"Once there was a girl who was afraid of growing up... When she was a child she was a giant, free and large and boundless. But growing up, she knew, meant becoming small, small enough to fit in a man's open hand."

Here's to all the women in my life who taught me to fight back against what was once inevitable.

One thing I love about the found family trope is how differently it appears across fantasy (for example): • Cosy fantasy: people come together gently, low stakes, warm vibes. • Epic/high fantasy: mismatched groups form under pressure, often through shared struggle and trauma. • Urban & contemporary fantasy: families form through survival, secrecy, and trust. • Dark & gothic fantasy: relationships can be intense or morally complex, showing that found family isn’t always safe or easy.

I’m curious: • Which subgenre gives you your favorite found families? • Do you prefer families that form through comfort, through shared struggle, or a mix of both? • Does the story’s tone (cozy vs. dark/gritty) affect how strongly the family hits you emotionally?

For me personally, I’m all about epic fantasy and gothic/dark fantasy: those mismatched crews, forming bonds through trauma and facing danger together, just hit so deeply. That “we survive this together or not at all” dynamic is my absolute favourite. I love the dark, gritty moments where trauma-bonding turns a ragtag crew into family!

I’d love to hear your thoughts 🫶🏽 Which fantasy found families stick with you the most, and why?