Reading Consent through the “First Kiss” in Popular Young Adult Fantasy Novels

Young adult (YA) literature is widely acknowledged as a space for readers to engage with contemporary issues and societal concerns. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the representation of sexuality and consent. In this article, the author identifies how the post-feminist sensibilities operating in society that have persisted since the #MeToo movement are creating a distinct cultural moment that necessitates the consideration of consent and relationship dynamics in texts for young people. This article presents a literary analysis of two popular YA fantasy texts, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. The analysis demonstrates that the presentations of the first kiss in these texts presents consent in problematic ways that negate the importance of female agency and do not acknowledge unequal power dynamics. In this article, the author argues that popular YA fantasy literature texts present an opportunity to engage young people in nuanced conversations about sexuality and consent.