Next Big Thing?

"Why can't it be yeti's? Think of the yeti's!"

In a paraphrased conversation with a group of friends/co-workers I realized that yes, I was seriously debating whether the big new trend in YA fiction might be Yeti's. Or possibly, zombie pirate vampire yeti's (that don't sparkle. Not sparkling is a step in the right direction).

There seem to be a few trends in YA fiction that are ongoing right now - vampires of course but it seems to be followed by angels (see the Fallen series by Lauren Kate but also the Halo novels) and then a brief foray in to mermaids. 


The trends that do some to be coming up (other than angels!) are faeries, dystopia and historical romance/books. And strangely, a diversion in to the French Revolution.


 


Dystopias: This has mostly come off the success of The Hunger Games which on the one hand delights me - Katniss is a compelling, interesting and complex heroine and the supporting characters enthrall me (Team Cinna and Rue!) and it might well have the side benefit of getting readers on the road to other kinds of dystopian fiction Or thinky thoughts about reality TV but hey, I'll take 'interesting inversion of gender roles, biracial protagonist and lovers who have friends and family as another focus'

On the other hand? It's also probably going to lead to a million copy cats. There's Matched (which is actually quite good despite itself) and The Maze Runners, which is another Boys Adventure Story that while reasonably well written, doesn't especially do anything new. 

Faeries: Oh the faeries. And the blending of faeries and dystopia (personally I think Eoin Colfer did it best with Artemis Fowl but that's another story entirely). But I can't let this go past without mentioning Magic Under Glass which is a beautiful, engaging book about cultural imperialism, love, homesickness and steampunk crossed with faeryland and probably one of my top ten YA heroines.

And the historical fiction? It may just be that I'm currently about to read a book re imagining the Scarlet Pimpernel as a girl (:D) but I think there's a real trend towards historical dramas and the re imagining therein. I am particularly looking for recommendations in this area (I want to check out Laurie Anderson Hale especially).


So, emerging trends in YA fiction. Discuss. Or more broadly, what books are you looking forward to this year? Mine?

*The Sending (Isobelle Carmody) - September/October 2011
*Mastiff (Tamora Pierce) - October 2011
*Snuff (A Discworld Novel - Terry Pratchett) - October 2011
*Between Sea & Sky (Jaclyn Dolamore) - October 2011 
*Magic Below Stairs (Caroline Stevermer)-June 2011