What Caused the Boom in Young Adult Fantasy in the 2010s?

TL;DR

The young adult fantasy genre witnessed a significant boom in the 2010s, driven by three key phases: paranormal romance, dystopian, and fantasy. Notable series such as 'City of Bones,' 'Throne of Glass,' and 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' defined this era, leading to a rise in diverse narratives, standalone novels, and increased maturity in storytelling.

Transcript

hello when I was 16 years old I discovered this beautiful thing the concept of books that take place not in our world but in a completely separate fantasy world completely alter my brain chemistry and now I do stuff like this I am talking about young adults fantasy books nowadays I mostly read adult fantasy but a young adult fantasy has a special p... Read More

Key Insights

• 💥 Young adult fantasy books have a long history but experienced a significant boom in the 2010s.
• 🤪 The popularity of young adult fantasy went through phases, including paranormal romance, dystopian, and fantasy.
• 🏵️ Certain books, like "A Court of Thorns and Roses" and "Throne of Glass," achieved immense popularity and continue to be widely recommended.
• 🧑 Young adult fantasy offers diverse settings, themes, and types of protagonists.
• 💨 The success of young adult fantasy books paved the way for more expansive and mature stories in the genre.
• 🧑 Fairy tale retellings became a popular subgenre within young adult fantasy.
• 🤍 The inclusion of non-white cultures and diverse perspectives emerged in the genre.
• 😮 The rise of standalone young adult fantasy novels allowed for more concise and complete stories.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the main phases of young adult fantasy popularity?

The three main phases were paranormal romance, dystopian, and fantasy. Each phase introduced different settings, themes, and types of protagonists.

Q: Why were paranormal romance books significant in paving the way for full-on fantasy books?

Paranormal romance books introduced elements of fantasy, such as vampires and werewolves, to the young adult genre. This created a foundation for readers to eventually embrace more expansive fantasy worlds.

Q: Which books played a key role in the boom of young adult fantasy in the 2010s?

"City of Bones," "Throne of Glass," "Shadow and Bone," "A Court of Thorns and Roses," "Red Queen," and "Six of Crows" were some of the most popular and influential books during this period.

Q: What sets apart the books that achieved huge success compared to others?

The books that achieved massive popularity, such as "A Court of Thorns and Roses" and "Throne of Glass," continue to attract new readers and receive ongoing recommendations. The reasons behind their success may vary but are often attributed to strong storytelling, memorable characters, and unique concepts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video traces the popularity of young adult fantasy books, noting that they have been around for a long time but experienced a boom in the 2010s.

• The three phases of young adult fantasy popularity are identified as paranormal romance, dystopian, and fantasy.

• Key series mentioned include "City of Bones," "Graceling," "Throne of Glass," "Shadow and Bone," "A Court of Thorns and Roses," "Red Queen," and "Six of Crows."