As I begin to scale these towers of books, I can’t help but point out a recent trend that I have unknowingly subscribed to. This category I speak of is one that I feel I may have passed over or not even noticed in years past. Yet somehow, this particular microcosm of fiction has wriggled its way into popular young adult literature (not to mention my bookshelves) and is swiftly spreading… almost like weeds.
Thanks to the success of other fantasy series such as Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer, fangirls (and boys) are coming out of hiding by riding on the coattails of their predecessors. Pouring out of parents’ cars to swarm midnight releases nationwide, teens arrive decked out in what I can only call “Pedestrian Comic-Con Chic.” This seems to be happening more and more. Now book launch parties have become more commonplace for the everyday “flavor-of-the-week” tweener pop craze rather than a spectacular event reserved only for the crème de la crème of juvenile literature. But I digress…
Strong female characters in post-apocolyptic dystopian fantasy fiction trilogies.
Gosh, that sure is a mouthful. And I thought Barnes & Noble was crazy for naming a whole section “Paranormal Teen Romance.”
Now, before I go further, I should probably mention that this topic may very well be a springboard into several of my first book reviews. Honestly, it’s because I have read quite a few already, so please bear with me as I trudge through this mini-genre of books over the next few blog entries. (I’ll try to break things up here and there so I don’t scare away too many potential readers.)
1. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
2. The Matched Trilogy by Ally Condi
3. The Mortal Instruments Trilogy by Cassandra Clare
4. The Dustlands Trilogy by Moira Young
5. The Forest of Hands and Teeth Trilogy by Carrie Ryan
6. The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
The six trilogies mentioned above contain books that I have either already read or ones that I own. I will also mention…
7. The Chemical Garden Trilogy by Lauren DeStefano
and a special mention to…
8. The Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner
The Chemical Garden Trilogy is a series that I can absolutely see myself buying that will fit right alongside the others in this little collection I already have going on. While The Maze Runner Trilogy on the other hand, offers the same general world setting as the others, but with a male as the central character — though, not exactly a departure from the traditions of what seems to be going on in this genre, a different perspective can shed light on many new things. These last two trilogies I mentioned are ones I do not own, and for the purpose of this blog, I will refrain from purchasing for the time being.
So far, three of the six trilogies are complete, while the remaining three are missing their second and/or third companions. With that in mind, I will start reviewing the completed series first, allowing more time for the remaining series to round themselves out.
~
Will Suzanne Collins will become the next J.K. Rowling?
Is a trilogy ever too long, or not long enough?
Team Peeta or Team Gale?
Tune in next time for my review and insight into The Hunger Games Trilogy.
BookSick 
So, Garrett, what is the appeal—other than the usual cycling through genres and fads as readers’ interests shift? I’m reading Suzanne Collins now, and I’d like to get to the heart of it. I’ve not read the others, so tell me what’s happening? Do the fans just love it, or is the genre just attracting the best writers, or is it the best platform now for saying what needs saying?
I think the new genre is answering a deficit in YA: books that treat teens as burgeoning grown ups, rather than boy-crazy, babysitting, Sweet Valley High students.
I am glad to see a trend in YA literature that features strong females, especially as a counterbalance to the Twilight series (which I view as bodice rippers for the 13-15 set, minus the graphic sex, but with Vampires).
I am team Peeta.
I think it is great that there is such an interest in YA literature because I feel that is where you can make or break it when it comes to attracting readers. Middle and High School are such a critical age when it comes to interest in reading. I feel like that is the genre that is most influential in turning out life long readers.
It is not only great for young readers, but I am really enjoying reading a lot of books in this genre as well. Looking forward to your reviews so I can find some new material to read.