Emma answers “Is it considered YA or is it more of an...”

Victoria Moschou asked this question about Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor, #1):

Is it considered YA or is it more of an Adult Fantasy? I believe it's Adult, but I do want to know what others think, as well.

Emma Let's consider some criteria that are sometimes used to differentiate between adult and YA fantasy:
* age of protagonist. As Nona is 8 to 10 years old,…moreLet's consider some criteria that are sometimes used to differentiate between adult and YA fantasy:
* age of protagonist. As Nona is 8 to 10 years old, YA.
* difficulty of the language. Overall the author is not crouching down, verbally, but he uses comprehensible language. Could be read by YA
* subject matter - dark subject matter - from rape to murder are covert in YA. This book is not darker than The Hunger Games. So YA could read this too
* curse words. I can't remember many from the book. "Ancestor!" would be the worst. Otherwise the reader is told someone uttered words no one knew she knew. So even safer than most YA books
* sex. There are some hints that some sisters and novices have lesbian ties. There are no sexual details, neither in hetero or homo activities. And the protagonist (at 10 years) is oblivious regarding anything sexual. So YA could read it too.
* violence. There is a load of fighting in this book. But for some reason our culture doesn't mind kids watching violence - so why mind if YA read some.
* complexity of world building. The world is intricate with lots of aspects that will come together, I am sure in later books. YA may not catch all the options, all the carefully woven threads, and all the foreshadowing, but I don't think that is a problem, as these things will explain themselves when they are needed.

Adults can read it too and enjoy it.
That is to say: I'm an adult, and enjoyed it. (less)

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