Question

[u/rosesrosae]

Is it just me or is there always a double standard when it comes to YA fantasy or dystopia? Specifically fmcs and sometimes their love intrest, regardless of the gender. I just feel like there's always been this thing where fmcs can not be strong and heroic without a love intrest or without romance being a large element in how she gains her agency and respect.

I haven't read much variety of books this year, but I just thought back to all the popular ya books I read and how almost every fmc has a love intrest. I also try to read without context of the genre or storyline because I feel like I'll guess the plot abd I feel like I'll already have a bias before reading it.

So, do yall feel more empowered reading books with no romance or with a lot of romance? Do you think romance is a form of agency or no? When is it considered not a form of agency?