I really don’t dislike plot twists. I think they are necessary. But some plot twists will either work or not (hence my title). They serve a purpose there, and if it’s done right, it makes the story a whole lot better. I admit that there were times that I was totally caught off guard when the story decided to drop an effing ‘reveal’ bomb on me. But some came pathetic; others just completely out of the blue, and sometimes they were only there to elicit some cheap shock factor. As a good citizen of planet fandom, I bear good news—*coughs* er, actually it’s just a list of my top 10 plot twists, which sometimes work for me or, in the worst case, totally ruin it! (Spoilers are unmarked; you have been warned. (Read on, you brave soldiers.)

X is relative to Y (and I don’t mean the math kind!)

If it’s not out of the blue, please don’t do the “I’m your *insert blood relation here*” speech like Darth Vader when not a single hint or development was there. Leave subtle hints for me to think about, not just to surprise me. Example: Nash and Todd are brothers. Nash was leaving hints but was obviously evasive about their real relationship. When he admitted it, it made sense.

Break: I rather chose the obvious (like we all knew that Naruto is Yondaime’s son; not a shocker there) than an out of the blue confession, which for me looks like a cheap device to surprise your readers. Example: America’s father was part of the rebel group. You see, I don’t care anymore, and you were two books too late for that!

No slacking! Don’t do the Deus ex Machina!

So you put your protagonist in a pile of mess—after mess, after mess, after freaking mess. And you can’t get him out. So what to do? Use the magic of the deus ex machine! Nope, unforgivable. Don’t complicate the plot line and make the resolution seemingly simple. It’s aggravating because I just don’t read. I sometimes theorize. And it’s frustrating if the answer is too simple for the question.

Work: will never work. Just don’t do this.

Break: It’s always a deal breaker for me.

You killed him? You really killed him!

The death of a character, particularly an important one, is heavily agonizing. I mean, you invested in this character, you rooted for him, and the author killed him? I have had my fair share of favorites meet their sudden demise. But I’m not mad if it happens; I think it will.

Work: If the death was crucial to the growth of the character or plot development (in the best case scenario, both), I will, with a heavy heart, accept it. Example: Even though I didn’t like how it went, I think Finnick’s death was necessary.

Break: Cheap shock factor? Usually I deem the reason to be always this because not only the character died; it wasn’t even a good exit. Like Sayonara, you have served your purpose. *kicks him out of the picture! * Example: Ren freaking Larouche! They stripped him of everything and decided to kill him. And it wasn’t even a graceful exit! Come on! And Tris? But do I really care? *shrugs*

But wait, he didn’t actually die; he was actually—

ALIVE?!  You’re alive?!!

You freaking resurrected the guy! Like in some deus ex machina kind of way, he was alive and not just the undead kind. Beating heart and all that! I should be thrilled, but that’s not always the case.

Work: if it can support the resurrection Not every story has the handy Edo Tensei or dragon balls you can wish to bring people back to life. Leave these things to Goku and Naruto’s world, but if the story can explain properly how he escaped death, then we’re all good here.

Break: Again, the shock factor, and this time, the cheapest kind. Not only had it been decided to shock readers by killing this character, but it wasn’t true, and he miraculously lives with only a half-assed explanation on how he is still alive. Example: Again, Ren, I didn’t bother to read the summary. I mean, what’s the use? I’m already over it!

No book is perfect for everyone. I, too, sometimes ignore the flaws of the story if I end up liking the book in spite of the flaws. And that means a whole lot more than a faultless story.

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What about you? Do you have a favorite plot twist? Care to share it with me?