Punk 57

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content, sexual violence and harassment, emotional abuse, rape, and bullying.

Since the 2010s, and particularly in the last decade, the dark romance subgenre of the larger romance genre has gained significant traction thanks to the influence of social media like TikTok and the changing of cultural norms and expectations when it comes to what makes it to the page in a romance novel (Bigey, Magali. “Reading dark romance: The ambiguities of a fascinating genre.” The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2024). The dark aspect to the genre’s name refers to the inclusion of specific tropes like dubious consent, arranged marriage, forced proximity, and abuse, among others. The relationships explored in dark romance novels are often tumultuous and antagonistic, either before or throughout the courtship. Dark romance novels employ many elements that would be considered problematic outside of a fantasy situation, and the subgenre has received criticism by some for perceptions of fetishizing sexual violence against women or glorifying emotional or physical abuse. However, many believe the dark romance subgenre creates a safe place for the literary exploration of these fantasies. As dark romance author Ana Huang explains:

These books tend to dive a little deeper into all sorts of themes that are not necessarily “socially acceptable,” at least in the mainstream. But there are plenty of people that have these fantasies. Because these themes are heavier, people go into these books already in the headspace to engage with that type of content, whereas it can be a little bit more jarring to explore those kinks in a very, like, fluffy light romance. But this is in line with the theme (“These authors are putting the dark in dark romance.” NPR, 17 Feb. 2023)

The success of E. L. James’s 2009 erotic romance novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, opened many doors for romance authors, as the novel’s large and predominantly female audience altered the bounds of what was acceptable to read and talk about in society at large. Before 2009, romance novels were a much quieter side of the literary discussion, often consumed in secret or used as a punchline in media. However, Fifty Shades of Grey turned the tide for the genre. Not only was it a romance novel so popular that it made headlines across media, but it was also a romance novel full of tropes that now define the dark romance genre. Romance authors were emboldened to explore darker themes in romance and include more explicitly sexual scenes. Popular dark romance authors include Huang, author of the Twisted and Kings of Sin series; Rina Kent, author of the Royal Elite series; and L. J. Shen, author of the Sinners of Saint and All Saints High series.  

Many contemporary romance novels opt for a “doors open” approach to sexual scenes, with more explicit descriptions of the acts taking place. This is especially important to the dark romance genre because of the nature of why this genre is popular. Dark romance readers expect to be exposed to the ugly sides of relationships, sexuality, and trauma. When the tension created by these darker themes gets too thick, the release of an explicit and sometimes uncomfortable sex scene is part of what shapes the genre.

Punk 57, while not as dark as the genre can get, leans heavily on several dark romance tropes. Misha posing as Masen to manipulate Ryen, leading to a sexual relationship, is an example of dubious consent (a sexual encounter where consent is unknown, not established with certainty, or gained through questionable circumstances), as Ryen consents to sexual acts with Misha under false pretenses. Additionally, the way Masen’s character antagonizes Ryen through bullying and humiliation while pursuing a sexual relationship is emotionally abusive and manipulative. While these dynamics are uncomfortable in real life, the world of Punk 57 allows the reader to experience the characters’ tumultuous romance from a safe distance. As Huang asserts, “Fiction is a safe way to explore those fantasies and experience these visceral emotions without them actually being in danger the same way it goes for any other type of entertainment” (“These authors are putting the dark in dark romance.”). This distance makes up a cornerstone of the success of the dark romance genre, allowing readers to explore sexual fantasies that may have been too taboo to be published before.