One common theme is redemption. When a character can return from death, they often get a chance to correct their past mistakes. For example, in some novels, the character might have made bad decisions that led to the death of someone they loved. By coming back, they can try to prevent that from happening again.
Another theme is the exploration of the value of life. Having experienced death and come back, the characters usually have a different perspective on living. They might start to cherish the simple things in life more or understand the importance of relationships. In 'Re:Zero', Subaru's repeated returns from death make him realize how much he values the people around him.
Another theme could be the power imbalance. Having gained great power in the xianxia world, the character may find it hard to control or hide their abilities in the normal world, which can lead to various conflicts. For example, they might accidentally harm someone or attract unwanted attention from those who seek power.
Another theme might be the power dynamics. Having gained powers or knowledge in the immortal world, the character has to deal with how this affects their relationships and status in the normal world. They may face envy or suspicion from others. Also, there could be a theme of self - discovery. The experience in the immortal world changes the character, and upon returning, they have to re - evaluate who they are and what they truly want in life.
One popular 'returning from death novel' is 'Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World'. In this novel, the main character Subaru has the ability to return from death, which adds a lot of interesting twists to the story as he tries to change events and save those he cares about.
The theme of mortality and the fragility of life is also very common. In 'The Book Thief', the presence of death as the narrator emphasizes how life can be taken away at any moment. Also, relationships become more intense and important. In all these novels, the characters' relationships with others are heightened as they face death, whether it's the love between Hazel and Gus or the complex friendships in 'A Little Life'.
In 'death mage novel', there are several prevalent themes. Firstly, the exploration of mortality and immortality is quite common. The death mage may be in a unique position to either manipulate death or have some form of extended lifespan, which leads to questions about the value of life. Secondly, there is often a theme of redemption. Even though death magic is associated with darkness, the protagonist may strive to use it in a way that redeems themselves or others. Additionally, the theme of power and its corrupting influence is present. As the death mage gains more power over death, they may face the temptation to abuse it.
Another theme is the fragility of life and love. The presence of death makes the characters cherish their love more. In 'The Fault in Our Stars', the characters know their time is limited due to their illness, so they hold onto their love tightly. Also, sacrifice is often a theme. In 'Romeo and Juliet', both are willing to sacrifice their lives for their love, which is a very powerful statement about the intensity of their feelings. And there is often a sense of melancholy and longing associated with the love story, as death has either separated the lovers or is looming over them.
One common theme is the struggle against fate. Characters often try to avoid the scheduled death, showing their will to live.
One common theme is the power of human will. In these novels, characters often rely on their strong will to survive and 'cheat death'. For example, in 'The Old Man and the Sea', the old man's unwavering will to catch the big fish and then survive the attacks of sharks shows his determination to not let death overtake him. Another theme is the importance of relationships. In 'The Kite Runner', Amir's journey to redeem himself is also a form of cheating the death of his conscience, and his relationships with Hassan and others play a crucial role in this process.
The theme of community is important in 'death world novels'. In these harsh environments, characters often have to rely on each other to survive. They form communities or groups, and within these, there are power dynamics, cooperation, and sometimes conflict. Another common theme is the concept of the unknown. The death worlds are full of unknown elements, whether it's new species, strange phenomena or uncharted territories, and the characters are constantly trying to understand and deal with these unknowns.
One common theme is injustice. Usually, the characters are wrongly sentenced to death or face situations equivalent to it due to flaws in the justice system or the malicious actions of others.