“Tropes are a grab bag of elements for writers to play with.”
Literary tropes are an essential part of storytelling, moulding how we experience characters, plotlines, and settings. But, while some tropes become beloved staples of literature, others leave readers groaning and rolling their eyes. Other tropes fall right in the middle, sparking heated debates among readers: some absolutely love them, while others can’t stand them. Whether it’s the classic ‘enemies to lovers’ arc or the overused ‘chosen one’ trope, these literary conventions often divide opinions. Today at What We Reading, we’re pulling together five literary tropes readers either love or hate. From the familiar comfort of predictable storylines to the frustration of overused cliches, we’ll dive into why these book tropes stir up so much passion and debate among readers everywhere!
What Are Tropes?
Literary tropes are recurring themes, situations or character types that have become familiar to readers over the years. These storytelling methods help to shape narratives, set expectations and create emotional resonance. Tropes such as ‘Love Triangles’, ‘The Chosen One’ and ‘Enemies to Lovers’ are all staples across different genres. While they can offer readers a feeling of familiarity and predictability, they can also be frustrating when they’re overused or executed badly.
These tropes play a substantial role in both fiction writing and reader expectations. They’re often used as shortcuts for developing characters or advancing the plot, tapping into universal themes that resonate with a broader audience. However, the familiarity of these tropes can spark strong opinions. Some readers appreciate their emotional payoff or the tension they build, whereas others often find them repetitive, cliche or even frustratingly predictable.
1. The Chosen One
The ‘Chosen One’ trope features a protagonist who is chosen or destined to save the day, defeat a great enemy or fulfil a powerful prophecy. This character normally has unique abilities or qualities that set them apart from others.
Why Readers Love It:
This trope is appealing because it taps into our collective want for empowerment and destiny. Readers love reading about an ordinary Joe rising to greatness, especially when they struggle with self-doubt before finally embracing their fate. It provides an exhilarating journey of self-discovery and heroic transformation. The stakes are high, and readers become emotionally invested in the protagonist’s quest to fulfil their destiny.
Why Readers Hate It:
Some readers find the ‘Chosen One’ trope to be both overused and predictable. It often follows a familiar formula, where the protagonist starts out as the underdog but eventually comes out on top on the back of a special gift or destiny guiding them. This can feel formulaic and lacking in depth, especially in genres like fantasy where the trope is most commonly found. Critics argue that it can make the story feel like it is on auto-pilot, with little room for surprises.
Examples in Popular Books:
Love It: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling – Harry, an orphaned boy, discovers he is the chosen one destined to defeat the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. His journey is emotionally rich, with significant character growth.
Hate It: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer – Bella is repeatedly referred to as ‘the chosen one’ within the vampire world, but many readers find her lack of agency and the repetitive nature of her tale disappointing.
2. Enemies To Lovers
This trope revolves around two characters who start out despising one another, but gradually develop a romantic relationship as they overcome their differences. It often involves intense emotional tension and a gradual shift in feelings from animosity to affection.
Why Readers Love It:
The enemies-to-lovers trope delivers a high emotional payoff. Readers enjoy the tension, conflict and banter between characters who begin as adversaries but slowly develop a deep, passionate bond. The transformation from animosity to love feels earned, and there’s a sense of catharsis when the characters finally realise they’re meant for each other. It’s perfect for those who love slow burns and complex dynamics.
Why Readers Hate It:
On the flip side, some readers feel that this trope can sometimes glorify toxic relationships or unhealthy dynamics, especially if the central conflict is too harsh or abusive. In some cases, the rapid transition from hatred to love can feel forced, making the romantic development seem implausible or shallow. It can also be frustrating if their antagonistic behaviour is never truly addressed or resolved.
Examples in Popular Books:
Love It: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – The rivalry between Lucy and Joshua leads to witty, charming exchanges before they realise that they’re falling for each other. Why it works is because their development feels both natural and fun.
Hate It: The Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren – Critics argue that the relationship between the protagonists, who initially hate each other, doesn’t offer enough growth or depth, with the tension leaning more on conflict than actually fulfilling development.
3. Love Triangle
Another one of the most popular literary tropes in the romance world, love triangles involves a protagonist torn between two potential romantic partners. Typically, the love triangle builds tension and drama as the protagonist must choose between the two, often resulting in personal growth or heartbreak.
Why Readers Love It:
Readers love love triangles because they introduce emotional conflict and suspense. Watching a character struggle with competing affections keeps readers hooked, as they become invested in the outcome. This trope can also explore themes of identity, desire, and the complexities of relationships, creating a rollercoaster of emotions for the audience.
Why Readers Hate It:
For some readers, love triangles feel overdone and manipulative. If the trope is poorly executed, it can make the protagonist seem indecisive or shallow. Critics point out that love triangles often take away from the main plot, making the story feel unnecessarily drawn out. Furthermore, some readers are irked by the predictable outcomes or the ‘chosen one’ effect when the protagonist always ends up with the more appealing option.
Examples in Popular Books:
Love It: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – Katniss is caught between her feelings for Gale and Peeta, with the love triangle intensifying the emotional stakes of the story.
Hate It: The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith – The constant back-and-forth between Elena, Stefan, and Damon often leaves readers feeling frustrated by the repetitive nature of the love triangle.
4. Rags To Riches
This trope follows a protagonist who begins in a humble or impoverished position and rises to wealth, power or success. The transformation is often dramatic, demonstrating the character’s hard work, intelligence or luck.
Why Readers Love It:
The rags to riches trope provides a sense of hope and inspiration to readers. We enjoy seeing underdogs rise to the top, especially when their journey is defined by resilience, personal growth, and triumph over adversity. It appeals to our dreams of success and the idea that anyone, no matter their starting point, can make something extraordinary for themselves.
Why Readers Hate It:
Some readers regard the rags to riches trope as unrealistic, especially if the success of a character comes too easily or without proper development. It can often wander into wish fulfilment territory without a deeper emotional or thematic core, leading to a lack of relatability. Additionally, the emphasis on wealth and status can overshadow other parts of a character’s growth or journey, making them appear shallow.
Examples in Popular Books:
Love It: Cinderella – A timeless classic where the protagonist rises from a life of hardship to find success, love, and happiness.
Hate It: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – While Gatsby’s rise to affluence is impressive, some readers find the emphasis on materialism hollow and unfulfilling within the context of the novel’s wider themes.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Great Gatsby
5. The Mentor
In this literary trope, a wise and experienced mentor helps guide the protagonist, providing them with wisdom, training and support. The mentor often plays a central role in a hero’s journey, helping them to discover their potential and prepare them for their final challenge.
Why Readers Love It:
The mentor trope adds depth to a story by providing a guiding figure who helps the protagonist grow. It’s a symbol of mentorship, teaching and personal development. Readers enjoy seeing the protagonist learn from the mentor, often forging a deep bond that enhances the emotional stakes of the story. Mentors also bring a sense of wisdom and gravitas to the narrative.
Why Readers Hate It:
Some readers find this trope tired, especially when it follows a predictable arc. The mentor’s eventual death or departure can feel like a cheap emotional device, taking the stabilisers off for the hero and forcing them to fend for themselves. Critics argue that the Mentor trope can be overly formulaic, especially when the mentor figure is just a plot tool to drive the protagonist forward.
Examples in Popular Books:
Love It: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien – Gandalf serves as a powerful and wise mentor to Frodo, helping him on his epic journey.
Hate It: Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan – Some readers feel the role of Percy’s mentors, such as Chiron, can feel one-dimensional or overplayed in a way that detracts from the main story.
Check Out These Literary Tropes We Love (And Secretly Hate)
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
