The Paradise Generation

by Sanna Thompson

A standalone young adult dystopian adventure

Winner, Young Adult Fiction in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults 2025

Shortlisted for the Storylines Tessa Duder Award

They say we’re the Paradise Generation. No more wars or plagues or rapid sea rise. Nothing bad is supposed to happen to us.

But it does.

When Kieran was twelve, he crashed a “liberated” car deep in the suburban wilds. The accident left his cousin Lucas in hospital and Kieran pretty much done with breaking rules.

Four years later, he’s reconsidering. Lucas’s Allocated recovery time is almost up, and if Kieran can’t help him, Lucas is dead. Midnight hospital break-ins and dodgy internet remedies look a lot more tempting when you’ve tried everything else.

Meanwhile, Kieran finds an accomplice in Mira, a girl hiding losses of her own. He can’t help being drawn to her, but there’s one their Match is outlawed.

In their search for solutions, Kieran uncovers truths that make the rules meaningless. The truth could save Lucas, could sanction his match with Mira.

Or it could get him killed.

"The Paradise Generation is an exhilarating dystopian adventure, set in a future that has overcome climate change and disease – but at what cost? This smart, high stakes novel raises thought-provoking questions about injustice and inequality. ... The Paradise Generation is an extraordinary novel that balances both heart-pounding tension and emotional depth, from a highly talented, self-published, first-time author." - Judges comments, NZ Book Awards for Children & Young Adults

Readers say:

“has been an absolute roller coaster, and I’ve loved every second of it”

“I really like the vivid dystopian world … the behind-the-scenes worldbuilding is so rich and carefully thought out”

“hard to put down”

Genres: Young Adult, Friendship, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic

353 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2024

Reviews

[Andrew Whalan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book even though I’ve not read YA fiction since well since I was young.

But the themes are universal, love finding its way in a difficult world, children becoming mature adults, obeying or defying just or unjust laws, issues we deal with every day since we were young.

Sanna Thompson has written a delightful, heart warming, touching book set in a future beyond climate change and disease in a work that should provide everything for everyone, within certain constraints of course.

But are they for the good of everyone? Not always.

[Jackie McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Paradise Generation” is a heart-stopping journey through a near-future New Zealand, where survival is a luxury and love is a rebellion. From the very first page, the high-stakes world-building and relentless twists pull you in, refusing to let go.

Kieran, a driven, complex teen, faces an impossible mission to save his cousin before his Allotted recovery time expires—a countdown that keeps every scene pulsing with urgency.

Kieran’s bond with Mira, the fearless girl who steals his heart despite society’s harsh laws, adds a raw edge to this story of rebellion and survival. Together, they navigate a dangerous and utterly captivating city—a place where breaking the rules might be Kieran’s only way forward.

This novel is more than a dystopian adventure—it’s a testament to courage, love, and the fierce desire to fight for a future worth living. It also has a lot of heart.

For fans of Young Adult Dystopian fiction, “The Paradise Generation” is a must-read. It’s the perfect blend of gripping action, vibrant world-building, and an undercurrent of romance that refuses to be silenced. Brace yourself—this book is difficult to put down, and the characters are impossible to forget! I loved every moment and can’t wait to read more from this debut author.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this dystopian NZ YA novel especially because of its Wellington setting and places I could absolutely identify with. Interesting concepts around future gene technology and control of the human race post virus. This is on the border of suitability for intermediate, upper primary but only because of a couple of breathy scenes that are over in a flash and are in no way explicit. I think our year 8s will love this and year 7s if they are into dystopia. If you have Hunger Games available to them then this is fine. Only a 4 not 5 because I felt the middle third lingered a bit too long and maybe the resolution a bit far fetched but that’s ok. Just go with it.

[Stellar Curie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Paradise Generation" is a gripping young adult dystopian novel that challenges the notion of a perfect, conflict-free society. Kieran's desperate quest to save his cousin and navigate forbidden relationships raises crucial questions about the true cost of utopia. With its intricate world-building, high-stakes action, and emotional depth, this award-winning book is sure to captivate readers who enjoy thrilling stories with moral complexity. Dive into a future where nothing seems to go wrong, but secrets and danger lurk beneath the surface.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent YA dystopia read, set in a futuristic Wellington. The pacing of this book was fantastic, with not a dull moment, and plenty of intrigue to keep me turning the pages, AND it was all neatly wrapped up in around 330 pages! Kieran and Mira are well-written characters and it was cool to see them both learning more about themselves as their relationship developed and they worked through challenges. A great quick read that will appeal to young readers!

[Jae Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so well written and easy to connect to the characters and the story. I couldn’t put it down! Added bonus that it’s based in Wellington where I live as well, so I was familiar with the story settings.

[Kay Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for a well written possible future. Another 0.5 stars for the Wellington location so familiar to locals and yet a bit different after flooding and the dam have changed water levels and the shore line.

The story is set after both climate catastrophe and viral pandemics have reduced the Earth's population to a manageable level, provided people follow genetic planning rules. Tough on teenagers if they fall for someone they're not a Genetic Match for. Limited resources are also tough on families of injured or sick people knowing that they have a maximum of four years in which to recover and if they don't, termination.

When Kieran was 12YO, he crashed a car he and his cousin Lucas had secretly re-built. He's mostly OK but Lucas hasn't regained full consciousness. Four years later, Lucas' time is almost up. Kieran still has to go to school and act as if things are OK. Meeting an attractive new girl to school, Mira, helps but it's not enough.

The book turns into an action thriller in a way familiar to many fans of dystopias and post disaster TV shows. There are off screen references to deaths but our heroes are still OK at the end of this well plotted book. It would make a good series too.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this gripping dystopia set in a not-to-far-in-the-future Wellington. It is part action, part romance, part warning and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

16 year old Kieran is living in the shadow of his 12 year old self, who was involved in a crash which left his older cousin in hospital, unable to communicate and under the threat of what will happen to him once his designated recovery time is up.

When Kieran meets the rather mysterious, and very gorgeous, Mira, he is besotted. But that feeling quickly comes crashing down when he discovers that he and Mira are not an acceptable Match... in fact their particular Match score is outlawed.

In their attempt to secretly continue their relationship, they start to discover secrets deep within their community which need to be questioned - but which could prove dangerous.

A fabulous story which was shortlisted for the Tessa Duder Award and which one the 2025 YA section of the NZ Book Awards.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a very recognisable Wellington. This one's given me lots to think about along the lines of what will it be like for people living in a harbour city after the sea levels have risen as they're forecast to do. In this book they've built a dyke at the mouth of the harbour and that's been interesting to think about as I walk out there, as did the author when working on this book and as her characters do too. I'd recommend this for the setting alone but there's a lot more to like, including the pace which is noticeable because it is a page turner, but in a measured, well calibrated way. And I love the name of the imprint too: upside down press (but printed upside down).
Following because I'd really like to read whatever this author does next.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A YA dystopia, set in Wellington NZ, sometime in the future where everything is Allocated/regulated for the good of what remains of society globally. Kieran has been visiting his cousin Lucas in hospital regularly, ever since the car accident that left Lucas in a coma. But Lucas has almost used up his allotted time for recovery, and Kieran fears that his life support will be turned off. At the same time, Kieran is falling for a new girl at school even though they are not a Match and can have no future. Over a short space of time, Kieran learns that maybe the things he'd grown up believing might not be true.... There were a couple of things I felt were a bit too unlikely, but overall this is fast-paced and gripping and sure to appeal to teen readers.

[Wren Windstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a while. Amazing character development, and amazing relationship development. If you like forbidden romance or romance in general, this book is for you. If you like futuristic books, this is for you. If you liked Ready Player One, you will love this book. I loved reading this book, and could not put it down. Highly recommend, 6/5 stars.

I would like to thank BookSirens for an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Psyckers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be considered dystopian fiction of the near future, though as you read this book, what is depicted resonates as real as your life can be as a young adult today.
The author has down well in making a fictional world so believable, that this reader can see parallels in the real world. The characters can be younger people you already know.
It makes you think, is this where we are all actually heading?
Read this book and perhaps you too will start questioning your reality more.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this novel but once I had, things sped along at pace with some great characters and an interesting play on power, control and living within the system. It was very relatably New Zealand (especially if you happen to be from Wellington) but in a couple of cases you did have to suspend reality with some of the action. However overall very enjoyable.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Wellington, with places I am slightly familiar with. Real NZ backdrop with references to native birds (ruru and kereru) that may puzzle international readers. The first quarter seems a bit slow and is definitely written for younger readers. But the plot gets going and the scenario is fairly believable. A good read.

[Izzy C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise but tried to do too much. Great start but got muddied by the middle and I ended up skim reading until the end.