At Inimitable Books, we believe that great stories are built on memorable characters, epic settings, and yes—unforgettable tropes. Tropes are more than just clichés; they serve as essential building blocks that help define genres, deepen plots, and capture our imaginations. From forbidden love to hidden powers, the tropes we embrace are often the very reasons readers become so immersed in our books. Here are some of the top tropes found across Inimitable Books’ collection—and why they keep us coming back for more.
1. Enemies to Lovers
One of the most beloved tropes in fiction, the Enemies to Lovers dynamic creates that perfect storm of tension, passion, and character development. This trope allows characters to evolve from distrust or rivalry to deep admiration and love, often in the most unexpected of ways. Whether it’s the intense chemistry that builds between two strong-willed characters or the slow realization that their differences are what make them stronger together, this trope never fails to captivate readers.
In Heirs of Bone and Sea, we see this play out in a thrilling, unexpected way, making every interaction between the leads crackle with energy. It’s a slow-burn that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating every moment they spend together.
2. The Chosen One
There’s something undeniably compelling about characters who are thrust into extraordinary circumstances with the weight of the world on their shoulders. The Chosen One trope is not just about destiny. It’s about self-discovery, overcoming obstacles, and stepping into a role greater than oneself. This trope allows for deep exploration of personal growth and the struggles of living up to expectations, making the character’s journey one of triumph and self-realization.
In The Storm Gathers, readers are drawn into the lives of characters who discover their own incredible potential when faced with impossible challenges. These characters might not want to be “chosen”—Alana Zaya certainly doesn’t care to be—but watching them rise to the occasion is an unforgettable experience.
The Storm Gathers
One day, my dear daughter, you will destroy the world.
After being forced from her home five years ago, Alana Zaya has finally been given the opportunity to return and claim her rightful place on the Okaron throne. When her voyage is waylaid by pirates, she soon finds herself stranded at sea, surrounded by strangers harboring dark secrets. But hers are perhaps the darkest of all.
Across the world, Rae Toma is a warrior who can't walk away from a fight. After years of using her skills to rebel against the regime that trained her, her treachery is revealed, forcing her to flee into the Shatter—a maze of islands that no one has ever returned from.
There, she finds Nur Del Sue, a Stormwitch on a mission to prove herself in a world determined to ignore her.
Forced from their homes, can these characters survive long enough to uncover the deadly mysteries at the heart of their world?
More info →
3. Forbidden Love
What is it about Forbidden Love that always keeps us hooked? Maybe it’s the sense of rebellion, the longing for something you can’t have, or the idea that love should never be constrained by rules or boundaries. This trope explores the power of love in the face of adversity, whether it’s societal expectations, familial pressures, or supernatural forces.
In The Devil’s Waltz, the characters’ forbidden love story keeps readers flipping through pages, caught in the emotional intensity of their connection despite the odds. It’s a trope that taps into our deepest desires for freedom and the courage to pursue love against all odds.
4. Secret Powers or Hidden Identity
Who doesn’t love a good reveal? The Secret Powers or Hidden Identity trope is all about those surprising twists that flip everything we thought we knew on its head. Characters who harbor incredible abilities or a secret past make for some of the most exciting, page-turning moments in literature. Watching a character realize their true potential or step into a hidden role is always a thrilling journey.
In The L:egionaire and A Diamond Bright and Broken, secret identities add layers of intrigue to the plot, making readers question who they can trust and what’s really going on beneath the surface.
The Legionnaire
Saiden, a Blood-Cursed legionnaire—blessed by both the God of Life and Goddess of Death—is a paradox. Called both “death-bringer” and “world-ender,” she is surprisingly careful about taking lives and proving herself to be a monster. Torn between her loyalty to her queen and the need to protect her people, Saiden struggles to decide who she is going to be in a world that has already cast her aside.
Queen Loralei is hiding the fact that she’s been blessed by the God of Life while navigating the manipulative and dangerous landscape of ruling a kingdom. When she discovers a mysterious prisoner in her dungeons, she begins to unravel a complicated plot that shadows her reign and would change the course of history.
Mozare, gifted by the Goddess of Death with the powers to control shadows, is hiding lots of secrets in the dark. As Saiden’s legionnaire partner, he would do everything to protect her—even if that means killing the queen she swore to protect to save her from a fate worse than death.
With friends and enemies becoming indistinguishable from each other, can these three individuals survive long enough to fulfill their destinies without losing those closest to them, or will their missions irreparably ruin them—and possibly the entire kingdom?
More info →
A Diamond Bright and Broken
Sixteen-year-old Cadence was born with the ability to cry tears of diamonds–a secret talent her parents have abused to climb the royal ranks thanks to the infinite source of wealth. At their command, she cries diamonds to pay for the pricey treatments for her sister’s neuromuscular disorder. Regardless of the pain, she’ll do anything for her sister, who weakens by the day.
When the prince heckles Cadence at the King’s Summer Solstice Ball about her sister’s disability while dancing in the ballroom, she’s left on the verge of tears, threatening to expose her power. She is saved by a mysteriously charming girl who sweeps in to take the next dance—and the single diamond Cadence cried. The stranger reveals the Magi Queen sent her to tell Cadence that she’s a mage, and that her power is a curse.
Yearning to discover the secrets behind her powers, Cadence sets off for the City of Magi. To claim the life she wants, Cadence must embrace her power—before she loses the bright spots in her otherwise sad existence. After all, even diamonds can shatter.
More info →5. Found Family
Whether it’s a group of misfits banding together or a series of unexpected connections, the Found Family trope is one that tugs at our hearts. There’s something incredibly powerful about characters coming together to form bonds that are just as strong, if not stronger, than blood relations. These friendships, alliances, and loyalties are built through shared struggles and triumphs, making them feel deeply authentic.
In Down the Well, we see a powerful example of Found Family, as characters who were once strangers become a family, relying on one another for survival and strength. It’s a trope that celebrates the idea that family can be chosen, and the love that comes from those choices can be just as meaningful as any biological connection.
Down The Well
A Distinguished Favorite in the 2025 Independent Press Award's Young Adult Fiction category
Lore Deoradán wants to be happy when she grows up. But navigating her parents' mercurial moods, moving to a new town just two weeks before her high school graduation, and dealing with her beloved grandma's declining health all make that dream seemingly impossible. Will her new job be the first step toward happiness, or will it be yet another disappointment?
When she falls down a well into a magical world with talking animals that haven't seen a human for years, she must clear her name of the mayor's murder. Although, how anyone believes she killed a Herculean-sized alligator is beyond her. Now, her survival is tied to a mouse with a chip on her shoulder. There's also a cat who owns a pub where the animal patrons might be cannibals, a giant snake librarian who probably wants to eat her, and sentient lampposts who are never there when you need them.
Can Lore prove her innocence, help a newfound friend save the town from a dark and dangerous schemer, and find her way home?
More info →6. The Reluctant Hero
Sometimes the hero doesn’t want to be the hero—and that’s exactly what makes them so compelling. The Reluctant Hero trope explores what happens when an ordinary character is forced to rise to the occasion, often against their will. The beauty of this trope lies in the journey from reluctance to acceptance, as the hero discovers the courage within themselves to fight for what’s right, despite their doubts and fears.
In Until the Last Page, we meet a reluctant hero who’s thrust into a world of magic and danger, unsure if she’s capable of handling what lies ahead. Watching her grow into her role is a testament to the power of personal transformation.
Until the Last Page
Every good fairytale begins with "Once Upon a Time," or they're supposed to at least. But for twenty-five year old Josephine Hart, her "Once Upon a Time" began with her literally crash landing inside a book of fairy tales and nearly crushing a frog—who is actually a prince. An annoying, snarky frog prince named Aneurin, seeking the kiss of true love to break his curse. He vows that if Jo agrees to help him find his princess, he will get her home.
With every turn of the page, their adventure leads them deeper into fairytales familiar to Jo. Through their journey, they discover that despite their initial clashing, they're both exactly what each other needs. It is only when they encounter a devious man with a talent for spinning straw into gold that they realize just how quickly their plot can take an unexpected twist.
More info →Why We Love These Tropes
The appeal of these tropes lies not just in their familiarity, but in how they evolve and subvert our expectations. Inimitable Books is committed to creating stories that embrace these beloved tropes while adding fresh twists that keep them exciting and engaging. Whether it’s through unexpected plot turns, complex characters, or deeper emotional layers, these tropes give us the rich, immersive experiences we love in our favorite books.
Do you have a favorite trope from Inimitable Books? We’d love to hear which one resonates with you the most and why!
Let me know if you’d like to make any tweaks or add more!
