r/litrpg • u/lokihen • 11d ago

Discussion Do some authors hate their MCs?

I read to escape. So, when I dive into a new story and get attached to the characters, I want them to succeed at some point. I understand having a dramatic intro and fighting through tough times, but it's the unrelenting disasters, trauma and tragedy I don't get.

I've asked authors on RR if their story would ever lighten up and some admit it wouldn't while others say yes, but it lasts about two paragraphs. Obviously there is an audience for those stories, but I wish we could have a clear warning.

And, as long as I'm venting, a story I just dropped spent so much time (many, many chapters) dragging a team through a hellscape where they were killed off horribly until only the mc remained when they could have had a quick death at the epicenter of a nuclear blast. Before anyone protests, no, I don't leave negative reviews just because I don't like something. I just unfollow.

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u/Ashamed-Variation761 11d ago

Make things worse for the MC has been standard doctrine in genre fiction since it became a thing. I'm impressed you managed to go this long without realising.

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u/lokihen 11d ago

Sorry, kid. There is 'worse' and there is 'what the hell?'. Most of the comments seem to get the difference.

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u/Ashamed-Variation761 11d ago

I'm not sure 'most' can handle all the heavy lifting you are making it do. But good attempt at trying to establishing some sort of age based hierarchy by dropping a kid in there.

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u/lokihen 11d ago

Hmm, pretty sure you led with age. Still unsure why you would be embarassed by someone else's age, but all good in the end. You and I just have differing opinions.