Romance in Medieval Fantasy

**Revan Shan** · August 05, 2009, 03:47 PM

Well, as you may know I'm writing Hiridia: Winds of Apocalypse and, from time to time, I come here to make a poll.

The question: Do you like romance in Medieval Fantasy or Novels in general? Or would you pass the pages of those books until you find asskicking?

Arwen and Aragorn (+ Eowyn), Hermione and Ron, whatever.

**Lordinquisitor** · August 05, 2009, 03:48 PM

When done like in a song of ice and fire, yes. I however dislike such "soft" romance.

**Revan Shan** · August 05, 2009, 04:03 PM

Poll included

**Louis Lux** · August 05, 2009, 04:24 PM

If you're going to include romance do it like Lotr, very subtle practically nonexistent, unlike the movies that wanted to create romance at every available moment even between Frodo and Sam.

**Smokey Bear** · August 05, 2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Louis Lux

If you're going to include romance do it like Lotr, very subtle practically nonexistent, unlike the movies that wanted to create romance at every available moment even between Frodo and Sam.

Hahaha, I watched the Two Towers and Return of the King the other day, and this is so true.

I think romance should be a little subplot, like the book should'nt be about someone fighting to reunite with their lover, or include flashbacks about the romance.

Also, there was barely any romance in the Narnia books, (since they were all family, would've been weird), and in Eragon, he loves an elf named Arya and it's a nice little addition, but the writer focused too much on it in the second book, and then it got weird, and skippable.

**ImeImeIme** · August 05, 2009, 10:18 PM

Anyone read Jack Whyte's Templar Trilogy? Now that's romance gone a little too far, especially the first book.

**lennartje** · August 05, 2009, 05:36 PM

A nice addon.

Depends a bit on the book and you certainly should not push it. I would hate it if I'd notice the romance was pushed in the story and doesn't really fit in there. If it fits in, don't leave it out

**Warmaster Tibs** · August 05, 2009, 05:37 PM

I never read books but if I did read one I would prefer romance to be more subtel and backstory then obvious and important.

**A1_Unit** · August 05, 2009, 05:39 PM

That's right. How can the hero save the world and all that if he's busy wooing someone?

**Big G** · August 05, 2009, 05:46 PM

What lennartje said. If its fits easily into ur story go with it. If you have compelling characters and it fits their style go with it.

**sturmdg** · August 05, 2009, 06:02 PM

To author's will. But if you decide to include it, please DO IT WELL...

(Some writers just havent resources enough to write about love. But then again, some other writers cant even depict characters)

I wish you good luck

**Revan Shan** · August 05, 2009, 06:27 PM

Anybody has read books from Warhammer Fantasy or other 'non first line authors (like Tolkien)'?

Is there any love there? Is there any in Eragon? Narnia? (I didn't like the movies but... books are different).

**sturmdg** · August 05, 2009, 06:42 PM

In Eragon I think he had a playmate from old. I ve never read Narnia and Warhammer books dont really appeal to me.
But in Dragonlance you got tons of romances. The ones i remember the most are between a halfelf and an elven princess, the one between Sturm the Solamnia Knight with another elven princess... Caramon with every woman he found, Raistlin the Archmage with a priestess.
You also got Witcher's Sapkowski books. There is romance there (Between Geralt and a mage, i think)
With Tolkien you got Turins Turambar and his **SPOILER**. I cant barely remember about Salvatore's D&D but I think there was little and slow-growning romance there (kinda Ron&Hermione in Harry Potter's)

From those I've read, fantasy books get into different cathegories depending of their treatment of love. You got the "modern" fantasy books, which treat love and relations the way they work in XX century. The other cathegory for me is Tolkien (not only LOTR) who depicts it in a more medieval and tragic fashion. And for me, thats the one to follow. Cant tell about Narnia

Anyway thats only my opinion, but I hope its of some use for u

**Warmaster Tibs** · August 05, 2009, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Revan Shan

Anybody has read books from Warhammer Fantasy or other 'non first line authors (like Tolkien)'?

Is there any love there? Is there any in Eragon? Narnia? (I didn't like the movies but... books are different).

Not any important love storys. In Warhammer 40k the closest thing to love in the lore is one of the four chaos gods (Nurgle) capturing the Eldar god of healing and shows her his atmost love via "gifting" her with his most terrifying plauges. That the only way he can show love realy. He grants his followers the gift of his diseases. He is a hard to get god but he is my favorite!

**JuL14n** · August 05, 2009, 07:00 PM

Vote: A nice addon, but seeing too much romance somehow disgust me, there were many of those
moments in the LOTR movies. (I'm glad Sam was able to break all those moments with saying: Soon we'll be back in the shire mr. Frodo)

**Dayman** · August 05, 2009, 08:07 PM

The LotR was done very much in the style of an epic, with romance really sidelined and if at all is that of "courtly" romance. It fits with the style.

I do enjoy romance in the style of George RR Martin: real and gritty, perfect for the ASoIaF series. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. It depends on the writer and on the context.