During Love month this year, we had a fab post by Leanna on books that are wonderful without love triangles and quite a few people commented to say how tired they are of every YA book out there going down a love triangle route. Which I can sort of agree with. Maybe. But we also had Sophie write another brilliant blog post in defense of them, which again, had many people shouting out in favour of them. It seems that while there will always be some who don't care for the abundance of love triangles, there are still plenty who like the complexity and emotion that go along with that difficult choice between two very different love interests. (Have a guess as to which camp I fall into?)
I recently read a blog post from the wonderful author, Malinda Lo on love triangles which I found myself agreeing with wholeheartedly. She wrote about this term that people throw around a lot 'love triangle' and how these so-called love triangles are usually more V-shaped than triangular, with a main character trying to decide between two love interests. But when there is no connection between the love interests, it isn't quite as interesting or emotional was Lo's assertion. I read the entire blog post, nodding my head furiously in agreement. And then I started thinking more and more about the love triangles that I love the most. And they are triangles. Usually between brothers.
Here are some that I've read recently and fallen head over heels in love with. If you haven't read these series of books, they might contain some spoilers. Proceed with caution:
The Summer series by Jenny Han - I absolutely adore this trilogy of books by Jenny Han. Right alongside Belly, I fell in love with both Conrad and Jeremiah. From the first book, The Summer I Turned Pretty, I was completely addicted. I had to know more and I've been anticipating this final book in the series for such a long time. As soon as this book fell through my letterbox, I changed my plans for the rest of the day and didn't sleep until I'd finished it.
What makes this love triangle so much more emotional and powerful is the connection between brothers. Conrad and Jeremiah, loving the same girl, are always going to be in a difficult position. Being with Belly means that one of them will be hurt, probably both of them. I also love besides the romance in this series, witnessing the complicated emotions that have come with death and bereavement, and how that has affected all of the characters in these books.
The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare - The two love interests in this series of books by Cassandra Clare aren't brothers in a technical sense, but they are as close as can be. I remember the first few times I saw the term 'parabatai' when reading, I skipped over it entirely, not sure of its importance. Because even without that extra supernatural connection between Will and Jem, you can already tell that they mean a great deal to each other.
I have to be honest, when I first started reading Clockwork Angel the back of the book made it sound like the decision between Will and Jem would be apparent and obvious a lot sooner than it was. I feel as though the Infernal Devices is a lot slower-paced and things take a bit longer to get going. So it really isn't until this second book in the series, Clockwork Prince, that things begin to heat up. Both between Tessa and Will and Tessa and Jem. And while you can feel the intensity of emotions from Will and feel sorry the things he's been through and the reasons he's held back from Tessa and everyone in his life, there's also sweet Jem. I always thought that it would be clear choice between the two very different boys, but after reading more into the series, I find I can't possibly choose.
The Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent - Here's where possible spoilers come in. So if you haven't read the Soul Screamers series yet and would like to in the future, please do not carry on reading!
Holy crap, do I love Kaylee and Tod together. I felt like this love triangle between Kaylee, Nash and Tod would happen from the very first book but then the rest of the books in the series happened and I no longer felt that urgency between the three of them. But when it did happen, wow. I loved Nash from the beginning but after certain decisions and the things that happened, there didn't seem a way for me to go back to those initial feelings. And at the same time, we see how great Tod is. How much he cares for those around him, how constant he is. And all of that together makes me think, I can't go back. This is it. And while in the previous love triangles in other series have made me sway back and forth between boys, this is a series where I remain firm and steadfast. It will now always be just the two people in my head.
What do you think of love triangles? Can you always decide between them? Nash or Tod? Jem or Will? Conrad or Jeremiah?
It's not that I loathe them, or love them, as long as the story is compelling and well written, this is the most important thing :)
ReplyDeleteAnd if it is a convincing love triangle or V or whatever, then I'm all for it!
Oh definitely, as long as the relationships are written convincingly, I'm all for it too! In fact, I don't go out of my way to read/avoid love triangles. But when I do, I love triangles more than Vs. I think!
DeleteI think that's really interesting about most love triangles actually being v's rather than triangles. I'm generally not that keen on either triangles or v's, but if they're written in the right way and I care about the characters enough then I can get behind them and like them.
ReplyDeleteIt does make for some fun conflict, but there are other ways for conflict to arise between relationships.. Not that I'm complaining :)
DeleteInteresting! I love reading about love triangles (and Vs!) but then I enjoy reading about relationships and romance in all its forms. I particularly enjoyed the 'full' triangle connection in Liz Reinhardt's Brenna Blixen series.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've come across Liz Reinhardt's series.. I shall take a look :)
DeleteIf a love triangle is done well then I love it. Team Will and Team Conrad for me! :)
ReplyDeleteThere are some great love triangles around at the moment. I'm so with you on Conrad, but I still can't choose between Will and Jem!
Delete