Young World, Soman Chainani
Young World, Soman Chainani
List: $28.49 | Sale: $19.95
Club: $14.24

Young World

Author: Soman Chainani

Narrator: Zeno Robinson, Full Cast

Unabridged: 15 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/05/2026


Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series comes a renegade thriller, about a teenager elected President of the United States, sparking a global revolution of young leaders—until one of them is murdered and he’s the prime suspect.

America is on the brink of collapse, and the youth have lost all faith in their leaders. As a pivotal election approaches, Benton Young, a high school senior trying to impress a girl, impulsively uploads a video, daring everyone to interfere with the vote and write him in for President. The video explodes online, igniting election chaos and a national revolt, until the Supreme Court intervenes to put Benton in the White House. Galvanized by Benton’s rise, more global youth take to the streets, and more governments fall, until eight of the world's most powerful nations are led by teenagers.

When these young leaders convene at their first summit in Sweden, they face the monumental task of setting a new course for history. But the first night, their unity is shattered when a leader is murdered in cold blood . . . and Benton is the only suspect. Hunted by enemies young and old, he must untangle a deadly web of secrets, betrayal, and power plays—while the future of the world hangs in the balance.

With globe-spanning action, stunning twists, and an electric new brand of storytelling, Young World is a heart-stopping thriller that asks: What happens when the future really does belong to the young?

*This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF where you can see all the graphics included in the print edition of the book

About The Author

Soman Chainani is the author of the School for Good and Evil series, which has sold over 4.5 million copies, has been translated into 35 languages across six continents, and has been adapted into a major motion picture from Netflix that debuted at #1 in over 80 countries. Together, his books have been on the New York Times Bestseller List for more than 50 weeks. He graduated from Harvard University summa cum laude with a degree in English & American Literature, and an MFA in Film from Columbia University. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.


Reviews

Goodreads review by maya on January 21, 2026

Picked this up on a whim while looking for something immersive that will make me just sit and READ, and... this did the job. At least in the beginning. I binged a decent portion in a sitting, until things started to slow down a bit. Later it did pick back up, though. This was very different from the b......more

Goodreads review by Christine Reads on March 23, 2026

This story had the chance to tell such an important story about revolution and actually changing the world but for some reason the MC keeps revolving around his idea of having to "get the girl." Thus this idea of true meaningful change is undercut by the patriarchal society that caused all the failu......more

Goodreads review by fer bañuelos on May 14, 2026

ESP: *2.5* ARC POR PARTE DE NETGALLEY PARA RESEÑA Well… Sorta Kinda. De verdad que es muy complicado venir a dar una reseña “negativa” a un autor que HISTÓRICAMENTE has disfrutado mucho. He leído TODO de este señor: 8 novelas, 1 colección de historias cortas, 1 libro compañero extra, 2 novelas grá......more

Goodreads review by Courtney on December 07, 2025

This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read! High school student Benton Young makes a very public declaration in order to get a girl’s attention and it thrusts him onto the presidential ballot. In a surprising turn that no one saw coming, he wins and America is turned on its head. The win sparks a r......more

Goodreads review by Joanna on May 08, 2026

I've been listening to the PlotTwist podcast for the past year and was really excited for this book's release! And boy was it an experience. This book is wacky and unique and really cool. I love the visuals. I definitely connected to some of the things said here about the pressures and disillusionme......more


Quotes

PRAISE FOR YOUNG WORLD:

"A neon-bright, post-modern, action-movie coachella party of a book. Young World proves Chainani is the unhinged visionary we always suspected him to be." —E. Lockhart #1 New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars

"Chainani has outdone himself. Young World is ferocious, funny, wickedly smart, and groundbreaking. It will keep you guessing until the very end. A masterpiece by a true innovator." —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Legend

"The perfect read for our tumultuous times."—Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divergent

"I devoured this book in one sitting. Part Hunger Games, part John Green, Young World is a fast-paced thrill ride. Utterly unforgettable." —Lynn Painter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies

"Soman Chainani has become the voice of a generation. An intimate, stirring coming of age tale and a rip-roaring political fantasy, a mix of House of Cards and Hunger Games, leaving readers with the question: In a world where our leaders already act like children, why not just elect one?" —Sam Koppelman, New York Times Bestselling Co-Author of Our Unfinished March

“This is an immersive story, inspired by many of the realities Gen Z is facing, whether it’s the frustration of constant crises or the disillusionment with politics. It’s a must as a physical copy due to the in-world visuals packed throughout.” —Parade

★ "[A] searing and uncanny reflection on political reach, restriction, and corruption, and the friction that emerges when a wide-eyed idealist collides with the unyielding guardians of the status quo." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The author realistically captures the massive frustration and anger felt by young people toward politicians....The varied and colorful graphic design of the pages is appealing....A political thriller about serious ideas that’s replete with irreverent humor and poignant relationships." —Kirkus Reviews

"This colorful mix of social issues, teen ­drama, and disaster thriller is recommended for fans of Neal Shusterman and Jennifer Lynn Barnes." —School Library Journal

"Part epistolary, part hodgepodge of ephemera, the storytelling is easily accessible to a variety of readers. It is no exaggeration to say that this near-future novel will grip teens from the very first page and stay with them long after." —Booklist

"A breathless romp from the jump, with neon vermillion visuals punctuating Benton’s snarky first-person narration....readers who are desperate for a political shakeup will find this concept fascinating." —The Bulletin