There are many ways to fantasy books to make an impression, and those that feature compelling villains or surprising plot twists tend to leave their mark. Some novels in the genre even manage to combine these strengths, featuring villain-related plot twists that leave readers speechless. Not every villain twist is carried out effectively, but a handful of fantasy books manage to establish themselves as unforgettable with this type of revelation.
THE Harry Potter the series is known for exceeding reader expectations when it comes to its secondary villains, and it’s far from the only fantasy story to flip the script on seemingly innocent characters or vice versa. Some revelations go even further, confirming that a villain has shocking connections or powers that change the course of the story. The best twists feel earned as they are set up throughout the narrative. Somehow, they still manage to be surprising, making them stick with readers long after they happen.
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Mistborn: The Final Empire, by Brandon Sanderson
Twist: Rashek is the Lord Ruler, not Alendi
Brandon Sanderson Born from the mists The books feature a number of stunning twists, but the villain reveal at the end of the first book is probably the most memorable. Sanderson includes diary entries throughout The Final Empire. This allows readers to immerse themselves in the story as Vin and his team unravel the writings of Alendi, the man originally believed to be the Hero of All Ages. During most of the first Born from the mists book, we are led to believe that Alendi and the Lord Ruler are the same person. However, Vin’s confrontation with the Lord Ruler turns that notion on its head.
Vin is able to defeat the Lord Ruler when he realizes that he is not really Alendi; rather, he is a background character that Alendi talks about in his diary entries. The revelation that the Lord Ruler is a Terrisman named Rashek gives meaning to his powerful abilities – and explains Alendi’s failure to save the world. The fact that it’s followed by an even bigger twist – that the Lord Ruler is defending himself from a greater evil – makes this one of the most unforgettable endings to a fantasy book yet.
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
Twist: Quirrell is after the stone, not Snape
THE Harry Potter The books are organized like mysteries, so each one features a surprising twist at the end. This starts in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which brilliantly uses Snape as a red herring throughout its run. Once the Golden Trio discovers that the Philosopher’s Stone is hidden at Hogwarts, they come to the conclusion that Snape is trying to steal it. To be fair, the evidence against Snape seems solid. The book inserts many clues that Snape is the one after the stone, only to reveal that he is actually trying to save it.
Harry realizes this at the end of Philosopher’s Stone, when Quirrell is waiting for him after testing the potion. Looking back at the evidence against Snape, readers will notice a common theme: Quirrell is also present in many of these scenes, which perfectly sets up this book’s final twist.. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone isn’t the only episode to feature a jaw-dropping twist regarding its villain. However, it is the first to do so, which makes it even more surprising than the big reveals in the sequels, as readers are not expecting it.
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The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan
Twist: Luke is working for Kronos
The lightning thief configures Cronos as Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Big bad, but the reveal of the book’s minor villain is much more poignant. Percy discovers that his friend Luke Castellan is working with Kronos to get revenge on the gods. And Luke’s betrayal is teased before that, when the flying shoes he gives Percy nearly drag Grover into Tartarus. Riordan skillfully works this detail into the first Percy Jackson and the Olympians climax of the bookpreparing Luke’s turn before Percy actually confronts him.
These villain twists are always more satisfying when the authors lay the groundwork for them, and Riordan does so impressively in The lightning thief.
These villain twists are always more satisfying when the authors lay the groundwork for them, and Riordan does so impressively in The lightning thief. Luke’s motive for betraying Camp Half-Blood and the means to do so are all there. However, readers want to trust him because Percy and Annabeth do. This makes your betrayal hit harder, making it an effective and emotional reveal.
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The Last Magician, by Lisa Maxwell
Twist: Nibsy and Professor Lachlan are the same person
Lisa Maxwell Last magician The series is one of the most underrated YA fantasy stories out there and is the perfect replacement for Six of Crows. The first book, The Last Magician, also features a bombastic plot twist at the end: that Nibsy Lorcan, who Esta meets in the book’s past timeline, is the same person as Professor Lachlan, her father figure who sends her back in time. It makes the heart doubly painful when Nibsy betrays Dolph, Esta, and the rest of their crew to steal the Ars Arcana for his own sinister ends.
As with many great twists in fantasy books, The clues to this revelation are scattered everywhere The Last Magician for those who care for them. But with Esta traveling to 1902 with biased expectations – planted by Professor Lachlan himself – it’s not hard to believe that Harte or another character is the group’s traitor. Nibsy is easy to ignore until it’s too late, and that’s what makes this villain so brilliant. And it has lasting repercussions for the rest of the series, proving to be a significant twist for Esta’s story.
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The Golden Compass / Northern Lights, by Philip Pullman
Twist: Mrs. Coulter is Lyra’s mother
The Golden Compass – known as Aurora Borealis outside the United States – hardly tries to sell Ms. Coulter as one of the good guys. However, although it is apparent almost immediately that she is a villain, the first Your dark materials The book still manages to surprise in terms of her character. The revelation that she is Lyra’s mother is a shock and successfully raises the story’s emotional stakes. Lyra’s narrative is already tragic in Its dark materials, but the fact that she often fights with her own family makes things even worse.
This devastating twist fits well into Lyra’s coming-of-age narrativewhich forces her to renounce her innocence and see the darker truths of her world. The fact that she is related to the likes of Mrs. Coulter is one of the harsh realities she must face, although her mother redeems herself somewhat later in the series. Even so, it’s still surprising to learn Mrs. Coulter’s true connection to Lyra, especially after she treats her so horribly.
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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Twist: The Darkling is the Black Heretic
One might think it’s obvious that a character named Darkling is a villain, but Leigh Bardugo Shadow and Bone manages to make this revelation surprising regardless. When Alina meets the Darkling for the first time in Shadow and Bone, she believes he is on Ravka’s side. He insists that he wants to destroy the Shadow Fold, but it is later revealed that he was the one who created it. The twist that the Darkling and the Black Heretic are the same person makes a lot of sense, but still manages to be a shock.
Although the Darkling is Shadow and BoneThe villain isn’t necessarily a surprising twist, the specifics surrounding his character are.
After all, few readers expect the Darkling to be immortal as he progresses Shadow and Bone. This makes his involvement in the creation of the Fold seem less likely.even though all the clues to his true nature are there from the beginning. Although the Darkling is Shadow and BoneThe villain isn’t necessarily a surprising twist, the specifics surrounding his character are. This ensures this revelation is memorable – as is the fact that it hits Alina so hard after she starts to develop a bond with him.
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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Colonel Aetos used his son’s signet against Violet and Xaden
Dain’s betrayal at the end of Fourth Wing It’s one of the biggest twists The Empyrean Series until here. And although Dain doesn’t qualify as a villain – Iron Flame puts him fully on the path to redemption – his father seems to fit the description. Colonel Aetos is the one who convinces his son to use his signet on an unexpected Violetaand he is also the person who sends Xaden and the Marked ones to their death. This all happens very quickly in Fourth Wing, and readers realize what he did alongside Violet and her friends.
While Yarros nicely sets up Dain’s power and his opportunity to use it against Violet, it happens so subtly that it still manages to come as a surprise. This development makes it clearer than ever that the people within Navarre and the Basgiath War College cannot be trusted. It also highlights how dangerous Colonel Aetos really ishowever The Empyrean Series probably didn’t show the worst of it to Dain’s father. Is it possible onyx stormhis debut will see him getting even worse.
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City of Heavenly Fire, by Cassandra Clare
Twist: The Seelie Queen is working with Sebastian Morgenstern
The Mortal Instruments No stranger to villain twistsas their two biggest threats are related to Clary – and Valentine is also the man who raised Jace. Although these revelations must be surprising, they are easy for experienced readers to understand. However, there is a revelation in City of Heavenly Fire this seems sudden and surprising: the fact that the Seelie Queen is working with Sebastian Morgenstern. The revelation of this betrayal comes when representatives of the Downworlders are gathered for dinner.
This event is revealed to be a trap, and From Magnus’s point of view, readers realize that the representatives have been drugged by Meliorn. Having things unfold from Magnus’ perspective is a smart move on Clare’s part, as it fully immerses readers in the scene and makes it feel more shocking as they realize what’s going on. After so many books setting up the tensions between the Fair Folk and the Nephilim, something like this seems inevitable. Still, it’s a memorable revelation that stands out within the fantasy series.