04-13-2015, 06:43 PM | #16 | |
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The problem is in the fact that all those 14-15 year old kids behave, think, reason and act as if they're at least 5-10 years older. As a comparison, take Stephen King's IT. OK, it's fantasy/horror, and not young adult, but the book still features kids that do some serious stuff. The difference with most YA fantasy novels is that the kids actually come across like kids, instead of adults in a kid's body; to me, at least. Last edited by Katsunami; 04-13-2015 at 06:47 PM. |
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04-13-2015, 07:19 PM | #17 |
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I get what you're saying--it makes sense. I guess I just don't see why it should matter all that much in fiction ... especially fantasy. To me, it's just as weird and unrealistic (but still quite fun at times) that an adult would strap on a world-saving hat and throw themselves at demons and monsters and aliens for the good of all mankind. Instead of saying, you know ... "meh, not my problem."
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04-13-2015, 07:19 PM | #18 | |
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Usually end up dead. And those are trained soldiers. In YA stories the reckless kids get into messes trained soldiers would run away from. Screaming. The kids survive. Which is fine for story purposes. (But it seems to annoy some.) |
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04-13-2015, 07:30 PM | #19 | |
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Some do address the situation by providing the character with proper incentives and justification. Katniss Everdeen being an experienced hunter and trapper, for example. (One recent read of mine concerns a soccer mom that gets caught in the machinations of a demon-raising cult. Self-preservation and her religious devotion combined with the mythology of the story universe explains everything. A fun read, too. Soccer mom being a martial arts monster and all...) Last edited by fjtorres; 04-13-2015 at 07:33 PM. |
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04-13-2015, 07:36 PM | #20 | |
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Sound judgment does not require cowardice. Kids can survive a lot. |
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04-14-2015, 11:56 AM | #21 | |
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Random examples can be found for everything. But statistically, teenagers are more reckless than adults (just look at car insurance rates, teen pregnancy rates, etc). The kids that do survive unharmed are precisely the ones who don't engage in risky behavior at all. Which is the joke behind the O.P. Real world teenagers are not typically heroic world saviors any more than adults are. It's no big deal but it does lend itself to some cute jokes. |
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04-17-2015, 10:51 PM | #22 | |
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I recall watching a Top Gear Episode where The UK Government wanted to ban 18-25 year old adults from driving at night or something and Clarkson brought up the fact that a WW2 was on the most part fought by 18-25 year old adults. I tend to think if it happened today we would have lost. |
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04-17-2015, 11:13 PM | #23 | |
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It has been screened and mentally conditioned 18 to 25 year olds. And the less capable retained personnel get shuffled of to wash pots or shuffle papers under close supervision so the damage those troops can do is restrained. |
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04-18-2015, 07:52 AM | #24 | |
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In other armies, the young ones are told they are "chosen one" and sent to clear minefields. Iran-Iraq war, for one. |
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04-19-2015, 01:33 PM | #25 | |
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04-19-2015, 01:36 PM | #26 |
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Age-ist.
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04-19-2015, 02:28 PM | #27 | |
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Because of this, I often get the urge to just stop reading and switch to a different book, as soon as I discover that the protagonist / world savior / super-hero is a kid... again. For some weird reason I never do though, as if I like to torture myself or something :X |
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04-20-2015, 07:32 AM | #28 | |
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Shari |
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04-20-2015, 07:42 AM | #29 | |
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Different tastes, different thresholds of disbelief. Some things, not even fantasy can accommodate. Last edited by fjtorres; 04-20-2015 at 07:44 AM. |
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04-22-2015, 05:37 AM | #30 |
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