JOURNAL ARTICLE

Reading Consent through the "First Kiss" in Popular Young Adult Fantasy Novels.

  • Published In: Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures, 2025, v. 17, n. 1. P. 52 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Little, Elizabeth 3 of 3

Abstract

This article analyzes the representation of consent and female agency in two popular young adult (YA) fantasy novels, *A Court of Thorns and Roses* by Sarah J. Maas and *Red Queen* by Victoria Aveyard, within the context of post-feminist sensibilities and the cultural shifts following the #MeToo movement. It argues that both texts depict first kisses in ways that problematically minimize unequal power dynamics and overlook the importance of active, informed consent, often privileging female sexual desire while neglecting structural oppression. The analysis highlights how these narratives reflect broader societal tensions around consent, sexuality, and agency in YA literature, suggesting that such texts offer opportunities for nuanced conversations about intimacy among young readers. The article also notes the growing influence of social media platforms like BookTok in shaping young people’s engagement with these themes and calls for further research into readers’ responses to consent representations in YA fantasy.

Additional Information

  • Source:Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures. 2025/06, Vol. 17, Issue 1, p52
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1920-2601
  • DOI:10.3138/jeunesse-2023-0036
  • Accession Number:186805001
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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