SOLVED. Two YA Sci-fi books (series), probably 1980s - post apocalyptic, humanity is living in "arks". One book is about pleasant ark where people are psychically linked, the other book is about another ark that is much darker and more violent. [s]

[Ruth]

Looking for a pair of YA books - set in a post apocalyptic future where humanity is living in 5 or 6 self contained bubbles, I think called arks. The first book I read was set in a really nice ark where the whole group could mentally link together for support and strength - maybe called the Web? Everyone was part of a group - like healers/engineers etc and teenagers were allocated to groups that matched their skills. The MC was a girl who didn't like the mental link, and ended up being allocated to a really rare group. (I think they wore coloured jumpsuits to show their group? Pretty sure the cover showed the MC wearing a lilac jumpsuit but I'm not sure.) She was receiving dreams from someone, and they worked out he was in one of the other arks. I think they might have left the ark to go and rescue him, and the outside world was now livable again - maybe they started living outside?

The other book is about the other ark which was much darker and more violent, very hierarchical, and the male MC wanted to escape.

I can't remember what order the books were actually in, and while I read the lighter one loads, I only read the darker one a couple of times because it was more depressing!

I have it in my head that the lighter one was called Dreamcatcher, but I can't find it when I search that. I also have a vaaaaague feeling the FMC may have shared my first name of Ruth which was partly why I liked it! Would love to find them again!

[Becca]

Devil on My Back and The Dream Catcher by Monica Hughes look like a match. You were right about the name Ruth!

[Ruth]

Amazing, that's them! I can't believe you found them so quickly, thank you so much!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Ruth, you need to unprivate your account, otherwise you won't be permitted to post in this group. Mods can't see your threads with a private account.

[Kris]

Ruth, thanks for unprivating your account. Please note that only Goodreads members who sign in can see your full profile page.