History HiddenDepths / Literature

* ''Literature/NightfallSeries'': Initially, Tristan seems to be a vain PrettyBoy, whose only redeeming quality is his UndyingLoyalty to the BigBag. Later on, his BackStory reveals that as a human he was a reclusive poet, fighting to find his place in the world. After he becomes a vampire, he develops a great capacity to care for others and struggles with his [[spoiler: inability to create art.]]

* In the ''Literature/MatadorSeries'' by Steve Perry, [[OnlyOneName Sleel]] is initially portrayed as a {{Badass}} LoveableRogue [[labelnote:*]]one of his friends actually ''used'' the words "loveable rogue" to describe him[[/labelnote]] with a complex about always proving he's the best. Then he's found browsing in the '''philosophy''' section of a bookstore, casually quoting poetry, and being able to spot a deception that fooled everyone else in his team. And '''then''' it's revealed that he [[spoiler:has a doctorate in poetic literature, wrote several best-selling novels, and used the proceeds to set up a foundation caring for orphaned children]]. Oh, and his name is actually an acronym of his [[ParentalNeglect neglectful]] parents' initials.

* In the ''{{Dragonlance}}'' novels, the elven princess Laurana is initially regarded as little more than a BrainlessBeauty, but when challenged she proves to be a brave warrior, skilled diplomat and inspirational leader whose innovative tactics lead her army to a series of remarkable victories in the Vingaard Campaign.

* Late in ''[[{{Deryni}} King Kelson's Bride]]'', Sofiana reveals to her Camberian Council colleagues her previous role as [[{{Mentor}} godmother and arcane tutor]] to Mátyás Furstán. She implies that they intentionally downplayed his arcane abilities: "He was also a formidable pupil of the ''ars magica'' even then—far more formidable than I felt his brothers should know." She goes on to say that he came to her secretly for help when he learned of his brothers' plans, and that she and Azim (another Councillor) covertly assisted him.

* A recurring theme in ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' series. Some characters who at first appear as nothing more than villainous scumbags will turn out to be more noble than we were originally led to believe or they'll reveal to have good reasons for doing what they do. Not unlikely, some of the "[[AntiHero heroes]]" will be revealed to have a darker side to themselves or that they have been working on very selfish motives.

* ''Franchise/SherlockHolmes'': [[TheWatson John Watson]] knew he was [[CombatMedic a competent surgeon and a decent soldier]], but had no idea he was any good at writing until he started keeping a diary of his roomate's adventures which became a best-selling series.

** Sherlock Holmes himself: e.g. in "Three Garidebs", he shows a vulnerable side that despite the usual veneer of an exacting, calculating mind does care for Watson very deeply. And despite his famous initial claims in "Study in Scarlet" that he only remembers things he needs which the solar system and other topics like that aren't, he for example often quotes classic literature and probably knows much more about history than strictly necessary for his profession (a typical example being him calling Watson his Boswell). He also later expressly admits to having a bit of an artistic mind as well, and is known to enjoy and actively seek out good music.

* A recurring theme in ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' series. Some characters who at first appear as nothing more than villainous scumbags will turn out to be more noble than we were led to believe or to have good reasons for doing what they do. Not unlikely, some of the "[[AntiHero heroes]]" may be revealed to have a darker side to themselves.

** Probably the best example of the first would be Jaime Lannister. For the first two books he comes across like a completely solid jackass and remorseless villain, who more than lives up to his nickname "[[TheKingslayer Kingslayer]]" and reputation for lack of honor. Once we start getting P.O.V. chapters with him, we see that deep down he's quite honorable, [[NobleDemon has many noble and redeeming qualities]], is highly aware of the horrible things he's done, and eventually [[TheAtoner desires to try to redeem himself]]. Finally, the act that gave him his nickname and made him so despised, [[ToBeLawfulOrGood is in reality possibly one of the more heroic acts brought up in the story]].

** Probably the best example of the first would be Jaime Lannister. For the first two books he comes across like a completely solid jackass and remorseless villain, who more than lives up to his nickname "Kingslayer" and reputation for lack of honor. Once we start getting P.O.V. chapters with him, we see that deep down he's quite honorable, [[NobleDemon has many noble and redeeming qualities]], is highly aware of the horrible things he's done, and eventually [[TheAtoner desires to try to redeem himself]].

** Sherlock Holmes himself: e.g. in "Three Garidebs", he shows a vulnerable side that despite the usual veneer of an exacting, calculating mind does care for Watson very deeply. And despite his famous initial claims in "Study in Scarlet" that he only remembers things he needs which the solar system and other topics like that aren't, he for example often quotes classic literature and probably knows much more about history than strictly necessary for his profession (a typical example being him calling Watson his Boswell).

** Sherlock Holmes himself: e.g. in "Three Garidebs", he shows a vulnerable side that despite the usual veneer of an exacting, calculating mind does care for Watson very deeply. And despite his famous initial claims in "Study in Scarlet" that he only remembers things he needs which the solar system and other topics like that aren't, he for example often quotes classic literature and probably knows much more about history than strictly necessary for his profession.

* In another ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40 000}}'' book, ''Literature/BlackLegion'', Telemachon Lyras is at first considered to be little more than one of hedonistic, sensation-seeking, Slaanesh-worshiping psychopaths of the Emperor's children. However, it's revealed he does seek a purpose beyond hedonism and most prominently is the first character to get the Anamnesis to show human emotion by giving a surprisingly heartfelt account of Chemos's legends.

* In the ''Literature/MatadorSeries'' by Steve Perry, [[OnlyOneName Sleel]] is initially portrayed as a BadAss LoveableRogue [[labelnote:*]]one of his friends actually ''used'' the words "loveable rogue" to describe him[[/labelnote]] with a complex about always proving he's the best. Then he's found browsing in the '''philosophy''' section of a bookstore, casually quoting poetry, and being able to spot a deception that fooled everyone else in his team. And '''then''' it's revealed that he [[spoiler:has a doctorate in poetic literature, wrote several best-selling novels, and used the proceeds to set up a foundation caring for orphaned children]]. Oh, and his name is actually an acronym of his [[ParentalNeglect neglectful]] parents' initials.

* ''Literature/RaptorRed'' - Red's sister is, for most of the story, a manic, easily-angered character who is deeply suspicious of almost every creature that isn't her sister. Imagine Raptor Red's surprise when she finds her playing slide-down-the-snow-hill with a pack of ''Troodon''.

* B's father in the "Literature/Zom-B" series. At first, he seems like nothing more than a wife-beater and a violent racist. But at the end of the first book [[spoiler: he storms B's school and saves as many of the kids as he can.]] And later [[spoiler: he expresses that he really does love his wife, by choosing to die with her.]]

* The ''GentlemanBastard'' series is all about this: [[spoiler: on the surface, the Gentleman Bastards are ordinary sneak thieves, while they're really brilliant confidence artists. Their original leader, "Father Chains," masquerades as a blind priest, but is really a gifted forger and all-around criminal, who's pulling the wool over the eyes of the town's crime kingpin.]]