I read a novel one of my writting buddies wrote with the intent of critiquing a genre (young adult) fantasy that I don’t normally read. I was really afraid of committing to a critique when I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. But, better to try and let him know where I failed than to not try at all.
Amazingly — I loved it. Not that I’m posting his critique here mind you. I didn’t realize the depths of YA, and though I suspected one of my novels may be flirting with the line between adult fantasy and young adult fantasy, my buddy’s novel made me realize: Forgotten Star falls quite heavily in the genre. Shadow of Blood will too, if I take out those scenes no living being will ever see because of how awful they are. I thought I was writing dark fantasy when I started it. I was, really. But I’m really not a dark fantasy kind of gal. Not that kind of dark. So here I am with the best two prospects for a novel deal and they’re YA.
Guess this means I need to read a lot more of it. 🙂 What YA do you enjoy that’d you’d recommend? I’m also wondering if YA science fiction is as difficult to write as adult science fiction…
DAWN BONANNO 
Just ran across your blog today, and how convenient that I have something to contribute(?)
I would suggest…
“Earthseed” by Pamela Sargent (1983)
Science Fiction: Teenagers raised from birth by a colony ship must grapple with the disillusionments of young adulthood before they can start a colony on a new planet.
Ignore the consistently bad covers, inside is some good stuff.
Hi David – thanks for stopping in and for the recommendation. Earthseed sounds great.
There’s a lot of interest on the YA front, where adult SF is a much harder sell, so that’s all to the good. Hmm, recommendations. Well, I like Garth Nix. He writes Middle Grade and YA fantasy. Donita K. Paul writes YA fantasy. Of course there’s Tamara Pierce as well.