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Don’t we all love good revenge stories? As they always say, “Revenge is best served sweet.” Today, we’ll dive into the anatomy of revenge stories and what makes them so good that we can’t let them go.

Revenge stories have this kind of retribution that people hardly experience in real life. They show readers that there’s still a chance for even a lowly person wronged to regain their power from their oppressors. You see characters like Edmond Dantes in the famous classic The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.

We all know how this went, and it was pretty bittersweet. At the same time, whether it’s the original revenge fiction ever written in history is debatable. But its story became a blueprint for many rags-to-riches revenge plots. Another fascinating fact is that it’s based on a true story written by Dumas on behalf of his father, who was severely betrayed by someone powerful.

Whether in books, series, and films, The Count of Monte Cristo’s influence heavily lingers. We can see how someone with absolutely no power or wealth to their name, betrayed by society and their trusted loved ones, can change and become someone they didn’t see coming. Many people can also relate to the injustices Edmond Dantes went through in the story; that’s why Dumas’ novel remains a strong and widely read book.

Blood of Deception by Vincent Bivona: a revenge fantasy book

Here’s another story about vengeance and betrayal: The Blood of Deception, a revenge fantasy fiction novel by Vincent Bivona Jr. It portrays the life of Dak’tari, a child born out of darkness and raised to kill. In a place where death, murder, and violence prevail, she becomes an instrument of revenge by a dark god against a group of deities who cast him out eons past.

However, the plot is interesting because no one knows how things will unfold, leaving it up to the readers’ interpretation. So if you want to know how Dak’tari’s story will unfold, grab a copy of Bivona’s book and enjoy what he has in store for the readers!

The building blocks of good revenge stories

Often a visceral and morally grey response to injustice, revenge stories are popular because it evokes audience satisfaction. The character development is fascinating, significantly how they change the person driven to deliver retribution.

These are a few crucial elements to writing good revenge stories:

Genre

It’s vital to know the target audience of a good revenge plot. Even though it’s a recycled formula, it all relies on execution. Rigidly following the literary norms will only seem restrictive and dry. The best thing about revenge plots is their flexibility and adaptability among other sub-genres.

For example, it can mix well with neo-noir crime/action thrillers. Vengeance is a strong driving force for the main character to get back at the ones who did them wrong. On the other hand, retribution doesn’t have to be linear and cookie-cutter. Revenge can be sunny and bright; revenge comedy stories can attest to that. If the primary purpose is to get back at someone, revenge stories can be paired with whatever genres accompany them.

Protagonists

What drives the vengeful narrative isn’t the story but the main characters themselves. Revenge stories appeal mainly because of the protagonist’s desire to see through it, regardless of their means. That desire makes them do questionable things. However, vengeful characters are tricky to write. Depending on the author, they can either be beautifully complex or one-dimensional.

The protagonists lose their appeal if they revert to becoming overly soft or kind. And depending on the sub-genre, they don’t have to be excessively brutal either, as that would steal the villain’s spotlight. Readers must understand that the protagonists will get their hands dirty at some point in the story. They willingly drag enemies into their hell. Protagonists couldn’t care less about consequences, even if it means digging two graves – one for them and the other for their adversaries.

Backstory

Revenge stories build up with the help of a strong backstory. The victim’s tragic past is the foundation of a revenge plot brewing. It sets off the events supporting the protagonist’s quest for revenge. The tragedy also connects the character to its audience. And since revenge stories go beyond the limits of the law, the protagonist becomes a vigilante or mostly called the Anti-Hero.

Motive

A key ingredient to writing revenge stories is motive. Why do they do it? What is the driving point? How much does their resentment weigh? For revenge to be served, it must make sense to the character. It mostly comes with or without the backstory. Both can also be placed at the beginning, middle, or end for surprises’ sake. Regardless, it must answer every reader’s questions regarding this protagonist’s motivation for revenge.

In Conclusion

Revenge stories keep readers on edge with how they get back at their enemies, taking around what’s rightfully theirs. Every page serves to thrill readers into following how the stories pan out. With these building blocks in tow, revenge stories can be done in whatever way on pages.