Literature and Life
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Why We Need More Cinderellas in a World of Mulans
The more I read fiction, the more I come across one type of female lead: the strong, independent girl who is a boss and doesn’t need a prince to save her. This is a common archetype in today’s fiction. But while we need stories of strong women who are just as capable of leading and conquering as men, my concern is that we are drifting away and forgetting that soft femininity is just as valuable. There are countless girls out there who need the reminder that not all women are the take-charge and outgoing type, and that is alright; in fact, it is admirable. The Rise of Strong, Female Leads…
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The Ascendance Series: What a Fictional King Taught Me About Real Leadership
I recently finished reading the last two books of the Ascendance Series by Jennifer A. Nielsen. To those of you who don’t know, the Ascendance Series is a YA fantasy series that follows the journey of an orphan boy named Sage and his journey into becoming Jaron and the king of Carthya. Last year I read the first book, The False Prince, and I completely fell in love with the main character. I was amazed by the plot twists and how masterfully they were pulled off. After finishing the original trilogy, I read the two last books which take place right before the ending of The Shadow Throne. The Story…
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What If Your Favorite Fantasy Trope is Actually True?
Royalty is among the most popular tropes in fantasy. It may be because of the high stakes, the character development, the surprises and secret identities, even the dramatic battles to take the throne and wrestle the power away from a tyrant. This trope has been resonating with young and old for years, as proved by works such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. There is something in each of us that is drawn to a normal human discovering they were meant for greatness. In fact, I believe we all have the desire for royalty echoing deep within ourselves. This begs the question: why does the…
