Modern Good Reads discussion

Most PNR has some angsty drama in the mix, adds a little spice to the storyline.

When is it too much? Which books have too much?

The dreaded series with the pretend vampires that sparkle that must not be named. Good example.

Twilight is one example but I am setting that aside for a MULTITUDE of reasons.

To pick a less simple target--GAME OF THRONES. I won't cite when, but a particular character gets embroiled in politics that completely annihilate the sense of motion in her storyline. Any time the character drama falls away from being part of the plot and starts to interfere with it instead...you have an issue. Even in a romance novel, that is still a concern.

I would also say that any time the drama tends to repeat itself without resolving, it has become redundant.

I don't know how exactly to measure too much angst. I seem to be able to tolerate it in some books more than others. I think how much I like or dislike the characters is probably the biggest factor. If I like them, their story, their background, etc I am more inclined to put up w/more angst. I can't think of a pnr book off the top of my head that pushed me over the limit but man did I want to throw across the room. I may or may not have swore like a sailor while throwing that book. And that went back to the characters. I hated the heroine so I had NO patience for her or her drama related angst.

Good point Alisa. I can definitely think of characters I tolerated a lot more from because I liked them!

I know a lot of YA PNR novels are loaded with teen angst, but isn't that just part of life as a teen?

I know I had a ton of teen angst in those years, especially with a girlfriend who cheated on me (lessons learned).

So how much is too much, yet still realistic?

I like angst drama in general so I think it's never too much for me as long as the angst is well founded.

Xdyj wrote: "I like angst drama in general so I think it's never too much for me as long as the angst is well founded."

I enjoy it, but there are times when it goes overboard. Acceptance is one of those times. When characters fail to accept something and sit around whining about it for too long.

Alisa wrote: "man did I want to throw Beautiful Disaster across the room."

Agreed. Had the same urges while I slogged through it. It was over the top in more ways than just the angst.

Angst, to me, is a good thing in small doses for a romance. In large doses, it becomes an overused plot device that is simply added to fill space between a lack-luster or rambling plot line.

C.E. wrote: "Alisa wrote: "man did I want to throw Beautiful Disaster across the room."

Agreed. Had the same urges while I slogged through it. It was over the top in more ways than just the angst.

Angst, to ..."

There must be conflict scene by scene, to keep us hooked and reading, to keep things from getting boring. When the source of the conflict is angst, for too long, for too many scenes, its an overkill.

Use a different source of conflict.

For example, there is a certain author of a certain sparkly YA paranormal romance series who uses angst as the source of conflict in way too many scenes.

I rarely read YA because of the teenage angst it drives me crazy, the last LKH book I read had waaaaaaay too much angst..."am I monster, I have to be people just don't understand me or they are jealous". I wanted to slap Anita and tell her to hurry up and go kill shit.

Laurie: Almost Faemous wrote: "I rarely read YA because of the teenage angst it drives me crazy, the last LKH book I read had waaaaaaay too much angst..."am I monster, I have to be people just don't understand me or they are jea..."

I noticed that too! I really enjoyed LKH novels. They are a source of inspiration. But she has turned Anita into a grumpy, whiny brat who is over the top on the angstometer.

I was ok with the angst in BD however book 2 in that series that shall not be named I actually tossed the hardcover book across the room and it ended up in the fish tank and even they thought it was too over the top.

If a book whether it be adult, NA, YA if there is a coming of age aspect to it..it will definitely need to have angst...but I can't handle the whining with the angst.

totally agree with the LKH angst in the last book ..first time I actually debated not finishing an Anita book and I adore the series..yes even the sexy anita...I was totally 'you go girl' but I safeworded the angst in that one.

I agree with Lkyj about the whining.  When they keep on and on about it, it makes me nuts and is usually worth a drop in their rating. I also hate excessive melodrama. If the intent of the book is comedy, that's one thing. It's when the author goes over the top in milking that drama for way more than it's worth that makes me vicious. 

I don't find YA any more guilty at that than any adult-targeted story. What I do find in YA more than I like is an author who talks down to her readers.