What do bildungsroman, and—dare I say—shōnen have in common? They tend to focus on teenagers (at least to begin with) because that’s kind of the whole point of coming-of-age. These stories showcase the internal journey of a character as they grow, transition, and mature into adulthood—however it is you define adulthood. But you never really stop growing up, in a sense, so what about those who have already reached the so-called pinnacle of adulthood? Those who feel cursed to a later sort of maturation where you’re simultaneously too old to not have your shit together but too young to face the world you were meant to have prepared for in the coming-of-age you missed out on. An adultescense, if you will. If that sounds a little targeted—believe me, it is, but only because I get it.
With the 2020s having essentially stunted the growth of a generation, many readers in their 20s, and even 30s, don’t feel like adult-adults. As Millennials used to say (don’t quote me on the slang though), adulting is hard. We may not have to tame dragons or slay ancient evils, but struggling with shitty jobs, ill-fitting romantic relationships, and a world that does not want us to succeed feels almost as difficult. Put simply: this decade hasn’t just cooked us—we’re fried, mentally and physically. So why not seek out books that recognize, commiserate with, and lay out the cold hard facts of that reality in fantastical settings?
The thing about being in your 20s these days is that it’s like being a teenager except double the stress and pass it on. In my case, I chose to pass it on to the characters of Black as Diamond.
An epic fantasy set in a dark but hopeful world, Black as Diamond is as much about the literal journey to break a curse as it is about self-discovery—or, rediscovery in your twenties. The story centers on Asaru—a dour, standoffish, and socially inept warrior—sent to find his missing brother, who winds up summoned by Wren, a reckless healer playing with dangerous magic. Now inextricably bound, the pair are forced on the run as they attempt to break a fatal curse—or die trying.
Throughout the story, characters undergo deferred self-realizations: Asaru as he battles the curse consuming him, Wren as he struggles with the weight of his mistakes, Palenisa as she tries to atone for a choice she never wanted to make, and Rishé as obsession threatens to overwhelm her common sense. When writing Black as Diamond, it was important for me to craft characters who make a right mess of things and deal with the same types of consequences you would find in most coming-of-age tales. Because, as stated earlier, you never stop growing up.
I once saw a post in the endless scroll of Tumblr that argued mid-life crises actually take place in your twenties because of the nature of modern life and the mess that goes on when you’ve been of age for years but your mind still lags catching up to that fact. While I can’t say I agree with that sentiment today, I’m sure it’s one a few characters from the books below would understand completely.
Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Between Griff’s relationship woes, Alys juggling parenthood and a fearsome reputation, and Mal’s everything (he’s a loveable mess), the cast are a perfect snapshot of 20-something dysfunction. On their journey into the deadly Rotrose Mire at the behest of Mal’s shady boss, the trio of rogues contend with their turbulent pasts, resurfacing old pains that never healed quite right. In Our Rogue Fates, second chances, found families, and self-love culminate in a thrilling tale that reminds us it’s never to late to change or apologize.
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
Csorwe’s journey to finding her true life path in adulthood, when not under the thumb of you-know-who, is arguably much better than dying young as the bride of an ancient god because, well, she actually gets to grow up. So I’m giving her a pass since the woman desperately deserves it. In The Unspoken Name, self-growth is a journey without age and uncovering ancient secrets is equally as important as learning to truly love yourself.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Never has there been a more relatable character than Zachary Ezra Rawlins, introvert of the century. Zachary’s journey before venturing into the eerily magical Harbour lovingly attacks every mid-20 something terrified to leave the comforting structure of academia, struggling with the dreaded “quarter-life crisis” and the idea of what comes after. In The Starless Sea, even when you think there’s no other paths available, when you’ve dedicated yourself to the one thing you thought you were meant to, it’s always okay to switch callings if you find yourself sooner or later in life.
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Every time Safiya fails to confront a mess she made, I didn’t know whether to cheer or face palm. Such is the tragedy of being a pun-loving, avoidant, freshly-grown (free range) adult, I suppose. Burdened with being a rare Truthwitch in the Witchlands, Safiya and her slightly more put-together best friend Iseult run a con, attempt some light thievery, and blast open an arcane history once thought legend. In Truthwitch, friendship and responsibility thread a journey through a world as in turmoil as Safiya, reflecting the turbulent nature of coming-of-age as liminal state adults.
Kill 6 Billion Demons by Tom Parkinson-Morgan
The epic sevenfold quest of Allison (The Heir, The Sovereign, The Rising King, and a million more titles) asks “what if your coming-of-age was becoming a god”? And every page answers that question through a glorious feast for the eye, panels brimming with life. While I assume few of us have to deal with inheriting a seventh of the universe, Allison’s journey to apotheosis is one way to represent delayed discovery of identity that I’m sure we can all resonate with. In Kill Six Billion Demons, where characters constantly remind you that change is an ever-cleansing blade, it’s never too late to transform yourself—whether that’s into a woman or a deity of unfathomable, contradictory power.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: U. M. Agoawike is a Nigerian Canadian author from Calgary with a BFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. The spark for their love of reading–and eventually writing–was born in their first-grade class, where they preferred devouring their teacher’s corner bookshelves over the mortifying ordeal of being known. When not conjuring speculative new worlds, they dubiously enjoy stressing over lines of code and geeking out over fictional characters with their best friend.