What is the main theme of your novel?

[MeltingCORE]

Great answers so far, guys! Thank you for always making these threads so fun.

[elisabeth_ist]

Probably...
-the truth and who we owe it to
-the clash between pride and trust, and the importance of trusting people

Hannah, Not the Wolf | Tapas

[sxxaint]

these are incredibly complex themes, and it really shows how much effort you must put into your work. I can't wait 'til I actually get around to reading this!!

also @MeltingCORE, these are very interesting and I bet these are executed quite distinctly in your world. I don't see loads of sacrifice-based themes that aren't derived from a classic hero archetype around, and while I haven't read very far, your MC at least seems like a good subversion of that. Or would you say you stick to the archetype more?

[MeltingCORE]

Thank you! I definitely move away from the archetype... Let's just say that the justice Steppe believes he's handing out isn't what it seems.

[sxxaint]

that is exactly what i wanted to hear hahahaa

Justice is legit such an incredibly interesting concept to play around with that doesn't get covered anywhere near enough, because it's so fallible to human perception that something that should be essentially good and unbiased can become twisted into an inescapale catch-22 horror, a la the witch burnings and inquisitions. Guilty until proven innocent, but if you prove yourself innocent, you're either dead, mutilated, or damaged beyond repair - unless proving yourself innocent doesn't mean you're guilty anyway.

[domisotto]

My main themes are:

Is breaking the rules or abiding by the rules how one find happiness/fulfillment
Intrinsic value of things vs value added by the perception of value

and, oh, of course it's steamy and has adventures.

Trapped by the Mafia | Tapas

[MeltingCORE]

Exactly! The conception of justice isn't even real in a sense when its derived from our emotional states and what we believe is correct in our culture. And you're right, I don't usually see it used beyond good vs. evil .. Things are more complex than that! And I'm having fun exploring it on a grand scale with cosmic beings.

I like to think of my girl Stellar as a good example. She's presented as a scientist for her world and seems fairly innocuous... but in reality, she has her flaws and is guilty of letting certain horrid things happen later on. Can she really be purely good (or purely evil for that matter) when she originally lets irreversible damage happen to the universe under her watch? What if she tries to "make it up"? Can she?

(And yes, this is the drawing I did of her that is my avatar!)

[sxxaint]

Can she really be purely good (or purely evil for that matter) when she originally lets irreversible damage happen to the universe under her watch?

Regardless of the damage, I'd say no one person can be purely good or purely evil whether they intend it or not. The interesting play on justice comes when she either decrees this happened for the greater good, or other people condemn her as pure evil when it's an act that she now regrets. It'd probably be most interesting if the civilisation around her declares it justice (which I can see happening with your emperor figure) but she has to struggle to fix her wrongs in world where everyone believes they were right in the first place.

(I'm just speculating now, I need to read this instead hahaa)

(also i absolutely love your art, the pale colours with those strong red backgrounds look so cool)

[surenlicious]

Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy how I will put them to use! I have so much lore ready and up for my novel so it will be so much fun to unveil everything slowly.

[fienefien]

And this is why your work needs more recognition. Your world is so vast and so detailed and such a original touch I haven't seen in a while.

[surenlicious]

I'm gonna cry okay. Thank you so much for believing in my work, oh my gosh.

[CommanderMarty]

I can name a two themes off the top of my head.

Family: Its the reason why the story is even happening.

Survivors Guilt: That is from the Fate/Stay Night influence and the main character has it. (Albeit a different form of it)

Jervis T Booker | Tapas

I wish I could name more but some of them I put in without even realizing it. (I mean this a good and bad thing)

[ISNEKO]

My main theme is that the readers could end up killing everyone in the book.

[FADEX]

I like this! This sounds like a really interesting concept. I immediately thought of Ladybug and Cat Noir the moment I read your last theme. lol.

[MoseyP]

Ah thanks! I've watched a bit of Ladybug and I can definitely see what you mean. There is a similarity there for sure.

[foxnflames]

My main theme would be the cycle of life (it is about reincarnation), how things come full circle
Lesser themes: the burden of responsibility (am I writing The Lion King?) and its downfalls. It's also really heavy on emotions and finding your own path and happiness through said burdens. Idk if this counts as a theme but I somehow incorporated quite a few religious allegories by accident.

Rise in the East | Tapas

[Larslaustsen]

I have many but here is three I like:

- A story your whiskers will be satisfied so purrfect.
- The magic is the way of Catmen.
- Your cat's souls come alive as Catmen.

This is a action/fantasy/adventure novel in the world of Catmen; Obbisia.

The Catmen Sorceress | Tapas

[MeltingCORE]

I love that you've made your series a trailer! That's awesome. I did that myself with a smol opening video!

[Larslaustsen]

Sorry to say @MeltingCORE, but I am not allowed to see the video in my country Denmark/Sweeden

Thanks you like my video

[otaku_rose]

Thanks for the post. It made me really think about my book and I actually made a surprise discovery when responding to this thread.

Main themes:
_Individuality vs. Collectivism ( A lot of my characters struggle with trying to handle dealing with societal/pack hierarchy vs their own individual wants and needs)
-Never judge a book by its cover ( A lot of my characters may come off a certain way but then you realize you judged them too quickly)
-The values of human emotion ( I realize each character portrays a different kind of emotion in terms of their speech and mannerisms. i.e. anger, anxiety, jealous, etc)

The Two Alphas of Rosewood Creek | Tapas