Welcome back to Trope Tuesday, where we dive into our favorite (or most overused) storytelling tropes! This week, we’re talking about a character archetype we can’t get enough of—the morally gray antihero. You know the type: they walk the fine line between villain and hero, make questionable choices, and often leave us wondering if we should even root for them. And yet… we do.
What Makes a Morally Gray Antihero?
A morally gray antihero isn’t your classic noble protagonist. They:
✔ Have their own moral code (but it doesn’t always align with what’s “right”).
✔ Make selfish or ruthless decisions when necessary.
✔ Often have tragic or complex backstories that justify their actions.
✔ Can be unpredictable—one moment they’re saving a life, the next they’re causing destruction.
Think Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows, Victor Vale from Vicious, or even the infamous Prince Jorg from The Broken Empire.
Why Do We Love Them?
We’re drawn to these characters because they feel real. Unlike black-and-white heroes, their flaws, struggles, and inner conflicts make them more human. They force us to question our own morals, and sometimes, we see parts of ourselves in them—our darkest thoughts, our justified rage, our will to survive at any cost.
Books Featuring Fantastic Morally Gray Antiheroes
📖 The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang – Rin’s descent into power and destruction is both horrifying and fascinating.
📖 The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch – A con artist with a heart (kind of).
📖 The Cruel Prince by Holly Black – Jude Duarte will do anything to gain power in the fae world.
📖 Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – Political scheming meets morally gray decisions.
What Are Your Favorite Morally Gray Characters?
Do you love them, hate them, or find yourself morally conflicted about them? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!
literary gluttony 
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