Take Xander from the Matched series. I know that Ky is the exciting love interest that Cassia wasn't meant to be with. But I think Xander is super hot. Why? He's been her best friend from the beginning, he was so excited that she was his match, he still stood by her even when she decided to run off with Ky, and now supposedly he has joined the Resistance because he knew it was the right thing to do! I know I'm the minority, but I definitely think he's the better pick.Then there's Julian from the Delirium series. We were introduced to Alex at the beginning of the series, and the whole first book was dedicated to Lena and Alex getting together and falling in love. Fine. I just wasn't that into Alex, maybe because I had such a big crush on Kent, the wonderful love interest from Lauren Oliver's amazing Before I Fall. Then in Pandemonium, we meet Julian. Again, I'm probably the minority here (dodges food flying at her face) but to me, Julian was the more interesting love interest AND there were more sparks!
I just finished Venom by Fiona Paul and had the same issue. I don't want to give too much away but I can say there are two guys, one is the "bad boy artist" named Falco and the "boring" fiance, Luce. I love how Fiona makes Luce much more three dimensional, and I promptly chose him as the better option. But since I'm always on the wrong side of the fence, I won't be surprised if she ultimately ends up with Falco.
And let's not get into Fifty Shades of Grey. I was totally hoping that Kate's brother would come in and sweep Ana into a healthy relationship. But again, not so--he barely had any more screen time after the first book. Sigh. Instead she sticks with creepy stalker Christian who needs more than just a few years of therapy.Are there any love triangles that you've been on the wrong side of?
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YES!! I totally agree with the rant. Why do so many books feature a heroine going after the bad boy, then complaining that he's a bad boy? There's nothing wrong with being in a stable, healthy relationship, and I'd love to see more protags choose the boy who's actually nice to them, caring, etc. So what if he doesn't have rippling abdominals?
ReplyDeleteLOVE the "rippling abdominals" comment. What IS up with all the abdominal muscles on so many covers? Most of the time we don't even see a face!
DeleteI'm kind of getting sick of this pattern as well. But I guess writers tend to write about things that most people wouldn't normally do. People like you and me will look for that one person who has meant the most to us in our lives and of course pick them to spend the rest of our days with. But if that happened in books, some of the excitement of taking an emotional leap would be gone. I just wish that they would figure out a different way around that.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a big fan of Ky, especially after reading 'Crossed.' I really hope that Cassia decides to spend the rest of her life with Xander. I guess that there wasn't enough substance to Lena and Alex's relationship for me to make a judgement call. I know I'm definitely going to have to read 'Pandemonium' soon.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels this way! My sister and I were just chatting a little earlier, because we are so happy we are not the only ones! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. You should read Pandemonium-- it sounds like we have similar taste and I liked that one much better than Delirium.
DeleteLet's not forget about Hunger Games! I was so disappointed that she ended up with Peeta. And though I liked Gale more, I know he would have been wrong for her too. I almost wish Collins had been really bold and written it so that Katniss lived her life man-free. And she specifically said she didn't want to get married or have babies, and yet that's what she did! I understand that the world she helped create is slightly better, but enough to change those sentiments? Frankly, it didn't seem so. Instead of a triangle, I wish it had just been a dot. A love dot all to herself. Men suck.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I couldn't choose between Xander and Ky. I guess I have been where Cassia has. The bad boy and the nice friend. The bad boy automatically has more sex appeal (am I allowed to say that?), but the nice one will treat you right. Do you settle for someone you're less attracted to just so you can stay safe? And yet, is Ky really a "bad boy"? He is an outcast, maybe, but not by any fault of his own. He's trying to survive, and in that way is defying the Society's will. But I wouldn't call him "bad." And if going against the Society makes him a "bad boy," then isn't Xander now bad too? Or maybe Cassia's just a bad, bad girl. See?? Confusing!
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I wasn't in the wrong side of the love triangle on any of these. I don't even remember there being a love triangle in Delirium. O_O
ReplyDeleteHowever, that does happen to me A LOT, so I feel your pain. I agree with Hunger Games, Courtney! That was one of them. Oh, and I felt that way about Altered by Jennifer Rush too. I don't ship her with the main guy. The Iron Fey was one, too. Who cares about Ash? PUCK! Vampire Academy, I was all for Adrian too.
Also, love 'Curmudgeon's Corner'
DeleteThanks so much :-) Love these really thoughtful posts! This is probably my favorite part of my blog!
DeleteGreat topic! There aren't any triangles I've been on the wrong side of, most of the time, it's just that I like both the guys and want them all to get their HEA.
ReplyDeleteI think Cassia just should have stayed with Xander, like, she let curiosity too much free will
ReplyDeleteI actually thought Xander was boring until we find out he's quietly rebelling! Now I'm happy with either one being with her:)
ReplyDeleteI agree! I sometimes think, "Hey, let's pick the normal choice so you can live in a healthy relationship." Apparently that's too much to ask of some heroines.I think it's because most female protagonists are boring and dull so they have to choose the "bad boy" since the "good guy" is usually painted to be boring. We can have two boring people together, now can we?
ReplyDeleteI was kind of on the wrong side in The Hunger Games. I like Peeta so much better and while she ends up with him, it felt almost like she just gave up and settled down with me. It just didn't feel like a happy ending to me.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. This seems to happen with me all the time! Everyone's all for the bad guy and not for the other. I do like both Ky and Xander, but I think Xander grew on me more than Ky did.
ReplyDeleteI hate when love triangles are too damn obvious, you know? For once I would like two guys really fighting for the girl.
ReplyDeleteI was really on the wrong side of the love triangle in the Nightshade Series by Andrea Cremer. I loved Ren and felt that there where way more sparks with Calla and Ren opposed to Calla and Shay. Needless to say, I was disappointed when Calla ended up with Shay :(
ReplyDeleteI understand where you're getting at but i'm usually on the "right" side of love triangles but i think its due to my personal preference. I preferred Ky over Xander and Alex over Julian. :\
ReplyDeleteThank you for a really interesting post. Sadly i have to admit to being on the 'wrong side' of the love triangle once, and it does hurt...hence why in fiction many readers can often either relate to this or, it adds to the intensity of the plot. For an example with Hermione and Ron in Harry Potter, when Ron ends up going out with Lavinder Brown and poor Hermione is left watching. (At least they got together in the end!).
ReplyDeleteOhh I have to admit this happens to me very often. I think it's because I can relate more to the guys not chosen. To the guys watching from the other side. I'm a big fan of underdogs, so in most series I'm on the wrong side. Including all the books you mentioned.
ReplyDelete,,On the Wrong Side of the Love triangle"
ReplyDeleteOh my god, I can write a book about this topic. I have especially triangles from few books: The Hunger Games, Fifty Shdes of Grey, Vampire Academy, Beautiful Disaster.
1)I think that Katniss should be with Gale; I don't really know why,but her relatonship with Peeta wasn't credible for me.
2) I hated Christian Grey so much, any other boy from book will be better for Ana than Mister Grey. He's really an as*hole.
3) I liked Adrian more than Dimitri, I think that Rose should stay with Adrian - he seemed to be more protective and sensitive.
4) Maybe I'm not all for ,,Parker Team", but Travis was so annoying and sometimes treat poor Abby like a trash.
There's some examples, I don't really get the whole ,,fall-in-love-with-a-bad-boy-thing". It's got boring because you know from the beginning of the book that girl will choose a bad boy. It's a scheme, it's so obvious.
I personally just hate ALL love triangles, but in those two cases, I was definitely on the wrong side of the love triangle. I understand what you mean! Great RANT :D
ReplyDelete