YA Dystopian and Urban Fantasy Author
A standalone young adult dystopian adventure
Winner of the Young Adult Fiction Award in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults 2025
Shortlisted for the Storylines Tessa Duder Award
They say we’re the Paradise Generation. No more wars or plagues or rapid sea rise. Nothing bad is supposed to happen to us.
But it does.
When Kieran was twelve, he crashed a “liberated” car deep in the suburban wilds. The accident left his cousin Lucas in hospital and Kieran pretty much done with breaking rules.
Four years later, he’s reconsidering. Lucas’s Allocated recovery time is almost up, and if Kieran can’t help him, Lucas is dead. Midnight hospital break-ins and dodgy internet remedies look a lot more tempting when you’ve tried everything else.
Meanwhile, Kieran finds an accomplice in Mira, a girl hiding losses of her own. He can’t help being drawn to her, but there’s one problem: their Match is outlawed.
In their search for solutions, Kieran uncovers truths that make the rules meaningless. The truth could save Lucas, could sanction his match with Mira.
Or it could get him killed.
NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults judges said:
“This expertly crafted, very Wellington resistance narrative urges readers to think critically about where humanity is headed by probing ideas of autonomy, prioritisation of the ‘greater good’ and what happens when systems fail. Though set in the future, it reflects contemporary concerns around invasive technology, inequality and societal division. Rangatahi [young people] lead the charge throughout, thinking for themselves, challenging norms and breaking rules to right wrongs. They are – as in life – bold, heart-led, and capable of shaping society. The Paradise Generation is an extraordinary novel that balances both heart-pounding tension and emotional depth, from a highly talented, self-published, first-time author.”
Readers say:
“has been an absolute roller coaster, and I’ve loved every second of it”
“I really like the vivid dystopian world … the behind-the-scenes worldbuilding is so rich and carefully thought out”
“hard to put down”
Get it on BookHub, or order from your local bookshop or library!
Trade discounts are available for retailers (small order surcharges may apply to cover postage)
Contact hi@sannathompson.com
Also available through IngramSpark
RRP NZ$30.99
Hello, kia ora!
I’m a YA author from Pōneke Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, where I live with a cat, some friends and many books, and write fun, twisty dystopian and urban fantasy novels. Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me to hear about what I’m up to!
How do I say your name? SAH-na, like naan bread with an ‘a’ at the end 🙂
What does ‘kia ora’ mean? It’s Māori, the language of the indigenous people of New Zealand, and literally means ‘be well’. It’s used to say ‘hi’ and also ‘thank you’.
Where can I buy/read your book(s)? You can find it at independent bookshops in NZ (head to BookHub), or ask your local library or independent bookshop to get in a copy. (It’s also available at Amazon if you can’t find it elsewhere).
What are you working on next? I have a few projects on the go, one an urban fantasy set in London and another a contemporary fantasy set in a small town in New Zealand’s South Island. There’s also that middle grade contemporary fantasy I should polish up…
How do I sign up to your newsletter? Go here 🙂