It happens all too often: you're reading a book, getting steadily absorbed in a plot, and then realize, to your dismay, that it's exactly like a million other plots you've read before. Congratulations, you've found another plot cliche.
These kinds of tropes and cliches bother me perhaps more than they should. When I read a book, I want something new and different. It doesn't have to exactly revolutionize fiction, but it shouldn't remind me of every other book I've read in my life, either.
That's why I always love it when I come across a book that seems like it's going to plant itself smack dab in the middle of cliche-land, and then ends up being completely different. One example I can think of is Fair Coin by E. C. Myers - you think it's going to be a stereotypical "wishing" book but then whoa, plot twist.
What other examples can you think of?
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If you would like to contact me for a review, you can reach me at silverfalcon42[at]gmail[dot]com. Every review I write is honest, and I post it both here on this blog and on Goodreads. Although I primarily review young adult fiction of nearly every genre, I love middle grade fiction and am open to young adult nonfiction and select adult fiction. Ebooks in a Kindle-accepted format as well as physical books, and I accept ARCs.
A Note About Book Reviews
The first paragraph in each review is a summary taken from Goodreads.com with the wording tweaked. All other content, unless otherwise stated, is my own.
A Note About Book Reviews
The first paragraph in each review is a summary taken from Goodreads.com with the wording tweaked. All other content, unless otherwise stated, is my own.
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4 comments:
I totally agree. I love finding those gems that think outside the square. There are too many novels out there that do seem familiar and it's refreshing to read something different.
Ooo, we've heard some buzz about FAIR COIN. Glad to know you liked it and it wasn't stereotypical!
To be honest, we've been on the wrong side of this question more often lately. Meaning we are expecting something unique, and instead we get a Twilight ripoff or a Hunger Games wannabe. Sigh.
One series that we thought was pleasantly original was Suzanne Young's A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL and A WANT SO WICKED. It's about angels, but it's done in a completely different way than we'd ever seen. So, not our favorite series in the world, BUT it definitely gets originality points.
I can't think of a book title off the top of my head. But lately I feel like there are so many trilogies. Where are the stand alone books anymore? Also the love triangles. How many more of those do we need in stories?
Angie
Books are generally stereotypical. Or maybe just the ones I've been reading.
Pan's Whisper by Sue Lawson is among my favourites, and I find it refreshingly original.
If you're looking for originality in things other than books, I highly recommend the television show Community. It takes everything we know (cliches, stereotypes, archetypes) and turns it into something COMPLETELY new.
Anyway, love this post. :) <3
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