Because the HUNGER GAMES era was top tier and I want it back.
Remember when the YA dystopian and fantasy franchise dominated the film industry? Good times. I'm talking films in the mid-2000s, like The Hunger Games, Maze Runner ... I'll even throw in the sorry excuse for a movie adaptation that was Percy Jackson and the Olympians, simply because it represents an era in the entertainment industry that gives me major nostalgia. I strongly believe that The Hunger Games was the last great YA film franchise that we've had in a while and that the Divergent series adaptations ended it (I'll keep my thoughts on why that is to myself for now).
As much as I lived for that fantastic era, one thing is apparent about all of these YA franchises -- they are heavily white-centered. It's a common trend among most mid-2000s YA dystopian and fantasy media. Growing up with my nose in books, I was a huge fan of Percy Jackson, The Sisters Grimm, Gregor the Overlander, the GONE series (it's very good, you should read it), The Hunger Games, etc. All of these stories are about a kid who is thrust into an unfair world and has to find the inner strength to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. There's nuance in how this is portrayed in each story, of course, but the common thread is still there and I couldn't get enough of it. There's a unique and often-overlooked influence that this genre of media has on young adults. We can't deny the effect that a franchise such as The Hunger Games has had on this generation, for example.
BUT. This particular genre tends to center white voices and white characters while dealing with traumas and difficulties that people of color have been experiencing for centuries. (Though it has been argued that book-Katniss is mixed race, and the PJO series has gotten progressively more diverse with the Heroes of Olympus series). Now, as a person of color myself, these books and films have still spoken to me even with the lack of representation -- but that doesn't negate the fact that people like me were always the ones expected to see past it, and find meaning in the text regardless.
So! With that perspective in mind, here are a few brilliantly written, action-packed, heart-gripping, inspirational young adult dystopian/fantasy novels prioritizing POC voices that I think would make great screen adaptations...and hopefully revive the YA film franchise industry. Enjoy!
FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER
By Angeline Boulley
This book is by far one of my favorite reads of 2022, and it's a shame that I haven't seen it get as much attention as other YA novels on BookTok and other bibliophile-centered social media accounts. By the look of the front cover, you may assume that this is a fantasy novel. Surprise! It's a mystery!
FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER is a unique and potent story, with a fresh mystery plotline, and a host of well-developed characters. Unlike most YA stories, this book doesn't follow your typical "chosen one" storyline but rather focuses on the protagonist through her deep-rooted relationship with her community.
Daunis Fontaine's life is split between two communities, that of her white French Canadian mother and the other of the Sugar Land Ojibwe Tribe of her late father. When Daunis witnesses a tragic murder, Daunis finds herself involved in an FBI investigation into drug trafficking in her community. However, the investigation will uncover secrets and threaten many people, including many she knows. In this thrilling and dynamic story, Boulley tells a tale that is suspenseful, insightful, and emotionally complex.
I can definitely see this as either a one-off feature film or a limited edition mini-series. There are so many twists and turns, so that means there's a lot of opportunity for suspenseful cliffhangers! It is a refreshing YA read with a maturity to it that will attract both teens and adults. The ways in which the author weaves in Native American spirituality and belief to tie it in with a murder mystery is also extremely impressive and adds a lot of depth to the story as well. I think a screen adaptation of this book would bring a breath of fresh air to the YA film industry, as it strays away from the typical "chosen one" narrative we see so much of.
ACE OF SPADES
By Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Pro tip: This book is even better if you've watched Peele's GET OUT -- the author makes so many interesting correlations to that movie and you'll feel super smart when you make the connections.
ACE OF SPADES is pretty much if GET OUT took place at a predominantly white private school. And as someone who attended PWIs all her life, it makes the story that much more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, this isn't just a rehash of Peele's film. ACE OF SPADES follows two private high school students who couldn't be more different – Chiamaka, the rich, popular girl at the top of the social hierarchy, and Devon, a musician and scholarship student who has been fairly under the radar at his school. The only thing they have in common is that they're both Black students trying to survive this high school (both characters are also queer!).
Things get interesting when Chiamaka and Devon are targeted by an anonymous bully at school, who progressively reveals their secrets via text message to the student body of the Academy. What do these two seemingly normal high school students have to hide? It turns out there’s a lot more than meets the eye, and someone is determined to ruin their lives. The depths that this bully will go in ruining their lives is completely shocking, and seeing them ostracized by their classmates and friends was also devastating. Without saying too much, it turns out that things aren’t as simple as they seem on the surface – and the progressive reveal through shocking twists and turns was definitely an eye-opening ride.
With its mysterious plot and high-school drama, this book gave me major ONE OF US IS LYING vibes. I could definitely see a streaming series adaptation of this story. There is also an opportunity to make future seasons, with each one centering on new Black students who have to navigate an equally traumatizing PWI. Read the book and you'll see what I mean...
LEGENDBORN
By Tracy Deon
I freaking love this book. I freak out when fantasy novels incorporate legends and folklore, and in this case, LEGENDBORN uses the story of King Arthur to spin its tale. Yeah, King Arthur doesn't exactly scream POC, but trust, this book is That Girl when it comes to calling out racism, uplifting Black female voices, and will have you rooting for the protagonist when she slaps some sense into people.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A college program for bright high schoolers seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses the impossible on her very first night on campus: a flying demon feeding on human energies, a secret society of “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down, and a mysterious mage who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw. The mage’s failure unlocks a buried memory that has Bree thinking there’s more to her mother’s death than she thought, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth...even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.
From discussing topics like trauma, grief, and acceptance, all while maintaining an air of magic and intrigue, this book is for anyone with a penchant for adventure, romance, and emotional rollercoasters. What's more, the legend of King Arthur isn't the only folklore used in this story. The author also introduces the spirituality and power behind Root, a type of magic passed down from Black ancestors for generations. I loved this simple addition, as it made a point to show that Black fantasy characters can have their own special powers without needing to enter into White spaces. The topics of race and discrimination in the book add a deeper layer to the text, which would otherwise have the story be a reiteration of far too many YA fantasy novels, as it does have those tropes of love triangles, magic, etc. Diversity makes stories more interesting, y'all!
LEGENDBORN definitely deserves to be a streaming television series, and I can already see the epic climax as a two-part episode. I can't even tell you the best part of the book, because it's a major spoiler. And with the sequel already out, there's definitely room for multiple seasons of a streaming television adaptation. This book has been all over BookTok, so I'm sure you've heard of it. Let this be your sign that, yes, it really is that good.
HOLLOW FIRES
By Samira Ahmed
Why aren't more people talking about this book?! It's not necessarily a dystopian or fantasy novel, but I'm including it on this list anyway because it's just that good. I've loved that so many books I read this past year have incorporated real-life issues while telling interesting and entertaining stories. We don't have to ignore our reality in order to write and enjoy fiction.
In this case, HOLLOW FIRES tackles anti-Muslim racism in a thrilling mystery. What's unique about this book is its lyrical creativity in discussing the failures in journalism, and the dangers of propaganda and white supremacy. These are all such big topics to tackle, but HOLLOW FIRES does it wonderfully while still keeping readers rooted in the story.
The book follows Safiya Mirza, a high school student who dreams of becoming a journalist. And one thing she's learned as editor of her school newspaper is that a journalist's job is to find the facts and not let personal biases affect the story. But all of that changes the day she finds the body of Jawad Ali, a boy who was murdered after being unjustly accused of being a terrorist. Driven by Jawad's haunting voice guiding her throughout her investigation, Safiya seeks to tell the whole truth about the murdered boy and those who killed him because of their hate-based beliefs. This theme of truth vs fact heavily drives the story, as the author urges readers to acknowledge the complicity that occurs when we create alternative facts to construct a truth of our liking.
HOLLOW FIRES would make for a great mini-series adaptation. An episodic retelling of this story would be much more gripping, and do the book more justice, than a feature film. This mystery will have you suspecting one person, and then another. And just when you think the author is going to go the easy route...well, I'll leave it at that.
DREAD NATION
By Justina Ireland
If you thought zombies were tired and overdone by now, think again. DREAD NATION provides a fresh take on the zombie genre by having the zombie apocalypse take place not in the near future...but in the past. The novel blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create an altered timeline in which the American Civil War is interrupted by a zombie apocalypse, and a young Black woman must find her way in a world where the living may be more dangerous than the undead.
Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation forever. In this new America, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Education Act require certain children to attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities, and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It's a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society's expectations. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies, both the undead and the very much alive.
The combination of period drama, alternative timelines, fantasy elements, zombies, and complex socio-historical-cultural contexts makes this book a welcome departure from other dystopian young adult books. DREAD NATION proves that it is possible to write a thrilling fantasy filled with zombies and brave zombie fighters, and also provide readers with substance and thought-provoking material that challenges them to re-evaluate how they see the world.
DREAD NATION would make for a thrilling multi-season streaming series, as book two of this series is already out, and book three (hopefully) is soon on the way. The depth of each character, the opportunity for awesome fight scenes, as well as tender moments of reflection, make for a well-rounded series for a diverse group of people. The theme of the book is also one of topical importance: If people are not seen as humans, equal under the law, and with the same rights to their humanity and personhood, then, are they really free?
These five novels don't even begin to cover all of the terrific POC YA authors that are out there. Like, I didn't even get to Scythe, The City We Became, Children of Blood and Bone, or books meant for slightly older audiences like The Poppy War and Blood Trials. The point is, YA books prioritizing marginalized voices are abundant -- it's 2023, y'all. It's about time we see a real and accurate representation of our reality in the fiction-based media we consume.
