Plot & stakes tropes
The engines of the plot: competitions, heists, bargains, curses, and the stakes that bind two fates.
The prophesied one marked by destiny to carry a great fate the whole world depends on.
The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros
Words of Radiance
Brandon Sanderson
Iron Flame
Rebecca Yarros
Rhythm of War
Brandon Sanderson
Shadow and Bone
Leigh Bardugo
Skyward
Brandon Sanderson
Heir of Fire
Sarah J. Maas
One Dark Window
Rachel Gillig
Uprooted
Naomi Novik
From Blood and Ash
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Steelheart
Brandon Sanderson
Political scheming, shifting alliances, and power struggles the couple must navigate — and often weaponize — to survive.
A Game of Thrones
George R. R. Martin
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo
Throne of Glass
Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas
Elantris
Brandon Sanderson
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Sarah J. Maas
The Cruel Prince
Holly Black
Queen of Shadows
Sarah J. Maas
Empire of Storms
Sarah J. Maas
Kingdom of Ash
Sarah J. Maas
The Wicked King
Holly Black
A power, ability, or knowledge that's outlawed or dangerous to wield — every use of it raising the stakes and the risk of exposure.
Rhythm of War
Brandon Sanderson
Skyward
Brandon Sanderson
Heir of Fire
Sarah J. Maas
One Dark Window
Rachel Gillig
Uprooted
Naomi Novik
Steelheart
Brandon Sanderson
Ruin and Rising
Leigh Bardugo
Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi
Spinning Silver
Naomi Novik
King of Scars
Leigh Bardugo
The Jasmine Throne
Tasha Suri
Serpent & Dove
Shelby Mahurin
A high-stakes trial, tournament, or competition the characters must survive or win, pitting them against rivals, the odds, and each other.
The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros
Words of Radiance
Brandon Sanderson
Throne of Glass
Sarah J. Maas
Iron Flame
Rebecca Yarros
Skyward
Brandon Sanderson
Zodiac Academy
Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
The Atlas Six
Olivie Blake
Zodiac Academy 3
Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham
Zodiac Academy 7: Heartless Sky
Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
Zodiac Academy 9: Restless Stars
Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
The Awakening As Told By The Boys
Peckham, Susanne Valenti