For this discussion post, we joining the Tell Me Something Tuesday challenge run by Jen at That’s What I’m Talking About. Here’s the topic for this week. Which tropes do you enjoy the most?
Julie:
Interesting characters and fun plots are my favorite in books – so tropes that follow are going to be enjoyable. I love a good character development, so a dull, boring, weak character that finds themselves through the story and become a badass hero/ine make me happy. I don’t want to see a character who just wins no matter what they try – I want to see development. One of my favorite character developments is Cordelia in BtVS – from dainty cheerleader to demon vision having badass.
I also mentioned fun plot – this means lots of bombshells and surprises. I prefer the tropes where the entire book story happens over just a couple few days with lots of uncovered information and surprises or developments daily. Give me secrets in the attic, main character hiding their real identity, or learning something they never knew about themselves or their family, etc. Give me new realizations every few chapters to keep the story exciting. Give me character who talks to ghosts but doesn’t understand why finally learning she’s a reaper, and then even later learning she’s actually a higher deity.
Lynn:
I’m not sure why tropes have gotten such a bad rep. Sure, they can be overdone. But they also let the reader know what to expect in a book. Unless you are that prickly inversion trope. That one is certainly a flip!
In the romance genre, my fav trope is Enemies to Lovers. I love the sparks! And that whole thin line between love and hate! These are so much fun!
I’m also a big fan of time travel as a trope. Will the characters disrupt the time stream? Make no changes? The multiverse goes right along with this. Throw in some sarcasm and humor and I’m hooked!
In the category of tropes I’m not a fan of – unreliable narrators. Not. A. Fan. I want to be able to trust the narrator. That’s what they are there for!
What about you? Any favorite tropes to share?
We are also linking up our discussion posts with the 2023 Book Blog Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight!
[…] didn’t read ahead on the conversation topics and already posted the trope I can’t stand the most – unreliable narrators. Not. A. Fan. I want to be able to trust […]
I definitely don’t mind tropes – I think they can be great when they’re done well!
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I agree with Julie on so many of her points. Character development is so important and it can really make a difference for me too. I love a book that takes place over a short amount of time! That’s a good one. And are you referencing a specific book about the person who talks to ghosts that is a reaper/higher deity? Because I want to read that one!
Like Lynn, I like a good enemies to lovers trope too. And I’m a big fan of time travel. I enjoy humor and sarcasm in books also.
Here’s mine: https://www.literaryfeline.com/2023/05/where-is-your-bookmark-peek-into-keeper.html
Literary Feline recently posted…Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into Keeper of the Lost Cities / The Tropes I Enjoy Most (and then some)
Yes! The Charley Davidson series – she progresses from why am I talking to ghosts, to oh I’m a reaper, to finding out she’s sooooo much more over the long series!
Thank you! I actually have the first book of that series too. I will definitely have to move that one up on my TBR pile!
Literary Feline recently posted…Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into Keeper of the Lost Cities / The Tropes I Enjoy Most (and then some)
I love tropes in romance. While fake relationship is my favorite, I do enjoy several. Enemies to Lovers is a hit and miss for me… I love the sparks and frustration, but I don’t like it when the two MCs are pitted against one another (like for a job or such). I’ve never thought about the time period for which the book takes place – but now that you mention it, I’m going to pay more attention. Generally, I like a book that happens over a few days to months, I think.
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