Are you an avid reader of Young Adult (YA) literature who is looking to take your reading game to the next level? If so, you may have heard of the relatively new-to-the-scene genre of New Adult (NA) fiction. But what’s the difference between these two seemingly similar categories of literature? In this blog post, we dive deep into the world of YA and NA fiction to explore the distinction between the two! We’ll discuss what makes each one unique, the kind of stories they tell and the types of characters they feature, and anything in between, all with a little bit of good-natured humor along the way. So get out your bookmarks, grab your glasses, and let’s explore the difference between Young Adult and New Adult fiction!
Young Adult Fiction: An Overview
Young Adult (YA) fiction is a literary genre that caters to the age group of readers between the ages of 12 to 18 (and is widely enjoyed by adults the world over). Themes and storylines in YA fiction often revolve around issues that are pertinent to this age group. These stories explore topics such as identity, coming-of-age, friendships, first love, family dynamics, mental illness, and more, often through the lens of the protagonist.
New Adult (NA) fiction is a slightly newer genre that is geared towards young adults aged 17 to 25. While NA fiction has many similarities to YA fiction, the stories tend to focus on more mature topics such as dealing with independence, finding one’s place in the world, exploring relationships, and navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The characters in these stories are more complex and their struggles often have more adult consequences. NA stories can contain more explicit language and often have more mature themes.
What Makes New Adult Fiction Different?
New Adult (NA) fiction has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and its growing popularity has led readers to ask: what makes it different from Young Adult (YA) fiction?
At its core, NA fiction is designed for readers aged 17-25, and it is often considered a bridge between the YA and adult fiction genres. This means stories and characters are more mature than those typically found in YA literature, but not always as heavy as those found in more conventional adult fiction. Themes in NA fiction often focus on young people transitioning into adulthood, as they discover who they are and what they want out of life.
In comparison to YA fiction, NA books often explore a wider range of topics and issues, such as relationships, sexuality, and mental health (although YA fiction is heading down these routes too). The characters in NA are also typically more complex, making the plot and the overall story more relatable to the reader. Books in this genre may also feature coarse language and sexual situations that are more commonly found in adult fiction, which is not to say the only difference between YA and NA fiction is sex, of course.
New Adult fiction is a unique genre that bridges the gap between Young Adult and more conventional adult fiction. It features more mature themes, characters, and plotlines, and goes further to explore important issues and topics. It is also a great choice for readers looking to explore more complex stories that are both relatable and entertaining.
Exploring the Characters, Plots, and Themes in YA and NA Fiction
When it comes to Young Adult (YA) fiction, the stories are generally geared towards adolescent readers. The focus is usually on the characters’ coming of age, as they work to overcome life’s obstacles, such as bullying, first love, and learning to accept their identity. YA fiction often contains elements of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and romance, and the characters often have to face difficult moral choices. The language used in YA fiction is often more accessible to younger readers, and the stories generally don’t contain explicit sexual content.
Meanwhile, New Adult (NA) fiction focuses typically on the characters’ transition into adulthood and the challenges they face as they learn to navigate life after high school or college. The stories often feature characters who are dealing with issues related to career, relationships, finances, and more aggressive forms of bullying, whether that’s at home, among peers, or in the brave new world of work. The language used in NA fiction can be more complex, allowing for a more mature audience. The themes explored in NA fiction can enjoy the freedom of being more open to truth and reality than those in YA fiction, and they can contain a lot of angst and drama – just like real life, eh?
Overall, the primary difference between YA and NA fiction lies in the themes explored and the age of the characters both featured and targetted. Both genres are filled with stories that explore the universal experience of growing up, but YA and NA fiction take very different approaches and target different age groups.
Find our YA Reviews here, and our NA book reviews here.
