4. The Maze Runner

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Maze Runner is the first of a trilogy by James Dashner, about a group of people stuck inside a place called the Glade. The story starts with Thomas’ first day at the Glade, transported there by unknown entities, unable to remember anything except his name. He eventually learned that the people there, who call themselves Gladers, were transported there mysteriously and a new person would be transported to the Glade every month.

The movie starring Dylan O’Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Ki Hong Lee and Patricia Clarkson,  got a lot of positive reviews, which is why the second book, The Scorch Trials, was also adapted into a film in 2015. The third book, The Death Cure will be shown on the big screen on 2018.

3. The Host

From Twilight creator, Stephenie Meyer, The Host is also a work of romantic fiction, but set in a post-apocalyptic era (hm, there seems to be a trend here) when the Earth was taken over by the “Souls”, a parasitic alien race. Souls are implanted into a human body which they call “The Host”, erasing the human’s memories. The heroine, Melanie Stryder, taken over by a soul named Wanderer, was somehow able to resist the invader.

The movie adaptation, starring Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons and Jake Abel, was intriguing, and showcased the romantic feel of the novel. However, the slow pace in which the story unfolded bored audiences.

2. Divergent

Often compared to The Maze Runner, Divergent is the debut novel of Veronica Roth. It is the first book from the Divergent trilogy, where a post-apocalyptic (there it is again) version of Chicago divides its citizens to five factions based on their personality and social affiliations. Every year, all sixteen-year olds are required to choose from the five: Abnegation (The Selfless), Amity (The Peaceful), Candor (The Honest), Dauntless, (The Brave) and Erudite (The Intellectual). The protagonist, Beatris “Tris” Prior defied odds and chose Dauntless instead of Abnegation, her original faction. As she enters the Dauntless world, she meets Four, her trainer and who eventually becomes her lover.

The movie had a strong cast. Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Miles Teller ably portrayed the book’s characters in the big screen. While not fully faithful to the book, the movie definitely gave justice to Roth’s series.

1. Fallen

Fallen is an enchanting young adult fantasy novel by Lauren Kate. The story centers on Lucinda “Luce” Price, a young girl who’s been seeing weird elements in shadows since her younger days, when she enters “Sword and Cross”, a reform school. She eventually met the recluse Daniel Grigori, whom she feels an unusual connection with, but is mysteriously avoiding her. She also meets the antagonistic Cam, whom she also had feelings for, and eventually caught in a love triangle with. It was revealed that Daniel is a fallen angel who refused to pick a side between Heaven and Hell, and instead chose Love. In the course of the story, Luce eventually gets the answers to her questions and later realizes her connection with Daniel and the group of angels.

The film, portrayed by Addison Timlin, Jeremy Irvine and Harrison Gilbertson, was a good film that carries a different tone from the book. It was a slow burner at first, then awkwardly fast in the middle up to the end.  But if you’re one of those who waited for seven long years to see Lauren Kate’s words come to life, then you should definitely see it, as she’s also the film’s executive producer.

Distributed by Pioneer Films, Fallen is still showing at some SM Cinemas. Go check it out this weekend!

Got other favorites that are not on our list? Sound off below!

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