartfelt stories with elegant prose that draw readers deep into emotional worlds. If you enjoyed Lauren Oliver’s thoughtful exploration of complex feelings and relationships, Tahereh Mafi’s “Shatter Me” might appeal to you.

    In “Shatter Me,” Juliette has a deadly touch—a superpower that isolates her completely, and makes her feel cursed.

    Locked away by a ruthless regime, Juliette’s lonely existence suddenly changes when she faces choices about loyalty, love, and learning to embrace what makes her different.

    Mafi beautifully captures Juliette’s raw emotion and conflicted relationships, creating a story full of intensity and hope.

  6. 6
    Victoria Schwab

    Victoria Schwab writes imaginative novels filled with suspense, complex emotions, and vibrant characters, perfect for readers who enjoy Lauren Oliver’s storytelling style.

    Her book “The Archived” introduces readers to Mackenzie Bishop, a teenage girl burdened by a unique and dangerous responsibility. She works as a Keeper—a guardian who prevents the dead from awakening and escaping from their archives into the living realm.

    When Mackenzie moves into a new home filled with lingering mysteries and hidden secrets, she finds herself tangled in puzzling disappearances and ominous threats. Schwab’s narrative pulls you into a mysterious world of secrets, memories, and endless questions.

    “The Archived” offers suspense and supernatural intrigue paired with a crucial question: what truly happens to our memories when we’re gone?

  7. 7
    Maggie Stiefvater

    Maggie Stiefvater is an author known for atmospheric storytelling and strong, emotional characters, characteristics often appreciated by fans of Lauren Oliver.

    Her novel “The Raven Boys” introduces readers to Blue Sargent, daughter of a psychic mother, who has always been told she’ll cause her true love’s death.

    Set in the mysterious town of Henrietta, Blue meets four private school boys drawn to the legend of a lost Welsh king said to grant a wish to whoever awakens him. Secrets, friendships, and supernatural mysteries weave together into a story many readers find hard to put down.

  8. 8
    Suzanne Collins

    Suzanne Collins writes exciting and thought-provoking stories that explore survival, friendship, and the courage of young characters facing difficult challenges.

    Her book “The Hunger Games” follows sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who steps forward to replace her younger sister in a televised fight to the death against peers from neighboring districts.

    In a brutal society where entertainment comes in the form of vicious competition, Katniss navigates danger, loyalty, and tough moral decisions.

    Fans of Lauren Oliver’s emotionally charged stories and rich character development will appreciate Collins’ suspenseful writing and vivid portrayal of young people struggling in extraordinary circumstances.

  9. 9
    Laini Taylor

    Laini Taylor is an author known for lush, imaginative storytelling and vibrant worlds filled with love, magic, and conflict. In her novel “Daughter of Smoke and Bone,” readers meet Karou, a blue-haired art student who lives in Prague.

    Karou’s life is unusual: she fills sketchbooks with creatures that feel strangely real, errands send her across continents to collect teeth for a monster she treats as her guardian, and a hidden door connects her world to another.

    As Karou begins uncovering secrets about herself and the war between angels and monsters, the line between friend and enemy becomes hard to distinguish.

    For those who loved Lauren Oliver’s blend of emotional depth and fantasy, Laini Taylor promises a vivid journey through fantastical lives and heartfelt mysteries.

  10. 10
    John Green

    John Green is an author known for his honest, emotional, and deeply relatable novels about teenage experiences. His style resonates with readers who appreciate Lauren Oliver’s thoughtful exploration of relationships and personal journeys.

    In his book “Looking for Alaska,” Green tells the story of Miles Halter, a teenager fascinated by famous last words. Miles leaves his predictable life behind to attend boarding school, where he meets the bold and unpredictable Alaska Young.

    Alaska draws him into a world of friendship, pranks, first love, and heartache. When tragedy strikes, Miles navigates loss, searching for meaning and clarity. Green captures both the humor and heartbreak of adolescence in a sincere way readers won’t soon forget.

  11. 11
    Marie Lu

    Readers who enjoy Lauren Oliver’s thoughtful storytelling about complex futures and resilient young characters might appreciate Marie Lu. Her novel “Legend” is set in a future America split into two nations at war.

    The Republic, a harsh military state, controls the lives of its citizens through force and deception. June, a brilliant student from an elite family, and Day, a notorious criminal hunted by authorities, find their paths linked by tragedy.

    As their loyalties are tested, June and Day unravel truths about the nation they thought they knew. Lu’s writing is sharp and fast-paced, with emotional depth and vivid scenes that keep readers hooked.

  12. 12
    Kami Garcia

    If you enjoy Lauren Oliver’s heartfelt storytelling and intriguing characters, Kami Garcia is an author worth exploring. Garcia’s “Beautiful Creatures,” co-written with Margaret Stohl, introduces us to Ethan Wate.

    He’s a teenager stuck in a quiet southern town, eagerly counting the days until he can leave forever. Everything changes when Lena Duchannes arrives. Her mysterious entrance into Ethan’s life brings a fresh sense of wonder—and a family curse that threatens both their futures.

    Garcia’s writing effortlessly blends romance, magic, and small-town secrets, perfect for readers who love emotional depth in their fantasy stories.

  13. 13
    Cassandra Clare

    Cassandra Clare is an author known for her vivid storytelling and engaging characters in the fantasy genre. If you enjoyed Lauren Oliver’s imaginative narratives, you might find Clare’s blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure equally captivating.

    A great book to explore is “City of Bones,” the first novel in her popular series “The Mortal Instruments.” The story centers on Clary Fray, a teenager whose life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a hidden world of demon hunters, known as Shadowhunters.

    As Clary unfolds the truth about her own past and navigates new friendships and romance, she is drawn deeper into a conflict that threatens both the supernatural and human worlds. Clare’s strong characters and fast-paced plot make “City of Bones” an exciting and engaging read.

  14. 14
    Elizabeth Wein

    Elizabeth Wein is an author known for her emotionally charged novels that explore courage and friendship, often set against the backdrop of historical events. Her book “Code Name Verity” tells the story of two young women whose bond is tested during World War II.

    When Maddie, a brave pilot, and Julie, a skilled spy, find themselves trapped in Nazi-occupied France, their friendship becomes a powerful lifeline.

    Told through the girls’ own accounts, the story reveals secrets, sacrifices, and the strength of loyalty even in the darkest times.

    For readers who enjoy the emotional depth and strong characters found in Lauren Oliver’s novels, Elizabeth Wein’s vivid storytelling in “Code Name Verity” delivers a powerful experience.

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    Libba Bray

    Readers who enjoy Lauren Oliver’s storytelling might find Libba Bray equally appealing. Bray crafts engaging plots with emotional depth and imaginative twists.

    Her novel “A Great and Terrible Beauty” introduces readers to Gemma Doyle, a headstrong 16-year-old whose life dramatically changes after her mother’s mysterious death.

    Gemma moves from India to a boarding school in Victorian England, where she discovers secrets about magical realms and her own hidden powers.

    The narrative skillfully combines supernatural elements with the complex social dynamics and strict expectations faced by young women in the Victorian era.

    Bray vividly captures the struggles and desires of her young protagonist, while building suspense and mystery that will keep you turning the pages.