Some people hear the word trope and think they’ve heard it all before. And maybe we have — but I still love them. Tropes, to me, are at the core of storytelling: familiar patterns we gravitate toward not because they’re predictable, but because they offer comfort and endless room for reinvention.

As someone who reads (and writes) a lot of fantasy retellings, I’ve noticed I keep coming back to certain story shapes. So here they are — my 10 favourite fantasy tropes, and why I adore them.

1. 🕵️‍♀️ The Hidden Identity

Whether it’s Cinderella in disguise or a lost royal raised in secret, I can’t resist a good hidden identity plot. There’s something delicious about knowing a character is more than they seem — don’t we all wish this for ourselves? Watching the truth unravel, bit by bit, is always a thrill.

2. 🌟The Chosen One (with a Twist)

We’ve all seen the “you were born to save the world” storyline — but what gets me excited is when retellings twist that narrative. Maybe the Chosen One doesn’t want the job. Maybe they fail. Maybe they were never meant to be chosen at all. I especially love stories where a character has no magical powers, but sheer belief and grit push them to greatness.

3. 🔮 Magical Curses and Prophecies

Give me a doomed destiny, a 100-year-old curse, or a wildly misinterpreted prophecy, and I’m all in. I love when characters challenge fate — or find clever, rule-bending ways to fulfil it on their own terms. It’s pure fairytale magic. Ella Enchanted, anyone?

4. 🧡 Found Families

Classic fairy tales are full of lost parents and lonely heroes, so I always root for stories where characters build their own families. Whether it’s a scrappy gang of rebels, magical creatures, or a coven of old crones — found family stories remind us that home is something you can create.

📚 Check out The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune if this trope calls to you.

5. 🗝️ The Powerful Object

From enchanted mirrors to poisoned apples, magical objects are everywhere in fairy tales. What I love is when retellings go deeper — turning these items into cursed heirlooms, lost artifacts, or even dangerous communication tools used to control the masses (like my Mirrors of Truth). Bonus points if the object has a sinister sense of humour.

6. 👹 The Monster is Human

I’m a sucker for stories that blur the line between monster and man. Beauty and the Beast works because it explores fear, compassion, and the power of looking beyond appearances. In modern retellings, I especially love when the “beast” isn’t who you expect — A Court of Thorns and Roses does this beautifully.

7. 🌲 The Forest as a Character

In fairy tales, forests aren’t just scenery — they’re sentient, mysterious, and alive. I love when the woods become almost a character in their own right: a place of danger, magic, or transformation. Naomi Novik’s Uprooted takes this to a whole new level. I swear, I can’t walk through the woods now without glancing over my shoulder to see if something is moving that shouldn’t.

8. ⚖️ Dangerous Deals

Deals with witches, fae, or even a fairy godmothers? Yes, please. Whether it’s a bargain gone horribly wrong or a clever twist where the character outsmarts the terms — I’m hooked by the tension between power, consent, and consequences. This trope is made for drama.

9. 😈 The Villain’s Backstory

Lately, there’s been a surge of stories diving into the backstories of villains — and I’m here for it. Maybe we’re just tired of squeaky-clean heroes and want something juicier. A good retelling makes you root for the baddie, or even question who the real villain is. Give me nuance and moral greys any day.

10. 🗡️ The Girl Who Saves Herself

This one started as a trope subversion, but it’s become a favourite all its own. No damsels in distress here. I love it when the princess grabs a sword (or a spellbook… or sheer stubbornness) and saves herself. These stories leave me feeling empowered, inspired — and ready to stand up for myself and other women.

So, there you have it — my favourite fantasy tropes (and yes, if you’re wondering: several of these appear in my current WIP. I regret nothing.). 

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