Stranger Things, Barbie, Star Wars, Five Nights at Freddie’s. These are but a few of the mega franchises which have seen their worlds adapted into young adult novels. Franchise novels have been a long-standing part of YA since the era of the 90s paperbacks, and they’ve continued to be a staple within the category. 

Diana Ma is among those authors bringing YA readers exciting franchise novels. She’s the author of Force of Chaos, the first in a Power Rangers series for YA readers. The second book in the series, Shatter the Universe, hits shelves on May 19. 

→ Ma says that “Writing a Young Adult Power Rangers novel from the perspective of Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger from the Mighty Morphin team, was a dream come true for me. Growing up, I was a superhero-loving fangirl, but I didn’t see many Asian American superheroes. Trini Kwan was one of those very few.”

→ She adds that “I also wanted to tell a new story—what it meant for an Asian American teen to wrestle with racial stereotypes and come into her own, not only as the Yellow Ranger, but as a girl who learns to embrace her own cultural history and identity.”

For Ma, the franchise novel is an opportunity to “dive into the tantalizing gaps of the original franchise and unearth new tales.”

Among her favorite YA franchise novels? 

Read Ma’s full guest piece about the power and fun of YA franchise novels, including additional favorites and what makes them so good – KJ