Snarkfest: Types of Relationships in YA

One of my bookish goals for this year was to start a new feature. I decided to combine two of my favorite things: books and snark, and just ramble on and on about anything that has to do with books. It's not a regular feature, and is going to be posted randomly, maybe 3-4 times a month.

This first topic I chose to do is the types of relationships in the young-adult genre. To keep this short, I'll stick to overused romantic relationships, especially since this aspect is usually what makes or breaks a book for me (commonly, it breaks the book).

1. The Opposites Attract

Example: Anna and Kaiden from Sweet Evil

Whenever I read a romance like this, I think of Avril Lavigne's slightly irrelevant Sk8ter Boi. This overused, hackneyed romance device is one of the worst, and usually portrays the good-girl-bad-boy scenario. First of all, this is in no way original. Secondly, it's irritatingly boring. I wouldn't consider something romantic if the only thing it makes me feel is annoyance and/or anger. More likely anger.

2. The Stallers/Drama-Llamas

Example: Eleanor and Daniel from Something Strange and Deadly

This is the couple that isn't really a couple but are clearly pining after each other. They have no reason to be apart, but the author just stretches the period in order to create suspense, which is quite pointless, if you ask me. There is unnecessary drama and a whole lot of pages wasted on something that shouldn't even be there. I personally get annoyed and just stop caring about their relationship entirely.

3. The Conductors 

Examples: Ethan and Lena from Beautiful Creatures, Amy and Vincent from Die for Me

Yes, I'm referring to electric conductivity. This couple responds to each other the second they touch/make eye contact. They feel "electricity" if they so much as graze the other's pinky. Sparks fly. Literally. I'd just like to point out how dangerous this is if you actually share electricity and how horribly unrealistic it is. I don't get it. Is feeling an electric shock a pleasurable feeling?

4. The Miracle-Workers

Example: Natalie and Jonathan from Darker Still

This is the relationship that once the protagonist gets into it, ALL HER PROBLEMS MAGICALLY DISAPPEAR. *waves hands around* The guy is the wuv of her life and therefore "transforms" her world. I mean, I even read a novel where the MC, previously mute, regained her speech when she was in her guy's presence. *gags*

What are some cliched relationships that annoy you? Are there any other books with these relationships? (I'm sure there are many -__-)