Take 5: Authors Crossing the Boundaries Between Teen and Adult

I am a huge reader, and when I need a break from things, I can be found in a book. I don’t limit myself to teen books (much, I think, to Karen’s consternation) and can be found reading a lot of paranormal and urban fantasy. What I have found interesting is that a lot of authors seem to be floating back and forth across that teen and adult boundary- and not the “new adult” boundary either. I have 5 of my favorite authors that write both for adults and teens, and they write the perfect books for October. Maybe a little magic, maybe a little otherworldly, but definitely a lot of fun.

Melissa de la Cruz is the only author we’re focusing on that went the OTHER way- teen first and THEN adult. First published with her Blue BLoods series for teens and telling the tales of the TRUE upper crust of New York- the elite vampires, and the threats that await them, and then with the Au Pairs trilogy, Melissa de la Cruz then broke into the adult world with The Witches of East End series (also listed sometimes as the Beachamp Family series). You can see the television version of The Witches of East End on Lifetime (check your local listings)- I’m watching it and having a fun time. She is also launching a new YA series, Frozen, soon, so definitely keep an eye out!

Sherrilyn Kenyon created the Dark Hunter universe, which expands from Dark Hunters (dead warriors come back to life in the service of Artemis to take out demons and vampires, but can reclaim their souls through finding their true love- if their love can keep hold of their soul through the reclaiming) to Dream Hunter (warriors fighting in dreams) to Were-Hunters (you can fill in the blanks on that one, right?). All of them are fighting the good fight, and all are missing their true soul mate at the beginning at the book, and might find it at the end, yet there are huge arcs throughout the books to connect the stories together. And if all of THAT wasn’t enough to keep together and keep straight, Kenyon started The Chronicles of Nick, the teen adventures of a character in the Dark Hunter universe that plays an intricate part throughout most of the adult series. And Nick isn’t your ordinary teenager- learning to slay zombies and raise the dead, hunting vampires and shapeshifters isn’t on the normal high school curricula. 

So those are five of my favorite adult authors that write teen books. Do you have any? Share in the comments!

Filed under: Darynda Jones, Kelley Armstrong, Kim Harrison, Melissa de la Cruz, Sherrilyn Kenyon