Modern Books Like Lord of the Flies (But With Girls)

Lord of the Flies is a must-read book for many kids in middle school and high school. It’s a fascinating look at what would happen if a group of young boys got trapped on a deserted island with no adult supervision. If you read and enjoyed that book, you might also like reading some of these modern books like Lord of the Flies—but with girls as the main characters instead of boys.

If you’ve never read Lord of the Flies before, here’s the Goodreads synopsis:

When a plane crashes on a remote island, a small group of schoolboys are the sole survivors. From the prophetic Simon and virtuous Ralph to the lovable Piggy and brutish Jack, each of the boys attempts to establish control as the reality – and brutal savagery – of their situation sets in.

The boys’ struggle to find a way of existing in a community with no fixed boundaries invites readers to evaluate the concepts involved in social and political constructs and moral frameworks. Ideas of community, leadership, and the rule of law are called into question as the reader has to consider who has a right to power, why, and what the consequences of the acquisition of power may be. Often compared to Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies also represents a coming-of-age story of innocence lost.

If you’re sitting there thinking, WTF, Dena? That book was horrible! Why would I want to read a modern Lord of the Flies? Well, I get it. You hated it as much as I did. I understand why it’s an important work of literature and blah, blah, blah. But it left me feeling like:

via GIPHY

Okay, but maybe you’re one of those people who can’t look away from a car crash, or you love mind-bending stories that give you the creeps. If that sounds like you, then you’re in the right place. Because I can’t resist an excuse to make a good book list, here you go.

Modern Books Like Lord of the Flies (But With Girls)

And just so you know, the links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Dare Me by Megan Abbott

This book explores female friendship, jealousy, and the lengths girls will go to in order to maintain their position in society. Gillian Flynn said this book is like “Lord of the Flies set in a high-school cheerleading squad.” There are grasps for top-girl status and desperate reaches for power. It has even been adapted into a Netflix series!

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Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

This YA thriller is basically a gender-swapped version of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Competition, jealousy, betrayal, and murder combine into an unputdownable story. It’s so disturbing and bizarre that it will leave you with the same uncomfortable feeling you got when you read Lord of the Flies. So, if you’re on the hunt for modern books like Lord of the Flies, add this to your reading stack.

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A Map for Wrecked Girls by Jessica Taylor

Two sisters and a teenage boy get shipwrecked on a beautiful tropical island with nothing but their secrets. The sisters’ relationship is falling apart, but in order to survive in their new environment, they need to come together. Jessica Taylor also has another book with similar themes called Who We Were in the Dark.

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Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

An airplane full of beauty pageant contestants crash lands on a desert island. Now the girls are left wondering if they should be worried about the pageant or worried about survival. It’s a madcap survival story that promises laughter, feminism, and witty banter.

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Little Monsters by Kara Thomas

When Kacey moves in with her dad and his new family, everything seems wonderful at first. She makes some friends and everyone is really nice—until one of her friends goes missing and fingers start pointing. This book is a look at the darker side of teenage friendships and the dangers that lurk there.

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Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

This book is set in an East-Asian fantasy world, but it explores similar themes. It’s a retelling of Snow White’s evil stepmother’s story. It deals with female ambition and jealousy. The main character is an anti-heroine whose hunger for power turns her into a blood-thirsty monster.

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