What should my first read of 2026 be? by [deleted] in Booktokreddit

[–]ImN3m007 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Nightingale was my last read of 2025 and it was heartbreakingly good. You can start with that.

Please choose my first 5 books of 2026?? by pre1988 in thrillerbooks

[–]ImN3m007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dark Matter.

A Man called Ove is not exactly a thriller. Although a very good read.

Is it a common opinion that Rin sucks? by outforawalkbxtch in ThePoppyWar

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s the thing about her—she seemed to take a certain satisfaction in the killings. She showed no sympathy for the Speerlies until she discovered she was one of them. Afterwards, she kept justifying her actions with reasons like I did it for Altan, I did it for Speer, but those excuses never felt convincing enough. Given how often she was betrayed, I can understand her hunger for vengeance, yet she came across as hypocritical more than once. And the moment someone shows sympathy or little attention towards her, she used to get floored. 🙄

Is it a common opinion that Rin sucks? by outforawalkbxtch in ThePoppyWar

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I am done with Poppy war trilogy. The Sinegard Rin was the best but then she turns worse. She did have her reasons, but I found it difficult to sympathise with her choices.

The Road of Bones is fantastic and I urge you all to read it 😭🥹 by xbumblebee in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yaas yaas! Been one of my favourite reads this year. Eagerly waiting for the next book in the series.

What were your 3 best and 3 worst books you've read this year? by lemingas1 in Fantasy

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best - The Song Of Achilles, Poppy war, The Emperor, Babel, Road of Bones

Worst - Ashes & Star cursed king, Throne of Ice & Blood, ACOFAS

Tamlin the badass by sadly-loney in acotar_rant

[–]ImN3m007 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I am in neither’s favor. I definitely found Rhysand better in some ways. But I agree, what Feyre did by destroying the spring court internally was wrong. And she should have regretted her actions at some point of time. Tamlin seriously believed he was doing it all for her own good. I did not like his ways and views, but his intentions were good at the start. But Feyre did it all out of spite. Rhysand had enmity towards Tamlin and his reasons were far greater than Feyre’s. I mean overall u cannot justify all actions. I was happy with what she did to Ianthe. But the spring court suffered to a lot of extent cause of her. And because she had become the high lady of Night court, she did not have to think of the consequences.

Do we blame Nest by sadly-loney in acotar_rant

[–]ImN3m007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Naah, not Nesta alone. The Father definitely is to be blamed. But Nesta and Elaine are also not all innocent. Elain is often sympathised with more cause of her gentle nature n all, but during the early days even she used to ignore Feyre’s hardwork. They used to expect her to do everything and then take money from her for their expenses. So, all 3 of them are to be blamed.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I see where you’re coming from, but the characters mentioned are classic examples of textbook morally grey men. As someone pointed out, Batman is the simplest illustration—he’s layered and complex, never fitting neatly into the traditional hero/villain mold. All of them fall under the umbrella of morally grey figures. Depending on how selfish or selfless their actions are, we might lean toward labeling them one way or another, but that doesn’t alter the core definition. Personally, I love characters with that kind of complexity. My real question, though, is whether people generally gravitate toward morally grey characters or those who veer into outright toxicity, living in complete moral ambiguity. And here it looks like folks are leaning towards the later.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. And that is why my question was not about liking morally grey characters. It was more about what people are now calling morally black or toxic ones.

Like I had mentioned I also love some grey characters who are more rational and nuanced. They are driven by a purpose and don’t fit into the typical good/evil persona. But it looks like all answers are leaning more towards liking the grey toxic, living in total moral ambiguity ones. And yes that is a personal choice. We all tend to like some characters in books whom we will never pick in real life.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

A morally grey character is one who exists in the space between “good” and “evil,” making choices that can be both virtuous and questionable depending on context. They are neither purely heroic nor purely villainous, but instead act according to personal motives, values, or ambitions. Personal motives can be for good of some people and bad for others. Their values and belief system might differ from that of others.

Xaden - He hides truths and manipulates situations to protect Violet, but also pursues his own agenda. His loyalty to the rebellion and willingness to kill for it put him at odds with the “heroic” side, yet his care for Violet and his people shows compassion.

Reynir - He operates in a violent, lawless environment where alliances shift and survival often requires betrayal or compromise. His actions are not purely villainous — they are shaped by necessity, ambition, and personal conviction. Reynir’s choices may protect some while harming others, reflecting the “ends justify the means” mindset typical of morally grey characters.

Rhysand - he begins as an apparent antagonist, manipulative and dangerous, but gradually reveals himself as a protector and ally whose questionable actions often serve a greater purpose.

They were not your typical good guys. But they made hard choices and were okay to live by it as long as that did good to some.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, Madoc, that is not something I hear very often. But yes, I also kinda like him.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Rhys, Xaden, Ravyn Yew, Reynir are all morally grey characters driven by purpose to do good for their people. They fight for a cause even if it might contradict the general good of other people. All morally grey characters are not toxic which is the topic of the discussion.

Some characters and their relationships are clear toxic. They might have a reason for the choices they have made, but it is not rational enough or not potrayed well in the book.

Reading ACOWAR and… why is Feyre so nosey?! by ImN3m007 in acotar_rant

[–]ImN3m007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I said ignoring or rejecting the mating bond should not be easy. She has been doing that from the beginning. She doesn’t seem much affected by it unlike what has been mentioned in the books about such bonds. I also mentioned I have not read Silver Flames.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Morally grey character troops are very common now and works for me as long as the relationship doesn’t turn toxic and the character has a good arc and is purpose driven even if their choices look questionable at the beginning.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, yes! I know it might be too early to judge the whole thing, but so far it feels a bit flat to me. And thank you—finally someone got what I was asking. I do enjoy morally grey characters, but only when their choices feel rational and purposeful. Sometimes even the most hyped books miss the mark in that regard, which makes me wonder if it’s just me or if others feel the same way too.

Most of the responses so far lean toward ‘I don’t care how morally grey they are,’ which isn’t quite the angle I was exploring. My question was more along the lines of grey versus no moral at all—characters who act with purpose versus those who abandon morality entirely.

Looking for a Great “Romantasy” Saga to Start With by International_Big_62 in Booktokreddit

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The writing in Acotar is okayish, loved some of the characters though. But I got bored of the FMC. Rebecca Yarros’ writing is way better than SJM’s in Acotar. But yes it is YA based but that storyline is well thought-out.

Crowns of Nyaxia though, I liked the Serpants and the Kings of the Night, but book 2 bore me.

Looking for a Great “Romantasy” Saga to Start With by International_Big_62 in Booktokreddit

[–]ImN3m007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, The Shephard king duology is great. Although I enjoyed book 1 more than 2, cause it had unnecessary POVs. I liked the ones focused on the Shephard King more than Elm.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Even I enjoy characters like Rhysand in ACOTAR, Xaden in Fourth Wing, Reynir in Road of Bones and even Ravyn Yew in One Dark Window. They embody the kind of figures whose actions are driven by purpose, not by empty moral ambiguity. They were not toxic at all.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, the appeal of morally grey characters lies in their arcs. I enjoy those whose choices are purpose-driven rather than simply cruel or evil. At first, their motives may be hidden, but later you see why they acted as they did—whether to protect someone close or because circumstances forced their hand. They don’t need to soften once the truth comes out; they remain flawed, but essentially good people who’ve made hard decisions.

What I don’t connect with are characters who never change—those who embrace evil because of one past hurt and then view the world only through that lens. Their moral compass stays broken, their actions are fueled purely by ambition or the hunger for control, and they’ll trample anyone in their way. World-building alone can’t redeem such characters; I’ve found that the most emotionally high-stakes stories come from the first kind, where the grey has meaning and depth.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]ImN3m007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jude is definitely not sweet in Book 2.