So, now, we've got two viewpoint characters

[conuly]

First he tries to catch her because he's nominal law enforcement. Then she saves his life from the big bad, and they're forced to work together, and we find out that they're fragile/strong in all the same ways for similar reasons. So I thought they'd get together, right?

But no, she ends up with some other woman. It's just "Hey, when this is all over, you wanna get a drink? I really like you" and she does. And they kiss. No weird misunderstandings, no drama over their different life circumstances, no mutual unrequited longing - none of it! What the hell kind of fictional relationship even is this!?

I feel completely off-balance. I'm not sure I ever expected healthy relationships from fiction and I'm not sure I like it either.

*****************

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Comments

[larryhammer]

If that isn't a tyop and it's really that SHE ends up with another woman, I'm interested.

[conuly]

She does, and it's not a problem at all! This universe has loads of issues - slavery, lawlessness in the worst way, war, sexism, classism, slavery - but same-sex relationships are not a prob!

[larryhammer]

Well good.

[wendelah1]

What book are you describing?

[conuly]

Foundryside. Which I recommend!

[landofnowhere]

I'm on the waitlist for it at the library, so it's good to hear!

[isis]

Hah, I recognize the book you're talking about and - I found it really refreshing that the lawman and the thief forced to work together don't get together. It's such a hoary trope that I appreciate the subversion, and also, I liked having a plot uncomplicated by feeeeeeelings, because honestly that plot has enough in it to occupy me.

(though I admit I kinda shipped Sancia/Clef for a while.)

(also, you must have enjoyed it at least some, since it's only been out since yesterday!)

[conuly]

I don't snark books unless I like them.

And yes, trope subversion is okay, but I thoroughly didn't expect it.

[isis]

You know, I think Bennett probably caught some flack for killing the gays in Divine Cities, and I was speculating to myself that it was one reason he went the way he did. But I was totally expecting same as you, and being a little sad about it (because obvious, and also, Sancia/Clef!) but trusting him as an author to at least handle it well, so I was surprised and pleased at the way it ended up.

[conuly]

Although on the subject of unsubverted tropes, obviously trusting your ex-girlfriend is a bad idea.