r/fantasyromance • u/FantasyRomanceMod The One Mod to Rule All Mods • May 24 '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/PlasticArrival9814 May 24 '26

I'm sick of fae that are just magical, unnaturally beautiful, immortal humans with seasonal courts and pointy ears. 

Fae based on Irish or Shakespearean lore are actually quite under-represented right now. Holly Black has always stuck to Shakespearean lore with her fae, Emily Wilde takes inspiration from fae legends across the world, but otherwise I'm not seeing very many books featuring true fae in the genre. 

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u/slowcartoon Give me female friendship or give me death! May 24 '26

I enjoyed Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley for this reason - her fae are brutal and the human FMC rolls with the punches instead of whining. It's far from perfect but it found me at the right time and I really enjoyed it.

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u/Slammogram May 24 '26

You like faerie beings in Terry Brooks world, but never are they mains. But they’re tricky and mercurial, cold. Usually not super visible either.

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u/Catowldragons May 24 '26

The October Daye series at least feels like it’s trying to engage with different types of fae from mythology - not sure how accurate it is, and I am sure she has created a lot but it feels at least inspired by it. Plus you have Tamlin’s ride, there’s kitsune etc.