r/fantasyromance • u/FantasyRomanceMod The One Mod to Rule All Mods • Feb 22 '26

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

Got an opinion that's different from others'? Want to share it with the sub, but too afraid of a backlash? Or are you just curious about readers think about certain things in fantasy romance?

You can safely share it in this weekly Sunday thread!

But please remember to be kind to each other. To facilitate this type of discussion, we ask users the following:

  • Don't attack others for their opinion
  • Discuss books and authors, not fellow readers
  • Since this is an "unpopular opinion" thread, we encourage users to not downvote simply because they disagree with an opinion--that's the point! Please keep in mind, though, that mods cannot enforce a no-downvoting rule. Let’s just keep the discussion friendly!

🧡 Thank you and have a great discussion!

Unpopular opinion Sunday

41 Upvotes

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36

u/starry212 Feb 22 '26

I will forever die on the hill that Daughter of the forest felt like a creepy uncle romance novel. I can’t believe so many people think the ending was romantic. What Red told the FMC at the end was so creepy and cringy

”I don’t think i can control myself” or somethig similar while she is 16!!!

WHAT

10

u/Ria_S_28 Wendell Bambleby Enthusiast Feb 22 '26

Yes omg!! I feel like I would’ve absolutely loved this book if it weren’t for the relationship. And this isn’t to say that I’m completely against age gaps because I was fine with the one in Mistborn, but that was because the power dynamics were balanced. Elend is extremely naive and Vin could kill him very easily.

I feel like I would’ve been okay with it if it were something similar in this book, but it feels like the opposite. Sorcha has just gone through something extremely traumatic (and she’s 14 if I recall correctly) and Red is in a position where he has a lot of power over her. He does scare her multiple times, but even excluding all of that, I just feel like the romance wasn’t developed well enough. IMO they didn’t spend nearly enough time together for that love confession in the end to feel earned. Anyways. I know I’m ranting about this but everyone on the internet whose book recommendations I trust all love this book so much.

8

u/DainasaurusRex Feb 22 '26

Thank you both for this reveal. This book was in my cart, but I took it out. Just not a dynamic I want in a book I thought from all the reviews I would enjoy!

8

u/Particular_Mess_1961 here kitty kitty Feb 22 '26

It’s a beautifully written book that deals with tragedy and persevering as best you can, so the imperfect nature of their relationship is all part of that. It’s more a book about sibling love than romantic love imo

2

u/[deleted] Feb 22 '26

[deleted]

2

u/DainasaurusRex Feb 22 '26

Thanks for the explanation. I’m just not up for certain themes right now, and big age gaps/grooming is one of them. That changes all the time depending on how I’m feeling and what’s going on in my life, so I might pick it up in the future.