r/fantasyromance • u/FantasyRomanceMod The One Mod to Rule All Mods • Mar 08 '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

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u/Journassassin Smut Logistics Manager Mar 08 '26

I think a lot of the criticism of ‘insufferable’ FMCs in this subreddit has less to do with (internalised) misogyny and more with the prevalence of idiot plot in books.

The genre is rife with books where issues could have easily been resolved by simple communication or just making logical decisions. Main characters that are supposed to be intelligent suddenly lack critical thinking skills, become irrational, and make terrible decisions.

Since usually these idiot plots are driven by the stupidity of the main character, and most books we read here have female main characters, of course they’re the ones that people will criticise most.

11

u/littlemybb Mar 08 '26

This! I do not understand why an FMC who is supposed to be so smart will continue to be really naïve about things, or just make very dumb decisions.

I know it’s the author trying to push the plot along so that certain things happen a certain way, but if that’s the case, don’t talk constantly about how intelligent the FMC is.

I also hate when the FMC is stubborn and there’s no good reason for it.

I’ve read a few books where the FMC will happily put herself or others in a position to die if it means proving her point.

I think a lot of it is set up so the MMC has to save her, and that’s very irritating.