Single Female Protagonists and Spoilers

Spoiler Alert

Please note, this blog is most definitely full of spoilers so if you haven't read these books yet, please do so before continuing with this post.

I've just finished reading three new teen books in which the female protagonists ends up single and happy despite romance abounding. The pattern of these independent protagonists makes me wonder if this is just a coincidence or if girls choosing the single life is becoming a true trend in teen literature. My guess is that this is just a coincidence. Perhaps, I just happened to read back-to-back three newly released teen books in which this is the case?

In Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (which I am not sure that I actually recommend as the novel is too full of undeveloped potential plots all of which I was much more interested in than the love square that unfolded), Mary chooses life and pretty much drags any and all suitors along with her until they either die or are unwilling to follow her any further. Mary finally understands that she would leave everyone, even those she loves to find the ocean, which she equates with safety from the undead (yes, the book includes zombies...hence the forest of hands and teeth. I'm a sucker for zombie plots). Mary leaves them to suffer and struggle on their own in order to follow her own hope, everyone else be damned.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a bit more fuzzy concerning the single female protagonist. (This one I do highly recommend) It is obvious why Katniss isn't with the boy at the end. She just isn't that into him. But she also declares (at least to herself) that she will never marry because she could never allow herself to have children who may or may not have to fight in the Hunger Games. Katniss refuses relationships based on future children and protecting them by never bringing them into the world. She chooses singlehood because she doesn't love the boy. However, I am rather convinced that this girl will not remain single in the sequel, Catching Fire (due out September 2009) There is just too much potential here... like the other boy back home, and the possibility that Katniss will find freedom from the Capitol, no longer having to worry about the games.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is the most interesting of the three novels (also highly recommended). In this story, Kasta refuses to marry because she cannot let anyone have so much control over her. However, Kasta does not refuse herself love or sex. On the contrary, Kasta and her boy agree to be free lovers. They will remain together as much as they want, leave when they want, and be free to fall in love with others if they so choose. And at the end of this first novel, Kasta and her boy are together, yet making plans to travel in opposite directions not seeing each other for several months. I would love to know how successful Kasta and her boy are with this arrangement, but apparently the second book in the series, Fire (due out in October, 2009) is a prequel and not about Kasta at all.

I feel rather torn with these books. The romantic in me thinks that the girl should get the guy in the end. And both Katniss and Kasta have very nice, decent boys very willing to marry them and sweep them away from all of their troubles (ok, maybe Katniss' boy doesn't have that ability, but he would if he could). I feel sorry for these boys. They're good guys who don't deserve to be rejected. On the other hand, the independent in me loves this ending and is proud of these girls for choosing their own path and doing what is best for themselves. I wonder what teens actually think of these endings? I'll have to ask. :)

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