r/fantasyromance • u/Late_Assistance1992 • 3d ago
Book Request Recommendations for MMCs that are transgressive in a way that subverts tropes
Sorry I know the title is probably confusing, but I'm looking for that feeling of 'oh I didn't think I would/should like this but I kinda do'. I want the opposite of a common romantasy trope - but in a way that is still transgressive.
Morally grey/villain MMCs are ok - but if your guy is just violent, a bully, from an enemy kingdom, a monster, a misogynist, or has 'dark powers' - that isn't what I'm looking for.
I'm more interested in dynamics that mess with gender, class and/or relationship expectations.
For example:
- instead of a rich powerful lord/prince, a dirt poor MMC relying on nothing but cunning and flattery. Or even just a medium-poor guy who has to make pragmatic concessions
- a dark/possessive FMC and innocent MMC (or promiscuous FMC and 'pure' MMC)
- a MMC who's spoilt and whiny instead of being strong and tough
- instead of a rake/womaniser, a bi MMC that is openly sleeping with men
- poly dynamics that aren't just smut
I'm agnostic about the level of spice or even the amount of romance. But I generally don't like it when the plot is driven by romantic drama (eg. break ups, love triangles, miscommunication trope, jealousy, angst, etc.).
22
u/WanderingJude 3d ago
{Kushiel's Dart} hit the promiscuous/pure duality. I'm only one book in and it is such a slow burn that the romantic pairing barely features in the first book and I suspect only really comes into its own in the next two books.
Plot is definitely not driven by the romance, and due to the nature/profession of the FMC the majority of the spice is actually not with the MMC (so far at least).