We’ve all got tropes that we are die-hard fans of and ones that have us running away screaming, heading for the hills.
Why the hills, I don’t know. Why not the mountains? Or the caves? Hills have no strategic value. Who came up with this plan?!
I mean … do I even hate these tropes if they’re featured in these books I love so much?
Why yes, yes I do. For the most part. I’m sticking with my guns here. But I’m willing to concede that I don’t hate all presentations of these tropes. (Obviously, or else we wouldn’t be here right now, and what a shame that would be. This is lovely. You’re lovely.)
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is supposed to be five-star predictions, but ideally, every book I pick up, I expect to be five stars. Maybe not realistically, but I don’t pick up a book if I don’t think I’m going to enjoy it. So I decided to spin it!
Besides, I have a clear reputation here of being a rebel when it comes to these TTT prompts, and I’d hate to ruin that now by actually, like, following one? So here are some of my least favorite tropes, but in books that I loved anyway, because life is confusing and contradictory and my tastes don’t have to make sense, they just are, okay?
Fated Lovers
Fated lovers just really isn’t my jam. It usually feels too easy and so unbelievable. I want the characters to want to be together. I want them to earn it, to grow together. It’s the same reason I hate love at first sight. Lust at first sight, yeah, fine, but deep emotions require time and action. I generally hate the way the fated lovers trope takes autonomy away from the characters.
What these books did well:
✿ Threw a wrench in the whole “obviously need to be together”.
✿ Because wow, things are complicated.
✿ Focused less on them being destined to be and more on earning a relationship.
✿ Because relationships are work, so fight for it, yo.
Steamy Sex Scenes
I am just not a lover of sex scenes, in general. I tend to read a lot of YA because I’m just not interested in reading about sex, and there … used to … not be a lot of sex in YA? There’s nothing wrong with sex scenes, per se, but I’m just not interested in them. They tend to bore me and offer nothing to keep me interested in the story.
What these books did well:
✿ Well-timed steamy scenes that added to the plot.
✿ Not superfluous and not sex just for sex’s sake.
✿ Beautifully written, which is a treat unto itself.
✿ Okay, Jay Kristoff can write me a sex scene aaaaaanytime. I’m cool with it.
Space Opera
I still hold that I don’t like space operas, in general, even though I’ve been liking more and more space operas. I don’t usually like a whole slew of characters that I have to remember, and space is not my favorite setting. In fact, seeing either spaceships or aliens in a book is a surefire way to turn me off of it. But I have been trying to give them more of a chance lately, and so here we are.
What these books did well:
✿ Less emphasis on space and set in a contained environment.
✿ All sorts of lovable characters, so I just wanted more instead of less.
✿ Lots of personality and voice to hook me immediately.
✿ Necromancers and AI are my jam. Even in space.
Zombies
Zombies squick me out. There, I said it. I absolutely hate the idea of zombies, both scientifically and just … supernaturally. They just don’t make sense to me, and they generally accompany a lot of gore, which I’m also not a fan of (see below). I tend to avoid all that is zombies, but sometimes they find their way to me, usually through recommendations by people I trust.
What these books did well:
✿ Less focus on the actual zombies or scientific pontification of how.
✿ More focus on the characters and personal struggles.
✿ Surviving is difficult, but these characters are easy to root for.
✿ An interesting take on zombies, in a more interesting setting.
Gore
I get queasy really easily when it comes to blood and gore, especially on television, but also in books. So I tend to avoid anything in either that feels really gory or bloody. I’m a wuss, what can I say?
What these books did well:
✿ Gory, but didn’t linger on it. Presented it and then moved on.
✿ Oh, we’re ripping guys’ eyes out now? Okay, then. This is us now.
✿ Gore is done in a significant way. It means something. Pay attention.
✿ The majority of the book isn’t gory. It just has its moments.
Chosen One
This is one thing that bothered me as a child about Harry Potter, because Harry did nothing to earn his position as the Special Chosen One. He just … didn’t die. But that was his mother’s doing, not his. And then he continued doing nothing, relying instead on Ron and Hermione and Dumbledore and dumb luck. What I’m trying to say is … I’ve had a deep-seated hatred of this trope from the very beginning of my reading career. I want my heroes and heroines to earn their status, not be handed it.
What these books did well:
✿ Handed power, but also fought for it.
✿ Take charge protagonists who didn’t sit back and wait for someone to do it for them.
✿ Lots of action and chance to prove their mettle.
✿ A supporting cast that is having none of this “chosen one” thing.
✿ Definitely keeps them in their place.
Romance
In general, I don’t like romance books. I just find romance to be … well, boring. I already know how it’s going to end, obviously. We all have genres we’re just not fond of, and romance is mine. Generally, I just can’t get into it and it ends up boring me.
What these books did well:
✿ More focus on the plot. The romance sort of just happens.
✿ Slow burn, will they/won’t they that leaves you unsure of the ending.
✿ So many legit obstacles to the romance.
✿ Characters that are just too adorable not to want together.
✿ *smooshes them together* WHY WON’T YOU LOVE EACH OTHER?!
Contemporary Teen Angst
I’m sort of on the fence about this, because there are times when I love this and times when I just roll my eyes so hard, they threaten to come out of my head. What it comes down to is I want angst that makes sense. Something big enough where I can go, yeah, I get it. I’d be pretty angsty, too.
What these books did well:
✿ Legitimate things that people should be angsty about.
✿ Kids whose lives are hard and they have to overcome adversity.
✿ Moving, heart-wrenching accounts of relatable experiences.
✿ Make it so you can’t help but feel for these characters.
✿ OH, GOD, THE FEELS. MAKE THEM STOP.
Animal Protagonists
I wouldn’t say I hate this trope. I’m just very picky about it. In general, I tend not to like fantasy-ish things with animal protagonists as much (yeah, I’m looking at you Redwall, bane of my childhood, because I wanted to love you like everyone else did). I’ve just always been this way, I guess. There’s also the problem where sometimes the animal POVs start to feel a little samey. I’m also cheating a little, because Wishtree is actually a tree’s POV, with a bunch of animals as side characters. A tree isn’t an animal, but it’s also not an inanimate object, so I … had no idea where that fell in the scheme of things. xD
What these books did well:
✿ Contemporary, latching onto real-world, relatable problems.
✿ Pulled on the heartstrings in all the right ways.
✿ Introduced the POV with a unique and fun voice.
✿ Presented different ways to see the world.
✿ Focused on hard-hitting, emotional issues seen from a different point of view.
Constant Head-Hopping
Ideally, I like when there’s no more than, say, three-ish points of view in a book, because otherwise, it generally starts to lose me and I forget what’s going on where. There are definite exceptions in this, so this isn’t a hard and fast one for me. In general, though, lots of head-hopping, even if it’s an omniscient narrator, makes my brain wonky.
What these books did well:
✿ Characters and voices so distinct, I always know who’s who.
✿ Humor makes everything better.
✿ The absurdity of the plot generally means if you missed something, it’s okay.
Chat With Me
What are some books you love, despite them having tropes you hate?
Follow Me
I don’t hate any of these tropes, but I only like them when the author does something different or does a good job with them. I am picky about animal protagonists now after being completely spoiled by Hollow Kingdom😁
I guess that’s true. Hate is a strong word. I’m super picky about them, though, and very rarely enjoy them, which is why it’s so surprising when I do. xD
So well done and I’m glad you go against the grain and rebel with TTT. I LOVE animal protagonists but can see why some don’t. However, while I LOVED Racing in the Rain, I STILL can’t bring myself to watch the movie. I know I’ll sob just like with Marley and Me. The tropes I general hate are love at first sight, love triangles and yep, the chosen one is pretty irritating. How many people in real life do you know who are born “chosen?”
I see Tammy’s comment and am going out on a limb and saying you NEED to read Hollow Kingdom. Of course, I think EVERYONE needs to read Hollow Kingdom. I’d love to hear what you think.
I haven’t watched the movie yet, either. I need a day when I don’t mind spending the afternoon bawling my eyes out. Because rest assured, that’s what I’ll be doing during the movie LOL.
Oh, the love triangle thing is a good one. It’s such a tough trope to crack. If it’s done well, I love it. Most times, I feel indifferent toward it, but it’s one where if it’s bad, it can ruin an entire book for me lol.
Well, if two people recommend it so highly, I guess I should probably add it to my list, hmm? Just put a hold on it from the library.
Constant head-hopping really gets on my nerves, too. I don’t hate it, really, because it has been done well and sometimes I don’t mind. But if I’m having issues with a book anyway, too many narrators will make me nope right out.
And see, I appreciate romances because I know how they will ultimately end. Sometimes I want a mystery. Other times I want something predictable and comfortable. And that’s when I read romances.
I think my default position is to hate it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love it when done well. xD
See, when I want something like that, I tend to watch Hallmark movies. I don’t know why, but I can tolerate the predictable romances more in cheesy movies. xD I just don’t like reading about them. I’m so weird.
That’s a good thing to recognize! That even the most hated tropes can occasionally be done well.
I get it! But yeah, I’d rather read it than watch it. That way I can skim the cringey parts. 😉 I do have a few favorite rom-com movies, though.
I have a very limited tolerance for gore myself, but your comments about Sky in the Deep is making me think I need to read it anyway.
And The Art of Racing in the Rain was an amazing book. I, too, tend to skip animal protagonist books for the most part, but that one did an excellent job of getting into the mind of a dog. Have you seen the film based on it yet?
My TTT .
Sky in the Deep wasn’t too bad. A little gorier than most books I read (and TW for attempted rape), but I really enjoyed the book overall.
I still haven’t seen the film. I’m such a chicken, but I know I’m gonna bawl like a baby. xD
I love that you’re a rulebreaker–I am not, lol. Romance, as a trope, is not me either.
I do enough rule-breaking for the two of us, I think. xD I know a lot of people who LOVE romance, so I don’t feel so bad about not liking it. Clearly, I’m filling a much-needed niche among my peer group. 😉
Most of the times, I flee romance (except when it’s by Jane Austen because, well, it’s by Jane Austen). But I have loved Speak Easy, Speak Love. Even if some points of the romance don’t make sense, there was a wonderful setting and some nice banter to make up for it.
I’m also with you on the gore topic. Yikes. I’ve had to skip a whole chapter in The King’s Men by Sakavic because of extreme gore. And some moments in Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom were definitely deranging in this aspect, but they passed much more smoothly.
I LOVED this post. Yours are always great.
I can’t even do Jane Austen. I’m clearly just broken. xD
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who skips scenes when they start getting squicky! lol. I didn’t have as much of a problem with Six of Crows. I think because, for the most part (except for a couple scenes), it didn’t go that much into detail, which I appreciated.
Aww thank you! <3 That means so much to me.
oh haha- we are so at the opposite sides of the spectrum on some
Of these (give me zombies and gore galore!). But you’ve got some great picks here. Fun topic.
Hey, someone’s gotta eat up those zombies books, om nom nom. xD I just don’t play when it comes to zombies and clowns. My friends know, you can mess with me in any way except that and I’ll laugh and be fine, but if you pop out at me dressed as a zombie or clown, you better have really good reflexes. xD
I … also don’t read books about clowns, I’ve just realized LOL.
Hahaha! Glad I could help you out with that. The only clown book I can think of is It though. It is on my TBR…
Really like your take on this. I am also of the same opinion, Jay Kristoff can write me a sex scene anytime he likes, lol.
Thanks! I’m not saying he should write more sex scenes … but I’m also not opposed to it. *cough* *wink wink*
😉
Bummer… I love romance!
And you go right on loving it! I’ll even let you have my share of the romance books. 😉
I’ll take them. 😉
I have a kinda love-hate with fated romance too. I love it because yay! Love for all! but like… don’t fly into it THAT fast?!? It’s concerning?? Gimme something to root for? Please? I don’t mind the whole Soul Mate thing, but like if it’s all “I saw him… and I knew I already loved him” …. k? cool? BUT HE COULD BE A MURDERER!! YOU DON’T KNoW hiM!!!!
I like it if we kinda know that they’re gonna end up together but like… it’s a secret? So WE KNOW, but the characters don’t. So we get to watch them be all “WOW! This person is a great friend! I’m so glad I met them! look at them going over there and doing great things and-*clutches chest as though in pain* OH MY goD I’m iN lOoOVE!”
12/10 points to any book that has a realisation of love when the other character is doing something soft, like talking to and giving scratches to a fluffy, happy puppy. Gives me feels every time.
I don’t mind gore. But at the same time I do? Like if it’s there, cool. I hope this is worth it and you don’t get caught by the guards my dude. But also, I don’t want to imagine that stuff?? Like normal fighting is fine, but do I really need to know the minuscule details of the intestine as it falls out of someones body? No. No I don’t.
I LOOOOOOOOOVE your rebeliousness-ness and I hope you never stop! I hope you find more books that are filled with good things! Or bad things done in a way that’s pleasantly surprising!
Happy Reading!! <3
Oh my god I wrote an essay… XD
Essays are goood. I give yours an A- only because it could use more dragons.
*nods* Thank you. I agree. It needs way more dragons! LIKE A PLANET SIZED BUCKET OF DRAGONS! MWHAHAHAHAHA
HEY, MURDERERS ARE PEOPLE, TOO. They also deserve love. xD But ugh, those are my feelings exactly! I want to know there’s staying power. I want there to be something where I’m like, oh, of course you’re going to do just fine together.
15/10 points if that book also has that character as some tough, ruthless, war-hardened badass who has a softness for fluffies (because omg who doesn’t).
I want all the fighting in books, but I want no descriptions of guts and dangling bits, etc, like you said. I know what a mortal wound looks like, okay? Just say he got stabbed and is bloody and move on. xD
Rebelling is the one thing I’ve got going for me haha. heaven forbid if I have to follow the rules for a change. It might be detrimental to my health.
I wouldn’t say hate but I would say I am seriously sick of the whole, “I’m a woman of extreme privilege / untapped power but all I want is to run away from my place in the world and be freeeeeee.” It is usually a trapped Princess yearning to cast aside her yolk of responsibility to explore or to be free to love the young peasant blah blah blah. I might have just read too many of them but I just can’t stand it right now.
Love your take on this!
Yikes, yeah, that’s not a trope I’m particularly a fan of, either. I’m okay when it’s done well (like the princess is legitimately oppressed or stripped of free will and it’s actually, you know, a daring escape or bid for freedom). But mostly, I tend to stay away from those books, too lol.
Right now, I’ve had a taste of the quiet, sensitive male protagonist (Warrior Mage by Lindsay Buroker, Starship’s Mage by Glynn Stewart). Just the humble, non-assuming guy who has crazy powers and doesn’t think much of having them, tries not to hurt people, just trying to do the right thing, and getting smacked down for it over and over. Oh my gosh I LOVE this and there are like NO other books out there with that kind of hero. By contrast, I am soooo tired of the snarky, nasty female protagonist who has all the fighting skillz and who has all the guys fawning over her. Like, dude, I wouldn’t be friends with you IRL, why should I spend a book in your head?
Really? Man, that’s my jam. Except … minus the guys fawning over her? I just love the sarcastic female who’s good at her one thing and is proud of that and isn’t afraid to let you know.
I’ll have to check out Warrior Mage and Starship’s Mage, though, because that also sounds fantastic.
I think it’s an age thing. I liked snarky female protagonists in my 20s. Now that I’m almost 40 and old and cantankerous, they just annoy me. I want to read about nice people who kick butt without being utter jerks about it.
I’m still in my 20s (just barely), so maybe that’s my problem. xD I’m curious now, though, whether my taste in protagonists will change. They certainly have from my teens. How interesting!
There is so much on this list I totally agree with! Gore always been an odd one with me because 99% of the time, I don’t really see it necessary and it’s super boring to read. I also don’t usually like romance, sex scenes, or fated lovers for the same reasons.
The only one I think I would say different on here would be the chosen hero trope, but that was a lot of middle grade books I read growing up, so I just became attached to those books, so to speak. I can completely understand not liking it though with the example you gave because a lot of main characters do just end up in the situation due to dumb luck.
I also am not a huge fan of the space setting, but I absolutely loved Illumine. The characters and setup were all so well done!
I must say, I am also glad to see someone else who doesn’t enjoy all of the zombie-related content they keep putting out. I never could understand why it was so popular.
However, it’s always nice when you’re able to find a couple of good books, even in disliked tropes! I really enjoyed your take on this week’s TTT!
I so agree about the first part. Yes, gore often feels unnecessary to me, too. I don’t mind it when it’s there as, like, a fact, but sometimes it feels like it’s just there for shock value.
I read a good number of chosen one books as a kid, too, and I think it might’ve just burnt me out altogether. Or I’ve grown out of it. I don’t know. xD
I just don’t get itttt. I mean, people like it, so that’s always good. But for me, my science brain just screams NO and my nightmare-fodder brain screams YES, and neither of those is good. xD
Great post idea! I can’t wait to finally get my hands on Nevernight!
I hope you love it when you do. <3 I thought it was fabulous.
Ahhh I love the spin you’ve put on this TTT! I normally hate love triangles (I find them unbelievable and just for drama-stirring), but the one in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before was done so well.
Thank you! I haven’t read that yet, and I really need to. I’ve heard such good things about it, but I’m always a bit wary of massively hyped books. xD
Your list has a lot of great reads! Which makes me curious about the ones on your list that I haven’t read. Mmm… I love adding new books to my TBR xD
Woe to your poor TBR. xD But heeey, new books are always good.
Ugh, frequent head-hopping is one of my pet peeves too! Especially when you get to a character you can’t stand or just don’t care about, and you’re like, “Can we PLEASE get back to the interesting plot?” Haha!
Glad to see you liked The Will and the Wilds! I just bought this one and am looking forward to it.
Yes! If I love all the characters, I’m pretty much guaranteed to like a book, even if the plot’s a bit weaker. But if there’s a character I just can’t stand whatsoever, it makes the book so hard to get through. xD
I hope you enjoy it! I was surprised how much I liked it, but it was such a fun read.
I’m a hopeless romantic, so I’m pretty much a sucker for all romance tropes. But I don’t like overly cheesy romance, which tends to mostly be ya for me. And I do have a hard time with animal protagonists. For example, I tried to read Hollow Kingdom, but I ended up DNFing it. It was really well-written, but it wasn’t holding my attention. Great post!
My Top Ten Tuesday
I can’t do cheesy romance, either, so I really try to avoid those. I do like Hallmark movies, but I have to reeeeally be in a mood for those, and that’s usually only near Christmas, where I get a little cheesy anyway lol. I’m gonna give Hollow Kingdom a try, so we’ll see if I have the same problem lol.
While I’m not a fan of steamy scenes in YA, I’m now intrigued by Wintersong! Enjoyed your take on this week’s TTT! 🙂
There were really just a couple steamy scenes. Mostly, it was just dark and musical, which was interesting.