Plot twists are an important element for any fantasy series, often adding a level of excitement to the narrative and an unexpected change in the stories' direction. These unforeseen twists and turns may come as a shock to readers, but it is the subtle clues left by the author that make for a truly impressive narrative. A well-executed fantasy book plot twist will motivate readers to reevaluate the story with new insights and can make rereading the story more enjoyable.
For some, rereading a book whose ending is already known may seem redundant. However, when used effectively, retellings remove the proverbial blindfold from the audience and allow a glimpse into the foundation laid by the author. Finding and putting together the smallest details that lead to a unforgettable twist of the book it just adds to the reading experience. And these fantasy book series are equipped with compelling twists that make for an even better read the second time around.
10
Harry Potter by JK Rowling
Severus Snape is a double agent
THE Harry Potter series, by JK Rowling, is full of incredible twists and turns - but one of its best revelations is regarding its most controversial character, Severus Snape. Rowling Reveals Two Incredibly Big Twists in Snape's Characterand from the first reading they can be a great shock. Where Snape is first revealed to be a traitorous and loyal Death Eater, it is later revealed that Snape was working as a double agent the whole time - putting himself at great risk to help further support the Order's cause.
...Snape's actions and decisions throughout the books take on new meaning when the reader understands his character's motivations.
His character's redemption is probably one of the best parts of the Harry Potter books, and when rereading the series, the knowledge of his true nature adds much more complexity to his rough exterior. The entire Harry Potter series portrays him as a surly, cruel professor with a serious dislike for Harry, but there were several clues proving that Snape was not a villain. Snape's actions and decisions throughout the books take on new meaning when the reader understands his character's motivations.
9
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien is actually Aelin Galathynius
The first books of Throne of Glass The series follows Celaena, Adarlan's best and most formidable assassin. As the series begins, the truth behind her character's identity is kept hidden from the reader. However, there are very subtle clues throughout the book that revolve around Celaena's true identity – and once it's revealed that she is actually the long-lost princess Aelin Galathynius, the pieces come together easily. In hindsight, Maas leaves behind a well-planned trail that readers can followbut the plot of the story keeps readers distracted from discovering something too soon.
Rereading the series with the understanding that Celaena is actually Aelin helps the audience understand some of the hesitation she has in accepting her responsibilities. After the suffering she went through, all Celaena wants is to travel far away and forget that she had a family, powers or a kingdom to protect. Although the audience understands that Celaena is running away from a troubled past, Maas discreetly hints at his secret identity throughout much of the initial plot- making it easier for readers to connect the dots and pick up subtle clues upon rereading Throne of Glass.
8
Red Rise by Pierce Brown
Fitchner is the son of Ares
Red Rise by Pierce Brown is packed with plot twists and shocking revelations -but one of its most unexpected revelations is the identity of Ares, the leader of the rebellion. Throughout much of Red Rise and Golden Sonthe leader of the Children of Ares is kept hidden from the main protagonist and the reader - but that doesn't stop the audience from trying to solve the mystery, as Darrow himself is constantly questioning who around him could be involved. Fortunately, it was later revealed that Fitchner, Darrow's House of Mars inspector, is actually Ares himself.
The initial confirmation of Ares' identity leads to many questions about Fitchner's past behaviors and actions. However, upon rereading the series, Brown clearly uses Fitchner's character to manipulate much of Darrow's early success and ensures it performs well enough to complete its mission. It's interesting to see the interactions between his characters with this in mind, as Fitchner's cunning and cunning personality is often used to mask his true intentions and gives readers a better understanding of the rebellion's government infiltrations.
7
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre and Rhys are mates
One of the biggest plot twists in all of history Cutting thorns and roses the series is the revelation of Feyre and Rhys as companions. After the first book, readers are totally hooked on the idea of Tamlin and Feyre making a life for themselves in the Spring Court – and the sudden change in their relationship in A Court of Mist and Fury It's a big shock. However, as the story unfolds, It is clear that this was Maas's intention from the beginning.
On rereading Cutting thorns and rosesFeyre and Rhys' first interactions take on a whole new meaning. Once it's understood that Rhys knew Feyre through their bond before they even met, their first meeting becomes even more special. Even the iconic line "There you are. I've been looking for you"is much more significant on second reading. These little details clarify that Maas never intended for Feyre and Tamlin to be togetherand help the romance between Feyre and Rhysand in ACOTAR to progress much more easily.
6
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Rashek is the Lord Ruler
The most important scene in the The Final Empirethe first book of Born from the mists series, involves the discovery of the Lord Ruler - and this plot twist is one of the biggest revelations of the entire series. The first book focuses primarily on the Lord Ruler's death, and it comes as a shock to learn that Terris' bandit, Rashek, is the true villain of the story. Sanderson slowly reveals hints of this through Alendi's diary, but does so in a way that the reader cannot discover its true meaning until the end of the book.
Each chapter in The Final Empire it begins with an epigraph, and later it turns out that each of them is an excerpt from Alendi's diary. At first, this information may not mean much to the initial plot, but they act as a clever device to disorient the reader. In a serial reread, these epigraphs have much more meaning and help guide readers in discovering clues to the story. Born from the mists later plot twists in the books.
5
The Kiss of Deception, by Mary E. Pearson
The identity of the prince and the assassin was changed
The Kiss of Disappointment by Mary E. Pearson is aptly named, as it involves a bit of deception against both the reader and its main character. In addition to the main protagonist, the book provides more point-of-view chapters from The Prince and The Assassin – but none of them explicitly state who is who. The way Pearson writes the story does an incredible job of tricking the reader into believing that their identities have been reversed.making the final twist even more surprising.
Once finished with The Kiss of Disappointmentit's almost impossible not to start rereading the first few chapters to discover how Pearson misled the audience in such a major way.
Although readers believe one character to be the prince and another the murderer, the plot twist at the end of the first novel proves the opposite to be true. Once finished with The Kiss of Disappointmentit's almost impossible not to start rereading the first few chapters to discover how Pearson misled the audience in such a major way. But in doing so, it becomes clear Pearson makes shrewd narrative choices and uses various distractions to guide readers down a certain path.
4
The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
Frodo tries to keep the ring
Tolkien Lord of the Rings is full of plot twists, but there's one in particular that adds a lot of shock value to the series. The entire story hinges on Frodo destroying the One Ring in the flames of Mount Doom.but they almost fail in their mission when Frodo refuses to let her go. The corrosive nature of the ring throughout the series slowly turned Frodo's innocence into yet another of Sauron's puppets.
It's shocking to see this actually happen, as the series often reinforces the idea that Hobbits have purer hearts and cannot be as easily influenced as the hearts of men. However, Tolkien gives the audience a glimpse into Frodo's struggles in Middle Earth, and it becomes clear that the power of the One Ring begins to weigh more heavily on him as his journey continues. Although the dramatic change in his character at the end comes as a surprise, Tolkien ensures that there are many scenes to reinforce the idea of Frodo's corruption.
3
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Maven's betrayal
The entirety of the first novel in Red Queen The series forces readers to believe that Maven, the youngest Silver Prince and Mare's fiancé, is sincere in his efforts to support the rebels. However, the book's final twist reveals that he and his mother have been manipulating Mare all along to meet their needs. Aveyard consistently implies throughout the series that Maven's brother Cal is the corrupt one of the two, surprising the reader with Maven's betrayal.
Looking back at their earliest interactions, there is very little to be discovered on the surface. However, Aveyard cleverly positions Maven's character to hide behind the readers' gazeand often provides an alibi for his whereabouts on several occasions. A reread of the series points out more of these convenient scenarios and helps readers discover his cheating plans much earlier in the book.
2
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Xaden has a second signet
One of the Yarros Iron Flame Twists reveals to readers that Xaden has a second secret signet - a plot reveal most didn't see coming. It is soon discovered that Xaden's second signet is a form of instinctive, someone who can read minds - or in Xaden's case, someone who can read intentions. Once this fact is revealed, each of Xaden's interactions throughout the books is seen in a new light, and It's clear that Yarros was planning this reveal from the beginning.
Yarros does an incredible job of masking Xaden's abilities to blend in with his ruthless personality, but leaves enough evidence in the first few books to make the plot twist believable. Early on, Yarros implies that Xaden is simply a good judge of character, but upon rereading Fourth Wing, it becomes apparent that Xaden has used his signet powers to read other characters' intentions on several occasions. The insight into Xaden's abilities adds a new level of understanding of his reactions towards certain characters from the initial book, as it is now known that he can read their true intentions.
1
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
Kiva is the rebel princess
Kiva's revelation at the end of The prison healer It's unexpected, to say the least. Throughout the first novel, it is known that Kiva's caring and tender nature was what propelled her to save the rebel queen's life and therefore enter into a series of trials in her place. However, The plot twist at the end of the book reveals that his actions have even greater meaning- as she not only saves the rebel queen's life, but also her mother's from certain death.
Noni does an incredible job of hiding this fact from the reader, carefully revealing bits of Kiva's past in conjunction with her current actions and decisions. The reader is never given any idea of Kiva's royal lineage, but once it is revealed that she is Princess Corentine, her actions throughout the first book of the fantasy series have much more weight. Rereading the book for these subtle clues helps add more context to the overall plot of the series and makes for an incredibly fun read.