Young Adult Fiction for Adults discussion

As the title says, I'm looking for YA novels that have no (or very little) romance involving the main characters.

When I was a teen a good 90% of my waking moments were spent thinking about boys, so I can understand why romantic subplots seem to be shoehorned into every book. However, after reading three series in a row with heavy emphasis on love triangle drama, I'm a little sick of it ;)

I'm much more of a sci-fi/fantasy/dystopia person than contemporary, but at this point I'll take whatever you throw at me! Thanks in advance :)

is a great dystopian series without a typical "romance".

Definitely if you haven't read it already - and especially if you like sci-fi. It's pretty darned awesome and entirely non-romantic! :)

Also just occurred to me: (all fantasy-ish).

(has flirting at most)


I need to look at my shelf for more

Must second because its a classic.

(main character has a girlfriend, but that happened before this story begins & it's not at all about that)

Its amazing how hard you have to look for a YA without romance.

This series is sci-fi/dystopian with no romance (although it does have an unwanted arranged marriage)


The Heir Chronicles series is also good and has very little romance. In fact, although two characters date, the romance mostly takes place behind the scenes. And there are no love triangles of any kind.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to plug my own book, but I'm the author of a young adult fantasy that has no romance in it, if you're interested.

Tamora Pierce is great for no-to-little romance YA, especially the Circle of Magic seres, Beka Cooper books, the Immortals series (Wild Magic, etc) and the Protector of the Small Series (First Test etc).

I'd also recommend L.A. Meyer's Bloody Jack series.

Another personal favorite is Robin McKinley's Dragonhaven (SO much better than Eragon).

You see I LOOOOOOOVE the romance in Tamora Pierce books and Bloody Jack. It's just the right amount. It makes me happy and girly in all the right ways.

And Jacky is about the biggest flirt in YA.

My new novel definitely does not contain any romance; the young women in it are living in a homeless shelter at the YWCA, and too busy just trying to survive. Here's a synopsis:
When I Am Singing to You
Fiction by Rebecca Burke *available at Amazon, B and N, and Smashwords)
Fourteen-year-old Carmen Delgada, the daughter of migrant workers, ends up living with other homeless teens at an urban YWCA after her jealous mother kicks her out of the house. When Carmen learns that her new friend Hazel is pregnant, she vows to help her—a decision that results in tragedy.

Claire wrote: "As the title says, I'm looking for YA novels that have no (or very little) romance involving the main characters.

When I was a teen a good 90% of my waking moments were spent thinking about boys..."

I am so with you Claire. There are a lot of great YA books but it seems like a lot that I'm coming across are the whole love triangle thing. I'm so happy you started this thread and I'll be checking out the books posted above.

Curently I'm reading Songs for a Teenage Nomad and it has little romance. It's not sci-fi/fantasy/dystopia but a nice read about a girl and her nomad life style thanks to her mother.

I really liked that book Kate.

Heidi (don't listen to me) wrote: "I really liked that book Kate."

I'm about half way through it and have enjoyed it so far. I like the tie in with the music. I wonder if the author ever put a list out of all the songs/bands that were mentioned in the book for people to go listen to? It sure covered all types of music.

So funny to see this thread now. Reviews are starting to come in for my YA book. The teen boys say it's fast-paced, the teen girls (and some older readers) say it's slow until....For the girls it's slow until the more romantic part kicks in. I told my husband I'm going to start marketing to teen boys!
was pretty good. Very heavy on the historical side, a lot of music worked into it. A very different kind of read.

is a good girl power book.

Heidi (don't listen to me) wrote: " is a good girl power book."

Agreed! I loved Frankie!

Don't count on it STAYING romance free but and it's sequel so far are almost romance free!

The author is known for her romance though so beware romance haters!

I just read and it was really good. Towards the end there is a little tiny bit of romance (actually I wouldn't really call it romance) but it's nothing like the "soul mate/I'd die without you" type stuff.

I'm an author of a number of humor books and children's books. I just wrote my first young adult novel called Are You Going To Kiss Me Now? It sounds like a romance, and suggests romance, but it's really not a romance at all.....it's more like Breakfast Club meets Survivor...with famous people. Anyway, might be a good option for a funny, light summer read?
Thanks for considering,
Sloane Tanen

and are for the most part romance free as well as , , and additionally and all of which are really good books. The most you really find in any of these is a minor crush that's barely touched upon.

My YA novel has no romance. It’s mostly action/adventure/scifi/fantasy/mystery. It’s about four 12-year-olds on vacation who get abducted by magical aliens and forced into a globe-trotting quest.

Here are some other YA books without romance that I enjoyed:

Kate wrote: "There are a lot of great YA books but it seems like a lot that I'm coming across are the whole love triangle thing."
Oh, I'm on board too... getting SO tired of the teenage love triangle theme. Looking forward to checking out some of these!

Hmm...I would suggest Garth Nix's The Abhorsen Trilogy. If I'm remembering right, there is very little romance -- if any -- in these books. Maybe the slightest hint. But it's definitely in the background and not a major focus.

I'm going to tentatively join the ranks of my fellow authors here and give a mention of my YA fantasy novel, Down a Lost Road. There's the smallest hint of a romantic interest, but it's definitely not all-out and in-your-face. It's a portal story that has a lot more to do with friendship, devotion, and sacrifice than sentimentality and romance (let alone the dreaded teenage love triangle! O.o). :)

I've read 'The Abhorsen Trilogy J.Leigh and yeah you’re right…hardly any romance at all. Very good series

Definitely all of Angie Sage's Magyk series: Magyk, Flyte, Physik, Queste, Syren, Darke etc. Fun, exciting plots, great friendships. My dad and I both loved these!
Also Ender's Game is pretty good with no romance.

Claire wrote: "As the title says, I'm looking for YA novels that have no (or very little) romance involving the main characters.

When I was a teen a good 90% of my waking moments were spent thinking about boys, ..."

I hear ya, Claire! It's already become a cliché and, as an author, I've already fell victim to it in my first series. My second series, however, is not going to have it. Since you mention you like some sci-fi, I'd be interested to know what you'd like to see in a sci-fi YA novel — since that's what I'm currently working on. Keep in touch, too — I'd be happy to send you an ARC.

Dylan

This is such a good thread, and thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

To me, romance is fine, and often quite enjoyable, but I don't think it needs to be at the core of every book (movie, song, etc). I gave my YA fantasy to a friend and she said, "I love it, but I would have liked to see more romance." *sigh*

Here are a few YAish books I can think of that may have some romance, but that don't revolve around it.

Fall of a Kingdom FANTASTIC fantasy trilogy. Come to think of it, none of Hilari Bell's stuff is very focused on romance.
Dragonhaven
The Hero and the Crown(has romance, but sidelined)
Lord of the Flies
Dealing with Dragons (the princess doesn't want to be rescued from the dragon by any of the various princes who come around)

Gee, this IS hard.

There's quite a bit of good Juvi literature out there without much/any romance, but the main characters are younger, and might not appeal quite as much.

Claire wrote: "As the title says, I'm looking for YA novels that have no (or very little) romance involving the main characters.

When I was a teen a good 90% of my waking moments were spent thinking about boys, ..."
I know this topic is old and I know it's self promotion but maybe some of you might give my Shadow Weavers series a try

I won't lie, there is romance, but it certainly doesn't take centre-stage

The adventure series of Cat royal by Julia Golding is good.The Diamond of Drury Lane is the first one. The series has virtually no romance between the main character.

I would totally recommend Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series, it has little to no romance and is one of my favourite alternate-history series!

Also, The Book of Lost Things is excellent:

I loved the Leviathan series as well.

The Dark Unwinding and its sequel A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron have little romance. (Sorry, don't know how to find covers on my phone!) They are historical fiction and involve a mystery. I loved both. Enjoy!

I'd recommend folks who want to NOT think about romance in a great YA book check out Inside Out by Terry Trueman

Oooh, I love this topic. I've really had it with unnecessary romance in YA-books, there are just too many of them.

I loved the Enola Holmes series. It was great! No romance at all~ Only thing is a few books into the series, she's looking for someone's missing wife.

Hi. I'm trying to create a place where readers that crave story and dislike love triangles can find books. Check us out. https://m.facebook.com/wellwrittenYA

These books are darker but they are well written and have little romance if any.
The Enemy by Charlie Higson, The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey.
Ashfall by Mike Mullins is one of the best post apocalyptic series I've ever read. There is romance but it's rock solid and works on so many levels it's incredible. Not mushy, either.
Oh, The Child Thief by Brom is one of the best I've ever read, too. Monument 14 is pretty good.
The Hungry City Chronicles by Phillip Reeve is amazing.
Some of the best I can currently think of. All worth a read.
Ooh, The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray.

The Bone Grit Historeum is absolutely fantastic!


by
Kamilla Reid

Melinda wrote: "This is such a good thread, and thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

To me, romance is fine, and often quite enjoyable, but I don't think it needs to be at the core of every book (movie, song, e..."

Wow! Great to see another Hilari Bell fan. She seems 'small'. Can't find her in large bookstores like Chapters/Indigo.

Just finished this, not a snog in sight.
Wild Water

Cassi aka Snow White wrote: "

(main character has a girlfriend, but that happened before this story begins & it's not at all about t..."

It's even worse today.

Ship Breaker

The Enemy series by Charlie Higson