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Utopia 58
From one-million copy bestselling author Daniel Arenson comes Utopia 58, a dystopian novel as chilling as The Handmaid's Tale and Black Mirror.
Imagine a perfect society. A world with no racism, sexism, or ageism. A utopia.
In Utopia 58, everyone is equal. Everyone must be equal.
Too beautiful? A mask will hide that pretty face. Too tall? We'll saw your legs down to size. Too male or female? The surgeon's knife will fix that. Too smart? A buzzer in your skull will drown out all that pesky thinking. You will be equal. Like it or not.
Utopia 58, built atop the ruins of North America, created perfect harmony. A society with no race, gender, or age. Pure equality.
KB209 was born into this utopia. He has no true name. No past. No future. He is one among millions. The same.
One day, at a propaganda rally, KB209 glimpses an act of startling defiance. A citizen with painted toenails. A woman in a genderless society. Color in a black and white world.
When KB209 confronts her, he is drawn into an underground rebellion. A movement that dares to dream. That dares to say: "We are unique. We are individuals. We will be free!"
"1984 for the 21st century." - Richard Fox, bestselling author of The Ember War
Imagine a perfect society. A world with no racism, sexism, or ageism. A utopia.
In Utopia 58, everyone is equal. Everyone must be equal.
Too beautiful? A mask will hide that pretty face. Too tall? We'll saw your legs down to size. Too male or female? The surgeon's knife will fix that. Too smart? A buzzer in your skull will drown out all that pesky thinking. You will be equal. Like it or not.
Utopia 58, built atop the ruins of North America, created perfect harmony. A society with no race, gender, or age. Pure equality.
KB209 was born into this utopia. He has no true name. No past. No future. He is one among millions. The same.
One day, at a propaganda rally, KB209 glimpses an act of startling defiance. A citizen with painted toenails. A woman in a genderless society. Color in a black and white world.
When KB209 confronts her, he is drawn into an underground rebellion. A movement that dares to dream. That dares to say: "We are unique. We are individuals. We will be free!"
"1984 for the 21st century." - Richard Fox, bestselling author of The Ember War
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2019
196 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Arenson
148 books879 followersDaniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He's written over forty novels, most of them in five series:
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 26, 2019
“Equalism is good. Equalism is just. Equalism is eternal, and the Father protects us.”
A dystopian novel unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s mind blowing, stunning, I was horrified from page one, confounded, flabbergasted, and shocked beyond limits!
“Was inequality too a heavy price to pay for freedom?” The story explores themes of life, death and everything in between. With a colorful cast of villains, our heroes are pushed into constant peril. This novel explores professionalism and extreme courage in impossible situations, while asking tough questions about how leaders can hope to function amid destruction and chaos. Action packed and thought provoking, this novel describes the complex nature of a dystopian world, a big moral and spiritual debate, evilness, faith, hope, cruelty, apathy...I was pulled into the story from the beginning, and totally overwhelmed with what I was reading! It’s a complex and unique plot, with so many unexpected situations and gritty twists and turns, I was aghast and mind blown. The end is so astonishing, I was nonplussed and astounded! A definitely high recommendation!
A dystopian novel unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s mind blowing, stunning, I was horrified from page one, confounded, flabbergasted, and shocked beyond limits!
“Was inequality too a heavy price to pay for freedom?” The story explores themes of life, death and everything in between. With a colorful cast of villains, our heroes are pushed into constant peril. This novel explores professionalism and extreme courage in impossible situations, while asking tough questions about how leaders can hope to function amid destruction and chaos. Action packed and thought provoking, this novel describes the complex nature of a dystopian world, a big moral and spiritual debate, evilness, faith, hope, cruelty, apathy...I was pulled into the story from the beginning, and totally overwhelmed with what I was reading! It’s a complex and unique plot, with so many unexpected situations and gritty twists and turns, I was aghast and mind blown. The end is so astonishing, I was nonplussed and astounded! A definitely high recommendation!
August 23, 2019
I really liked the concept of this book. But, I ultimately found it to be slow and repetitive. There were too many holes and grammatical errors for me to overlook. I did like the ending but it wasn't enough to make up for the rest of the book. It was "ok" and that's all I can say.
August 20, 2019
Is This How It Ends?
Consider the trends of forced equality. Consider how there must be no winners or losers. Everyone must get ribbons for participating. You cannot be blind or deaf. You may be visually impaired or hard of hearing, until those euphemisms are replaced others until they too are replaced.
This powerful dystopia is the ultimate expression of that repression.
A powerful work by a powerful writer.
Read and weep or read and fight.
Consider the trends of forced equality. Consider how there must be no winners or losers. Everyone must get ribbons for participating. You cannot be blind or deaf. You may be visually impaired or hard of hearing, until those euphemisms are replaced others until they too are replaced.
This powerful dystopia is the ultimate expression of that repression.
A powerful work by a powerful writer.
Read and weep or read and fight.
August 22, 2019
A look into hell
This book is a look into what mankind can do to each other and how power corrupts man and woman. This story is about a place where there is no life. Yes there are people walking around working , driving, eating , teaching and suffering. But life is something they are not allowed to have. This is a place where you are watched everyday , every moment of your life.
You are controlled completely, you are mutilated for the father. The father is all , is everything.
This is the story of a slave that becomes free only to realize that nothing is as it seems .. nothing is free .. everything comes with a price.. and sometimes the price is all you have ...
I would recommend this book to anyone. It has peaks and valleys and drags you up and down each one. It takes your emotions and gives you hope , hope that everything will be ok..Hope..it is a elusive thing..Just remember that sometimes even with hope and faith the truth may be more than you can bear..
may the father bless you comrade..
This book is a look into what mankind can do to each other and how power corrupts man and woman. This story is about a place where there is no life. Yes there are people walking around working , driving, eating , teaching and suffering. But life is something they are not allowed to have. This is a place where you are watched everyday , every moment of your life.
You are controlled completely, you are mutilated for the father. The father is all , is everything.
This is the story of a slave that becomes free only to realize that nothing is as it seems .. nothing is free .. everything comes with a price.. and sometimes the price is all you have ...
I would recommend this book to anyone. It has peaks and valleys and drags you up and down each one. It takes your emotions and gives you hope , hope that everything will be ok..Hope..it is a elusive thing..Just remember that sometimes even with hope and faith the truth may be more than you can bear..
may the father bless you comrade..
September 7, 2022
I really liked the concept of this book. As other reviews might state, it's a good comparison to The Handmaid's Tale. Very scary in that dystopian way. That said, there were A LOT of things that bugged me. Well, maybe it was just one thing, repeatedly. The characters mention several times that they have lived like this their whole lives and even at one point it's revealed that it's been this way for centuries. So bare basics life, no TV or entertainment. There's power for one hour a day, I believe, and while they seem to have televisions, all that is on during that one hour is war propaganda, yet one character used the phrase, "I'll ride shotgun." How the heck does he even know what that means?! One younger character just goes around calling everyone dude. If they've lived in this dystopian world for hundreds of years, no one is calling anyone, "dude." No one even knows what that means. At another point, the same character who knew what riding shotgun meant, didn't know how to drive a car, had rarely seen cars, yet knew what cruise control was. The book is riddled with things like that and it makes no sense. As I was reading through it I thought, OK, maybe there's going to be a twist at the end or we'll find out that they were taken just a few weeks ago from what we'd call the "normal" world and these are things that just stayed even though they were brainwashed, but.. no, that's not how it went.
September 29, 2019
A Brave New World where everyone is equal. Really equal.
KB209 lived in apartment 58 on the 58th floor of apartment building 58 in City58OI. His dwelling was exactly the same as everyone else. Exactly the same. He wore a white hooded robe and a mask, the same as everyone else. Exactly the same. He taught at school58. He walked to work the same as everyone else, in a line like everyone else. Everyone was 5 feet 8 inches tall. Everyone was surgically altered to be 5 feet 8 inches tall. Leg bones were shortened or lengthened as necessary to achieve that equality. A voicebox in their masks disguised their voices so that everyone sounded . . . You got it. Just like everyone else. Compliance is mandatory, no deviation allowed. Failure to comply results in reeducation camp, or execution. The Father leads them all. The Father is good. The Father is kind. Everyone loves the Father. Everyone.
Utopia 58 is a dystopian future in the style of Aldous Huxley or George Orwell. A very extreme vision of surrender to political correctness followed to it's inevitable conclusion. The characters are uniquely colorful beneath their white robes and masks. Mostly, they fear. Fear discovery of their secrets. Fear making an error more serious than being a minute late to work. Fear drawing the attention of an Equalizer.
The storyline is a serious look at a world become a personality cult. Blindly following the leader into a future that seems inevitable, until fear of the consequences of stepping out of line rule every decision. A fearsome future indeed.
KB209 lived in apartment 58 on the 58th floor of apartment building 58 in City58OI. His dwelling was exactly the same as everyone else. Exactly the same. He wore a white hooded robe and a mask, the same as everyone else. Exactly the same. He taught at school58. He walked to work the same as everyone else, in a line like everyone else. Everyone was 5 feet 8 inches tall. Everyone was surgically altered to be 5 feet 8 inches tall. Leg bones were shortened or lengthened as necessary to achieve that equality. A voicebox in their masks disguised their voices so that everyone sounded . . . You got it. Just like everyone else. Compliance is mandatory, no deviation allowed. Failure to comply results in reeducation camp, or execution. The Father leads them all. The Father is good. The Father is kind. Everyone loves the Father. Everyone.
Utopia 58 is a dystopian future in the style of Aldous Huxley or George Orwell. A very extreme vision of surrender to political correctness followed to it's inevitable conclusion. The characters are uniquely colorful beneath their white robes and masks. Mostly, they fear. Fear discovery of their secrets. Fear making an error more serious than being a minute late to work. Fear drawing the attention of an Equalizer.
The storyline is a serious look at a world become a personality cult. Blindly following the leader into a future that seems inevitable, until fear of the consequences of stepping out of line rule every decision. A fearsome future indeed.
April 5, 2020
This book starts out great and takes a nose dive within the first 100 pages. Suddenly you are in a boyhood fantasy world where physics doesn’t work and the main character is superior to his female counter part in every way without any explanation to how. Without spoilers, all I can say is it’s a teen boy view of a savior for a dystopian universe. I kept reading hoping it would turn back around...I ended up wasting my time.
April 16, 2022
This was such a horrible book. The only reason I kept listening to it was because I really love the narrator. It's like the author just wanted to make a book a book saying sEe tHIS is wHaT haPpENs wITh sOCiAlISm. I bet the author has wet dreams about sucking on Jeff Bezos's toes.
June 7, 2021
Starts a bit slow but this is necessary for the reader to get a feel for the world. Before long it turns exciting, adventurous and romantic all at once and from there is a pretty wild ride throughout.
While this is set in a dystopian world, I could absolutely find parallels between it and our current situation and found it to be feasible (sadly). (Just swap in ‘Trump’ for ‘The Father’ , the book’s sheeple for modern-day Trump supporters and BAM! It’s where the United States is headed as we speak. I found the author’s take to be interesting and the writing to be good.
Read this in one sitting.
4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Note:
I listened to the audiobook (thanks to my local library) and enjoyed the narrator for the most part. Four-star performance.
While this is set in a dystopian world, I could absolutely find parallels between it and our current situation and found it to be feasible (sadly). (Just swap in ‘Trump’ for ‘The Father’ , the book’s sheeple for modern-day Trump supporters and BAM! It’s where the United States is headed as we speak. I found the author’s take to be interesting and the writing to be good.
Read this in one sitting.
4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Note:
I listened to the audiobook (thanks to my local library) and enjoyed the narrator for the most part. Four-star performance.
August 26, 2025
Wow, just wow I can’t even even put into words the feeling I feel after reading this book but I will try. This book is action-packed futuristic dystopian society type of book. Kay the main character (kb209) who had no past or name but knew something was wrong. The synopsis of this book did it no justice. I felt many strong emotions reading this feelings of passion, anger, sadness, and relief just for that relief to be taken away. I absolutely love this book. After finishing I had to sit in silence and contemplate everything as tears fell down my cheek. I fell in love with the characters. If there is a second part to this I would buy it asap. I will be recommending this book to everybody. It was a pleasure to read.
November 7, 2022
Hmm, I found this book interesting though I think 1984 is a far better book. I found Utopia 58 to be repetitive in its information dumping. I understand you have to set the scene and give the reader an understanding of the world the characters are moving in, but this book keeps repeating certain information.
The ending was interesting, but I was still left feeling dissatisfied as though there could have been more.
The ending was interesting, but I was still left feeling dissatisfied as though there could have been more.
August 26, 2025
wow just wow
I am… hurt. I am actually grieving fictional characters. This book is a futuristic dystopian society book with many plot twists and action packed. I had to have a moment of silence after finishing it and contemplate what I just read. There were so much moments in the book I fell in love with characters, I felt passion, I physically felt pain. This book is not for the weak. What a beautiful book I had the pleasure of reading.
I am… hurt. I am actually grieving fictional characters. This book is a futuristic dystopian society book with many plot twists and action packed. I had to have a moment of silence after finishing it and contemplate what I just read. There were so much moments in the book I fell in love with characters, I felt passion, I physically felt pain. This book is not for the weak. What a beautiful book I had the pleasure of reading.
April 12, 2020
Socialism at its zenith
Quite a disturbing story. Much was as expected although the protagonist was quite colorful. What really made this gut wrenching was the surprise ending. Have to admit I didn’t see it coming. Was glad for the lifeline in what was otherwise a very dark ending,
Quite a disturbing story. Much was as expected although the protagonist was quite colorful. What really made this gut wrenching was the surprise ending. Have to admit I didn’t see it coming. Was glad for the lifeline in what was otherwise a very dark ending,
May 5, 2020
Hated it
First time reading one of this authors books. Felt like a waste of time. Everyone dies. A lot of questions left I unanswered.
First time reading one of this authors books. Felt like a waste of time. Everyone dies. A lot of questions left I unanswered.
September 5, 2020
One of the best dystopian novels I have ever read
September 2, 2021
Absolutely loved it! I could not put it down.
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
December 19, 2021
as a keen reader of dystopia books i like this one alot tho it was short and quick but filled my craving for a new dystopia book
March 9, 2020
Think "1984" by George Orwell but a page-turner with well-rounded characters and issues that regard nowadays society (such as censorship and "politically correctness" to the extreme)
I am not a big fan of Arenson's books (mainly because they're "too sci-fi" for me) but I am so glad I gave this one a try!
I am not a big fan of Arenson's books (mainly because they're "too sci-fi" for me) but I am so glad I gave this one a try!
September 30, 2019
Bit predictable but still a good read.
The story runs along at a hectic pace although the plot errors and disbelivable actions should knock a couple of stars off (would do 3 1/2 if I could but couldn't go to 4).
It's not a cheerful read, especially as you'll probably figure out the entire story well before the end, however I found myself curious in case I was wrong.
If you have read 1984 then this is like the Hollywood version with more action and explosions.
That said it's a good holiday read.
The story runs along at a hectic pace although the plot errors and disbelivable actions should knock a couple of stars off (would do 3 1/2 if I could but couldn't go to 4).
It's not a cheerful read, especially as you'll probably figure out the entire story well before the end, however I found myself curious in case I was wrong.
If you have read 1984 then this is like the Hollywood version with more action and explosions.
That said it's a good holiday read.
January 29, 2020
Not really sure how to review this one, although I couldn't put it down I'm not sure I actually like it. I felt like the characters needed building on rather than just repeating information we already had.
I wanted to feel connected with their emotions. I guess I was looking for another Handmaids Tale kind of novel but didn't find it here.
Ps if anyone has a book suggestion it would be most welcome :-D
I wanted to feel connected with their emotions. I guess I was looking for another Handmaids Tale kind of novel but didn't find it here.
Ps if anyone has a book suggestion it would be most welcome :-D
September 5, 2019
Holy S**t, that was good
Brilliant story telling, was hooked from the onset. Such a miserable world, though when I see a mental Image of The Father, I visualise Donald Trump or Boris effing Johnson
Thank the Father it was only make believe, or is it...coming to a utopia/distopia near you
I 'm doomed from the start, being five eleven and an IQ of 145 !
Brilliant story telling, was hooked from the onset. Such a miserable world, though when I see a mental Image of The Father, I visualise Donald Trump or Boris effing Johnson
Thank the Father it was only make believe, or is it...coming to a utopia/distopia near you
I 'm doomed from the start, being five eleven and an IQ of 145 !
October 1, 2019
The future looks bleak.
Dude you have a very warped mind.
I can see this reality coming true if things keep going the way they are now.
I did like the character makeup and how much they tried to change things,but realized early on that the end wouldn't be good for Kay.
Keep up the good work.
Dude you have a very warped mind.
I can see this reality coming true if things keep going the way they are now.
I did like the character makeup and how much they tried to change things,but realized early on that the end wouldn't be good for Kay.
Keep up the good work.
October 20, 2019
Hit me with a change up
Oh my soul! So at first I was frustrated with the sentence structure but Lord have mercy as I read on I was on a roller coaster to which I lost sleep and wasted my planning period at school to finish and then bam hit with a change up at the end! I am in love with this book! It is one of those you read again and catch more details each time.
Oh my soul! So at first I was frustrated with the sentence structure but Lord have mercy as I read on I was on a roller coaster to which I lost sleep and wasted my planning period at school to finish and then bam hit with a change up at the end! I am in love with this book! It is one of those you read again and catch more details each time.
August 21, 2019
This book was amazing. It's reminiscent of 1984 more than any other dystopian novel I've read. I think you need to read this book, it's stunningly good in my opinion. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say anything else - just READ IT.
August 26, 2019
Another great one by mr. Arenson
This was an amazing read. The premise and characters were all great and unforgettable. I read this book in just 2 sittings. I hope this turns into a longer series. I haven't read a book he's done that I didn't enjoy.
This was an amazing read. The premise and characters were all great and unforgettable. I read this book in just 2 sittings. I hope this turns into a longer series. I haven't read a book he's done that I didn't enjoy.
September 2, 2019
The title is a killer!
A real killer! Not just of the body that’s too easy to kill. This blessed land kills the soul, the mind, the future and the humanity of all the underlings living there. A monstrous life and civilization.
A real killer! Not just of the body that’s too easy to kill. This blessed land kills the soul, the mind, the future and the humanity of all the underlings living there. A monstrous life and civilization.
September 9, 2019
Awesome read
I chose this rating because of the intensity and how it held my attention. The parallels of life now is truly amazing. Hopefully we as humanity will never arrive at such a life Makes you think!
I chose this rating because of the intensity and how it held my attention. The parallels of life now is truly amazing. Hopefully we as humanity will never arrive at such a life Makes you think!
November 25, 2019
Thought Provoking
I think that it was compelling to finish the story line and keeping up with the characters as they grew up with the rest of the twist to follow through out the story.
I think that it was compelling to finish the story line and keeping up with the characters as they grew up with the rest of the twist to follow through out the story.
December 3, 2019
I really liked this book. It was very much like Brave New World or 1984, but more relevant to current events and ideas. It's well written and sucked me in immediately. I couldn't put it down and had to know how it ended. One of the best books I've read in a very long time.
January 5, 2020
Wow this story is DARK
The whole time reading it, I thought this is how Hitler must have imagined the world he wanted to build. Terrifying stark and ruthless, full of hate and malice...This one will stick with you for quite awhile.
The whole time reading it, I thought this is how Hitler must have imagined the world he wanted to build. Terrifying stark and ruthless, full of hate and malice...This one will stick with you for quite awhile.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews