I just finished reading the first three books in SJ Day's Marked series. I can't recommend them enough: dark and imaginative and fast paced. And they feature two ridiculously delicious heroes. The thing is, the guy I want the heroine to be with has SERIOUS issues. I mean, virtually insurmountable issues. And the other guy, yummy, but a bit of a vigilante. Both are really beautifully written, nuanced characters, but I've definitely chosen a team. And the more I read, the more I wonder how my guy will be "the" guy.Which got me to thinking about love triangles.
My sweet friend, LeeAnn, *HATES* love triangles. I mean, has a serious aversion to them. Me? I find that I love them. I love the shifting tides, the wondering where the story will go next. The Gardella Chronicles also features a dandy love triangle -- one that ended the way I wanted it to. But it made me wonder, why do they work for me? I was less invested in the Twilight series love triangle, and in the end felt like I was fine with who the heroine chose to be with (even if the other guy ended up having an extremely creepy alternative to the heroine).
I think it's because the tension between two men and the indecision by the
heroine who can see good and bad in both men, but ultimately must follow her heart is a compelling trope for me. It invariably raises my interest and investment in the story. Probably because I'm one of those people who sees things in shades of gray. I can almost always argue both sides of the coin. But in the end, I almost always choose one guy. And then I stick with him. This was true in the Gardellas, and it's definitely true in the Marked series - even though I dig the hell out of the other guy - and want him to find his HEA, just not w/the heroine.What about you? Do love triangles work for you? If not, why? If so, what are some of your favorite series or books that feature love triangles.
17 Comments:
I don't care for them, because in the end someone walks away hurt. It's like a time travel. Someone ends up hurt if you don't leave the heroine or hero in the past, which invariably doesn't work. I know the time travel I wrote (and is still a WIP) will end up with one of the characters left to mourn their lover and that in another lifetime they'll be happy when they reunite. So that makes me sad for the one left behind.
I find it even more disconcerting to read it in present with someone actually left behind. Having said that, watch me write one unintentionally and have to eat my words!!! LOL
I don't care for them, but I also don't care for angst, and a love triangle automatically creates lots of angst. I don't mind if another guy comes into the picture and gets the heroine thinking about her options, but I prefer if there's no real serious pull. I guess I'm just not into the idea of men fighting over a woman. It's so primitive. It reminds me of the dogs I used to raise. LOL
Oh yeah...plus I always root for the underdog. I like the beta male, and he rarely gets the girl. :(
I admit to feeling almost the same as LeeAnn about the majority of love triangles - I seriously dislike them. The exception was Jennifer Haymore's book, and okay, I also loved Colleen's books, though I am torn when someone has to "lose". And my guy lost in that round. So it leaves this sad impression over the story which leaves me dissatisfied. So they are not my faves.
Hi Kati,
I loved the Marked series as well and after three books have chosen a side too. I love Abel and Cain but one is just slightly favored by me. Though I don't read these kind of triangle set-ups all the time, when done right, I gobble it all up.
I love a good love triangle as long as the guy that doesn't get the girl gets a good ending as well. The Mark series and Colleen Gleason's series are two of my favorites!! (although I have only read the first two of the Mark series..Chaos is in my tbr!)
Hate them. Hate them with the passion of a thousand burning suns. Because ultimately it sets up one or more of the characters (usually the heroine) to be "too stupid to live." I want to reach through the pages, smack her upside the head, and shake her senseless while screaming, "C'mon cupcake. Reach deep down, grow a pair, and make a bloody decision already." LOL
That said, I'm still plugged in to the Stephanie Plum series despite the love triangle and zero character growth. Maybe because I think of the series more as harmless brain candy than anything remotely romantic?
I don't like love triangles either and avoid books with them unless its by a very favored author.
Katie are you feeling alone in your corner? LOL *(teasing your doll) I can run out for some chocolate maple cremes...damn, now I really want one!@@(#U$@#(
Monica <--
Mon - Nope. I'm OK with people yucking my yum! More for me.
I really do understand why so many people don't like them. Because honestly, if the author has done their job, both of the guys are compelling and you want them to be happy. And the idea that one is left behind is not a palatable one. But it raises the angst level in the book, which works for me.
I'm perverse that way. ;o)
I love the triangle, too. Even though, like Jen, I often wind up rooting for the wrong guy. (Jacob, anyone?)
A big part of sticking with the Stephanie Plum series for me (and I agree with Wending about the 0 character growth usually being something I can't stand) is that I live in the vain hope that she'll choose Ranger in the end.
I haven't yet read the last Gardella book --I averted my eyes at the mention of it--but am excited to see how that triangle turns out.
The unavoidable angst in the Hint of Wicked triangle drove me nuts, but I think that had a lot to do with the fact that we hardly get to see the heroine happy in love with either man in the triangle. It was all heartbreak and dilemma.
So I guess I love the triangle, as long as we get the good (non-angsty) stuff along with it.
Great post topic, Kati!
I hate a true love triangle with amazing passion! But to me twilight didn’t have a true love triangle because Bella was never in love with Jacob that way and it was never was a question as to who she would be with.
I haven’t finished Colleen’s series and now I’m a little scared to, but I know eventually I will.
The thing is, the guy I want the heroine to be with has SERIOUS issues.
What is it about bad guys...or guys with issues that draws us?
I still haven't read the final Gardella book, although I know who Victoria picks *sob sob* Sorry :)
As for love triangles - it depends on how they are done. I need to be shown the reasons why..not told. And I thought Colleen did it well, it wasn't obvious (well, to me anyway :) who Victoria would chose. She had strong feelings for both.
I think I'm on the same page as Monica...I don't care for them because someone always walks away hurt. Also, I like the h/h to be focusing on each other (as well as the story plot, whatever that may be) and not have to worry about yet one more possible love interest.
Love triangles always seem to end badly. But with menage romances they don't :D
I'm going to have to side with LeeAnn *waving, hi LeeAnn!"
I have the bad luck of getting attached to the wrong guy, the one the heroine doens't choose, and then I get all mad and temper-tantrum-y
If done RIGHT my resentment on their behalf can be appeased with a sequel where the left-in-the-dust person gets their HEA
What KB said :)
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