Andy Darcy Theo on the found family trope

The found family trope has long been a beloved staple in young-adult books, and for good reason. At its heart, it’s a celebration of connection beyond blood — of choosing the people who see us, support us, and stand beside us when it matters most. In my debut epic, elemental YA romantasy, The Light That Blinds Us, the found family dynamic plays a pivotal role in both the plot and the emotional resonance of the story. It gives readers a group of characters to root for, to laugh and cry with, and to feel at home alongside.

Found family in YA offers something deeply comforting: the promise that even if we feel like we don’t quite fit in anywhere, there is a place where we belong — often among people who are just as lost or different as we are. In The Light That Blinds Us, as the bickering teenagers are forced to venture out on a perilous globe-crossing quest to safeguard the world from corruption and damnation, we get to see different sides of the four main characters’ personalities emerge: vulnerability beneath bravado, strength beneath softness, loyalty in unexpected places. Writing these bonds form and deepen was one of the most enjoyable parts of writing for me and it’s also what readers often say is their favourite thing about the book. It turns a good story into one that feels like home.

As a writer, the found family trope means even more to me on a personal level. My own writing journey has been shaped and uplifted by my incredible online community on BookTok and Bookstagram. From the earliest drafts to the rollercoaster of publishing my books, my followers and friends have become my own found family. They’ve cheered me on when I doubted myself, offered advice and support when I needed direction, and celebrated every small win with genuine joy. Writing can often be a solitary pursuit, but because of this community, I’ve never truly felt alone.

There’s something powerful about being supported not because people have to, but because they choose to. That’s the magic of found family. That’s what makes it so resonant, both on the page and in real life. For me, it’s more than a trope. It’s a reflection of how people come together to create something meaningful and lasting, even when the odds are against them.

I’m beyond excited to share more of my elemental found family with readers in the sequel, The Dark That Hides Us, releasing on 24th April 2025. In this next chapter, the bonds between Alexis, Demi, Caeli and Blaise will be tested in new and unexpected ways. These characters you’ve come to love will face challenges that push them to their limits — but also reveal just how deep their connections run. This story, like my own, is a testament to the families we choose, the ones who carry us through the dark, and the light we find in each other.

The Dark That Hides Us – the sequel to The Light That Blinds Us – is published by Gallery YA on 24 April 2025