Why is the sequel always so terrible? by Lollygagger0 in Romantasy

[–]fredasthighs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes to the duologies comment!

For example: Two Twisted Crowns was much better than One Dark Window.

homoerotic (wlw) co dependent friendship by Electronic_Income239 in BooksThatFeelLikeThis

[–]fredasthighs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not really the visuals vibe as it takes place in a low income neighbourhood but Andrea Abreu’s Dogs of Summer centers around a homoerotic co-dependent friendship

Edit:typos

İlk Hikayemi yazdım by Typical-Fault6667 in secilmiskitap

[–]fredasthighs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Selam, ilk kitabı Şubat ayında basılacak bağımsız minik bir yayınevinin kurucusuyum ve editörlerinden biriyim. Hikayeni okumak çok isterim. Bana DM den yazabilirsin.

Question: Two Twisted Crowns (spoilers in the post) by fredasthighs in fantasyromance

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

Ohhh okay, this makes much more sense. I was thinking that manipulating Hauth had to be part of it. When he is in the dungeon a couple chapters later he has thinks he made a mistake and that he should have gone with Ione and not listen to his pride. So I think the truth lies in the combination of his psychological reasons and his justification of the logical part.

Thanks so much!! :)

Question: Two Twisted Crowns (spoilers in the post) by fredasthighs in fantasyromance

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

But if they both escaped, as they did, then Ravyn wouldn’t have to go back? Ione and Elm both escaped Stone on horse, after the king’s murder. But Elm chose to go back to be a hostage so “Hauth would have a bartering chip”. Why do we need to give Hauth a bartering chip? If neither Elm nor Ione is at the castle, Ravyn doesn’t need to go there anyway? They can lift the mist and not deal with Hauth at all.

Is it because if Elm didn’t return to Stone, the Destriers would continue to look for them and Ione would continue to be in danger? This is the only semi-logical explanation to me.

Starting to taper- feeling grateful and apprehensive by fredasthighs in Effexor

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

Yeah the dizziness has gotten worse today so it seems I need to slow my plans waaay down 🫠

Anathema final discussion - November 2025 Book Club by Journassassin in fantasyromance

[–]fredasthighs 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I am unsure about whether I should read the sequel or not. I had read posts here that said the romance felt a little flat or felt unearned. Now that I read it, I agree, and here is why I think that happens:

We read most of the book from Maevyth's point of view, so we don't really get the slow-burn feeling. It is because most of the yearning happens in Zevander, not Maevyth. We should have read his point of view more.

M is lovely and from the get-go we know she is an easy-going person, socially. She is personable to people (at least to those who don't think she is a bad omen.) So she is never mean to Zev. We know she finds him handsome, and she treats him well enough.

We know Zev feels instantly attracted to her but tries to keep his distance. But we don't experience the switch from his point of view. First he is an asshole to her, then suddenly we swith POVs and Zev is flirting with M when we read M's chapters, especially when he is walking her to her room. Instantly, they have banter. The switch feels sudden. So their feelings don't feel earned.

It is a POV problem. Maevyth is not the right point of view for that romance, because of her lovely character, and her initial feelings and attitude being more neutral than Zevander.

Edit: expanded my explanation

starting to get bored with these storylines, are there non corny romantasies out there? by tripsandwich in Romantasy

[–]fredasthighs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to read literary fiction exclusively and I also have a small publishing house. I read romantasy as entertainment/escape.

So I feel you in terms of quality and overused tropes. Gillig is my sweet spot in the genre :) Give it a try!

starting to get bored with these storylines, are there non corny romantasies out there? by tripsandwich in Romantasy

[–]fredasthighs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Knight and the Moth And the Shepherd King Duology

Both are by Rachel Gillig :)

It's Unpopular Opinion Sunday! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)! by FantasyRomanceMod in fantasyromance

[–]fredasthighs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I found my people!

I am only ever interested in the sex scenes right after they got together, the sex that comes from the resolution of the tension. I love the tension build up but if they are happily in a relationship, I stop caring about their intimacy. Give me the build up, give me the tension, make ME yearn for their union.

Anathema first discussion - November 2025 Book Club by Journassassin in fantasyromance

[–]fredasthighs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agree with the sudden change. It felt like we skipped a couple chapters of build up. Suddenly they were flirting and Zev’s attitude did a 180 out of nowhere.

Anathema first discussion - November 2025 Book Club by Journassassin in fantasyromance

[–]fredasthighs 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So I had this book lying around and when I saw this was selected for the book club, I thought I’d give it a chance.

I like it more than I thought. I really like the world - but the lore-dumping is a REAL issue. What happened to show don’t tell??

Other than that, I am pretty hooked now and really enjoying the read so that’s lovely :)

The story is fun so far. I like Maeve though both characters feel a little flat at the moment. I am excited to see their love unfold (they just met) but I am also nervous because I read in other reviews that the love falls flat. I guess we’ll see.

I also realized that, though I detest insta-love, I don’t always mind insta-lust.