#ya fantasy for adults

[obsob]

happy and proud!!

✷(print shop)✷

[headspace-hotel]

There is a type of plot that is prevalent in YA books and starting to get into general lit that I do not like. It is a similar trope to the MacGuffin, but instead of the plot being driven by an object, it is driven by the characters being in some sort of situation with formally fixed stakes.

Just as a MacGuffin is an object with no specific properties that affect its importance to the story, the identifying characteristic of this plot is that exact nature of the situation is irrelevant or at least not very important.

A very common example is when characters are involved in some sort of game or competition—for example, the first Throne of Glass book involves the protagonist competing to become the king's assassin, but the plot of the book would need to change very little if the competition was a beauty pageant.

"Gamified" plot lines like this often also include MacGuffins (to drive the "game"), confirming the tropes' similarity in my head.

The other common example is the "magic/superhero/assassin school" plot. The "school" is often just a device that brings the characters together and keeps them on a predetermined track, but there's nothing about what the characters are learning or even the school's specific identity as an educational institution that affects the plot.

[serien-grl-22]

Something I love about Jude is, that when she witnesses how Balekin treats Cardan, she isn't like every other YA main character "oh no, that's why he's so mean. I should help him!", but more like "oh no, Cardan has the potential to be even worse, I gotta stop him!"

[blessedsweetgirl]

Literally husband and wife

[frondobongo-mixedmedia]

Going to the thrift store to buy a paperback book called Throne of Broken Raven Bones and Glass Ruin Kingdom for 45 cents just to feel alive. The main character is a simple farm girl named Græclyne Summernight de’Royalty (Gray for short)and she was born with a birthmark the exact shape of World Peace right on her shoulder. Everyone is in love with her except her sworn nemesis Blarno, the prince, who she must save the kingdom with butoh my the shocking he saves her it must be he loves her more than the rest. She is 4ft 6 and he is 7ft tall.

[the-modern-typewriter]

Adult!Villain and Teen!Hero are hilarious, an whole ass adult beefing with a OP high schooler? Comedy

Honestly, doesn't do it for me. (Sorry) I know it's a very common trope and it's totally valid if you or anyone else likes it!

(I don't think I'm drawn to antagonist &/ protagonist dynamics for the comedy in general. It's not what interests me about it. But that's partly also a semantics thing, e.g. 'rivals' versus 'enemies', 'villain' as in 'supervillain' which can mean like megamind versus 'villain of the story'. I can appreciate comedy in a story about rivals, idk, I can't explain the distinction.)

Anyway. Like, to me, this gives:

horror in the power imbalance between children and adults

themes of children/teenagers having to step up to save the world because of the actions or inaction of older generations

themes in the way adults are not taught its unacceptable to have public beef with a teenager + lessened boundaries in how we treat each other in public spaces

themes in the whole creepy child trope, e.g. a teenager who is so powerful and the ways that this can backfire

themes in identity formation and the myriad different masks we might wear as teenagers and how someone can pick up on just one part of who you are growing to be and hate it.

[soranatus]

I just wanted to make a post showcasing some of my favorite illustrations by Keith Thompson for the Leviathan Trilogy.

The art went so hard in these books, it’s crazy. The plot is basically an alternate universe WW1 about the major two powers, the Darwinists, and the Clankers. The Darwinists genetically engineered animals to fight for them creating huge flying whale battleships, while the Clankers made huge robot mechs and powerful guns. A few historical people and places show up in these books, like Nikola Tesla.

But my favorite parts of the books were the art, truly breathtaking, it was beautifully grotesque at times. But that’s not unexpected, after all Keith Thompson helped create the design of Moder from The Ritual!

[lgbtqreads]

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee

Today on the site I am so thrilled to be sharing the cover for the long-awaited Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee, a cozy Sapphic YA fantasy releasing June 10, 2025 from Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan! Here’s the story: A geeky overachiever determined to save the world through science and a troublemaking chosen one lashing out against her destiny meet and fall in love in a magical…

[gothgleek]

Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

“If you ask me, she’s too good for him.”

“He’s the supreme monarch of our land, and she’s a treacherous witch whose sins scream to the sky for the gods to strike her down.”

"I do like her.”

[dreiidrie]

It's been years since I made these character cards for Cassandra Clare's The Dark Artifices book series. I haven't really officially posted them online so most artworks were only seen on her ig account or photos posted of the prints from fans~ Well, here goes. :> Follow me @:

Instagram

Twitter

[bigdreamsandwildthings]

I love these shelves 🥰

[aroaessidhe]

2024 reads / storygraph

Road To Ruin

start of a postapocalyptic fantasy series set in an Asian-inspired desert world plagued by dangerous storms

follows a courier who transports romantic letters between a prince and princess, who helps the princess escape across the wastes towards the prince’s safe haven

but they’re pursued by bounty hunters, and accidentally uncover some ancient secrets. and also she’s in love with both of them

dinosaurs, magical motorbikes,

bi MC, start of polyam triad

[carica-ficus]

I have always loved the way Bardugo approached Nina's figure and weight. And her love for food. Especially through Matthias. I remember a few other characters mention her body/eating habits in an unflattering manner, but she's always glorified in his eyes. One of the reasons he resents her is because her body is barely resistible to him. And this is not approached in a strictly sexual way, but also in an aesthetic way. She is beautiful. She is alluring. She is hot. And it's because of her curves, her size and her love for food. Matthias even mentions he loves to watch her eat because she finds pleasure in everything.

I mention all of it because it's still so hard to find a female character that is allowed to be bigger and admired for it. She's allowed to eat and to enjoy food. Not only that, but that she is found attractive because of it. Sure, she is sexualized, but not in a way that fetishizes her size.

[georgiacooked]

@fioiles and I finished watching Lockwood and Co a few nights ago and it was such a delight. Obviously I had to try drawing the gang in my style!

[whumpprompts]

my book is now FREE and will probably stay that way forever

this is because the world is a mess (and lowkey because my grampa implied I’ll start liking capitalism if I ever get rich off my writing, and I am full of Spite)

anyway!! if you want a big book full of stuff like…

aroace and other queer rep

so much blood and action

a talking stone

a looming apocalypse

a morally gray protag with so much Trauma and Anger

some monster-creatures

that sweet sweet found family

a slow-burn QPR

no spice

…here’s the thing for you.

Content warnings include child abuse, severe homophobia, religious trauma, suicidal ideation.

it is NOT yet free on Amazon. I have the price match request pending, but it might take time. I’ll reblog with its link once I get it free as well.

Barnes & Noble

Kobo, Apple Books, Smashmouth, etc.

[therobishow]

I am once again calling for book rants. It was so much fun the last time, and I crave more.

Do you have a long standing grudge against a book you read in middle school? Have you gotten swept up by hype only to find that everyone lied to you and the book is trash? Do you burn with rage over the way an author portrayed your favorite mythology or folklore? Is there a book or series that you once loved, but now makes you cringe every time you think about it?

Do you want to vent all of it out to someone who won't judge you, or argue with you, but will simply accept all your feelings as their own?

Hi, that person is me. Send me an ask, anonymous or not, and tell me everything you've wanted to say. Offer me your anger, your frustration, your hatred. I will hold it for you. I will take it into my heart and make it my own.

It can be any genre you want, any demographic. I will accept it all. Even if James Patterson gets involved again. (I'm not scared of you, James!!)