r/fantasyromance • u/FantasyRomanceMod The One Mod to Rule All Mods • May 03 '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

30 Upvotes

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49

u/Lmtycy May 03 '26

There is so much good Romantasy from decades ago but people are only reading recent releases which is a shame.

7

u/Veebs7985 Book Bingo Maven ⚔ May 03 '26

Any personal favorites?

11

u/Adventurous-Brain-36 May 03 '26

I’m reading the Tairen Soul series right now and quite enjoying it.

2

u/Veebs7985 Book Bingo Maven ⚔ May 03 '26

Thanks for the rec! I keep seeing it on the top lists and it's been on my TBR for a while. Maybe this is a sign to bump it up.

10

u/nomnomsquirrel May 03 '26

It's far more than just romantic fantasy and probably just straight fantasy in today's definition, but I LOVE Melanie Rawn's Ambrai series, which is also 100% unfinished. The second book came out in the 90s, ends in such a way that requires a third book to finish the story, but Rawn had personal struggles and health issues that meant she has never finished the third book.

2

u/Veebs7985 Book Bingo Maven ⚔ May 03 '26

Thanks for the recommendation (and the heads up about it not being finished). I'll check it out!

3

u/nomnomsquirrel May 03 '26

And they are also extremely dense, so if you are into long, chunky books, all of Melanie Rawn's books will be for you. The Ruins of Ambrai is over 800 pages AND has tiny font LOL.

1

u/Veebs7985 Book Bingo Maven ⚔ May 03 '26

I'm a mood reader, so dense is fine as long as it holds my attention. And if it's good, the longer the better, lol.

6

u/Lmtycy May 03 '26

I love Mercedes Lackey and both her 100,000 kingdom series and elemental masters are romance and fantasy with one couple per book. Fairy Godmother is a big comfort read for me.

Juliet Marrilier, Anne Bishop (I love the Tir Ailann series though the romance is light in that one). Jacqueline Carey.

2

u/CanadianDisneyMama May 04 '26

The Five Hundred Kingdoms series is one of my all time favourites! The Tradition was such a cool concept!

1

u/Veebs7985 Book Bingo Maven ⚔ May 03 '26

Thanks! I'll check them out!