my favorite (and least favorite) Ya tropes
Written by Daphne Bryant
Growing up my favorite genre was and still is YA (also known as Young Adult). As an author, it is the genre I enjoy writing most, and probably also the genre I am best at. I adore the idea of creating coming-of-age stories, all packaged differently with relatable main characters and exciting scenarios. I also love reading it; the covers are always beautiful, the fandoms are always interesting and the familiar, sometimes corny, tropes are comforting in a way literary fiction often is not. Speaking of tropes, that’s what this article is about: my favorite (and least favorite) YA tropes.
FAVORITE
Reluctant Romance: The angst! The indecision! Enemies to lovers, fake dating and forced proximity all fall under this category, and it’s one of the most popular YA tropes. I think there’s a good reason for that. It’s fun to see characters squirm in the chaos of their own unwanted feelings, or to root for a slow burn that you know is coming. A reluctant romance trope keeps readers turning the page, desiring more, fantasizing about the day the particular pair finally gets together.
LEAST FAVORITE
Not Like Other Girls: EUGHHH, I thought we were over this! It’s so frustrating when main characters are made out to be edgy, different and “ unlike other girls” when they’re really just annoying and delusional (LMFAO). This trope tends to encourage girl-on-girl negativity, discourage female friendships, and perpetrate misogyny; I can’t be the only one who feels like it’s a regression of sorts to include it in a story.
FAVORITE
Apocalyptic Dystopia: I feel like this trope had to be included in the list, especially because it’s had such an impact on YA as a genre. Think The Hunger Games, Divergent, Uglies, The Maze Runner, Gone. What I think is so captivating about dystopian novels is that they address real-world issues in very exaggerated ways, often causing the reader to reflect on their own life and society. They also often have rebellious protagonists, and rebellion is something that young adults are absolutely obsessed with, especially in their teen years. It’s cool to see a character fight back against the system, and it’s empowering too. Finally, everyone is either fascinated or terrified by the end of the world. We know it’s coming…but when?
LEAST FAVORITE
Love Triangles: In theory, as someone that’s been in a love triangle before, the concept is definitely entertaining. Who will she choose?! Who will come out on top?! What relationship is stronger?! They’re the kind of exciting questions that are asked all the time on addictive shows like Love Island, and there is some allure to keeping up with the messiness. Only some. 9 times out of a 10, a love triangle will just vex the fuck out of me and come off arbitrary. For example, Stephanie Garber’s love triangles are always irritating and often unnecessary. As far as Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight is concerned, the Jacob vs. Edward war (while iconic and very camp) is just so overdone and cringey. I’m okay with reading about a messy romance in other contexts, but to pin two people against each other in the hopes of securing a singular individual is just getting old.
FAVORITE
Special School: I can’t hype this trope up enough, it just really does it for me. There’s something about a magic boarding school or camp for superheroes that’s exciting, nostalgic and reminiscent of childhood. These novels often blend the line between middle grade and YA (with middle grade examples including The School for Good vs. Evil, literally anything Rick Riordan publishes, and of course, Harry Potter). A more grown-up series with similar vibes is Renegades by Marissa Meyer, filled with secret identities and adventurous thrills.
LEAST FAVORITE
Token Diversity: Please for the love of God, don’t put a random ass BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent or disabled person in your story for the sake of having diversity, and please don’t do so without proper research. If you know me you know I am one of the biggest advocates for representation in all mediums, especially YA. I’ve also studied DEI for 2+ years. I know when to spot genuine inclusion, and I know when to spot bullshit. It can be hard sometimes to find the sweet spot; most stories will work if you do have diverse characters, and that’s because very few places are entirely homogeneous. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. My message to authors who care about legitimate diversity?
Stay away from stereotyping, especially if it’s not crucial to the story, or if you’re writing about an experience other than your own; the African American character doesn’t need to have a deadbeat dad and be in a gang, the Asian character doesn’t have to be uptight and super smart, the Latina character doesn’t need to be an illegal immigrant. These are extreme examples, but I promise you I’ve read poorly written YA novels that have them. Let’s switch it up people! If anything, I think a read is more enjoyable when YA subverts stereotypes: the black boy who belongs to a rich, real estate family, the queer girl whose proudly out and exploring her sexuality in a big city as opposed to a small town, etc., Even better, sometimes it’s great to read about a character when their identity rarely comes into play at all. No race, gender, sexuality, or experience is monolithic, so be cautious and mindful when crafting diverse characters. Think of them as characters, NOT tropes. And finally, don’t let the idea of tokenization scare you away from trying; I know I speak for many people when I say I’m tired of reading about white, cis, straight, rich assholes. Us new writers are the future; let’s make a splash, and let’s do it the right way!
