Welcome to the wonderful world of fantasy book tropes, where familiar themes bring a sense of comfort to the reading experience and invite us to explore imaginary realms! Here at LitJoy Crate, we love a good escapist novel, and summer is the perfect time to take a break from the daily grind and transport yourself to fantastical worlds through the magic of books. Check out our article for the best summer reads for more ideas to add to your TBR list.
While fantasy literature is known for many of its attributes, from magic to wizards to mythical creatures and more, there are certain specific book tropes that make fantasy novels that much more exciting...and addicting.
But what are book tropes?
Book tropes are common literary devices that are used so often that readers recognize them immediately as they read. They include common themes, plot elements, motifs, images, characters, and settings that are easily spotted as they pop up within specific genres.
What are the Common Fantasy Book Tropes?
Here are some of our favorite common fantasy book tropes we know and love, and some juicy book recommendations to capture your imagination and quench your thirst for fantasy literature!
1. The Tragic Backstory or Origin Story
Behind every great fantasy character is a tragic backstory or origin story that influences our outlook on them and can change how we feel about their motives. Backstories full of pain and loss often propel characters forward on their journeys, tap into our (readers') emotions, and connect us with their struggles.
In the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas, we learn the backstories of several of the characters, which gives us even more insight into their minds, personalities, actions, and what makes them the characters we know and love. Rhysand’s tragic backstory, for example, changed the hearts of many ACOTAR fans in A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF) who felt much differently from when they read the first book of the ACOTAR series. If you love ACOTAR and SJM as much as we do, you might want to check out our officially licensed Sarah J. Maas Collection.
 |
In Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series (DOSAB), Karou’s tragic backstory is one of sacrifice, love, and despair that gives readers just the right amount of emotional resonance to bring her to life and make her feel more real than ever. And speaking of making Karou feel real, you should check out the DOSAB fan art in LitJoy's Daughter of Smoke and Bone Special Edition Box Set! |
Others include: Harry Potter and A Song of Ice and Fire
2. The Antihero
We (and most readers alike) always love a good antihero book trope because the antihero's motivations and intentions are complex and not so black-and-white. The antihero is relatable because they challenge traditional expectations of morality and they make mistakes, so we can identify with them.
| Kaz Brekker from Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows series is one of these complex antiheroes we love to read about in fantasy stories. While Kaz's primary goals are money and vengeance, his sad backstory evokes sympathy when readers find out the reasoning behind his actions as well as his loyalty towards the people he cares about. Talk about a complex individual! We at LitJoy loved him so much we teamed up with Leigh Bardugo to create this stunning Six of Crows Annotated Special Edition Box Set. |  |
Jude Duarte, from Holly Black's Folk of the Air series, is another example of an antihero we feel conflicted about loving. This terrifying and selfish character craves power, but we can’t help marvel at her brilliance and cunning, and secretly hope she succeeds at her schemes. Check out this collab we did with Holly Black on the Folk of the Air Cruel Prince Collection!
Others include: A Song of Ice and Fire, Discworld, and The Witcher
3. Prophecy or Quest
This fantasy book trope involves a prophetic prediction or quest that the protagonist undertakes to accomplish a life-changing or world-altering goal. These prophecies and quests usually involve a great or perilous journey that could change the world or, at the very least, the course of a character’s life.
 |
In Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, Tristran Thorn fetches a fallen star to win over the heart of the beautiful and quite vain Victoria, setting him off on an adventure quest beyond his village’s wall and into the land of Faerie, which turns out to be more than he could have ever imagined. And you can take the journey with him through LitJoy's Stardust Illustrated Special Edition. |
Others include: Dune, Lord of the Rings, and The Kingkiller Chronicle.
4. Parallel World or Veiled Magic
The Parallel World or Veiled Magic fantasy book trope introduces readers to alternate realities and dimensions that coexist alongside the primary world.
|
Similarly, in Deborah Harkness’s A Discovery of Witches from The All Souls trilogy, readers are introduced to a parallel world where supernatural creatures like vampires, witches, and daemons exist alongside humans. |
 |
Others include: The Dark Tower series, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Long Earth by Terry Prachett
5. Forbidden Magic
Anything deemed “forbidden” in the realm of fantasy literature is a juicy book trope we can get behind! The Forbidden Magic fantasy book trope gives magic-wielding characters the ability to bend the laws of nature within their fantastical worlds, allowing readers to reimagine what magic can be like.
 |
In Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, several of the primary characters use a forbidden magic called merzost, which is considered an “abomination” in the Grishaverse due to its power to create something out of nothing rather than an energetic give-and-take. |
With its use comes unimaginable consequences, but that is what keeps the story interesting!
Others include: Children of Blood and Bone and the Harry Potter series
6. The Tavern
|
There’s something so cozy and inviting about tavern scenes in fantasy novels. It breaks up the adventures, puts you right in the story with the characters, and gives the author an awesome opportunity to describe mouth watering foods and libations! |
 |
Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series features several taverns, such as The Winespring Inn, where the protagonists gather to refresh before embarking on their epic journey.
Others include: The Kingkiller Chronicle, A Song of Ice and Fire, and Lord of the Rings
7. Kingdoms at War or Royal Politics
Ah, the Kingdoms at War trope. What’s a medieval era-inspired fantasy novel without warring kingdoms? We have to admit though, the power struggles, alliances, and conflicts that arise between kingdoms or empires are enough to keep us hooked until the very end, despite it being “tropey.”
 |
One prime example of this trope is the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin, which seems to have it all: warring kingdoms, royal politics, strategy, political marriages—enough said! |
Others include: ACOTAR and The Red Queen series
8. Good vs. Evil
Good vs. Evil and the eternal struggle of morality—a tale as old as time.
Two well-known fantasy series whose storylines are founded on this notion are The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, where good is tempted by evil and yet overcomes.
 |
 |
 |
There are also several sub-tropes that fall within the “Good vs. Evil” category, including The Waiting Evil, which involves a dark malevolence that lies dormant in the background of the story, waiting for just the right moment to unleash chaos on the world. The Dark One from The Wheel of Time series is a fantastic example. Its goal is to break spirits and remake Creation in the image of darkness, destruction, and turmoil. Waiting Evil, indeed!
Another common sub-trope in this category is The Evil Wizard, Witch, or Sorcerer, which presents antagonists who wield dark magic and pose a significant threat to the protagonists. This fantasy book trope can also be found in Tolkien’s classic—as certain trusted characters fall to temptation and become dark wizards—as well as other popular fantasy series, such as Voldemort from Harry Potter, a dark wizard who will do anything in his power to rule the world.
9. Chosen One
The Chosen One character trope explores uncovering the protagonist's destined journey, usually to “save the world!” This typically involves the protagonist, who is often an unsuspecting or reluctant hero (which is a fantasy book trope in its own right), suddenly discovering that they possess a hidden lineage, magical powers, or that they hold the key to fulfilling an ancient prophecy.
 |
 |
One popular example of this trope is Harry Potter from—well, Harry Potter. If surviving a killing curse by an evil wizard, being linked to his inner thoughts, and saving the world in the final battle isn’t enough to be dubbed “The Chosen One” then we don’t know what is!
Even Harry himself identifies within the trope. Remember a particularly comical scene between Harry and Hermoine when he smugly proclaims, “But I am the chosen one…” and receives a well-deserved smack on the head from his brainy bestie? We sure do!
Others include: A Song of Ice and Fire, Dune, and Wheel of Time
10. Wise Old Mentor
|
The Wise Old Mentor is typically an elderly character who trains and mentors the younger, less experienced protagonist. Or, this character will pop into the protagonist’s life to give advice or lend a hand where convenient. One great example of this is Gandalf from (yes, once again!) The Lord of the Rings series, assisting Frodo and Bilbo as the Wise Old Mentor when needed (or for narrative agency). |
 |
Others include: Harry Potter, Wheel of Time, and Discworld
11. Ancient Powerful Magic Object
The Ancient Powerful Magic Object trope revolves around mystical artifacts that possess an immense degree of power and hold great significance within the story.
 |
There are several ancient powerful magic objects that are mentioned within the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, including the enchanted manuscript, Ashmole 782, which holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the supernatural world and becomes a highly sought-after artifact within the magical community. Check out our Witch Discovery Book Lamp, designed as a replica of the magical manuscript! |
What's your all-time favorite magical object?
12. Magical School
 |
 |
What’s more fun than a bunch of young witches, wizards, vampires, and misfits thrown together to train and party in a magical school? Ask these books that nail the fantasy book trope:
-Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
-Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
-Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (link her other books)
-The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
-The Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
-The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman
-Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
-Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
13. The Lost Heir
| The Lost Heir trope is a tool used to set the protagonist apart and make them seem more interesting. Typically, the lost heir will have a regular life before finding out their royal or special lineage and then everything changes. |  |
Without giving too much away for our eager readers, check out the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas (and this stunning Art Print Set to accompany it) or The Wheel of Time books (yes, again!) for some juicy Lost Heir tropes. If this fantasy trope is your guilty pleasure, we promise you won’t be sorry!
Conclusion
We love a good fantasy read, and all of the fantasy book tropes that come with it! Check out the LitJoy shop for some of our favorite books and products (including some of our favorite ancient powerful magic objects) from the fantasy genre and more!
LitJoy Items Featured in this Article:
