One important characteristic is the exploration of power dynamics. In a kidnap situation, there's an obvious imbalance of power at the start. But as the story progresses in the best novels, this power dynamic shifts and changes. For instance, the captive may gain some power over the captor through emotional means. Also, these novels often deal with themes of redemption. The captor may be seen as a bad person initially, but through the love story, they may find a way to redeem themselves. And the pacing is crucial. It can't be too rushed or the relationship won't seem believable. It needs to be a slow burn, like in 'The Maiden', where the relationship evolves over time and the reader can really feel the connection growing between the characters.
One great kidnap romance novel is 'The Darkest Part of the Forest' by Holly Black. It has elements of a unique love story intertwined with the idea of being held against one's will in a fantastical setting. Another is 'Beauty and the Beast' retellings which often involve a form of 'kidnap' as Belle is held in the Beast's castle, and they develop a deep love over time. 'The Maiden' by Kate Foster also falls into this category with a strong female lead and a complex relationship that starts from a situation of abduction.
Another characteristic is the development of the relationship. Usually, the relationship between the two main characters starts in a very abnormal way because of the kidnapping. However, as the story progresses, they start to understand each other more deeply. This transformation from an initial negative situation (kidnapping) to a positive one (romance) is what makes these novels interesting. There is often a lot of internal struggle and external conflict in the process, which makes the story full of tension and excitement.
'Beauty and the Beast' can also be seen as having a 'kidnap romance' aspect in some ways. Belle is essentially held prisoner in the Beast's castle at first. As time passes, they develop a deep romantic connection through their interactions and getting to know each other.
One popular one is 'Kidnapped by the Billionaire'. It has a plot full of mystery and the unexpected relationship development between the kidnapper and the kidnapped.
Well, 'Z' is a well - known 'kidnap romance Urdu novel' too. The story is full of twists and turns. The kidnapping situation is not as simple as it seems at first. As the plot unfolds, the romance between the two main characters gradually blossoms. The use of Urdu language adds a unique charm to the entire story.
Another way is through the slow development of the relationship. The captor may start off as cold and distant, but as they interact more with the captive, small changes occur. This slow burn while the captive is still in a kidnapped state keeps the reader on edge, wondering when and how the relationship will fully develop into a romantic one.
Often, they start with the act of kidnapping. Then, the captor and captive are forced into close proximity. This leads to initial fear and hostility from the captive. For example, in many novels, the captive might try to escape at first.
A prevalent theme is the mystery surrounding the kidnapping. Novels like 'In the Woods' focus on the investigation to find out who the kidnapper is and why the kidnapping occurred. Also, the theme of survival is common. The kidnapped characters need to find ways to stay alive in difficult situations, like in 'The Lovely Bones' where the family has to come to terms with the girl's death but also search for the truth about her kidnapping.
There were two novels related to bandits kidnapping children that could be recommended. The first book was " Demon King ". The story was about the protagonist, Jin Yulang, who was kidnapped by bandits and then murdered by his brother. The bandits, the Duan siblings, became his companions and finally began their revenge with the help of the bandits. The second book was " Bandits in the Palace School ". The male protagonist was the king of the mountain. He kidnapped the female students of the Palace School who were on a study tour. If he wanted to redeem them, he had to ask a male student of the Palace School to save a female student. Both of these novels have a tight plot and distinct characters, which may meet your needs for a story about bandits kidnapping children.