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Do all fantasy novels seem to tell the same story?
Take this plot line, for instance…
An orphan living with his aunt and uncle discovers he has special powers. His hairy friend accompanies him on a journey to master those powers. He also receives sage advice from a bearded old man and seeks to destroy a dark lord.
That plot could be Star Wars or Harry Potter.
Even though fantasy stories share similar tropes, they still make fun reads. Learn 25 popular fantasy tropes to help you decide which fantasy tropes are your favorite.
Table of Contents
What Is a Fantasy Trope?
A trope is a cliche storyline or overused plot point authors use to convey their fantasy story.
Authors use these plots because they work well in fantasy worlds, and readers love these cliches. A cliche, while it may sound negative, can be a good thing. A cliche gives stories some predictability. While we love a good plot twist, many readers also prefer some predictability (like knowing the good guy. or girl will win in the end, and the lovers will get together).
Predictability makes a tumultuous journey more bearable and fun, like riding a roller coaster, knowing you’ll still arrive safely where you started.
Worldbuilding Tropes
Let’s start with three primary worldbuilding tropes. All fantasy novels fall into one of these categories. However, you’ll find that authors will combine world-building tropes for more complex settings.
Medieval
Fantasy worlds and the medieval setting are seen as synonymous. When someone says “fantasy,” you probably immediately picture castles, sword fights, and horse riding across mountains.
Fantasy doesn’t have to use a medieval setting. You can have a fantasy setting with race cars and skyscrapers. Harry Potter, for example, takes place in the real world. Readers just seem to prefer the romantic setting of a medieval backdrop.
The Inheritance Cycle is an example of a fantasy novel set in a medieval-based world.
Magical
A defining trait of fantasy is unrealistic settings or traits. This often means incorporating magic. Fantasy authors often create their own magical systems and include sorcerers in the novel.
Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are magical fantasy series.
Fantastical
Not all fantasy books have magic. Sometimes, the characters still rely on natural laws. However, the fantastical part of the genre comes in through the races and animals.
For example, there might be dragons, hobbits, and talking animals. Think of Grimms Fairy Tales. There is very little magic in those stories, but they are definitely fantasy stories.
Fantasy Character Tropes
Now let’s look at eight fantasy character tropes you’ll find in most fantasy novels.
Orphan Hero
Have you ever wondered why the main character in fantasy novels always seems to be an orphan?
Authors would have a much more difficult time writing stories when there are parents or siblings around. Taking the family out of the picture frees the author up to push the character to grow up quickly, leave behind his home without a second thought, and have more freedom to do what needs to be done (without worrying about his family back home).
Damsel in Distress
The damsel in distress was a given in any good fantasy book. I, for one, am thankful this trope is becoming less popular. Now, the authors are giving the damsels swords and their own powers so they can be part of the saving (girl power!).
However, you may still enjoy this trope if you prefer the traditional Disney princess storyline. Damsel in Distress comes into play for Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.
Mentor
If you could have any role in a fantasy novel, I would not recommend taking on the role of mentor. They have a very low life expectancy.
When a young hero first accepts their mission, there is usually a mentor who comes along to train or guide them. Think Dumbledore, Brom, and Gandalf. After a young hero receives training, authors like to decommission these mentors to force the young hero to become independent.
Sidekick
Where would our heroes be without the loyal sidekick?
Frodo would be lost without Sam, and Harry Potter would be lonely without Ron.
Sidekick tropes are usually comic relief to help balance the weight of the hero’s burden. They are also very loyal.
Love Interest
Romantasy: Fantasy and romance combined (also by favorite subgenre/trope).
A good love story does wonders to bring empathy into a good fantasy journey. Where would Aragorn be without Arwen? Would Hunger Games offer the same level of emotion if there was no love on the line?
Check out the top romance tropes for some of the best love subplots in fantasy novels.
Dark Lord
Why do all fantasy novels have a dark lord? Because they’re AWESOME!
The Darkling, Voldemort, and Sauron have gone viral for their dark lord status. The physical manifestation of evil through characteristics like dark magic really brings the evil characters to life. They aren’t just bad because the author says so. You can see evil emanating from them, like in dark magic, smoke, or a fiery mountain.
Rival
The rival isn’t usually the primary villain. However, most fantasy novels have a rival trope or subplot to add an extra layer of drama.
A rival is a character who is jealous of the hero. They might want to steal the throne, compete against the hero for status, or simply dislike the hero for personal reasons.
Common rivals from literature include Draco Malfoy, Saruman (rival to Gandalf), and pretty much all the other tributes in The Hunger Games.
Symbolic Monster
You won’t get too far in any fantasy novel before running into a non-human villain. Fantasy novels often use monster villains to convey a deeper plot point.
For example, J. K. Rowling used dementors to personify depression and Harry Potter’s past trauma. The orcs in The Lord of the Rings personify Sauron’s evil.
Next time you see the hero battle a monster villain, think about what it might represent in the story. It makes the monster more frightening and adds more depth to the storyline.
Fantasy Story Structures
While there are countless story structures, most fantasy novels fall into two typical structures.
3-Act Story
The three-act story is the most recognizable fantasy story plot.
It contains three primary parts:
- Exposition: Introducing the main characters. This part of the story usually happens before a traumatic event. It’s the time before Lucy goes into the wardrobe or while Frodo lives in the Shire.
- Climax: The action takes place. This is the heat of the story. You have a big event the story builds up to.
- Resolution: The hero wins the battle and defeats the villain. The world settles after the impact of the climax.
In Medias Res
In medias res means in the middle of a narrative or in the midst of things. Fantasy stories often jump immediately into the thick of the action without giving much background. You then discover what is going on through flashbacks.
Leigh Bardugo, author of the Shadow and Bones trilogy and Six of Crows duology, uses in medias res. We often land in the thick of an event and slowly learn the background through flashbacks throughout the novel.
Fantasy Plot Tropes
Here are 12 fantasy plot tropes authors commonly employ.
Good vs. Evil
The classic good vs. evil seems to be a fan favorite for fantasy tropes. You’ll not see this trope as much in other novels, like romance or historical fiction. In most other genres, the hero fights a circumstance, nature, and life. However, there isn’t always a clear evil villain the hero must defeat.
Fantasy is the one genre that loves this trope.
We already looked at the popular dark lord trope, as he is a physical manifestation of evil. Good vs. evil can also be defeating a wicked king, destructive kingdom, or rogue warrior.
Chosen One
Chosen one fantasy plots usually thrust an (often unwilling) unsuspecting character into the role of hero. They take on the burden due to destiny, fate, or a prophecy versus regular heroes who choose the role.
Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Eragon are all examples of chosen one tropes.
Quest/Long Journey
The long journey trope takes place over several locations as the hero (and his or her crew) has to reach a destination to accomplish a goal.
It tends to be a slower-paced plot since most of the story is traveling with mini battles versus preparing for one large battle.
Lord of the Rings and Eragon use long journey tropes.
Enemy to Friend/Friend to Enemy
The betrayal from a friend is the gut punch readers hate loving. That betrayal motivates the hero to finish his or her quest or causes a change of purpose, giving the story an unexpected plot twist that keeps readers engaged.
Another version of this trope is the enemy-to-friend change. This is one change I love because redemption arcs are AMAZING! You go all story hating a character, then suddenly they turn to the hero and yell “Run!” as they hold off the enemy, and you squeal in delight!
Inheritance/Hidden Truths
A good fantasy novel usually has one momentous turn of events at the start of the story that triggers a chain of events for the book’s plot. A common trope that triggers fantasy plots is the inheritance or hidden truths trope.
The hero receives a magical gift or learns a secret about his past.
For example, Bilbo gifting Frodo the Ring or Cinder in The Lunar Chronicles discovering her secret identity.
Quest for Success
Fantasy novels sometimes switch up the novel from a battle between good and evil to a quest for success. The quest for success is where the hero strives to succeed at a task, such as becoming the best or achieving a goal.
The story of King Author is a quest for success, which he achieves when he pulls the sword from the stone and accepts his role as king.
Price for Winning
Price-for-winning tropes make fantasy books more realistic by adding a cost to the hero’s victory.
Instead of a traditional fairy tale ending where everyone lives happily ever after, some characters suffer consequences.
Some common losses include:
- Losing an ability or power
- Losing a loved one
- Losing precious belongings or their home
- Losing their position
Secret Heir
The secret heir trope is similar to the inheritance or hidden truths tropes. The primary difference is this trope occurs at the end of the novel to bring about the resolution rather than at the start to begin the story.
For example, the main character might discover at the end of the book that they’re the secret love child of the king and accept their role to unite the nations.
Training Sequence
Is a fantasy novel really a fantasy novel if it doesn’t have a training sequence?
A training sequence in fantasy novels is as expected as a wardrobe change scene in a rom-com.
A training sequence usually lasts several chapters and is where a mentor or side character trains the hero for battle or to use their new power.
Red Herring
A red herring is a clue or information the author adds to mislead readers intentionally. The red herring plot point distracts you from what’s really happening, so when the plot twist comes, it’s much more surprising.
A red herring might be a minor villain that keeps readers from identifying the evil mastermind (Snape in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) or a small challenge that keeps the hero occupied while a much larger plot unfolds behind the scenes.
Plot Twist
A plot twist is an unexpected turn of events. While some stories run their expected course, like how fairy tales reveal the villains and heroes from the start, others withhold information. Then, you receive those facts later in the story, changing your perspective about characters and plots.
MacGuffin
A MacGuffin is an object or event that moves the plot but has little importance and usually won’t appear again in the story. If you can substitute the object for another object without alternating the story too much, it’s probably a MacGuffin.
The Philosopher’s Stone and the Horcruxes in Harry Potter are MacGuffins. While the story uses these items to further the plot, the plot doesn’t revolve around them, and they could easily be replaced by any other objects without drastically changing the storyline. Image reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Puppy!
On the other hand, objects like the Ring in Lord of the Rings are not a MacGuffin (though some do argue it is). The ring shape plays several significant roles, allowing characters to wear it versus having it on a chain around their neck. It also is central to the plot rather than simply an object to move the plot along.
What Are Your Favorite Fantasy Tropes?
Let’s start a thread with books that use each of these fantasy tropes (though be sure to add in a spoiler alert for tropes like plot twists and secret heir).
Contact me to let me know what you want me to cover in a future blog post.