You might want to check out 'Conversion' by Katherine Howe. It weaves a story of a mysterious cult and the impact on the young characters. The plot is engaging and the character development is well-done.
There are several good ones. 'The Secret Circle' series is quite interesting. It has a good mix of mystery and coming-of-age elements related to cults.
Books about cults fiction usually depict a restricted or warped sense of reality. Take '1984' for example. The Party controls all information, and people are made to accept 'doublethink'. This shows how a cult - like entity can manipulate the perception of truth. They also may include the idea of a false utopia, where on the surface everything seems perfect but in reality, it's a place of oppression.
Stephen King's 'Misery' can also be considered. The relationship between the deranged fan Annie and the writer Paul is somewhat cult - like. Annie's extreme actions to keep Paul captive and force him to write according to her wishes show a form of obsessive and controlling behavior similar to cults.
Well, 'The Children of Men' by P.D. James is a good one. It presents a world where humanity has lost the ability to reproduce, and a cult - like group emerges within this apocalyptic setting. They have their own set of beliefs and ways of operating that are quite extreme.
One example could be 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. It depicts a dystopian society with elements that can be related to cult - like control. The regime in the story enforces strict rules on women's bodies and their roles in society, which shows how extreme beliefs can lead to a form of oppression similar to cults.
Well, 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry is a really good YA science fiction. It presents a seemingly perfect but actually very controlled society. Then there's 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline. It's full of 80s pop - culture references and takes place in a virtual world. Also, 'Uglies' by Scott Westerfeld is interesting. It explores ideas of beauty and conformity in a future world.
One great option could be 'The Hunger Games' series. It presents a dystopian government and its impact on society.
I'd recommend 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's a gripping YA novel that delves deep into the psyche of a psychopathic character.
You might like 'The Thief Lord' by Cornelia Funke. It has a magical element and a group of kids who are expert thieves. The story is really engaging and the setting is quite unique.
One great YA fiction about friendship is 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green. It beautifully portrays the deep bond between two teenagers facing a serious illness.