Addicted to YA discussion

In my opinion, fantasy books labelled as spicy by authors to promote a book makes me not want to read the book. I enjoy spice in modern books but in fantasy spice often replaces plots and character/relationship development. In modern books the world is already familiar to us so doesn’t need explanation giving time for spice and relationship building but in a fantasy setting when an author is focused on spice the world building suffers. Opinions?

I'm not a fan of spice in any books but I know that some people are. I wish there were more in every genre that didn't go there.

i like it, it just can’t be the whole book. like, i can’t read a romance book, but if it’s a book where spice comes up maybe once or twice for maybe a few pages, im alright!

I don't hate it and I don't look for it in my books, but I don't mind if it's there. As long as the plot is strong and we have a decent storyline to go along with it it can make an appearance or two.

no because it adds to the adrenaline 🤪

Not really, if the rest of the plot, characters and world building is well executed it just adds to the fun
But yeah, nowadays authors are more focused on writing porn (which is not bad, but why say is fantasy when you're just focused on writing people fucking) and don't care about the rest of the things that make a story good

i don't read a fantasy novel for the spice, but if there is some I'm definitely not complaining ;)
however, there does need to be a strong storyline where the romance is kinda something that is developed alongside it (I hope that makes sense)

Yes

No. Fantasy and magic turn me off reading fantasy books I’m afraid 😅🫣

I don't mind it. I thought I would, but now that I am reading more fantasy books (a lot which have spice), I am finding that it doesn't bother me that much. I mean, if I was constantly fighting people, having crazy things happen, and wondering if I would live to see tomorrow, I would probably be a bit crazier than I am in real life, hahaha.

Personally, books with spice are not my preference, but I’ll still read books with spice in them. I usually skip over the pages if they get bad. Kotw is a great example: fantastic fantasy series but lots of unneeded spice 🌶️🥵 but atilll one worth reading for sure

definitely not when the plot is PLOT but not just spice!

As long as it doesn't get too descriptive and take up more than 2 pages, I can handle it. But when the book is entirely made up of that or tension like that, it really bothers me because its not necessary :`) it definitely turns me off of the book when that happens as I feel that the quality of writing starts to go downhill from there.

Usually skip over it tbh, and if I know it’s spicy I avoid the book

I don't read spice but my toxic trait is that I don't look up books before I buy them (usually not an issue with few exceptions) so if I come across it, I skip it. If it continually comes up in the story to where it's the only thing driving the plot then I will DNF the book.

sometimes-

Yes!!!!! This is why I don’t read the acotar series. The sheer amount of unnecessary spice and no lack of character structure . I loved absolutely everything else though

I do not like spice at all in my stories. I feel if a writer cannot tell a compelling story without it, they may want to reevaluate their focus

NO I love romantasy with all my heart!!!

no! but it' still has to be done well which is the part that can be hit or miss

It depends on the level.

If it’s for a few pages it’s alright, but I mostly prefer when it’s not there because I like fluffier romance and slow burn vibes way better than the actual spice. When there’s spice I normally don’t get my cutesy moments that make me root for the characters :(

I don't mind smut, but I don't want it to take away from the plot. If the whole book is just smut with no plot or character development or cutesy moments, I'm not going to enjoy it.

cause it's fantasy I feel like it's gotta be tasteful if included and actually has a point to be there.

people read fantasy over other genres for the plot and the magic, they don't pick up a fantasy book for the spice