Favorite Tropes

Here's my ever expanding and changing list of tropes that I love to read over and over again, including some examples of where I've loved reading (or seeing) them most.

1. Twins: Something about the twin dynamic just reals me in and doesn't let me go. I think there are just so many reasons why having another human being out there exactly like you in every way is intriguing...especially when they're actually nothing like you.

• Sister, Sister 
• We are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt (technically Nell and Layla were only sisters, but they were written like twins)
• The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

2. Forbidden Love: A good forbidden love will always have my heart. There's so much conflict in those words alone and that makes for great writing and storytelling.

• The Lion King 2 (I will forever ship Kiara and Kovu)
• Firelight by Sophie Jordan
• Teen Wolf (while my main ship is Sterek, I do adore hunter/prey ships)

3. Betrothal: There may be only one book ever in this category until I fully understand what it is about this book's trope that draws me in so I can fully define it and find it in other stories. I love that these two total opposite are forced to be together for the peace of their people. I'm not sure what part of this story has the trope I love, but for now it's here.

• Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes (this one isn't quite a forbidden love since it's was all for peace, so I'm putting it in it's own category for now)

4. Shapeshifters: Something about teens learning to be one with both their human side as well as their animalistic side really rings with me both mentally and metaphorically. Teens already have to deal with change, and this change is much more overt.

• Teen Wolf 
• Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
• Firelight by Sophie Jordan

5. Masks: Be it masquerade balls or just the metaphor behind masks, I will always adore this trope.

• Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor 
• The Magical Legend of Leprechauns

6. Coming of Age as Gay: Little known secret, I love gay ships. I think there's a lot of raw conflict in that sort of story and I love to see them becoming more popular.

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 
• Hero by Perry Moore
• Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters, Faking It

7. Female Pirates: I think this might just be more about my love for strong, independent female protagonists but something about them leading a predominantly male lifestyle is amazing!

• To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker

8. Mythological Creatures: I have always enjoyed learning about new and interesting mythological creatures and I love seeing a broader array of them showing up in YA. Vampires are so overdone. Give me something new and exciting!

• Tithe by Holly Black (I love kelpies and pixies because of this book)
• Seven Tears Into The Sea by Terri Farley (give me selkies any day)
• Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent

9. Love Triangles: I won't both listing my favorites because this trope is in almost every story these days and yet I still love it and hate it all the same. Just kidding! I definitely listed two that have special places in my heart.

• The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Dark Visions series by L. J. Smith

10. Dark and Gothic: It might make me a little punk-goth, but I love a dark book. The atmosphere portrayed in those books reel me in and stab me in the heart.

• Tithe by Holly Black
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

11. Broken Females: I love a female protagonist that has seem some s**t. I love the ones that have been in psych wards and that are genuinely broken. They're raw and they're compelling.

• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
• Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent
• All Fall Down by Ally Carter

12. Opposites Attract: Who doesn't love a good opposites attract story? There's just something about how the characters hate each other and bicker before slowly realizing they're actually perfect for each other because of all of their flaws. Love it!

• Clueless
• Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
• Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

To be continued...

XOXO Tia