A common trait is also being manipulative. The villainess will try to manipulate the situations and the people around her to get what she wants. She might manipulate the male leads by lying about the protagonist or creating misunderstandings between them to drive a wedge in their relationship.
To survive as a villainess in a deadly novel, you need to be smart. Try to figure out the key events and avoid getting involved in the dangerous ones. For instance, if you know there's a big battle coming up where the villainess is supposed to die, find an excuse to be elsewhere.
If I became a villainess in a deadly novel, I would first try to understand the plot and the reasons behind my character's villainous actions. Maybe I was misjudged or there were some misunderstandings. Then, I would attempt to change the course of the story. I could start by being kind to the protagonists and trying to form alliances with them instead of opposing them. This way, I might be able to avoid the 'deadly' end that was originally set for my character.
One way could be to try and form alliances with some of the other characters. Maybe find a character who is not directly involved in the main plot against you and convince them to help you. For example, if there are side characters who are neutral, offer them something in return for their support.
Make sure your characters have clear and significant arcs. If they start out with big goals, don't let them achieve them in a flat or uninteresting way. The final confrontation or resolution should be intense and meaningful. For instance, in a hero's journey, the hero should face a real and difficult challenge at the end, not just stroll to victory.
One example could be 'The Magicians' by Lev Grossman. The build - up throughout the series is full of magic, adventure, and complex characters. However, the ending felt a bit flat as some of the major conflicts were resolved in a rather hasty and not - so - satisfying way. It was like all the momentum just petered out at the end.
By focusing on character development. Even if the origin is anticlimactic, if the character grows and changes in interesting ways, the story can be engaging. For example, a character who became a chef because they lost a bet, but then they discover a passion for cooking through their experiences in the kitchen.
Lack of proper build - up. If you don't gradually increase the tension or stakes, the ending will feel flat. For example, if a battle was supposed to be the climax but you didn't show the build - up of forces or the growing danger, it won't be exciting.
You can try some popular e - book platforms like Amazon Kindle, or check your local library's digital collection if they have a wide range of novels available. Sometimes, official websites of the publisher also provide options for reading.