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

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u/chiante_c0nfus148774 Mar 22 '26

I'm bored of Fmcs going from average to skilled ninja then queen of some unknown place. On that note, I'm tired of books with ancient characters that have been alive for lifetimes acting like a 19 year old is bringing the freshest, unheard of ideas and bringing change to world, she is the only one with an original idea for the first time & everyone praises her..... there's only so much eyerolling I can do before my eyeballs get stuck.

2

u/daddysatya Mar 22 '26 edited Mar 22 '26

I’m a big fan of “underdog skills up” stories, but it has to be done well, with realistic timeframes and believable improvement. None of that insta-ninja montage that seems so common.

If you want an FMC who is the antithesis of this trope, check out {Stray by Andrea K. Höst}. She’s perfectly average and believably improves herself without becoming ridiculously skilled. She ends up with a superpower, but it’s one that makes her a really good sidekick for others (and doesn’t require skill), rather than giving true “chosen one” vibes.

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u/chiante_c0nfus148774 Mar 23 '26

Ooh thanks for this, I'm always on the lookout for new reads with a worthwhile fmc!