The world - building. A detailed and immersive world that combines the historical elements of the War of the Roses period with a rich fantasy backdrop. This could include things like the architecture of the castles, the social structure that is now influenced by magic, and the geography of the land which might have hidden magical places or dangerous magical terrains.
A unique magic system can make a modern adult fantasy novel stand out. For example, in 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman, the idea of old gods living among modern humans and the power they possess based on the belief of people is really interesting. It sets the novel apart from others with more traditional magic concepts.
The unique setting might make it stand out. If it's set in a paradise - like world but with war, it creates an interesting contrast. The beauty and peacefulness usually associated with paradise are disrupted by the chaos of war.
Good character development is key. If a god of war fanfic can make you care more about the characters, whether it's Kratos or the other supporting characters. And the writing style matters. Vivid descriptions of the battles and the godly realms can make it really stand out. For instance, if it can make you feel like you're right there in the middle of the fight with Kratos.
The use of magic and the supernatural in the prose can make it stand out. Instead of simply saying a character cast a spell, you could write 'She wove the magic with her words, her voice a siren song that called upon the arcane forces. The air around her crackled with energy, and a sigil of fire flared to life in her outstretched hand.' This detailed description of magic use in the prose makes it more engaging and unique.
The unique setting of Jericho makes it stand out. It's not your typical civil war story. The location adds an extra layer of intrigue.
The way 'Half of a Yellow Sun' stands out as a war novel is through its in - depth exploration of the human condition during war. It shows the complex emotions and moral dilemmas that people face. For example, characters have to make difficult choices between loyalty to their ethnic group and what they believe is right. The novel also effectively weaves in historical facts with fictional characters' stories, giving readers a more complete picture of the Biafran War and its implications, which is not always achieved in other war novels.
The novel stands out for its vivid portrayal of the Cold War era and the complex web of characters and their motives.
Its psychological depth. The characters in 'Mill on the Floss' have rich inner lives. For instance, Maggie's struggle with her own identity and her place in the family and society is depicted in great detail. This focus on the psychological aspects of characters is a key feature of modern novels.
The Good Soldier stands out as a modern novel because of its social commentary. It shows the cracks in the upper - class society of the time, with all their hypocrisy and false values. This was a modern approach as it was moving away from simply glorifying the upper classes and starting to expose their problems, much like other modern novels of its era.
The novel's exploration of complex human emotions in a modern context makes it stand out. It shows how people navigate love, hate, and indifference in a world that is constantly changing. The characters are not one - dimensional, which is typical of modern novels. They have their own contradictions and inner turmoil. Additionally, the way it portrays society and its problems is modern. It doesn't shy away from showing the seedy underbelly and the existential crises that are part of modern society.