Fireborne

Fireborne adheres to many aspects of the young adult fantasy genre in terms of its premise, plot, and characters while also bringing fresh elements to the genre. Fireborne effectively blends the fantastical with the political, a common technique in 2010s young adult fantasy and dystopian works such as Legend by Marie Lu, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, and Divergent by Veronica Roth. The incorporation of dragons sets it apart from these other works in terms of genre expectations, adhering more to the emerging trend of dragons in YA fantasy literature seen in the 2020s with the release of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker.

The primary defining feature of a young adult fantasy is the coming-of-age story and themes of independence. In a coming-of-age story, the young protagonist(s) must navigate a world on their own for the first time as they transition from childhood to adulthood—and learn vital, transformative truths about themselves in the process. Both Lee and Annie are on their own paths toward this coming-of-age moment as they compete for their adult role in the new regime. The inclusion of the New Pythos threat to the current regime of Callipolis will also further force Lee and Annie to evaluate their belief systems, values, and loyalties. Their individual yet parallel journeys reflect the classic YA theme of identity formation and individuality.

The novel also adheres to the YA fantasy tradition of placing young protagonists in the center of a world-altering political, social, or military movement. Lee and Annie are actively involved in the shaping of their world through their competition for Firstrider—the leader of Callipolis’s aerial fleet. The Firstrider tournament not only tests their abilities to perform under pressure but also tests their values and loyalties. The competition itself is a common trope in YA fantasy and serves as their rite of passage, which forces them to confront their internal conflicts as well.