Kait Mae

With the anticipation for The Last of Us season 2 building, now’s the perfect time to dive into some gripping apocalyptic infection tales to satisfy that itch. Whether you’re drawn to the harrowing survival stories, the eerie post-apocalyptic landscapes, or the intense human drama that mirrors the show’s heart-pounding tension, these books will keep you on the edge of your seat while you count down the days until the next season drops. Trust me, these are the reads that will have you hooked from the first page to the last.

‘I Am Legend’ by Richard Matheson

If you’re into apocalyptic fiction at all, you’ve either watched the movie – or at least heard of it. I have yet to read the book, but I loved the movie (including the alternate ending). But from what I know, there were some differences between the book and the movie, so if you haven’t read it, it will still feel fresh.

In the book, we see Robert Neville as the last uninfected human in Los Angeles. He spends his days scavenging for supplies and nights barricaded from the vampire-like zombies. The entire novel takes place in one week that comes to a head when he has to confront the creatures.

‘Ashes’ by Ilsa J. Bick

I read the first book when it first came out, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Though I have yet to finish the series, I want to eventually. Just the first book explores themes of loneliness, trust, and survival.

In the first book, we see Alex, a teenager with a terminal illness who finds herself navigating a new world after society collapses around her. The event that collapsed society turned the majority of the world into zombie-like creatures called “Changed” – and they’re not the only hostile ones Alex faces.

‘Oryx and Crake’ by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood might be better known for A Handmaid’s Tale, but she has some other amazing books – including this apocalyptic fiction trilogy. The series serves as a warning and sees a world collapsed by genetic engineering and environmental collapse.

You might like Oryx and Crake if you want to explore similar themes of loss, the fragility of civilization, and survival’s moral dilemmas from The Last of Us. (Or if you love Margaret Atwood’s works, in general.) The series’s speculative nature and character-driven narrative will draw you in as The Last of Us did to me.

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‘The Forest of Hands and Teeth’ by Carrie Ryan

This YA series follows Mary in a dystopian world haunted by the Unconsecrated – the zombie-like creatures outside her walled village. But one day, her world shatters when the village is breached, forcing her and others into the perilous forest outside. As they confront the constant threats of the Unconsecrated, Mary grapples with her beliefs, desires, and the elusive hope for a better life.

This series explores similar themes as The Last of Us, including survival in a world overwhelmed by threats and the need for human connection amid chaos. Both delve into the struggle between hope and despair, featuring strong characters who navigate overwhelming odds while facing the profound emotional impacts of loss and the pursuit of hope.

‘The Wasteland Chronicles’ by Kyle West

Kyle West takes readers into a post-apocalyptic world following an alien virus that wiped out humanity. It follows Alex Keener, a teenager raised in an underground bunker, who emerges into a world fraught with peril. As Alex and his allies traverse this desolate landscape, they unearth profound secrets about the apocalypse and grapple with the stark reality of human extinction.

If you love the characters and bonds in The Last of Us, you’ll love this series. The series explores deep bonds formed during crises and the complex moral decisions faced by its characters, resonating with the narrative depth and emotional complexity of The Last of Us. The journey also reflects on loss, the corrosion of innocence, and the enduring hope for renewal.

‘Frenzy’ by Casey L. Bond

In this series, Meira is a young woman who has grown up in a secluded village surrounded by protective walls and governed by strict rules. Facing a harrowing rite designed to protect the village from the infected, Meira stumbles upon startling revelations about her community. Amidst layers of betrayal, a forbidden romance, and the stark choice between submission and rebellion, Meira grapples with the harsh truths of her existence.

If you like Joel’s journey through The Last of Us, you might also love Meira’s journey throughout Frenzy. The series captures the raw intensity of survival in a post-apocalyptic setting, exploring deep emotional bonds, ethical quandaries, and the desperate fight for life against seemingly insurmountable challenges.

‘Plague’ by Jean Ure

This trilogy takes readers to a dystopian England after a pandemic has wiped out the majority of the adult population, leaving children and teens to survive. Think of it as The Society meets The Last of Us. At the heart of this lawless new reality is Fran, a young girl leading a band of survivors through a perilous landscape rife with chaos, fear, and the omnipresent threat of infection. Throughout the trilogy, these young characters struggle to survive, build communities, and preserve their humanity in a society that has crumbled.

You might like this trilogy because of its intense focus on survival in a stark, post-apocalyptic setting and its deep dive into the emotional and psychological trials faced by young survivors. Echoing themes of loss, resilience, and the formation of crucial bonds in times of crisis, the series resonates with the same exploration of rebuilding life and community in the face of tremendous challenges.

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‘The Atlantis Gene’ by A.G. Riddle

This series begins with the discovery of a secret that could reshape humanity in Antarctica. Dr. Kate Warner, a geneticist, and David Vale, a secret agent, find themselves in a desperate race to thwart the Immari, a covert group intent on using ancient knowledge to unleash a global catastrophe. Spanning various timelines and locales, the trilogy masterfully intertwines historical intrigue, scientific exploration, and high-stakes adventure, examining humanity’s origins and possible futures.

Although it veers more into sci-fi and conspiracy, it shares themes of survival with The Last of Us, battling overwhelming odds, and the deep bonds formed in the face of global peril. Both series probe the ethical quandaries posed by scientific breakthroughs and their profound implications for humanity’s trajectory.

‘Earth Abides’ by George R. Stewart

If you’re looking for more of an examination of survival, isolation, and the flux of time after a global disaster, you’ll like Earth Abides. Like The Last of Us, it wrestles with the tension between old-world remnants and new societal forms, underscoring human resilience and the hope for a brighter future amidst profound loss. Both narratives offer a poignant look at humanity’s enduring spirit and capacity to adapt and evolve.

This book is a seminal post-apocalyptic tale that delves into the aftermath of a catastrophic plague that decimates the global population. The narrative follows Ish Williams, a university student who survives and steps into a world being slowly reclaimed by nature. As Ish traverses the United States, he collects a band of survivors and reluctantly leads them, forming a new, rudimentary society. The story spans decades, capturing the shifts within Ish’s group as they grapple with their new existence and strive to maintain knowledge and culture in a regressed world.

‘The Big Empty’ by J.B. Stephens

This series paints a dystopian portrait of near-future America, torn apart by a deadly virus and drastic climate changes. Centered on a group of teenagers released from quarantine camps, the narrative plunges into their escape into the Big Empty – a perilous wasteland that once pulsed as America’s heartland. As they navigate this treacherous terrain, they face authoritarian threats, rogue factions, and the brutal challenges of survival. Together, they confront their pasts and strive to forge a new life amidst the ruins.

For fans of The Last of Us, The Big Empty offers a familiar echo of survival, resilience, and the deep bonds formed under dire circumstances. Both series delve into young survivors’ emotional and moral landscapes, exploring how catastrophe exposes the essence of society and the human spirit’s enduring capacity to hope and rebuild.

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‘World War Z’ by Max Brooks

World War Z unfolds like a personal diary of survival during a global zombie apocalypse, told through intimate interviews with survivors worldwide. Each narrative captures the terrifying outbreak and humanity’s desperate struggle to reclaim their world from the undead. Unlike typical zombie tales, this novel explores the wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic across various cultures.

If you’re captivated by The Last of Us for its stark portrayal of crisis and endurance, World War Z will resonate deeply. Both delve into how people navigate fear, loss, and societal collapse, emphasizing humanity’s resilience and determination to restore civilization. The rich, personal perspectives in World War Z mirror the emotional depth and complexity found in The Last of Us, making the apocalyptic experience both personal and universally profound.