The Power of Clean Dystopian Fiction Books: Awake in Olaiya's Journey

In the realm of young adult and new adult literature, dystopian novels have carved a niche for themselves. Works like 'The Hunger Games,' 'Divergent,' and 'The Giver' have captured the imagination of readers, offering a unique blend of gripping storytelling and thought-provoking themes. 'Awake in Olaiya,' is in this vein, while also prioritizing clean content that appeals to a wide range of readers.

Why clean dystopian books?

The better question is why not? Clean dystopian books are, in many ways, a beacon in the literary landscape. It retains the captivating essence of dystopian settings while steering clear of explicit content, heavy violence, and what Captain America might call “language.” Instead, it focuses on complex, vivid characters, an engaging journey, and a unique world, while promoting values of beauty, friendship, and hope.

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Smut and explicit language are completely unnecessary. They take away from the experience of reading, rather than adding to it. Keeping the content clean not only widens the potential readership but also allows for a more inclusive and enriching reading experience, where the emphasis is on the narrative's depth, relatable characters, and meaningful life lessons rather than unnecessary and explicit distractions.

Complex, Vivid Characters

If there’s anything that can drag me into the book world, it’s deep, beautiful characters who are trying to figure out who they are, fight evil, or defend their friends. A book could have beautiful descriptions, fabulous pirate fights, or intriguing creatures, but if I don’t love the characters, I have to force myself to read the next chapter. Good luck trying to finish it. I find that it just accidentally landed on the shelf in my closet, unread for weeks and weeks. Who has time to care about the story of a main character that feels two-dimensional? Reading shouldn’t ever feel like homework. I hope you’ll find Nat, her friends, (and her alleged enemies,) to feel real, complex, and lovable. They are what I love about this story, beyond everything else, they’re my favorites.

An Engaging Journey

An expedition worth retelling, a story that resonates with the hardships and joys of normal life, while exploring it in a whimsical or imaginative way---that’s what I look for in a book. It’s why I adore the Green Ember series. It’s why I reread Lord of the Rings and the Narnia books almost yearly. I want something that makes me brave, I want light to win out over darkness, and I want a grand adventure. In this first book of the Olaiya Series, Nat is just beginning to question who she is and why she’s in Olaiya. As she becomes more aware of her surroundings, she begins to toy with the idea of freedom, fighting for what you believe in, and what is worth taking risks. While no one is journeying to Mordor, it’s a tale of finding light in the darkness, of friends making choices and taking chances to face overwhelming odds.

Every Good Book Should Ask (and Answer) Many Questions

Every book should offer the reader a few things. Beyond just adventure, I’m a strong believer in books silently asking you the questions you might not have the courage to ask yourself otherwise. I look at Samwise and almost without knowing it, I address the questions, “Am I brave enough to do things that terrify me? Am I a good and faithful friend? Do I believe in the people I love?” I read Anne of Green Gables and am left wondering, “Can I see the beauty in the world around me? Do I persist even when I’m misunderstood?” Awake in Olaiya is written from my own questions, “How do I show up as a good friend? What do I do when the world terrifies me? What am I willing to take risks for?” Because of this, I truly hope that it will settle into you the way beloved books do, giving you aid in the questions you ask yourself and helping you to find the answers.

Perfect for Book Clubs and Homeschool Groups

Awake in Olaiya is a great book for reading in groups, whether as a Book Club, a group of homeschooled kids, or just some friends, texting back and forth about bookish things. There are plenty of thought-provoking ideas and the characters are perfectly suitable for building various theories and sub-plot guesses as you read along. Plus, since it’s written with wholesome values in mind, it’s a book that can be discussed across ages, since readers can range from 12 to 102.

Dear Friends,

I hope you find Awake in Olaiya to be all of the above. I’d love to hear your questions, theories, and more. (You can find me on Instagram @m.e.duffield ) But you must know, in our house, we take spoilers VERY SERIOUSLY, so I won’t be giving you any hints as to what will be happening with these beloved characters in Book Two.

Thanks for reading beautiful books and making the world a better place,

-Mary