Often instead of the main character being the new kid in town (see Cliché #1), the paranormal being is the new kid at school. Typically the new kid is male, incredibly attractive and mysterious, and the main character feels an instant connection to him, or vice versa.
A prime example is "The Awakening" by L.J. Smith (Book 1 of "The Vampire Diaries" series), in which Elena is immediately drawn to her broody new classmate, Stefan Salvatore.
Here are some of my theories why writers create "new paranormal beings on the block":
1. To fulfill the readers' fantasies.
In real life, the chance of some hot new guy attending your school and being instantly drawn to you is pretty remote. But you can always dream, right?
2. To create a love triangle.
I'll cover love triangles in a subsequent post in this series, but love triangles in paranormal fiction almost always involve one new student, and sometimes even two (e.g. "A Beautiful Dark" by Jocelyn Davies).
3. To make the love interest's paranormal nature more plausible.
It is hard to believe that someone the main character knew all her life is actually a faerie or other paranormal being without her knowing (although this is done convincingly in Cyn Blog's "Fairy Tale").
Also, many paranormal beings such as vampires and immortals either don't age, or age more slowly than humans, so by necessity they need to move often to avoid suspicion.
4. To provide someone to teach the main character about her own abilities.
Sometimes the main character is unaware that she is not human, or is only half human, and she needs another of her kind to explain things to her.
*Spoilers* For example, in Aprilynne Pike's "Wings", Laurel (who has sprouted wings) learns some of the answers she has been seeking from a faerie named Tamani, who is posing as a foreign exchange student.
5.To turn the main character's life upside down.
Paranormal novels typically begin by setting up the main character's "normal" life, and then turning it upside down by introducing a paranormal element.
*Spoilers* In Melissa Marr's "Wicked Lovely", Aislinn's life is changed forever when Keenan, the Summer King of the faeries, disguises himself as mortal and attends her school. Another example is Alyson Noel's "Evermore", the new student Damon Auguste helps sixteen-year-old Ever understand her strange abilities.
Why do you think there are so many "new kids" in paranormal romance novels? Who are some of your favourite "new paranormal beings on the block"?
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