Very Specific Tropes That I Love
Tropes. Ohhhh tropes. There are ones we love, ones we hate, and everything in between. Of course there are tons of popular ones, such as enemies to lovers, love triangles, found family, only one bed, etc. These ones are all pretty generic and broad, and can be found in many books. We all know that I’m a fan of found family and enemies to lovers in particular.
Aside from the generic ones, I’m sure we all have a handful of verrrrry specific tropes that we love. These can be harder to pinpoint, since if they are specific then they are necessarily more rare than the generic tropes. I love the idea of these!! So I wanted to make a list of my favorite trope “deep cuts.” For all of these I tried to list at least one book that has the trope, but my memory is sooo bad haha. So like, I know I’ve absolutely read all of these but just can’t remember which specific books I’ve seen them in.
Super power and scary demons/beings that have been turned into cute pets and forced to help the protagonist
I mean, I warned you this was going to be specific haha. In fact, I can only think of two books I’ve read that fit this trope. They are Sabriel by Garth Nix, and Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. In both of these, there is a demon-like being who is in cat form who helps the protagonists. I don’t remember a ton of details from Sorcery of Thorns, but oh man. Mogget from Sabriel is one of my favorite characters ever. And I mean, Sabriel is one of my favorite books ever. Mogget is powerful and sassy and scary but also lazy. I think I just really love the idea of cats actually being powerful demons hahaha. Because let’s be real, all cats kinda give off that vibe. I also just love the kinda reluctant aspect that these characters have. Like just grudgingly helping because they have to, but at the same time they grow to kinda care for the protagonist.
Found family where one or more of the people have tried to kill each other in the past
As I said in the introduction, we all know I’m a sucker for a good found family. Know what makes it even better? You guessed it. When there has been serious tension in the past, but the characters have overcome it to become a super close family. There’s just something about seeing that journey of character and relationship development that is so heartwarming and satisfying. I feel like with this trope you just go through so many different types of relationships! It’s so fascinating to see how that plays out with the same people. I know this trope happens in Six of Crows, and I think it’s very well done there. I guess you could also expand this to a found family that has had extreme tension, but not necessarily actively tried to kill each other. If we do that, then I think Empress of Forever, Vengeful, and A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe also fit.
Extremely powerful child who is also extremely adorable
I guess this kinda similar to the first trope I mentioned – in the sense of power in a cute being haha. But this one is more like, a child with magical powers who is super cute. Maybe I just like the idea of deceptive characters?? Haha. I just want to adopt these children! Even though I know they would probably wreak havoc in my life. One of these characters is Lucy from The House in the Cerulean Sea. Lucy is short for Lucifer. Yes, he’s the antichrist hahaha. But he’s adorable and the best!!!! I would also say that August from This Savage Song fits, though he’s a teenager, not a child. And if we count tv shows, Grogu (Baby Yoda) from The Mandalorian absolutely also fits.
One person calls the other by their title/last name until the other is in danger or dying, and then they call them by their first name
THIS TROPE!!!! *clenches fist* It’s just SO GOOD. The person feigning detachment and aloofness by using the other’s title or last name, but THEN!!! They reveal their true attachment and love by using the other person’s first name out of desperation. IT KILLS ME. I am truly a sucker for this trope whenever it happens. I truly feel like, a pang in my chest whenever I read a scene like this.
So I won’t mention anything spoilery in terms of books that include this trope, but if you prefer not knowing anything then go ahead and skip the next paragraph and go to the next trope/section!
This happens in Fire, with the main character and her love interest. I’m pretty sure this also happens in Gideon the Ninth? This also happens in a way in the third Artemis Fowl book, The Eternity Code. I would also say that this sort of happens in Crown Duel, although the second part doesn’t happen with the danger/dying. It just happens towards the end of the book.
Grumpy adults who hate people, but are forced to protect or accompany a child or pet, and then get attached to them
I suppose this trope can also be defined as a subset of found family haha. Listen, I told you found family was my favorite okay??? This one also kinda ties to the trope I just talked about, in the sense of reluctant affection. It’s just, seeing that development of the bond between the parental figure and child, it’s so HEARTWARMING!!! This happens in my two favorite urban fantasy series, the October Daye series and the Kate Daniels series. And maybe this just shows why The Mandalorian is one of my favorite shows ever, since it also happens in that haha.
Do you like any of the tropes I mentioned? And do you have any favorite super specific tropes?
all of these are *such* good tropes. chef’s kiss. I love them. Good choices.