10 Fantasy Book Twists That Are Even Better The Second Time Around

Plot twists are an important element to any fantasy series, oftentimes adding a level of excitement to the narrative and an unexpected change in the stories’ direction. These unforeseen twists may come as a shock to readers—but it’s the subtle clues left by the author that make for truly impressive storytelling. A well-executed fantasy book plot twist will entice readers to reevaluate the story with new insight, and can make a re-read of the story more enjoyable.

To some, re-reading a book in which the ending is already known may feel redundant. However, when used effectively, re-reads remove the proverbial blindfold from the audience and allow a glimpse into the groundwork laid down by the author. Finding and piecing together the minute details leading up to an unforgettable book twist only adds to the reading experience. And these fantasy book series are equipped with compelling twists that offer an even better read the second time around.

10

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Severus Snape Is A Double Agent

The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, is full of amazing plot twists—but one of its best reveals is in regard to its most divisive character, Severus Snape. Rowling reveals two incredibly huge plot twists through Snape’s character, and from the first read they can come as quite a shock. Where Snape is first revealed to be a traitor and loyal death eater, it is then later revealed that Snape was working as a double agent the entire time—putting himself at great risk to help further support the Order’s cause.

…Snape’s actions and decisions throughout the course of the books take on a new meaning once the reader understands his character’s motivations.

The redemption of his character is probably one of the best parts about the Harry Potter books, and when re-reading the series, knowledge of his true nature adds much more complexity to his rough exterior. The entire Harry Potter series portrays him as a surly and cruel professor with a serious dislike of Harry, but there were several clues proving Snape wasn’t a villain. Snape’s actions and decisions throughout the course of the books take on a new meaning once the reader understands his character’s motivations.

9

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Celaena Sardothien Is Actually Aelin Galathynius

The early books in the Throne of Glass series follow Celaena, Adarlan’s best and most formidable assassin. When first beginning the series, the truth behind her character’s identity is kept hidden from the reader. However, there are very subtle clues throughout the book that dance around Celaena’s true identity—and once it’s revealed she is actually the long-lost princess Aelin Galathynius, the pieces come together easily. In hindsight, Maas leaves behind a well-planned breadcrumb trail readers can follow, but the story’s plot keeps readers distracted from discovering anything too soon.

Re-reading the series with the understanding that Celaena is in fact Aelin helps the audience to understand some of the hesitancy she has in accepting her responsibilities. After the suffering she has been put through, all Celaena wants is to travel far away and forget she ever had a family, powers, or a kingdom to protect. While the audience understands Celaena is running from a troubled past, Maas discreetly hints at her secret identity throughout much of the early plot—making it easy for readers to connect the dots and catch subtle clues in re-reading Throne of Glass.

8

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Fitchner Is The Son Of Ares

Red Rising by Pierce Brown is chock-full of plot twists and shocking reveals—but one of its more unexpected revelations is the identity of Ares, the leader of the rebellion. Throughout much of Red Rising and Golden Son, the leader of the Sons of Ares is kept hidden from the main protagonist and the reader—but that doesn’t stop audiences from trying to solve the mystery, as Darrow himself is constantly questioning who around him could be involved. Thankfully, it’s later revealed that Fitchner, Darrow’s House of Mars proctor, is in fact Ares himself.

The initial confirmation of Ares’ identity leads to a lot of questions regarding Fitchner’s past behaviors and actions. However, in re-reading the series, Brown clearly uses Fitchner’s character to manipulate much of Darrow’s early success and ensures he performs well enough to complete his mission. It’s interesting to view the interactions between their characters with this in mind, as Fitchner’s shrewd 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 throughout the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses series is the reveal of Feyre and Rhys being mates. After the first book, readers are fully hooked on the idea of Tamlin and Feyre building a life for themselves in the Spring Court—and the sudden change in their relationship in A Court of Mist and Fury comes as quite a shock. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this was Maas’ intent from the very beginning.

In re-reading A Court of Thorns and Roses, Feyre and Rhys’ early interactions take on a whole new meaning. Once it’s understood that Rhys knew of Feyre through their bond before they even met, it makes their first meeting all the more special. Even the iconic line “There you are. I’ve been looking for you” is weighted with much more significance upon the second read. These small details clarify that Maas never intended for Feyre and Tamlin to stay together, and help the romance between Feyre and Rhysand in ACOTAR to progress much more seamlessly.

6

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Rashek Is The Lord Ruler

The most important scene in The Final Empire, the first book in the Mistborn series, involves the discovery of the Lord Ruler—and this plot twist is one of the biggest reveals throughout the entire series. The first book largely focuses on the demise of the Lord Ruler, and it comes as a shock to learn that the Terris packman, Rashek, is the true villain of the story. Sanderson slowly reveals hints of this through Alendi’s journal, but he does so in a way that the reader can’t discover its true meaning until the end of the book.

Every chapter in The Final Empire begins with an epigraph, and it’s later found out that every single one is an excerpt from Alendi’s journal. At first, these bits of information may not mean much to the early plot, but they act as a clever plot device to disorient the reader. In a series re-read, these epigraphs hold much more significance and help guide readers in discovering clues to the Mistborn books’ later plot twists.

5

The Kiss Of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

The Identity Of The Prince And The Assassin Are Swapped

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson is aptly named, as it involves quite a bit of deception against the reader as well as its main character. In addition to the main protagonist, the book provides further point-of-view chapters from both The Prince and The Assassin—but neither of these explicitly state who is who. The way in which Pearson writes the story does an incredible job of tricking the reader into believing their identities are flipped, making the final twist all the more surprising.

Once finished with The Kiss of Deception, it’s almost impossible not to begin re-reading the early chapters to discover how Pearson led the audience astray in such a major way.

While readers believe one character to be the prince, and another to be the assassin, the plot twist at the end of the first novel proves the opposite to be true. Once finished with The Kiss of Deception, it’s almost impossible not to begin re-reading the early chapters to discover how Pearson led the audience astray in such a major way. But in doing so, it’s clear Pearson makes cunning narrative choices and uses various distractions to guide readers down a certain path.

4

Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Frodo Tries To Keep The Ring

Tolkien’s 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 fires of Mount Doom, but they nearly fail their quest when Frodo refuses to cast it aside. The ring’s corrosive nature over the course of the series had slowly transformed Frodo’s innocence into another one of Sauron’s puppets.

It’s shocking to see this actually play out, as the series often reinforces the idea that Hobbits are of purer hearts and can’t be as easily swayed as the hearts of men. However, Tolkien does give audiences a glimpse into Frodo’s struggles across Middle Earth, and it’s clear the power of the One Ring starts to weigh heavier on him as their journey continues. While the dramatic shift in his character towards the end comes as a surprise, Tolkien ensures there are plenty of 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 the Red Queen series forces readers to believe that Maven, the youngest Silver prince and Mare’s betrothed, is sincere in his efforts to support the rebels. However, the book’s plot twist ending reveals both he and his mother have been manipulating Mare the entire time to meet their needs. Aveyard consistently implies throughout the series that Maven’s brother Cal is the corrupt of the two, blindsiding the reader by Maven’s betrayal.

Looking back on their early interactions, there’s very little to be discovered on the surface. However, Aveyard cleverly positions Maven’s character to hide behind the readers’ gaze, and often provides an alibi for his whereabouts on multiple occasions. A re-read of the series points out more of these convenient scenarios, and helps readers to discover his plans for betrayal much earlier in the book.

2

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Xaden Has A Second Signet

One of Yarros’ Iron Flame twists reveals to readers that Xaden has a secret second signet—a plot reveal most did not see coming. It is soon discovered that Xaden’s second signet is a form of an inntinnsic, someone who can read minds—or in Xaden’s case, someone who can read intentions. Once this fact is revealed, every interaction of Xaden’s throughout the books is seen in a new light, and it’s clear Yarros was planning this reveal from the very beginning.

Yarros does an incredible job at masking Xaden’s abilities to blend in with his ruthless personality, but leaves enough evidence behind in the early books to make the plot twist believable. Early on, Yarros implies that Xaden is simply a good judge of character, but in re-reading Fourth Wing, it becomes glaringly obvious that Xaden has used his signet powers to read other characters’ intentions on multiple occasions. The insight into Xaden’s abilities adds a new level of understanding of his reactions towards certain characters in the early book, as it’s now known he can read their true intentions.

1

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

Kiva Is The Rebel Princess

Kiva’s reveal at the end of The Prison Healer is unexpected, to say the least. Throughout the first novel, it is well known that Kiva’s caring and tender nature is 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 her actions to have an even larger meaning—as she not only saves the rebel queen’s life, but her mother from certain death.

Noni does an incredible job of hiding this fact from the reader, carefully revealing bits of Kiva’s past in tandem with her present actions and decisions. The reader is never clued in to Kiva’s royal lineage, but once it’s revealed she is the Corentine princess, her actions throughout the first book of the fantasy series hold much more weight. Re-reading the book in search of these subtle clues helps add further context to the series’ overall plot and makes for an incredibly entertaining read.