I often see a lot of talk in the book community, specifically fantasy and romantasy readers, about FMCs when they refuse to wear things the MMC gave them, and it kind of pains me to see people complaining about how "stubborn" the FMCs are.

I'm referring to books where the FMC has been captured, kidnapped, forced to do something, or is enemies with the MMC. This is not about books where the the main love interests are in a relationship or good friendship or something.

Some booktok and booksta readers (at least, that I've seen of) often complain, "why is the FMC whining and crying when the MMC is literally giving her a gorgeous gown/jewelery/whatever?" and I think they fail to see a point. It isn't just about the dress, it's about control.

Put yourself in your main character's perspective. You've been kidnapped by, say, an enemy. He gives you pretty dresses to wear, but you have to ONLY wear what he wants. You wouldn't do what he wants, right? Because that gives him control. The love interest has already kidnapped our main character and stripped her of her freedom, and now he also wants her to dress how he wants?

Maybe the MMC has good intentions, sure, but it still doesn't erase the fact he wants (or gives off) to control the FMC. A VERY popular example of this is Shatter Me by Taherah Mafi, the first book specifically (ahead may contain slight spoilers, but not extreme). Warner kidnaps Juliette, the FMC. He does tests on her, then proceeds to say weird stuff about them working together and what not, when he JUST kidnapped her. He gives her dresses to wear and fancy food to eat, which gives off one thing: he wants control. Of course, Juliette doesn't do anything he wants, or else that would mean giving him control over her, yet the (some of) fandom continuously say she was too whiny in the first book, and that she should've trusted Warner, blah blah blah. HOW is she supposed to trust a man who kidnapped her, tried to do tests on her, and is trying to control her?? 😃

I just think more people should really think of the FMC's situation or the actions of the MMC before blantly calling her whiny or ungrateful. What do you guys think of this?

"the more likeable he is, the more deadly he is. But because two can play at this game, Istand on tiptoe and kiss his cheek. Right on his bruise." Katniss is the most unreliable of narrators and I love that, thinking that Peeta is this cunning guy thinking strategically about his survival since the reaping and gaining her favor for survival, when the guy just has a fat crush on her, love it

what is a book that was an “eye-opener” for you? and why?

for example: (non-fiction) Jews Don’t Count by David Baddiel. this book focuses on the status of antisemitism (specifically in left wing politics), and how it is treated differently from other forms of racism and ethnic discrimination which ends up creating a double started against the Jews. (non-fiction) Don't Be Afraid, Gringo by Elivia Alvarado. this is an oral history of a Honduran campesina (peasant) activist that details the fight for community (land, education, food) reform in Honduras— which was the poorest country in Central American at the time.

I find myself coming back to this quest everytime I sense a reading slump approaching and without fail, the books on this quest manage to pull me out of a slump. I am a romantic at heart so I love reading about charatcers falling in love. But I often find that Romantasy (and SFF that put too much emphasis on the romance), sometimes create plot points for the express purpose of causing angst for our love interests. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, I personally find subplot romance to feel a bit more natural and true to how people really fall in love and build connections through shared experiences and values.

So what draws you to books with romantic subplots? What about this genre appeals to you and how does it compare to SFF with more/less romance? What is the sweet spot for you?

(edit for typos)

So, I was reading this book (it was written by a small author, so I won't give names) but it was basically a remix of the Hunger Games + Six of Crows. It felt chaotic in a bad way, dismantled. Just bestseller elements glued together. I am not talking about common fantasy topics like colonization or power wars (because fantasy is political, and there are a thousand ways to approach these topics) but really specific details that makes you think: yeah...i've already read this. And don't get me wrong, I know is a really good marketing strategy to say: for the Hunger Games fans. But it simply adds nothing (and no, it wasn't a FanFiction), and if it's not intended to be a retelling, there's no point in copying the plot or universe of another writer. Give me cool worlds. Give me intriguing magic systems (not just elemental magic, I am begging). Give me complex, unique characters. Give me a new interpretation of tropes. Add folklore, mythology, your grandmother tales, I don't know. You can approach fantasy from your intimate, personal and awesome perspective. We need that fresh air.

Check the book you’re reading right now. If you were transported there for 24 hours, are you having a lovely spring vacation or are you absolutely doomed?

I'm reading Papyrus, so I’ve been dropped right into Alexander the Great’s path through Thebes. If being 'absolutely doomed' counts as a vacation, then I’m having a blast. 🙄 My current survival strategy is to find a reed pen, and pray my handwriting is good enough to earn me 'Scribe' status instead of 'Casualty' status. But, honestly, I give myself maybe only a 10% survival chance. And that’s being generous.

Hello fellow Robin Hobb fans!

I just felt the need to make an appreciation post for this universe & for PB for introducing me to it! Before PB I'd never heard of the author or the books at all and I really can't believe it, cause they are basically exactly my taste in fantasy. I guess some older books just receive less attention at some point, or maybe they weren't really popular in Germany.

Even though I'd say I'm a weathered fantasy reader, I think I've never started a trilogy that was set in such a big universe with multiple interconnected series! While others might find that daunting, I am very much looking forward to using my listening time for RoTE for the forseeable future ^^ I already heard there are many many connections and easter eggs and, I gotta say, finding an easter egg is one of the best feelings when reading, prove me wrong!

I'm at "Assassin's Quest" right now and already incredibly attached to the characters! I can't wait for the end of the book and I'm very curious to move to the Liveship books with completely different characters. Anyways, I feel like this is some of the slowest but also most immaculate world - and characterbuilding I have yet encountered, and I'm loving every minute of it!

Some days I wake up and find myself thinking about… Him…

So I thought I’d make a little bug type team based purely on how cute I personally find them. Literally no strategy went into this because I’m only a casual fan of Pokémon 😅

Image created using 🔗PikaTeams

Please tell me your favorite minibeast-inspired Pokémon!

And as a reminder, voting for the unofficial minibeast summer readalong ends on April 30th, so if you haven’t gotten the chance to vote yet, you can do so 🔗here. (I’m not going to lie ya’ll, I think we have a very clear winner, but just in case!)

Posted April 24th, 2026

Saw this on my facebook and intended to sent it privately to my best friend but I messed up and share it on my profile for all my FB friends to see. It became a happy accident because my book friends (whom haven't talked to in a while) engaged on the post and we had fun on roasting my chaotic evil friends.

I'm lawful evil. You?