--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: YA stories feature a young adult…" description: "\"“YA stories feature a young adult protagonist or protagonists and usually focus on that character’s journey toward maturity (the tradition of the Bildu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/juliet-marillier-2403_fantasy_ya-stories-feature-a-young-adult-protago_2344464.png" --- # YA stories feature a young adult protagonist or… ![“YA stories feature a young adult protagonist or protagonists and usually focus on that character’s journey toward maturity (the tradition of the Bildungsroman.). Learning about love / relationships is an important part of that stage in our lives, so it’s not surprising so many writers are building…” quote by Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/juliet-marillier-2403_fantasy_ya-stories-feature-a-young-adult-protago_2344464.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/juliet-marillier-2403_fantasy_ya-stories-feature-a-young-adult-protago_2344464.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/juliet-marillier-2403_fantasy_ya-stories-feature-a-young-adult-protago_2344464.png) > ““YA stories feature a young adult protagonist or protagonists and usually focus on that character’s journey toward maturity (the tradition of the Bildungsroman.). Learning about love / relationships is an important part of that stage in our lives, so it’s not surprising so many writers are building strong romantic elements into their YA stories. I don’t remember quite such an emphasis on romance in the books my children read as young adults, so I do think the approach has changed. Within my genre of fantasy, there’s been an upsurge of paranormal romance, partly generated by the Twilight books, but also reflecting the popularity of this sub-genre with adult readers. There are far more female fantasy writers (and female fantasy readers) than there were, say, twenty years ago, and perhaps female writers are more confident about including a good love story in a fantasy novel. (2012 Interview by Helen Lowe: The Supernatural Underground: An Interview with Juliet Marillier Discussing "Shadowfell" .)”” [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. YA fiction now blends coming‑of‑age growth with romance, especially in fantasy, reflecting cultural shifts and more female voices. **In simple terms:** YA books mix maturity journeys with love stories, especially in fantasy. Key Takeaway Embrace diverse themes in storytelling. Themes young adult literature romance fantasy gender dynamics genre evolution Mood reflective analytical Type critical observational When to use this quote - writing workshops - literary analysis - publishing trends - reader expectations Key Concepts Bildungsroman paranormal romance authorial confidence Questions to Reflect On - How does romance affect character development? - What drives the rise of paranormal romance? A Different Perspective Romance can overshadow other narrative elements if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adult Protagonist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adult-protagonist-5684989/) [Fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) [Fantasy Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy-novel/) [Fantasy Reader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy-reader-218926/) [Female writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female-writers/) [Genre Adult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre-adult-5684987/) [Genre Fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre-fantasy-1122904/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-relationships/) [Love story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-story/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) [Romance Partly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance-partly-5684988/) [Twilight book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twilight-book/) [Ya Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ya-stories-3225870/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) [Young adult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-adult/) [Young adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-adults/) ## Related quotes > [The genre of fantasy is about magic and occult characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-ashmore/the-genre-of-fantasy-is-about-magic-and-occult-characters/) [Shawn Ashmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-ashmore/) > [The problem with most genre fantasy is that it's not nearly fantastic enough. It's escapist, but it can't escape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/china-mi-ville/the-problem-with-most-genre-fantasy-is-that-it-s-not-nearly-fantastic/) [China Mieville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/china-mi-ville/) > [On the other side of that coin, and far outweighing it, is the fact that I've been able to use genre of Fantasy/Horror and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-romero/on-the-other-side-of-that-coin-and-far-outweighing-it-is-the-fact/) [George A. Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-romero/) > [I don't differentiate in the way that the genre creators want differentiation to be made. I feel that I have never written children's or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-mckinley/i-don-t-differentiate-in-the-way-that-the-genre-creators-want/) [Robin McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-mckinley/) > [“Something that’s bothered me for a while now is the current profligacy in YA culture of Team Boy 1 vs Team Boy 2 fangirling.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foz-meadows/something-that-s-bothered-me-for-a-while-now-is-the-current/) [Foz Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foz-meadows/) > [I think that YA stories have a lot of heart, and I think that whatever age we are, we connect to them because we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabaa-tahir/i-think-that-ya-stories-have-a-lot-of-heart-and-i-think-that-whatever/) [Sabaa Tahir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabaa-tahir/) > [“Very different from other middle grade of YA stories I've read about slaves running during the 1800s. – Wandering Librarian”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lovejoy/very-different-from-other-middle-grade-of-ya-stories-i-ve-read-about/) [Sharon Lovejoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lovejoy/) > [THE NAME OF THE WIND has everything fantasy readers like, magic and mysteries and ancient evil, but it's also humorous and terrifying and completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/the-name-of-the-wind-has-everything-fantasy-readers-like-magic-and/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [A lot of people have read the Mira Grant books who are not urban fantasy readers, and they would never have picked up a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/a-lot-of-people-have-read-the-mira-grant-books-who-are-not-urban/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [I think every fantasy reader secretly believes they know how magic works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/i-think-every-fantasy-reader-secretly-believes-they-know-how-magic/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [“The truth is, everyone likes to look down on someone. If your favorites are all avant-garde writers who throw in Sanskrit and German, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/the-truth-is-everyone-likes-to-look-down-on-someone-if-your-favorites/) [Brent weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [Anthony Ryan is a new fantasy author destined to make his mark on the genre. His debut novel, Blood Song, certainly has it all:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/anthony-ryan-is-a-new-fantasy-author-destined-to-make-his-mark-on-the/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [I've mis-signed many a book Rollins or Clemens. My readers quickly become aware. Booksellers will often promote me under both names, and I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rollins/i-ve-mis-signed-many-a-book-rollins-or-clemens-my-readers-quickly/) [James Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rollins/) > [“Just because I’m a reporter doesn’t mean I don’t get to have an opinion about people.” “And your opinion of me is?” “Very low.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-reid/just-because-i-m-a-reporter-doesn-t-mean-i-don-t-get-to-have-an/) [Penny Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-reid/) ## More by Juliet Marillier > [“What came next is very hard to tell. Indeed, I have told it but once before, when I needed to, and I will tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/what-came-next-is-very-hard-to-tell-indeed-i-have-told-it-but-once/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [The greatest tales, well told, awaken the fears and longings of the listeners. Each man hears a different story. Each is touched by it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/the-greatest-tales-well-told-awaken-the-fears-and-longings-of-the/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [After a while, footsteps sounded on the flagstones outside and there was a gentle tap at the door. Of course, one of them would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/after-a-while-footsteps-sounded-on-the-flagstones-outside-and-there/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [Eat of my deep earth, drink of my living streams, for I am your Mother. Your heart is my wild drum, your breath my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/eat-of-my-deep-earth-drink-of-my-living-streams-for-i-am-your-mother/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [I wish- I wish I could dry these tears, I wish I could make this better for you. But I don't know how.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/i-wish-i-wish-i-could-dry-these-tears-i-wish-i-could-make-this-better/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“You speak like a jealous lover." -Fola to Broichan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/you-speak-like-a-jealous-lover-fola-to-broichan/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“I learned that in the end, only I was responsible for my actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/i-learned-that-in-the-end-only-i-was-responsible-for-my-actions/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“That's lovely singing, Saraid," Eile said. "Is Sorry asleep now?" Saraid shook her head solemnly. "Sorry's sad. Crying." She held the doll against her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/that-s-lovely-singing-saraid-eile-said-is-sorry-asleep-now-saraid/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“I cannot expiate my sin, yet I am compelled to try. My mind will not let me rest. There must be something I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/i-cannot-expiate-my-sin-yet-i-am-compelled-to-try-my-mind-will-not/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“Don't you long for something different to happen, something so exciting and new it carries you along with it like a great tide, something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/don-t-you-long-for-something-different-to-happen-something-so/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“ So you do believe in... true love? she whispered. I took a deep breath, I think I have to, I said, blinking back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/so-you-do-believe-in-true-love-she-whispered-i-took-a-deep-breath-i/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [Nothing comes without a price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/nothing-comes-without-a-price/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“There's a light shining in him, moving him forward: the light of freedom. That's what draws all of us to follow, to take risks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/there-s-a-light-shining-in-him-moving-him-forward-the-light-of/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“Amazing, I thought nobody could tell that man what to do." -Foalan to Bridei Talking about Broichan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/amazing-i-thought-nobody-could-tell-that-man-what-to-do-foalan-to/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [“We’re all trapped in a net of consequences, condemned to paths outside our control. It’s the way of things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/we-re-all-trapped-in-a-net-of-consequences-condemned-to-paths-outside/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) [Explore all 163 Juliet Marillier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) ## More Fantasy quotes > [“I am awake. I know what you took. I am coming for you. Vengeance is mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-burks/i-am-awake-i-know-what-you-took-i-am-coming-for-you-vengeance-is-mine/) [Robin Burks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-burks/) > [I avoided nudity unless a film couldn't be told without those scenes. If you look at my films, few of them have that element,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-scacchi/i-avoided-nudity-unless-a-film-couldn-t-be-told-without-those-scenes/) [Greta Scacchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-scacchi/) > [We don't make glamorous movies today. Everything now is very realistic, artistic - and depressing. When is the last time you you saw a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-head/we-don-t-make-glamorous-movies-today-everything-now-is-very-realistic/) [Edith Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-head/) > [I like fantasy, but I don't live and breathe fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/i-like-fantasy-but-i-don-t-live-and-breathe-fantasy/) [Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/) > [“Metal makes everything magical. Just ask a unicorn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sybrina-durant/metal-makes-everything-magical-just-ask-a-unicorn/) [Sybrina Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sybrina-durant/) > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [My first three manuscripts were epic fantasy - like high fantasy - and then the fourth one was a historical fantasy about Mozart as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/my-first-three-manuscripts-were-epic-fantasy-like-high-fantasy-and/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) > [I'm a geek - I read fantasy novels, I play 'World of Warcraft,' I'm a massive gamer, I have 'Star Trek' outfits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kazinsky/i-m-a-geek-i-read-fantasy-novels-i-play-world-of-warcraft-i-m-a/) [Robert Kazinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kazinsky/) > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [I like to play people that are real, a real person, and then something that's interesting with that person. I think it's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-bostick/i-like-to-play-people-that-are-real-a-real-person-and-then-something/) [Devon Bostick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-bostick/) > [It's a hindrance in trying to get a serious acting role. The minute a producer has a script and my name comes up, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbi-benton/it-s-a-hindrance-in-trying-to-get-a-serious-acting-role-the-minute-a/) [Barbi Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbi-benton/) > [No one will ever write a fantasy novel better than The Hobbit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-will-ever-write-a-fantasy-novel-better-than-the-hobbit/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've always loved sci-fi and fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-ve-always-loved-sci-fi-and-fantasy/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [“I will always be within reach if you need me, little one...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-von/i-will-always-be-within-reach-if-you-need-me-little-one/) [A.R. Von](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-von/) [Browse all 5,469 Fantasy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“YA stories feature a young adult protagonist or protagonists and usually focus on that character’s journey toward maturity (the tradition of the Bildungsroman.). Learning about love / relationships is an important part of that stage in our lives, so it’s not surprising so many writers are building strong romantic elements into their YA stories. I don’t remember quite such an emphasis on romance in the books my children read as young adults, so I do think the approach has changed. Within my genre of fantasy, there’s been an upsurge of paranormal romance, partly generated by the Twilight books, but also reflecting the popularity of this sub-genre with adult readers. There are far more female fantasy writers (and female fantasy readers) than there were, say, twenty years ago, and perhaps female writers are more confident about including a good love story in a fantasy novel. 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