Hidden Magic/ Masquerade

A hidden magic, A.K.A masquerade, trope is often found in urban fantasy and fantasy settings where magic is known to exist but is kept secret from the general population. In The False-kin Chronicles, this trope is subverted in surprising ways.

Found Family

This trope refers to forming close bonds with people who are not blood relatives, showcasing the power of love and loyalty, and the ability to find a sense of belonging outside traditional family structures.

Redemption

The redemption trope in a narrative refers to a character who behaves unsatisfactorily in the story but undergoes a significant change to become a better person. This change often involves self-reflection, consequences, and sacrifices. In The Masks We Wear, many characters change and grow significantly, leaving the reader to challenge their ideas of first impressions.

Folklore & Mythology

Folklore in fantasy serves many purposes, and The False-Kin Chronicles is literally all about it. Folklore and mythology from around the world have been read and studied to bring to life the concepts of both False-kin and Kin. Folklore and mythology provide a rich tapestry to draw from. Within The False-Kin Chronicles, readers meet more than just the garden varieties of creatures often seen in today’s fantasy, like werewolves, fae, and vampires. Instead, gnomes, goblins, minotaurs, banshees, kappa, and so much more are drawn upon to build a rich and deep fictional world. And yes, even some fae, vampires, and homebrewed “creatures” pop up. (Except werewolves. Sorry fans, they are extinct. And even the vampire only plays a very minor role.

Forgotten History

The forgotten history trope refers to a past event or knowledge that has been lost from the collective memory. In the False-kin Chronicles, the themes of “knowledge is power” and the impacts of the past on the future are explored.

Ugly Duckling

The ugly duckling trope describes a character who appears unattractive, unpromising, or awkward in early stages, but later develops into more positive traits. This trope is closely tied to redemption and is subverted in The False-Kin Chronicles to include the setting. In The Masks We Wear, it seems like everyone is awkward and only hit their true stride mid The Ways We Err.