Power is a common theme. In these stories, young royals often have to navigate the power struggles within the court, like in 'The Selection' series. Another theme is love, which can be complicated by their royal status.
Duty is also very important. The young characters in royal YA historical fiction usually have a sense of duty to their kingdoms. For example, in many stories, they might have to marry for political reasons rather than love. They also often face themes of identity, as they are both young people and royals, trying to figure out who they are in both of those roles. This is shown well in 'The Crown's Game' where the characters have to balance their magical powers, their loyalty to the Tsar, and their own personal desires.
One common theme is the struggle for acceptance. In many historical settings, being LGBT was not tolerated, so characters often face discrimination. Another theme is self - discovery. Young characters are trying to figure out their identity in a world that may not understand or support them.
Well, 'Cinder' by Marissa Meyer can be considered in this category. It's a retelling of Cinderella but in a sci - fi royal historical YA fiction setting. Cinder is a cyborg living in a world that has elements of royalty and a lot of political drama. Then there's 'Rebel of the Sands' which has a desert - based royal inspired world with a strong - willed female protagonist who gets involved in the power struggles of the land. It gives a fresh take on royal historical YA fiction with its unique setting and characters.
Well, royal historical YA fiction stands out from other YA genres in several ways. For one, it has a strong emphasis on historical context. It has to be accurate about the time period in terms of fashion, language, and social norms. Other YA genres like dystopian YA create their own worlds without such historical constraints. In royal historical YA, the characters' actions are often dictated by their royal status or the expectations of the court. In a fantasy YA, characters may have more freedom to act as they please based on their magical abilities rather than social standing. Also, the power dynamics in royal historical YA are mainly centered around the throne and inheritance, which is different from the power sources in other YA genres like science - fiction YA where it could be about technology or alien powers.
One common theme is the loss of individual freedom. In many ya dystopian fictions, the government or a powerful entity controls every aspect of people's lives. Another theme is environmental destruction. For example, the world might be in a state of extreme pollution or resource depletion. Also, the exploration of social hierarchies is often seen, where there are distinct classes with different levels of power and privilege.
Another theme is the connection to the land. Many indigenous cultures have a deep spiritual and practical connection to the land, and these stories often depict that relationship. For example, stories might show how the land holds memories, stories, and power. Also, the struggle against cultural erasure is a big theme. It shows how indigenous youth fight to preserve their languages, traditions, and ways of life in the face of outside forces that may try to assimilate them or make them forget their roots.
The exploration of good and evil is a significant theme. YA WW2 historical fiction often shows the evil of the Nazi regime. But at the same time, it also highlights the acts of kindness and heroism by ordinary people. In 'All the Light We Cannot See', the characters' actions are a mix of self - preservation and self - sacrifice, which reflects on the complex nature of good and evil during the war.
Love and lust are common themes. Royal mistresses often engage in passionate affairs with the royals, driven by both physical attraction and the allure of power.
Well, secrets and scandals are often themes in royal fiction romance novels. The royal families usually have many secrets that can either bring the lovers together or tear them apart. The theme of forbidden love also crops up a lot. Whether it's because of political alliances or family feuds, the lovers are not supposed to be together. And there's always the theme of loyalty, whether it's loyalty to the family, the kingdom or the lover.
Often, themes like personal growth, finding one's inner strength, and the importance of friendship are common in YA fiction dealing with bullying.
One great example is 'The Queen's Thief' series by Megan Whalen Turner. It's set in a fictional world with elements of royalty and a rich historical feel. The characters are complex and the plot is full of intrigue.