Book and Chocolate-A Tale of Tropes
It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to share what I’ve been reading with you and I’ve been chomping at the bit to share a Tale of Tropes with you.
I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy a trip into YA books more often than a grandmother of five should probably admit. But there you have it. I also am in the habit of reading several books at the same time. As I was doing that, I suddenly realize that both books I was reading were essentiall the same!
What do I mean? Well:
- Young adult, urban fantasy-check
- Orphaned girl, no superpowers-check
- sent away to supernatural high school-check
- hot, rich supernatural bad boy love interest-check
- said bad boy’s parents turn out to be super villains-check
- plucky, cute roommate with useful supernatural powers-check
- interesting collection of odd-ball friends, with some superpowers-check
- the world as we know it is in danger and main character is in the middle of it-check
- main character develops superpowers which turn out to be super powerful -check
- main character and her cadre have to save the world as we know it-check.
- main character develops superpowers which turn out to be super powerful -check
- main character and her cadre have to save the world as we know it-check.
So, as I said, the two books were basically the same, right down the the way they ended and lead into the next book of the series.
So then, why did I get through four of the six books in one series (close to 3000 pages in less than a month) and set aside the other after barely muddling through the first book?
It all came down to writing craft. The book I liked nailed some really important elements that the series I wasn’t wild about missed. First, setting. While it is possible to overdo setting and bore the reader to death, too little setting misses the mark too. In one book, I knew where I was, I could picture it down to the smells, the other book, it felt like I was mostly floating in blank rooms with nothing to tie me there except for magical locks the main character had trouble opening.
Second, it was the characters. For me, I need characters that I actually want to invite into my private space and spend time with. Characters don’t need to be perfect, but they’ve got to be likeable, even when they are making the inevitable mistakes that keep a plot running. When no one in the story seems to like the main character (and she doesn’t like anyone either) and she’s prickly and grumpy and nasty to others, I have a hard time wanting to hang out with her. On the other hand, when the main character demonstrates themseves to be likable though imperfect, then I’m willing to hang in for the ride, even when things get pretty improbable.
There were other elements, like character development, plot mechanics, issues with magical systems, and so on, that made one book stand out, but I’m not sure any one of those was as significant as the setting and character issues to me.
Have you ever read two books that you suddenly realized were the same book? What are the make or break elements in books for you? Tell me in the comments.
Oh yeah–what books did I read? Crave and the next three in the series were the ones that I liked. If you’re in the mood for a YA romp, check the out.
Just so you know, links below are Amazon associate links, so if you buy anything through them, I will get a couple of pennies from that.
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How about free books?
Yeah, I’ve had that happen.
For me, it usually comes down to whether or not the writer put in effort to make the story their own, or if they’re just filing the serial numbers off a more popular book.
This was really interesting. When I was working with special education students, I would encourage them to read. In my resource room, I had a cabinet with all manner of YA books. I would read with them and enjoyed the discussions we would have. Although I am now retired, I still enjoy reading and discussing books. I am part of Goodreads and there is no limit to our discussions. Just recently we have been discussing tropes. Since I read mostly JAFF [Jane Austen Fan Fiction] they include and are not limited to:
Friends to Lovers [Elizabeth and Darcy are friends first]
Enemies to Lovers [Elizabeth hates Darcy and then falls in love]
Not a Bennet [Elizabeth and or Jane are not in fact Bennet daughters]
Not raised Bennet [Elizabeth and or Jane were somehow stolen or lost and are not raised as Bennet]
NSNJ [Not So Nice Jane] stories: This was hard to read at first. We all love Jane but the Saccharine Jane was boring. I love to see how evil they can make her.
Douche Darcy: This is Darcy at his worst before his DHP [Disastrous Hunsford Proposal] sets him on the straight and narrow
Fall – Injury – Amnesia:
Married to others: Not my favorite but I will read it. We want ODC [our dear couple] to be with each other. Having Elizabeth marry Wickham or Collins is not my favorite story.
A Bennet dies: whether it is Mr. or Mrs. Bennet… The story now presents the question… how does the family progress after that event?
2nd wife: Bennet remarries: This can go two ways. [1] Fanny Bennet dies and remarries [2] he marries Fanny after the first wife died [whether it was a compromise or not].
Connections and or wealth unknown to local gossip: This is a fun one. The Netherfield Party has to eat crow when they find out just how connected and/or wealthy the Bennet family really is. Usually, the family, or one of the girls, owns Netherfield Park. I love it when there is previous knowledge between Matlock, Darcy, and Bennet.
FMS/MOC: [Forced Marriage Scenario/Marriage Of Convenience]: Something happens that forces a marriage and/or they decide to avoid Collins and Miss Bingley and agree to marry as a way to get out of marrying the obnoxious duo. Other situations could also bring about a marriage of convenience such as…
Compromise: see above
Locked Room: see above
Love Triangle: especially between Darcy, Elizabeth, and Fitzwilliam just breaks my heart
2nd generation: I’m not crazy about stories about their children and or grandchildren. You have to pull the plug at some point.
Secondary and tertiary characters as the main story focus: this is touchy territory. I occasionally enjoy seeing a mostly neglected character have the spotlight once in a while. Such as a story featuring Charlotte Lucas. Her story would be more interesting than say her younger sister Maria. On the other hand, a Lydia Bennet story is a tricky business… to write and read.
Still Alive: characters that are dead or die in canon are still alive and we have their influence for good or evil.
Brothers: A brother Bennet or a brother Darcy can change a story dramatically.
Governess/companion: This would reflect back to a Bennet dies: the eldest girls are forced into service after the death of their father.
Super Lizzy: many do not like the super Lizzy: This is a no-nonsense character. Elizabeth usually has run Longbourn since she was a child and is quite capable of getting it done. That type of character sees a problem and goes about fixing it. I know people like that. You for instance come across like that. You have your fingers in multiple things and can ‘get it done’.
Paranormal: Our characters have powers. Yeah, those are fun.
Fantasy: fairy tales: dragons [yeah, yours]: witches, enchantresses, fairies, etc.
Time-slip/Time-travel: not my favorite.
Si-Fi: no Space Odyssey, please. Captain Kirk and Picard are one thing but I can’t handle Captain Elizabeth and/or Captain Darcy
Dystopian: again, not my favorite
Zombies: don’t… just don’t
Shifter-werewolf-vampire: whatever
Mystery: murder, mayhem, death, and destruction.
Inspired by: other books and movies: Groundhog Day: It’s a Wonderful Life: Christmas Charol: Freaky Friday: etc.
I could go on but I need to end this. I think you get the idea. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. Blessings.