Binding 13

New adult literature is a genre typically featuring a protagonist in early adulthood, struggling with issues related to this period in life. The term was first coined in 2009 by St. Martin’s Press during a call for literature in the period of life following young adult. While the genre itself is controversial—with many people arguing that it has limited readership or is over-sexualized—it has grown in popularity largely through self-publishing and discussion through videos on BookTok, leading many publishers to pick up series in the genre for dispersal. Typically, novels in this genre also fall in the romance genre but feature more explicit sexual content and descriptions than YA novels. The argument for the genre is that people in the new adult stages of their life continue to struggle with themes addressed in YA books—such as sexual orientation and gender identity, sexual experiences, finding a job, and leaving home—but need literature which more explicitly addresses how to handle those issues once adulthood has been legally reached.

While the protagonists of Binding 13, Shannon and Johnny, are both under 18, it contains content and discusses issues that are often considered too adult for YA fiction, and both protagonists shoulder heavy responsibilities. For example, Shannon serves as the head female in her family, caring for both her house and her family while her mother is largely absent. She also deals with issues of domestic abuse and faces decisions that will have life-altering consequences. Similarly, Johnny discusses throughout the novel how he largely missed out on his childhood, instead playing rugby with grown men at the academy, controlling his diet through clean eating, and needing to make important decisions about his direction in life. Additionally, the novel discusses these themes in a fashion typical of the new adult genre, unapologetically using brash language and actively discussing sexual activity—particularly in reference to Johnny and his friends. In other words, the novel touches on issues related to young adulthood—sex and sexuality, trauma, family, sports, and more—but does so in a way that is typically considered appropriate only for those over 18, a defining characteristic of the new adult genre.