10 Books Like Yellowjackets
Did Yellowjackets leave you on the edge of your seat, desperate for more wild twists, survival struggles, and dark secrets?
Buckle up, fellow mystery and drama enthusiasts, because we’ve got just the cure for your post-show blues.
Here’s a list of some heart-pounding reads that capture the essence of Yellowjackets, offering a captivating blend of survival, social dynamics, and psychological exploration.
So, grab your favorite blanket, prepare to be transported, and get ready to unravel the mysteries that lie within these thrilling pages!
Books Like Yellowjackets
1. “The Wildlands” by Abby Geni
“The Wildlands” is a gripping novel that explores the themes of survival, family dynamics, and the thin line between civilization and wilderness. It tells the story of the McCloud siblings, who are left orphaned and destitute by a devastating tornado in rural Oklahoma.
When one of the siblings turns to radical environmental activism, the family is thrust into a dangerous journey that tests their bonds and survival skills.
Major Similarities:
This novel shares with “Yellowjackets” the theme of survival in extreme conditions and the exploration of complex family dynamics under pressure.
The element of a journey through wild, challenging landscapes mirrors the physical and psychological trials faced by the characters in “Yellowjackets.”
Both narratives delve into the psychological depth of their characters, exploring how extreme situations can fundamentally change people and their relationships with each other.
2. “The River at Night” by Erica Ferencik
“The River at Night” is a thriller that captures the harrowing adventure of four women who embark on a whitewater rafting trip in the remote wilderness of Maine.
As their trip takes a terrifying turn, they find themselves stranded without help, battling the elements and unforeseen dangers lurking in the woods.
The novel is a testament to the strength of female friendship and the primal fight for survival against all odds.
Major Similarities:
Much like “Yellowjackets,” this book emphasizes the themes of survival and the dynamics of female friendship when pushed to the limit. The wilderness setting and the struggle against nature’s unpredictability echo the challenges faced by the characters in “Yellowjackets.”
Both stories highlight the resilience and resourcefulness required to navigate through perilous situations, as well as the psychological toll such experiences can take.
3. “The Girls” by Emma Cline
“The Girls” is a novel set in the late 1960s, focusing on a lonely teenager named Evie Boyd who becomes entranced by a group of girls in a cult.
As she becomes more involved with the group and its charismatic leader, Evie finds herself drawn into a world of dangerous freedoms and escalating violence.
The novel explores themes of adolescence, belonging, and the extreme lengths to which one might go to find connection and identity.
Major Similarities:
While “The Girls” does not primarily focus on survival in the wilderness, it shares with “Yellowjackets” a deep dive into the psyche of young women caught in extraordinary and dangerous circumstances. Both narratives explore the impact of charismatic leadership and group dynamics in isolated settings.
The psychological exploration of its characters and the descent into dark, uncharted territories are central themes that resonate with the storyline of “Yellowjackets.”
4. “Be Not Far from Me” by Mindy McGinnis
“Be Not Far from Me” tells the story of Ashley Hawkins, who finds herself lost in the Smoky Mountains after a night goes horribly wrong.
With no shoes, limited supplies, and a deep wound, Ashley must rely on her survival skills and resilience to navigate the treacherous wilderness. The novel is an intense, first-person account of survival, grit, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure against the odds.
Major Similarities:
This book captures the essence of survival in the wilderness, akin to the experiences of the “Yellowjackets” characters.
Ashley’s solo journey and her fight for survival against nature’s mercilessness mirror the themes of endurance, resilience, and self-discovery found in “Yellowjackets.” Both narratives are powerful tales of young women facing extreme situations with determination and the will to survive.
5. “Wilderness” by Lance Weller
“Wilderness” is a novel that spans several decades, focusing on the life of Abel Truman, an old man who embarks on a journey through the Olympic Wilderness, reflecting on his past filled with loss, war, and survival.
The narrative intertwines Abel’s experiences in the Civil War with his present quest through the wilderness, exploring themes of redemption, the scars of past conflicts, and the search for peace and solitude in nature.
Major Similarities:
Although “Wilderness” differs in setting and time period from “Yellowjackets,” it shares the profound exploration of survival in the natural world and the psychological impact of traumatic experiences. Both stories delve into the characters’ inner struggles and the ways in which their pasts shape their present and future.
The journey through daunting landscapes serves as a backdrop for the exploration of human endurance, resilience, and the quest for meaning amidst adversity.
6. “Into the Forest” by Jean Hegland
“Into the Forest” is a poignant tale of two sisters, Nell and Eva, who live in a remote part of the California forest, far removed from the crumbling society of the near future.
As they face dwindling resources and isolation, the sisters must rely on each other and the natural world to survive.
The novel explores themes of resilience, the bond between siblings, and the return to nature in the face of societal collapse.
Major Similarities:
Like “Yellowjackets,” “Into the Forest” delves into the dynamics of survival in a remote and challenging environment, focusing on the relationship between female characters.
The story’s emphasis on the psychological and emotional journey of its protagonists, as they adapt to a life far removed from civilization, mirrors the themes of resilience, adaptability, and the human-nature connection found in “Yellowjackets.”
7. “The Troop” by Nick Cutter
“The Troop” is a horror novel that follows a Scout troop on a remote island off the coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The boys’ survival skills are put to the ultimate test when an unexpected visitor arrives with a deadly contagion.
As the situation spirals out of control, the novel explores themes of friendship, the loss of innocence, and the primal instinct for survival in a chilling and gruesome narrative.
Major Similarities:
This book shares with “Yellowjackets” the theme of survival in an isolated setting, compounded by a horrifying external threat.
The focus on a group of young individuals navigating the challenges of survival, the breakdown of societal norms, and the exploration of group dynamics under stress parallels the experiences faced by the characters in “Yellowjackets.” Both narratives are marked by a descent into darkness and the testing of human limits.
8. “The Last One” by Alexandra Oliva
“The Last One” is a novel that blurs the lines between reality and delusion, following a reality TV show contestant known as Zoo as she navigates a wilderness survival challenge.
Unbeknownst to her, the world outside the show has been devastated by a pandemic.
The story weaves together Zoo’s perception of the game with the harsh realities of survival, exploring themes of isolation, perception, and the human spirit’s resilience.
Major Similarities:
Much like “Yellowjackets,” “The Last One” explores the concept of survival in a remote setting, with the added twist of reality TV’s influence.
Both narratives examine the psychological effects of extreme isolation and the blurred lines between reality and perception. The themes of endurance, the impact of traumatic experiences, and the struggle to maintain humanity in the face of unimaginable challenges are central to both stories.
9. “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
“Station Eleven” is a novel that spans decades and continents, telling the story of a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a flu pandemic.
Through the interconnected stories of a traveling Shakespearean theater troupe, a famous actor, a paramedic, and a comic book artist, the novel explores themes of art, memory, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of disaster.
Major Similarities:
“Station Eleven” and “Yellowjackets” share a narrative structure that interweaves multiple timelines and perspectives, offering a deep dive into the characters’ pasts and presents.
Both stories are set against the backdrop of societal collapse, exploring how individuals and communities rebuild and redefine themselves in the aftermath of catastrophe. The emphasis on human connection, memory, and the enduring power of storytelling resonates with the psychological and emotional depth of “Yellowjackets.”
10. “Survivor” by Chuck Palahniuk
“Survivor” is a darkly comic novel that tells the story of Tender Branson, the last surviving member of a death cult, as he narrates his life story into the black box of a crashing airplane.
The narrative delves into themes of media saturation, the search for identity, and the absurdity of modern life, offering a satirical look at survival in a metaphorical wilderness of cultural and existential crises.
Major Similarities:
While “Survivor” differs in genre and tone from “Yellowjackets,” it shares themes of survival and the exploration of a character’s past leading up to a critical moment of crisis.
Both stories examine the impact of societal and psychological factors on the individual’s journey, albeit through very different lenses. “Survivor” and “Yellowjackets” both challenge the characters’ perceptions of reality and identity, offering a unique take on the human condition and the lengths to which people will go to find meaning in their lives.
