Trends in Young Adult Fantasy Novels

Source: outputmagazine.com

Young adult fantasy novels are one of the most consistently bestselling categories in the book world. The trends of what’s popular are constantly evolving, most likely because readers get more and more discerning with each new release. While series such as Twilight and Harry Potter set a precedent for paranormal romance novels, some readers seem to have grown tired of vampires and wizardry, though core fans of the genre will stay loyal to their love of magic.

During the past year, dystopian novels have surged in popularity. Is it the predictions of the 2012 apocalypse that readers are relating most to, or is it the strong, empowered characters that attract readers and reel them in? While yes, the Miami zombie news and Mayan prophecies incited a little bit of hysteria about the possibilities of an apocalypse this year, we’d like to think it’s the compelling protagonists that have increased the appeal of dystopian literature.

That idea actually makes the most sense because even when young adult fantasy novels are built upon storylines with paranormal elements, they’re still the ones readers are clamoring for the day they’re released.

Librarians all over the country report that the popularity of dystopian novels doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. While it seems that the fascination with an apocalypse may fuel the desire to read end of the world books, what sets the bestsellers and award winners apart is their combination of fantasy and real issues that are relevant to teen’s lives.

The best examples of this are the current bestsellers, many of which are considered some of the best fantasy novels of all time. For example, in The Hunger Games, Katniss deals with many coming-of-age issues alongside her struggle to survive. In Revealing Eden, Eden struggles with self-acceptance and self-image as she tries to outwit a government that classifies her as the lowest of the low and her mate-rate brands her nearly impossible to find a mate. Among paranormal romance novels, in Twilight, even though Bella is in love with a vampire, we can relate to how she feels when she first moves to a new town and how it can be difficult to understand young love. 

The best fantasy novels of today are those that combine the elements that are most relevant and on the forefront of society, which drive the content of many end of the world books, and those that allow you to fully understand and empathize with the protagonist. It makes sense that dystopian literature is leading the pack right now, but authors beware, the characters will always be the most important element of the story.