Masterminds

The Giver

Lois Lowry

A dystopian story about a seemingly perfect society that controls human behavior through strict regulations. The protagonist discovers dark truths about his community, similar to the cloned children's journey of understanding their origins. Explores themes of individual identity versus societal control.

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Trenton Lee Stewart

A group of gifted orphans are recruited for a secret mission by an eccentric mentor. They must use their unique talents to infiltrate a sinister school and uncover a dangerous plot. Like Masterminds, it features exceptional children in a complex moral experiment exploring intelligence and ethics.

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card

A young genius is recruited into a military training program to potentially save humanity. Explores themes of strategic thinking, moral complexity, and the manipulation of gifted children. Shares similar narrative elements of exceptional young people in controlled environments.

Unwind

Neal Shusterman

In a dystopian future, teenagers can be 'unwound' - their body parts harvested for medical use. Explores complex ethical questions about human life and societal control. Offers a provocative examination of scientific ethics similar to Masterminds.

Artemis Fowl

Eoin Colfer

A young criminal genius discovers a hidden world of magical beings and becomes entangled in extraordinary adventures. The protagonist's complex moral background and strategic thinking mirror the cloned characters in Masterminds. It blends high-stakes action with themes of inherited potential and moral choices.

The Maze Runner

James Dashner

A group of teenagers trapped in a mysterious maze must work together to escape and uncover the truth about their situation. Shares themes of controlled environments, scientific experimentation, and young people challenging predetermined systems.

The House of the Scorpion

Nancy Farmer

A clone discovers his true identity in a complex world of power and survival. Directly addresses themes of genetic engineering, personal identity, and the ethical implications of human cloning. Offers a nuanced exploration of what it means to be human.

Legend

Marie Lu

Two teenagers from opposite sides of a dystopian society uncover systemic corruption and challenge established power structures. Explores themes of individual potential, moral complexity, and resistance against controlled social systems.

Divergent

Veronica Roth

In a dystopian world, people are categorized into distinct personality groups. The main character discovers she doesn't fit neatly into any category and challenges the system. Shares themes of genetic manipulation, societal experiments, and young people questioning predetermined identities.

Gone

Michael Grant

A mysterious event causes all adults to disappear, leaving children to create their own society with emerging supernatural abilities. Explores themes of power, survival, and unexpected human potential. Shares elements of young people confronting extraordinary circumstances.

Maximum Ride

James Patterson

A group of genetically engineered children with unique abilities fight for survival and understanding of their origins. Like Masterminds, it explores the consequences of scientific experimentation on young people. The characters must navigate complex moral landscapes while discovering their true potential.

Uglies

Scott Westerfeld

In a future society, teenagers are transformed to become physically perfect, hiding deeper social control mechanisms. Explores themes of individual identity versus societal expectations. Similar to Masterminds in its critique of controlled social environments.

I Am Number Four

Pittacus Lore

A teenage alien with special abilities must hide his true identity while being hunted. Explores themes of hidden potential, survival, and discovering one's true purpose. Offers similar narrative excitement of extraordinary young protagonists.