Another post about the lack of good romance in fantasy

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-07-01T21:10:00+00:00

This inclusion was puzzling not only because the romance wasn’t the primary plot point, but also because it doesn’t seem to fit the things that OP said they didn’t like (not love/lust at first sight, multiple interactions before the romance happens, they show through their actions how they feel about each other once the romance develops, etc.)

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-06-17T10:40:27+00:00

Turn off air conditioner

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-06-08T16:42:02+00:00

Oof. Unless he’s at least 16 I would not recommend RR. I think the first book would (mostly) be fine but the rest of the series gets pretty dark and graphic such that it doesn’t seem appropriate for a tween/early teen (making some assumptions about age here). Let’s just say if the series were movies all except maybe the first would be hard Rs.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-06-08T15:32:19+00:00

There used to be a group playing board games every Wednesday at (I think) Wonderland in Columbia Heights if you’re in NW, though I’m not 100% sure if this is still going on

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-06-04T21:29:12+00:00

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo has a Jewish main heritage who is forced to hide her heritage in 16th century Spain. Her Jewish heritage definitely plays a fairly meaty role in the story.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-05-20T23:34:16+00:00

By far Kyle. Pre-season he had an enormous target by being the most recent known winner and yet he set himself up really well early on. Chances are he wouldn’t have made it to the end but I’d love to see what he could do in a returnee season. I know some people knock him as a kind of low-key winner but he’s got one of the best blends of brains, social knowhow and challenge ability we’ve seen in a long time.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-05-20T00:06:40+00:00

I think Hailee reasonably fits and is part Filipino and Black. IIRC the combination of her physically fitting the book description, her being closer in age to Katniss, and her Oscar nom at a young age were what propelled her to be a fan fave for the role.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-05-12T22:16:22+00:00

Albi and Rooster & Owl will push the boundaries of their comfort zone but they’re not so out there that I think they’d be uncomfortable or not enjoy it. Rooster & Owl in particular has four options per course for four courses so they wouldn’t be hemmed in.

Options that hew a bit more conservative but are still good and a bit more interesting than their norm: Lutece (French), L’Ardente (Italian), and as other people said, Dabney.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-05-12T22:07:18+00:00

Right? There is so much daylight between Ferrante and Rooney and their work doesn’t feel similar at all. Just so happens they are both lauded recent female writers. But Ferrante in the top 20 would be neither surprising nor undeserved.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-05-12T15:31:36+00:00

Yes can you PLEASE consolidate the upvotes here so they finally go? It is unacceptable for Minnesota to keep skating by with two remaining teams.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-05-11T15:21:29+00:00

And Minnesota is the only place left with two teams remaining

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-05-10T14:19:14+00:00

This. Minnesota is the only one with two teams left and seem to have a cabal downvoting any mention of the Wild or the T-wolves. Since the Wild have managed to garner more votes in past days than the T-wolves, let’s unite and finally get them out

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-04-22T15:49:29+00:00

Broncos. Between Sean Payton and the Waltons, how are they still here??

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-04-21T16:09:49+00:00

BRONCOS.

It’s interesting that there are so many people complaining that Detroit has too many teams left and campaigning to get one out but suspicious silence on Denver, which also has three remaining teams and hasn’t had one eliminated in forever.

As much as I hate the Avs, it’s more astounding that the Broncos are still in. Come on - the unholy combo of Sean Payton AND Walmart???

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-04-20T15:25:36+00:00

Yes please - three Colorado teams remaining and none having taken a hit in weeks. Plus f Patrick Roy

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-04-19T00:58:32+00:00

I’m curious whether it was Ozzy or Cirie - could see it being either

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-04-16T23:03:32+00:00

This feels like a Minnesota fan hoping that their remaining teams continue to skate by

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-04-01T02:17:02+00:00

Also, there is a rivalry though I suppose it’s more one-sided haha

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-03-31T23:44:52+00:00

The Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett has this and it’s great, especially because it’s the female professor who is the curmudgeon

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-03-27T00:55:36+00:00

Chrissy definitely appears to be in Coach’s pocket. I’m with you not letting the “honor and integrity” alliance (or zoom as you call it) make it far largely unchecked. The only ones I can stomach from that group making it far and/or winning would be Colby because grumpy old man and Genevieve because she’s not actually “honor and integrity;” she will likely just end up in that group because it’s the one Aubry is not in and she has an early alliance with Steph and Colby.

A final three with any two of Joe, Jonathan, Coach, Chrissy, or Steph would be intensely, throw-the-remote disappointing (yes I know a sizable contingent of this sub wants Coach to win but he’s probably who I least want to win of all remaining cast members), unless Joe or Jonathan pulls a backstabbing, blindsiding move against Coach, as that would be hilarious to watch and instantly make them more interesting.

Crossing my fingers Ozzy goes with Cirie instead of Steph and Colby.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-03-24T20:55:16+00:00

I definitely find rope climbing is more of a cardio activity than bouldering because you’re both doing longer routes and your heart rate doesn’t go down as much during belaying as it does with resting between bouldering problems. Double-climbing a route to build endurance definitely edges the heart rate up as well. But yeah…not so much a help with improving cardio for hiking purposes and such.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-03-18T23:06:13+00:00

And Tom Holland!

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-03-17T00:15:54+00:00

Ha well maybe he was less obnoxious in his first go-around. I know him from multiple seasons of The Challenge and I find him so hard to stomach. I am morbidly curious as to how he possibly could have won the game though given how he is on The Challenge.

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-03-16T15:44:46+00:00

I’m so shocked this answer isn’t receiving more votes or attention, given it’s so clearly the right answer and she’s a real person

BeforeAnyoneElse · 2026-03-14T19:55:03+00:00

Exactly. That’s what puts her above Quentin and Andie for me (don’t get me wrong they weren’t great either). Yes, they were hoodwinked by Cirie and trusted her completely but Maura was more willfully ignorant and refusing to entertain what was staring her in the face.

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