In honor of Valentine's Day coming soon, my topic is on love, specifically the love triangle in YA novels. Let it be known, I'm a sucker for a good romance, and even a bigger sucker when I can't figure out who will the main character will go with in the end.
My favorite love triangle is in Pride and Prejudice (love that book!) where Elizabeth first falls for Wickham, who turns out to be a scoundrel, but this in turns gets Mr. Darcy (swoon) to become jealous and so release the tension. But then, I always thought Elizabeth fell in love with Mr. Darcy on day one. Talk about denial!
Another great love triangle was in Tantalize where Quincie's love for Keiran is challenged when a new chef comes into town. The ending of this story really threw me for a loop because I wasn't expecting it. I like surprises.
And then of course there's the famous Twilight series. The love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob didn't really start until New Moon came out. Truth: I found this one annoying because I wasn't totally convinced Bella ever really loved Jacob as deeply as Edward.
So, I'm terribly curious!???? What makes a love triangle work for you? Or what really bugs you?
15 comments:
I like when a love triangle is believable and keeps you guessing.
I will finally start reading Twilight this week so I will get to know what everyone is talking about!
I'm just here saying hi and feeling like a dork. I don't read YA at all, so I'm just clueless most of the time. ;)
I don't understand when the girl picks the bad-boy. I've always wanted a good-guy. Maybe that's the reason I've been so happily married for so long. Plus, he can put up with me :)
And, I always thought Bella should have went with Jacob. Edward was controlling-I couldn't take that.
P&P is on my reading list for the year. Maybe I'll put it next in honor of your post and Valentine's day.
A good love triangle - misunderstanding. Jealousy. Betrayal. All those wonderful negative emotions we author need to master to survive.
I guess love triangles aren't really my thing since I can't think of ANY off the top of my head.
I'm having a really hard time thinking about love triangles in the books that I've read.
I'm sure they've been there, but I'm having a block. I guess it's something that hasn't stood out to me. I'm sure I have to go with the "believable" issue. and strong motivation.
Oh these are all just great! I love it.
Kelly- don't worry, I just read Twilight over Christmas. It was hard to get into it at first but then I was hooked.
Rena- your not a dork!
Kim- I like what you said about the bad guy/ good guy thing and that's so sweet about your husband!
PJ- you've got some great stuff there!
Lenore- You're halarious!
This is one area that I can use help in, so I appreciate this post!
I like triangles where there is no easy choice, and both interests offer a different (and darker, maybe!) path. Delicious decisions...
Oh good Angela! I'm glad it was inspiring. So many great brains here!
Ooh, what about GONE WITH THE WIND? Rhett and Ashley?
I think there's a difference between a triangle and a girl trying to choose between two guys who may never have met each other before. That's what makes Rhett and Ashley (and Wickham and Darcy) so great. They play off one another.
I agree that it's not knowing whom she'll go with. Well, I think we know Elizabeth with go with Darcy, and P and P is my favorite. But I'd love to see a book with two REALLY good contenders, where one is not a scoundrel, and she has to choose. And like Kim, I don't understand the bad-boy thing. There've got to be other girls who want her to pick the good guy.
I love the mystery of it all. "Is this gonna really work or not?" If a story starts out with an intact couple, I want to see their relationship tried by fire. I want to feel the passion of their re-commitment. I want to remember why they first got together. I want them to rediscover something about each other that they never previously knew. Show me that you really belong together. Make me fight for you! (I think I've said enough...) XOXO
Oh, P & P is always fabulous, and I loved Tantalize. And like just about everyone else, I think it's the tension that gets me. Even if there's obviously a good choice and a bad choice, the question of whether the MC will make the good choice or not is enough to keep me going.
I try, I try.
I love a good love story, but can't remember ever reading a love triangle book...hmmm...I will have to think about this one...
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