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.
Continue reading “5 fantasy books about coming-of-age in your 20s, recommended by U. M. Agoawike”
