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August 20: Favorite Tropes (a trope is a commonly used theme or plot device) (submitted by Andrea @ Books for Muse)
I could go on forever about tropes I dislike, but I’m going to be positive–and shorter this week. 🙂 Alphabetical, as always.
- Complicated Villain. My favorites don’t have a whiny backstory, or sacrifice themselves for redemption, but as you read more of their backstory, you *get it.*
2. Divine Intervention. When the going gets really tough, a bolt out of the blue can be effective–especially if this help comes with a hefty price tag, or hurts as much as it helps.
3. Friends to Lovers. The best antidote to instalove, I think.
4. I am No Man! When there’s no space for strong women in a culture, but a woman cuts her hair (or something), and shows everyone who’s boss.
5. Reluctant Hero. I get it, adventures are tough. There might not even be running water or a bed! It’s like camping with an alien invasion/dragons/zombie apocalypse thrown in.
6. Rise of the Machines. I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords. When artificial intelligence suddenly emerges, the possibilities are endless.
7. Unlikely Hero. I’m not talking about a Chosen One, but a person who has the skills (or learns them) to save the day.
caitlinsternwrites 
Complicated villains are the best and I love an unlikely hero too! 😊
My TTT: https://lifewithallthebooks.com/2019/08/20/top-ten-tuesday-favourite-tropes/
I enjoy a good antihero, too. But I couldn’t think of a good trope about them!
I adore friends to lovers books. There’s just something about two friends falling for each other.
They’ve got all this history, so done right, it just makes sense. 🙂
Great tropes! I especially love friends to lovers, complicated villain and unlikely hero! I just saw Rivers of London in a shop yesterday and it struck my eye – and now it has this trope?! I might buy it then!!!
Happy reading!
I’m not sure how the post is showing up on your screen, but I had meant for Rivers of London to go with unlikely hero–it’s about a constable who gets pulled into the weird world of magic policing.
There is a romance, but it isn’t friends to lovers, really.
Hope you give it a try anyway! 🙂
Well that sounds amazing!!!!! I’ll be sure to check it out!
Complicated villains are fantastic! I’ve been reading so many of them that when I see a less complex, pure evil villain I get kind of bored, haha! 🙂 After all, I firmly believe in the adage that every character thinks THEY’RE the hero of the story – maybe even the villain!
I”m sure all of them have really good justification for their actions. 😉
Very interesting tropes, I’m not sure I’ve ever read any complicated Villains books, but I’m willing to give them a try. I’ve heard of the Vicious sereis, but not sure if I would ever read it, lol. It kinda look intimidating.
It is a bit dark. The main characters are two guys trying to kill each other, and there is murder, torture, and people abusing superpowers. Not for everyone, but I found it fascinating.
Hmmm, may give it a try, but unsure. lol.
I also love Complicated Villains, Divine Intervention, and an Unlikely Hero!
I often find that a well developed villain, no matter how horrible they are, makes for a better story.
I just read American Gods last month and really enjoyed it! I can see why it wouldn’t be for everyone though. It was definitely an acquired taste.
No book is for everyone, right? Gaiman can be a bit rough on his reader, I agree.