Desiring Monstrous Heroes in YA Supernatural Romances

This thesis examines how male masculinity is constructed, represented, and produced in young adult (YA) supernatural romances written by, for, and about girls and women. It investigates the type of male masculinity idealized through the heterosexual feminine gaze of the female protagonist or narrator. It demonstrates that the desire for a monstrous hero reflects a deeper longing for a patriarchal world that can satisfy the needs it engenders in its female subjects. This thesis also interrogates the intersection of race and masculinity in the genre, establishing how female heroism is inextricably linked to white male supremacy.