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What's the Difference Between Young Adult and New Adult Book Genres?

It turns out, the two are quite unique!

By Jasmine AguilarPublished 2 months ago 1 min read
What's the Difference Between Young Adult and New Adult Book Genres?
Photo by Elin Melaas on Unsplash

Seeing two very similar sounding genres at my library got me wondering.

Young adult and new adult.

Aren’t they the same thing as both focus on young adult or juvenile fiction. I’ve always thought the genres were used interchangeably. Furthermore, what’s the difference between a young adult and a new adult in general?

It turns out there is a difference. At least book genre wise! 

Young adult

This genre features characters between the ages of 12 -18. 

New adult

This genre is a recent addition only going back since 2009. It was created to bridge the gap between young adult fiction and adult fiction. 

This genre features characters that are older than those in young adult books ranging in age from 18–25.

New adult fiction has themes that are more detailed. For example, spice in New Adult fiction is more detailed and explicit than young adult fiction. In young adult, any spice is vague or “off screen”. 

These stories are targeted in such a way that they can appeal to older adults as well.

Some examples of young adult fiction are:

The Cruel Prince — Holly Black

Six of Crows — Leigh Bardugo

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder — Holly Jackson

And some example of New Adult: 

Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yaros

It Ends With Us — Colleen Hoover

Iron Widow — Xiran Jay Zhao


Although they sound like almost the same genre, young adult and new adult fiction are actually quite unique!

Sources:

FictionGenre

About the Creator

Jasmine Aguilar

Fascinated by pop culture and its effect on society... movies, music, books.. and pretty much anything.

I love writing and write a little bit of everything including a science fiction WIP!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/J.A.Rose

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    Written by Jasmine Aguilar