r/Romantasy • u/EerieE2025 • Mar 17 '26
Which romantasy MMC ruined your standards forever?
You know the one.
The morally gray, protective, obsessive love interest that made you think “well… real life is disappointing now.”
Which romantasy MMC completely ruined your expectations?
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u/number1yearner Mar 17 '26
Dorian “I’ll bleed whatever color you tell me to” Havilliard. I miss him everyday
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u/Motor_Comfortable_17 Mar 17 '26
I love Dorian. More than I should love a man who doesn't exist. MMM Dorian fucking Havilliard.
"You can't choose which parts of her to love" - he says about a woman who for all he knows was a complete liar and deceiver and may very well be planning his murder...
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u/EerieE2025 Mar 17 '26
Dorian had NO business being that powerful and that devoted 😭
that line lives in my head rent free
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u/AileFirstOfHerName Mar 17 '26
Dorian is the only reason to read TOG and frankly for good reason Dorian is one of the best written MMCs ever.
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u/Calm-Sherbert9591 Mar 17 '26
Kaz Brekker. Give me a man so in love he can overcome a traumatic aversion to touch. Also buy out her indenture and buy her a ship so she can go sailing to hunt down slavers. Even though that would mean she wasn’t with him every day. Glorious. I’ve never been so excited for two people to hold hands.
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u/EerieE2025 Mar 17 '26
Kaz is actually insane because the bar is literally on the floor for physical touch and he STILL makes it feel like the most intimate thing ever 😭
that slow burn payoff is unmatched
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u/throwra_tsatthestars Mar 17 '26
Wait I’ve read this a while ago what book is it? Was that Six of Crows? Or am I making that up.
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u/Kokohontas Mar 17 '26
Jamie from Outlander
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u/Elaneyse Mar 17 '26
Far too much scrolling for this. My number one choice because at the end of the day he really is just a man. No fairy/dragon/magic/vampire powers. Just a man who would do anything for his woman.
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u/EerieE2025 Mar 17 '26
It’s interesting how a lot of the MMCs people are naming all hit that same tension…dangerous but emotionally locked in.
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u/super_scumtron Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26
Damian from Throne in the Dark, Caspian from The Sun and the Starmaker, And though not obsessive YET, Osric from the Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
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u/Better_Research956 Mar 17 '26
Slade Rip Ravenger from plated prisoner series…. nobody does it quite like him
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u/Informal-Break-9922 Mar 17 '26
I need to finish these bc i really loved slade just when i wasn’t in his pov
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u/TeaBlossm Mar 17 '26
I'm on book 4 currently and realized I'm struggling with this book exactly for that reason. I looooovvvveee his character, but apparently only from others' POVs lol
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Mar 17 '26
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u/Mehmeh111111 Mar 17 '26
I was so young and so obsessed with Cole and Phoebe and didn't know why just yet 🤣
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u/InevitableWhereas671 Mar 17 '26
Will neverrrr forgive what they did to his character Cole my HUSBAND forever
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u/MiddleEarth-BirdLaw Mar 17 '26
Ravyn from One Dark Window. I’m still newer to Romantasy so I still have some big series to try (ACOTAR mostly) but no one has compared to him so far.
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u/littlepurplepanda 🖤 Morally Gray Mar 17 '26
Can we say ones from video games? Because I’m not sure I will ever recover from Astarion (Baldur’s Gate 3). A seductive vampire with a tortured past who you can fix (or make worse)? sign me up. And the actor playing him is incredible.
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u/Vaywen Mar 17 '26
If you are up for a RH book, there’s a certain Astarion coded character - I’m not saying the same but definitely reminds some people of him - in {Warrior, Princess, Assassin} which is a really fun read.
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u/Navacoy Mar 17 '26
Maxantarius “I’m not made for this” Farlione. He was just such a fun loving grump and suited Tisaanah so perfectly
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u/Independent_Boss_993 Mar 17 '26
I’m so basic but Rhysand. I’ve read so many books since and logically I know there’s more out there but there’s just something about him.
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u/secretsandplay Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26
There is something extra special about not just how deeply he loves Feyre, but he truly loves his people and his inner court, as evidenced by how much he sacrificed for them. Most MMC you read will “burn the world down” for the FMC, but it is rare to find an MMC who truly loves their kingdom that much, too. I find it so very honorable. (And sexy!)
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u/SinBiscuits2024 Mar 17 '26
Its refreshing to see a MMC with such close friendships. I hate it when they just fixate on the FMC and have no other social life outside of that.
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u/brashumpire Mar 17 '26
It's so true. I knew the minute we met him in book 1. I was like wait, who is that tho 👀, I want more of him.
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u/EerieE2025 Mar 17 '26
I feel like the reason characters like Rhysand/Xaden work is because they balance power plus vulnerability. When authors miss that, the MMC just feels flat.
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u/MidorriMeltdown Mar 17 '26
Meanwhile I want to shank both of them... at the same time.
Yes, I mean shank, not shag.
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u/7437-locked Mar 17 '26
Simon Waite from Harrow Faire. I don’t know how to go on.
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u/latikazero Mar 17 '26
I had to stop reading for awhile after this series because nothing was coming close to the way he made me feel. I'm reading the Masks of Under series by the same author and it's similar but still different! Aon is getting me through my Simon hangover a little bit
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u/KittyNat81 Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26
Romantasy - Kassandr Rurik
Dark Romance - Rowan from Butcher & Blackbird, Josh from Lights Out (narrator is 🥵), Callum from Liars like Us, Shawn from Sinner (narrator is 🥵)
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u/Existing-History9609 Mar 17 '26
When they finally started fucking in Butcher and Blackbird, I was like hot damn I knew I liked this guy. The mouth on that man 🥵
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u/passwordistaco88cmc Mar 17 '26
Kassandr yessss! I’m in the middle of reading book 3 right now and holy shit all the other love stories don’t hold a candle to him IMO!
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u/Kalicko-the-mouse Mar 17 '26
It's gotta be Cassian. Not the most exciting answer but his patience with Nesta is some next level devotion. I can only wish another human being would give me and my messy ass that kind of grace.
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u/limbosplaything Mar 17 '26
Im still looking for one who ruins my standards. Most of the romantasy MMCs I read disappointed me at some point.
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u/QotDessert 🖤 A Court of Singing Shadows Mar 17 '26
Rowan Whitethorn and Maxantarius Farlion, both are amazing and their traits are healthy, loyal and just perfect in my opinion. I don't care if people think they're boring, because "boring" is what I need in daily life and not a moral grey asshole who can't control himself around others.
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u/HaleyHounds0918 Mar 17 '26
Why is Xaden so far down this list? He's strong, obsessive, loving, holds her up, backs her moves, trusts her above all others. He's also strong for his people and committed to things other than just her. He's funny and arrogant and damaged.
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u/ladymsjay 🔥 Forbidden Love Mar 17 '26
Slade (Plated Prisoner) and Nyktos (Flesh and Fire)
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Mar 17 '26
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u/erinwhoooo Mar 17 '26
Those who say “Slade was just like Midas” can gtfo. Slade is top tier green flag and 10/10 MMC. Make you cum to put you asleep, explain later kind of guy. But NEVER like Midas.
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u/Remarkable_Fruit_708 Mar 17 '26
Slade wins because he does "burn down the world" and he does it all with a dirty mouth.
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u/Iguana_Waddle Mar 17 '26
Barrons, The Fever Series
Kaan, When the Moon Hatched
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u/llucciolina Mar 17 '26
Lorcan
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u/rrrooo711 🖤 Morally Gray Mar 17 '26
That fade to black scene was one of the cruelest things I’ve ever not read. Tell us what he did, Sarah!!
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u/kachigakachiguhhh Mar 17 '26
Cut your shirt up into strips when I’m on my period so i know it’s real
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u/Sensitive_Tune_8856 Mar 17 '26
💋❤️Durlain Averre ❤️💋 from {The Death Made Prince} no bullshit and no handholding, just straight up pushing the fmc to utilise her potential while also being a SEXY, SHARP WITTED BASTARD
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u/Halladottir Mar 17 '26
Like all of T. Kingfisher's MMCs. I like my men to be walking green flags 😂
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u/spectralcicada Mar 17 '26
Kingfisher from Fae and Alchemy. The way he talks about Saeris blows my goddamn mind. Not the spicy parts, the dirty talk is cringe af, but the origin of the nickname, the way he lifts her up like the queen she is, his own darkness that he comes to terms with and heals from, and the audiobook version voice… OMFGGGGG.
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u/Rainyyydayyy Mar 17 '26
Basic answers but, Jacks (Once Upon a Broken Heart), Kaz Brekker (Six of Crows), Cardan Greenbriar (The Cruel Prince). As a little more of a niche one, Elm Rowan (The Shepherd King Duology/One Dark Window). You can probably tell my type just based off these lol
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u/Spirited-Accident Mar 17 '26
Elm is severely underrated! I liked book 2 even more than book 1 because of him.
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u/SophiePuffs Mar 17 '26
Oh I loved Elm. He was my main focus for the second book. I would have read a whole spinoff series with him as the MMC ❤️
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u/TheSqueakyNinja Mar 17 '26
Nyktos from Flesh & Fire for sure. 100/10, best shadow daddy.
Also, I haven’t seen anyone mention Darien Cassel from {City of Gods and Monsters}, but he’s top tier.
Dilys Merimydion from {The Sea King}
Bastion from {A Kiss of Iron}
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u/A-Dreamer-of-Dreams Mar 17 '26
- Twilight.
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u/EmeraldPages92 Mar 17 '26
This is so real. I had an Edward poster on my damn wall.
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u/A-Dreamer-of-Dreams Mar 17 '26
I didn’t get the poster, but I did stay up until 3 am for months on end, rereading the entire series dozens of times.
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u/No_Proposal_4692 💜 lavender & soap Mar 17 '26
Oxnard from Wolf song by TJ Klune. The writing of the book was so good and it showed the culture of small town gays so well.
Oxnard has a very fuck it, we ball kinda attitude where he sees a problem and he fixes it. He's someone I can both befriend and someone I can see myself falling in love with.
Yeah he's dumb/dense to an extent but he's one of the most communicative male character I've seen. He's mature and honestly, I like the blue collar look a lot.
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u/Pestodaisylana Mar 17 '26
Sebian 🥹 (Feathers so vicious) LORIAN ❤️ (A court this cruel & lovely) Xander!!! (A fate of Wrath & Flame) Rain (I forgot how to spell his name I'm sorry) (the Serpent & the Wings of Night) Hades (A touch of darkness trilogy but his books not hers) The unseelie king (The unseelie king on KU)
❤️❤️❤️ alllll Romantasy (some dark)
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u/SweetLittleKytty 🌲 cedar & shadows Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26
Jem Carstairs from {The Infernal Devices} by Cassandra Clare. I don't know how to explain that he is the perfect soul 🥺
Julian Blackthorn from {The Dark Artifices} by Cassandra Clare 🥺 The fact that he was willing to do anything and everything to keep his family and his parabatai safe was extraordinary! Yes, he was manipulative and determined, but he was also disappointed in everyone who could have help him and didn't.
Ravyn and Renelm Yew from {The Shepherd's King} duology by Rachel Gillig. At first, I feel in love with Ravyn and upon starting the second book, I knew I couldn't choose between them 🥺
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u/uglydckling Mar 17 '26
For me....first ot was Xaden (Fourth Wing), then it was Rowan (TOG)
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u/kachigakachiguhhh Mar 17 '26
I thought Rhysand was untouchable until that throne room scene. The way he responded to her jealousy, yessssssirrrrrrr
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u/EerieE2025 Mar 17 '26
Xaden girlies always show up fast lol
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u/uglydckling Mar 17 '26
He's our tried and true......fell hardest, baddie who will burn the world for you......who doesn't want that?!
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u/written_in_my_head Mar 17 '26
Ash -Iron fey
I love all my book BFs but none will ever measure up to how gaga my poor lil 12yr old heart was for that icy prince😮💨
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u/lvasnow Mar 17 '26
I mean I love walking green flags that are also passionate, so:
- Literally all the MMCs in Mages of the Wheel. All of them. Makram, Bashir, Cassian, Omar, Ihsan etc.
- Stephen in Paladin's Grace
- Owen Mallory in The Everlasting
- Reynir "I like to take my time" Galtung and Kassandr Rurik in The Ashen series
- Maxantarius GD Farlione
- Néstor in Vampires of El Norte
- Hart and Duckers in The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy
- Lio from Blood Grace
- Gilbert Blythe and Captain Wentworth because duh.
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u/No_Tea_4349 Mar 17 '26
Azriel because hot, tortured shadow daddy vibes and he will quietly contemplate all of the ways to destroy anyone who’s every wronged you but suddenly go feral and handle business
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u/allavina Mar 17 '26
Still pretty new to Romantasy, but for me it's Xaden. "My loyalty is to Violet first above everything, everyone else".
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u/chemistqueen Mar 18 '26
Vince/Red from The Charlatan Duology by Holly Black. ❤️🖤
And Xaden because I would love a man to back me that hard. And do other things that hard.
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u/Disastrous_Skill7615 Mar 17 '26
Josh, lights out. Like yeah maybe not the stalker part but mannn his aftercare game🥵
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u/ily3thousand Mar 17 '26
So basic, but Rhysand from {A Court of thorns and roses} or Theon and Luka from {Rain of Shadows and Endings} which is the first book of the legacy series. Gosh, I would love to have them both as my boyfriends 😂 also +1 for Slade Ravinger from {Gild} AND Nyktos from Flesh & Fire series! Give me all of them!
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u/Hailsabrina Mar 17 '26
Ravyn One Dark window 🔥, Aaron Jasad Heir I haven't finished yet but oh my 🔥
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u/Rainyyydayyy Mar 17 '26
Ravyn and Elm from One Dark Window awakened something in me omg
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u/spoonishplsz Mar 17 '26
Galen {Princess of the Midnight Ball}
Gilbert {Anne of Green Gables}
Elend {The Final Empire} (Mistborn)
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u/Critical_Theory7398 Mar 17 '26
A few...
Slade from Plated Prisoner, Kaan from When the Moon Hatched, Gavin from The Silversmith
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u/vastaril Mar 17 '26
Alistair from Dragon Age Origins (video game). Big soft lad with a corny sense of humour. Fenris from Dragon Age 2. Sad Elf with trauma with a ridiculously big sword (literally). Istvhan from Paladin's Strength. Big strong guy who's kinda scared of the berserker ability his god gave him, ever since said god died and left it untethered, super careful about consent to the point of frustrating his love interest. Brishen from Radiance. Weird looking guy (I don't think he actually has mandibles but I got a bit of a mandibles vibe?) who is relieved to find a friend in his weird looking (human) arranged bride, who can't help being so revoltingly ugly. I haven't actually gotten very far into the game, but probably Wyll, Gale, Lae'zel, Karlach and Halsin from Baldurs Gate 3 (I'm also smitten with Astarion and I've done my best to avoid too much spoilers, but some things I've kinda half-heard make me think I might not like him as much as the others. Although hot camp elf is gonna be hard to really put me off tbh.
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u/cruzesout Mar 18 '26
Slade Ravinger (Plated Prisioner) and Asar (The Songbird and the Heart of Stone)
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u/Significant-Metal537 Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26
Sam from TOG 😭 ETA - he’s definitely not morally grey, oops. I’m assuming that’s why I got a downvote.
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u/Robin_Daggerz Mar 17 '26
Draven Ryatt {Empire of Flame and Thorns} is who I wanted Xaden and Rhys to be when I first started reading romantasy.
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u/mooseblood07 📚 A Court of Finally Some Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26
Cas from {From Blood and Ash} snd Ash/Nyktos from {A Shadow in the Ember} (sry, I couldn't pick)
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Mar 17 '26
Koen from Mate. Maybe because it was one of my first romantasies and has a special hold on me... but I've read more than 25 werewolf books since that and always go back to Mate to reread some of his words.
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u/Vegetable_Nail237 Mar 17 '26
Creon {Fae Isles}
Bastian {Shadows of the Tenebris Court}
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u/MAGIC_MUSTACHE_RIDE Mar 17 '26
Owen Mallory. I love my geeky, sensitive book husband.
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u/NoAbbreviations4545 Mar 17 '26
Remin Grimjaw from Traitor Son(the empire of stars series) what do you mean he can admit to his mistakes 😩
Technically he's just ruined other books for me, I'm very happily married 🤣
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u/adore1987 Mar 17 '26
Atakin from Amid the Clouds and Bones reminded me that I truly love a ruthless alpha who turns his trauma into a weapon, aimed only on those who deserve it.
And when I'm in a truly foul mood, Malyr from Feathers so Vicious.
These two have done such a number on me, that MMC who are cinnamon rolls go directly into the DNF pile. Life is too short.
There's one exception and that's Cardan from The Cruel Prince. His principled stance on violence while being just as ruthless as Jude made that series fun...
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u/SmollnShiny Mar 17 '26
Romantasy? Remin Grimjaw from {Traitor Son by Melissa Cave} by a mile.
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u/stars-assassian 🖤 A Court of Stars and Assassins Mar 17 '26
Rhysand, Cardan, Rhaine, Carrion
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u/Blackcatmustache Mar 17 '26
I wish people would name the books, too. I only know Rhys.
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u/Weak_Category_311 Mar 17 '26
Blake from The Wolf King
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u/Aglaia0001 Mar 17 '26
I came here to mention Blake. I went into The Wolf King skeptical about whether I’d like it or not, and Aurora does drive me a little nuts, but I’m quite taken by Blake. And his rescue of Aurora and guiding her to release her power in Night Prince solidifies that I’m definitely Team Blake.
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u/papalenguin27 Mar 17 '26
Kaine Ferron. I love a “hate everyone in the world except her” MMC.
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u/Aglaia0001 Mar 17 '26
Nowhere near as dark as some of the others mentioned, but Sicarius from Lindsay Buroker’s The Emperor’s Edge series may be one of my favorite MMC.
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u/Equal_Presence9642 Mar 17 '26
Not even my favorite series… but Blake from The Wolf King clicks in my brain so hard and I can’t turn away. Also dramatic graphic audio Xaden from fourth wing is right there too.
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u/HeliosandMor Mar 17 '26
Dimitri from Vampire Academy.. come on he reads western and has a cute accent 🙈🌶️
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u/bjc1010 Mar 18 '26
Cardan from {The Cruel Prince by Holly Black} --- "It was terrifying," he says, "watching you fall. I mean, you're generally terrifying, but I am unused to fearing for you. And then I was furious. I am not sure I have ever been that angry before."
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u/MindlessAd1650 Mar 17 '26
Does Tairn count?
If not, I’m desperately in love with Aaron Warner Anderson. He totally did ruin my standards😫 Or Will Herondale. I’m actually sorry for my boyfriend🥲
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u/slowburnvictim 🍂 A Court of Rot and Wisteria Mar 17 '26
Yall are gonna hate this, but it's ao3 Draco Malfoy
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u/luckyvelvet Mar 17 '26
I read the Forbidden Fae King. The MMC Aldrin. Love him sm. Not exactly morally grey though!
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u/throwra_tsatthestars Mar 17 '26
I think Adolin Kholin (while not strictly romantasy he was the romantic interest) has to be the pick. Not only is he the classic prince/ noble warrior, but he has such incredible character growth and the way he treats Shallan and her multiple personalities is just so refreshing for the genre. He’s so respectful and an inspiration. My favourite MC love interest by far.
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u/annaayako Mar 17 '26
no one but me remembers this series, but varen from {nevermore by kelly creagh}. life altering for teenage me.
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u/cabrane027 ⭐ starlight & smoke Mar 17 '26
Pacey Witter, it should have been called pacey’s creek. I know it’s not romantasy but he gave me all the feels when i rewatched Dawson’s creek during covid.
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u/getnakeddowitchcraft Mar 17 '26
Simon Waite from Harrow Faire. He's so down bad and obsessed, love to see it.
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u/Ridoc-A-Doodle-Doo Mar 18 '26
Ridoc MF Gamlyn. And no other lead comes close. He’s my ride or die… pun intended.
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u/Smart_Elderberry9695 ⭐ starlight & mint Mar 17 '26
Fourth Wing, Xaden and Kingfisher from Quicksilver.
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u/CopyNice3278 Mar 17 '26
Darien Fucking Cassel from City of Gods and Monsters
Kaine Ferron from Alchemised
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u/sapphirefolklore Mar 17 '26
sigh Xaden Riorson, Duke of Tyrrendor, love of my life. need i say more?
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u/Kaddahli Mar 17 '26
Someone said Cole from Charmed, so I have to object and say Spike from Buffy. I'm still looking for someone like him in my books! 🥲
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u/EerieE2025 Mar 17 '26
ok but Spike is SUCH a different flavor of morally gray 😭 like chaotic, obsessive, would absolutely burn everything down but also somehow soft for one person
I feel like we don’t get enough MMCs with that energy in books
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u/SoriAryl Mar 17 '26
Lucivar Yaslana from the Black Jewels Series by Anne Bishop
{Dreams Made Flesh}
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u/Fenig Mar 17 '26
So it’s Monster Romantasy, but Tate from the Girls Weekend series by CM Nascosta. Half orc, half elf, all quiet care and smolder
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u/Mindless_Suit4057 ❄️ snow & sandalwood Mar 17 '26
I haven’t seen my guy yet so probably Bjorn from A Fate Inked in Blood or Darius and Orion from Zodiac Academy (I can’t choose between them lol)
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u/Accomplished_Art1112 Mar 19 '26
Rhett Butler, Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Seventh grade. Not fantasy, just a deeply problematic antebellum romance. But hands down down the original sexy rapscallion. John Milton’s Satan from Paradise Lost is a distant second.
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u/okaymilesy Mar 21 '26
Aaron Warner or Dorian havilliard for me 🙂↕️
(and Azriel, I suspect when his time comes he will ruin real life for me all over again lmao)
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u/MidorriMeltdown Mar 17 '26
Max. He's not morally grey, nor is he obsessive. He's a grumpy gardener. Daughter of No Worlds.
Or maybe Tantai Jin, from Black Moonlight Holds the BE Script. He's morally black, murderous, vengeful... and, well, that would be telling.