1. The Chosen One. Many of the tropes on this list are more modern (see: they were roommates), but the Chosen One is an original. There's not much I can say against such a timeless trope, except maybe that it can be boring if it isn't made to be unique. There have been a thousand Harry Potters in the past two decades; I want to see a new spin. 6/10
2. The Outsider. Again, this one is a classic. It seems like, regardless of genre, all the greatest heroes are an outsider in their own way. The trope can be slightly annoying when done poorly (2000's I'm not like other girls makes me scream), but usually creating a sense of loneliness helps the audience connect with the protagonist and raises the stakes. 7/10
3. Dead Parents. Although this one is so overused that it's become a bit of a joke, I kind of love it! Parents usually have plotlines that hinder the protagonist in an annoying way. Plus, dead parents adds to their outsider-ness. Bonus if there's an emotional grieving scene. 8/10
4. Evil Government. This one could go either way. Sometimes, there's really interesting development, and I can completely picture the government. Other times, it's generic and weak. Having the government pronounced evil can provide an easy out and discourage real development of the political system. 5/10
5. Love Triangle. Most of the time, yes, a hundred percent yes. I thrive on the drama. But more often than I like to admit, the triangle turns into a weird toxic moment where the woman's worth is equated to which man she chooses and everyone becomes overprotective and the woman is a prize to be won. In recent years, that's been avoided, thank god, but its effect on the trope is still around. 7/10
6. First Love. Cute, usually, although it can be cringey since it's very end-all, be-all. Like, I get it, you're dramatically and endlessly in love, but do you have to be so extreme about it? 6/10
7. Star-Crossed Lovers. Similar to a love triangle, this can be amazing, as long at it's not used in a toxic way. Most of the time, the problem comes in on why they're star-crossed. Is it because they come from feuding and hateful families that need to be brought together (cute)? Or is it because he's a two hundred year old immortal demon in love with an actual child (creepy)? 6/10
8. Friends to Lovers. This is probably the most hated trope on the list, but, if I'm being honest, I kind of love it. Don't get me wrong, the author can completely ruin it by having the best friend pine in an unsettling, vaguely stalkerish way, but often, it's about a change in how the relationship works, which is both complex and compelling. 8/10
9. Enemies to Lovers. You know what I'm going to say. I'm obsessed with it, obviously. How could I, a major fan of Holly Black's Folk of the Air series, not be completely in love with this trope? There are obviously times this trope is severely misused and promotes abusive or harmful relationships, but usually, it's good fun for the Cardan-lover in all of us. 9/10
10. Dark Haired Bad Boy. I know this one is specific, but isn't it true? Kaz Brekker, Jace Wayland, Gale Hawthorne, Cardan Greenbriar, The Darkling. He's usually one side of a love triangle, the side that appeals to the protagonist's newfound rebellious side. It can be a fun trope at times, when it isn't so toxic (good example: Kaz, bad example: the Darkling), but usually it's too problematic for me to get behind. 5/10
11. Opposites Attract. Similar to the last one, this can be a problem. Usually, there's an uptight good girl and a laid back bad boy. The woman is always the person to change, despite being better than the man. The only example I can remember where I felt like both characters had to develop and change is Nate and Bronwyn in One of Us is Lying, but even then, they weren't as interesting in the sequel. Obviously, there are cute examples, but the trope is dominated by too many problems for me to love it. 4/10
12. Reluctant Royal. This is another controversial one, but I have to say: I'm on board. Sure, sometimes it turns into I hate being rich and powerful, I wish I were poor because then I could be happy, but many times it's about the nuances of inherited power and how that plays into someone's life and relationships. 8/10
13. Fake Dating. How can anyone hate a good fake dating scheme? It's charming, it's funny, it's opposites attract without the toxic part. The very best example of this is To All the Boys I've Loved Before. In the book, Peter and Lara Jean hate each other at first, but the mutually beneficial deal draws them together. 9/10
14. One Bed. Usually a very interesting time. Sometimes it's creepy, like when paired with the Dark Haired Bad Boy, turning it into a situation where you have to address that you can't trust him (unless Holly Black writes it, and then it's cute). Negative points, however, if you introduce the trope and then scrap it entirely (Rainbow Rowell in Any Way the Wind Blows, I'm glaring at you). 7/10
15. They Were Roommates. This trope is always cute, and you know it. It's giving queerbaiting without the baiting part, which is what we all need in life. My only issue with this trope is that it doesn't happen enough. I mean, that moment where the protagonist realizes they're in love with the roommate and starts getting weird about everything they do? Iconic. Unforgettable. Adorable. 10/10
It feels like the last blogiversary was so long ago, and my first blog post must have been a lifetime ago. Only three years, really? Only three years since I started this blog on a whim, not knowing that a year and two weeks later I would be sent home for eighteen months. There weren't many constants for me those days; I floated from class to class with the work already done and spent weeks at a time binging TV series or book series or both at once. Writing reviews gave me a space to be both creative and structured. I had a goal and a formula, but I also had fun. Writing is one of very few activities that didn't change with the pandemic, and for that, I will always be grateful.
In the last year, I've become more experimental on my blog. I've tried out lists and fanart and reviews that go beyond pure hate or pure adoration. Thank you to all of my readers for the support and for coming back to read my ramblings. It's funny; I never imagine this place ever having any readers, and then I'm talking about something I put in a review to a friend, and they say, "I know, I read it." Once, I was approached by someone I barely even knew, and she told me how much she loved my book covers. It's always shocking and touching and exciting to know I have readers—plural—and I don't say thank you enough about it. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Here's to another year of rants and reviews and raves. Until next time, keep reading, readers.