We all have those consistent plot lines, character types, character arcs, etc that we have fallen in love with and never tire of seeing. Those ideas, themes, and relationship types that will always remain near and dear to our hearts. I am going to talk about 5 of my favorite tropes and provide three examples each of books/series that include them. Although some of these series might have some of the other tropes in this list, I will only mention each book/series once throughout this list in order to include as many different ones as possible.
Revenge
I love a good revenge tale. The books I’ve included in this category not only deliver a compelling look at the complexity and intensity of revenge, but also give the reader rip roaring, almost non-stop action that will leave you breathless to the end.
Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown
Best Served Cold (First Law World #4) by Joe Abercrombie
The Burning by Evan Winter
Rogues/Band of Misfits
I really enjoy a lovable rogue or band of misfits and each of these books delivers on that front. You’ll find snark, deep and loyal friendships, banter, and questionable decisions abound in these books!
The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
The Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron
The Divide by JS Dewes
Found Family
There is something incredibly moving about seeing characters who were lost, abandoned, and/or forgotten develop strong, familial type bonds with the people around them. These books take this concept and run with it, successfully showing these relationships in a deep, meaningful, and beautiful way.
The Wounded Kingdom by RJ Barker
Book of the Ancestor by Mark Lawrence
Mistborn Era 1 by Brandon Sanderson
The Reluctant Hero
I love the protagonist who just wants to be left alone, but for some reason is basically forced into playing the role of the hero. There is something very honest, relatable, and ultimately admirable about someone who would rather be at home doing their own thing, but decides to do what is right anyway. The three series below have some of my favorite reluctant heroes.
Chronicles of Siala by Alexey Pehov
Amra Thetys series by Michael McClung
Age of Tyranny Duology by Cameron Johnston
Magical Artifact/Weapon
This one is pretty self explanatory. Magical Artifacts and Weapons are just downright cool at the end of the day. Plain and simple. Here are some books that include them.
The Seven Swords series by Anthony Ryan
The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington
The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne
I hope you were to able to add some of these fantastic series to your TBR! Can you think of any other books or series that would fit into any of these tropes? What are some of your favorite tropes? Let me know!
I can definitely think of things that fit into the magical artifacts trope. And the reluctant hero. Here’s one for each:
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon for magical artifacts and weapons.
Breaker by Amy Campbell for reluctant hero. I’m not really sure if The Last Herald-Mage fits reluctant hero either…
I love dragons and dragonbonds. I am really into dragons.
I like personal stakes. The protagonist doesn’t need to be reluctant, but I do need to know why he isn’t. I like stakes that are such that they preclude any reluctance on the part of the protagonist… though I like other things, too.
I like something that’s very hard for me to define. It has to do with love and loyalty that disregard any price, but I really don’t know how to describe it well and succinctly.
Oh, and I like hope. I don’t mean characters that don’t despair or circumstances that don’t evoke despair easily. So this is really hard to characterize succinctly, too.
Oh you make some really good points! I like dragons and dragon riders as well! If you want to check out something with that read Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill. He also has a prequel novella called The Fall that is free for signing up to his newsletter and its my favorite novella ever!
I always need some sort of hope. Stories without hope are quite depressing.
And I agree with the love, loyalty, and self sacrifice. I think that comes along with found family and deep, loyal friendships. I love that!
Oh yes, I love deep, loyal friendship. I’m not quite sure when something is or isn’t found family, though…
Making a note to check out Ryan Cahill! Hopefully, I don’t forget or misplace it somehow. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
You’re very welcome! For me found family can be adoption or just bonds so deep that it is like a brother or sister, mother or father, etc
Aww! I like deep bonds like that 🙂