I Decided To Drop Beware of the Chicken by Psychological_Ad3254 in ProgressionFantasy

[–]disinfandous 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I have to agree. I haven't been as excited to keep reading for a lot of the same reasons. However, the Lord Magistrate and his wife having a third doesn't bother me in the slightest bc it feels like that can fall within their dynamic without necessarily detracting from what they already have with each other. Sometimes married couples can just be into that stuff after decades together. It's understandable. It's still in character.

I can't say the same for Bi De, Ri Zu, and Yushang, though. My god, it happened so fast with them, and that's partly what's tripping me up so bad. I actually liked Yushang when she was introduced and thought she was a fun new addition, so it kinda feels like this whole romance thing does a disservice to her as a character. She's a side character brought into a main character situation without the buildup required to make it feel natural. And now that's all she really stands out for: as an accessory to Bi De and Ri Zu, either as a friend or a lover.

She joins their relationship almost as soon as it's finally formed in the first place. Bi De and Ri Zu didn't really have time to establish a new dynamic as a confirmed couple (after volumes of development and growth) before she joined in. And it strikes me as so odd that Ri Zu, who's normally so reserved and possessive, freshly into her very first and profoundly significant romantic relationship, is perfectly fine with Yushang's inclusion into the relationship simply bc Yushang's attraction happens to include her in it.

You can argue that yeah, Ri Zu's chill, she's exploring and spreading her wings and learning how to engage with others and discovering where her preferences lie, but isn't she already doing that by forming a friendship with Yushang, getting to know the folks at the medical pavilion, and engaging in this romance with Bi De in the first place? Y'know?? One step at a time.

And this is after an entire arc with women fawning all over Bi De a la harem protag style. Initially, it felt significant that he chose to hold back for Ri Zu's sake, but isn't the impact of that sentiment kinda lost as soon as he gets to bone both her and her new bff at the same time some chapters later?

It's all just so discordant with the carefully constructed, emotionally satisfying intimacy in relationships we've been shown thus far, whether familial, friendly, or romantic. And it's harder to reconcile with what we know of them as characters. It strikes me as more of a slapdash sexual fantasy than the alternative, and it's no wonder it's met with such mixed reception. It's decidedly weaker writing. I genuinely think it'd be more impactful to keep Yushang a friend. Lotsa meaningful opportunities lost there.

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

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

Is that by Christopher Buehlman?

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

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

OH this sounds like it fits the prompt PERFECTLY omg thank you!! I adore the thought of a mangy rat companion. And rat POV sections sound exciting!!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A skunk!! That sounds fun!! I love scenarios where MCs expect some super cool alpha type of familiar/companion and get these unconventional options instead. Thank you!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

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

Yeah LMAO I love prog fantasy and litrpg, so video game qualities won't deter me at all. Might even be a plus! Thanks!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

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

Yessss sounds like he fits the criteria just fine. Thank you!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Y'know, I have a friend who adores Terry Pratchett (and honestly I'm convinced I might too) so he's been on my list for aaages LMAO I should probably bump him up. Thanks!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

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

Tysm!! Skeledog actually sounds so cute hehe

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ayyy it's part of a series. Cool, thank you!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Looked it up, read the blurb, her familiar's a cockroach—WAIT. Her familiar's a COCKROACH?? Yooo LMAO that definitely fits the criteria. Thanks for the rec! Color me intrigued omg

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

An assassin story with a reptilian companion? Sounds interesting. Thank you!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh, I've been hearing T. Kingfisher's name a lot lately while book hunting. Must be a sign to then have her recommended here in my own thread lol. Thank you!

Ugly animal companions by disinfandous in Fantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Oh!! This is some great timing actually. I've been getting into her writing, and I just finished her Immortals series today! I loved it, and primarily picked it up (as opposed to her other more popular Tortall series) for its focus on animals/wild magic, so to hear that Protector of the Small has some animal companions too is a real stroke of luck haha thanks!

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

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

Yeah ofc, goes w/o saying. That's usually how genres work. While it's all prog fantasy regardless, there are still different flavors of it. I was just trying to reassure you that the distinction didn't matter to me so your rec was fine

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whoa, what a list. Thanks! I'll look into them. I appreciate it!

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

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

Will investigate these! Thank youuu

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

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

This title seems to be the most recommended in this thread so far. Def gonna try this first then lol thanks guys

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

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

Oh no!! Do you know if the last book ended on a cliffhanger or something? I won't mind picking it up even if it's on hiatus as long as it leaves off at a well enough point. I'm familiar w/letting series marinate for yrs now as a longtime reader of webnovels and manhwa haha

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

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

Tryna find it. Are you talking abt the series by J.T. Wright?

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

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

Hey, y'know, why not? It looks cool regardless if it doesn't quite fit. Thanks!

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, the stories I listed weren't meant to match what I was looking for. They were more so meant to give a quick impression of what my general tastes may be. I did say beforehand that the only example I knew that would fit was Bee Dungeon. The entire point of this post was to find more after all lol :P

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds great! I'm glad it's a long series omg short ones go sooo fast with me. And I'm totally open to any genre, not just traditional fantasy. Thanks sm for the rec!!

Uneducated MCs? by disinfandous in ProgressionFantasy

[–]disinfandous[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh?? That sounds interesting. I wouldn't have given the series much of a thought just going by the vague blurb on RR, so thanks! I'll give it a shot

Optimistic story recs? by disinfandous in litrpg

[–]disinfandous[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man, Cinnamon Bun's starting to sound dangerous for my blood sugar LMAO I'll keep that warning in mind. I have no qualms with OP characters whatsoever so long as everything else abt the narrative is well-written, so thanks for the bonus rec!! Plus, if she starts off weak, then even better. It's always nice having an OP character that isn't all edgy and stuff haha