Vampire Boyfriends, Fallen Angels and Battle Royales: A Guide to Young Adult Fiction
The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a frenzy of young adult (YA) fiction popping up, aided by the successful book-to-movie franchises like The Twilight Saga and The Hunger Games.
Some ten years on, YA fiction is set to be back in trend, with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes hitting Singapore cinemas on 16 November. A prequel to the original trilogy, the title takes fans back to the 10th annual Hunger Games, where the eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow eyes a shot at glory as mentor in the Games.
The popularity of franchises like The Hunger Games shows the universal appeal of YA fiction and how they can be read by anyone. Besides science-fiction dystopia, YA fiction also come in other genres, from romantic comedy to coming-of-age and epic fantasy. They build on compelling premises like having secret love letters accidentally sent to crushes (To All The Boys I Loved Before) or discovering that the mysterious lab partner is actually a vampire (Twilight).
Rich with vibrant story worlds, compelling relationships and drama, here are some beloved YA classics perfect for anyone keen to explore the genre.
1. Supernatural Romance
The best-known subgenre of YA fiction, supernatural romances, were all the rage at the turn of the 2010s, spawning an entire gamut of human-creature relationships.
We have boy-meets-witch (Beautiful Creatures), girl-meets-zombie (Warm Bodies), boy-meets-angel (City of Bones), girl-meets-alien (I Am Number Four) to name just a few, but the book that sits at the pinnacle of this trope is inarguably girl-meets-vampire — The Twilight Saga.
After all, there is something alluring about a forbidden romance. Perhaps we are drawn to the enduring notion that despite all the forces and complexities that threaten to keep a pair of lovers apart, love is ultimately strong enough to overcome all.
From left to right:
Twilight — Stephenie Meyer | eBook, Audiobook
Beautiful Creatures — Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
Shiver — Maggie Stiefvater | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
2. Coming of Age
Being a teenager is hard. Sometimes.
You’re struggling to find your new place in this great, big world. You’re not quite steady enough to be a full adult but you’re also forced to bid goodbye to your childhood.
The coming-of-age subgenre is comforting because it stars regular, relatable teens, yet places them in extraordinary situations, highlighting just how vast the spectrum of the teen experience can be.
From a comedy where a girl discovers that she’s the princess of a small, European nation (The Princess Diaries) to a tearjerker where two terminally-ill teenagers fall in love (The Fault In Our Stars), this subgenre exemplifies just how crazy and confusing life can be.
From left to right:
The Fault In Our Stars — John Green | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
The Princess Diaries — Meg Cabot | eBook, Audiobook
To All The Boys I Loved Before — Jenny Han | Physical Copy, eBook
3. Fantasy
Fantasy is a perennial favourite with readers of all ages, equally loved by bona fide adults and young children. Young adult readers are no different, and there exists an extensive range of YA fantasy titles, from demons hidden amidst teen society (City of Bones) to demigods on epic adventures (The Lightning Thief).
These fantastical worlds provide an escape for the more adventurous reader, but at the same time, the protagonists’ journeys create a safe space for teens to navigate their evolving feelings and confront their deepest fears.
And despite being far removed from our real life, fantasy novels continue to intrigue and inspire because they touch upon themes that are central to all of us — forging friendships, finding oneself and the triumph of good over evil.
From left to right:
The Lightning Thief — Rick Riordan | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
City of Bones — Cassandra Clare | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
Shadow and Bone — Leigh Bardugo | Physical Copy, eBook
4. Science-Fiction
While science fiction often serves as a cautionary tale about human ambitions and moral ethics, young adult science fiction arguably takes on a different form, featuring teenagers trapped in hopeless situations.
Between alien invasions (The Fifth Wave) and zombie outbreaks (Warm Bodies), it seems like there is no way out. However, at the end of the day, our protagonists’ grit and determination allow them to land on top and thrive.
While science fiction might be popular because its futuristic settings with savvy characters encouraging readers to dream and imagine, perhaps what teens relate most to is finding comfort in the idea that nothing, not even a zombie outbreak, is insurmountable.
From left to right:
I Am Number Four — Pittacus Lore | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
Warm Bodies — Isaac Marion | Physical Copy, eBook
The Fifth Wave — Rick Yancey | eBook
5. Dystopia
Unlike science fiction, the looming threat in dystopian fiction comes from society itself. Dystopian fiction typically has its protagonists navigating oppressive regimes and shattered societies, struggling against a rigid set of rules that expects all subjects to obey and comply.
The genre’s appeal lies in its exploration of power dynamics, resistance and resilience. As teens grapple with the rules and regulations of real life, dystopian fiction serves as a safe space for them to navigate authority and ponder the big ethical questions.
Ultimately, dystopian YA fiction serves as a literary mirror, reflecting both our collective fears and dreams for a better tomorrow.
From left to right:
The Hunger Games — Suzanne Collins | eBook, Audiobook
Maze Runner — James Dashner | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
The Giver — Lois Lowry | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
Text by
Terisha Tan
National Library Board
