Fourth Wing

Although predominantly a fantasy novel with thriller and romance elements, Fourth Wing falls into the New Adult genre and targets an older and more mature age group than the Young Adult genre that caters to teens. Unlike YA fiction, New Adult fiction is predominantly advertised for people between the ages of 18 and 25, allowing it to feature grittier, more explicit descriptions than the content that typically dominates the Young Adult genre. It also typically focuses on the experiences of those who are newly adult rather than still in their formative years. This is not to say that New Adult fiction excludes elements of bildungsroman; however, rather than illustrating the conflicts typical of a young teen’s life, these novels tend to be much more focused on an individual’s growing autonomy and professional status. St. Martin’s Press is credited with coining the term during a 2009 call for submissions. Examples of popular New Adult Fiction texts include A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Darker Shade of Magic, and City of Brass (Salao, Cole. “What Is New Adult Fiction? Definition, Controversies, and Examples.” TCK Publishing).

The emergence of New Adult Fiction as a genre has been somewhat fraught.