Discussion I know I defend Harems, but there are times I wish I could castrate the MC

Discussion in 'Novel Discussion' started by Cutter Masterson, Mar 29, 2023.

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Are you a fan of Harems?

  1. Yes

    12.9%
  2. No

    22.6%
  3. A little

    1.6%
  4. Hell No!

    21.0%
  5. Depends

    35.5%
  6. Reverse Harems are ok

    1.6%
  7. Reverse Harems are just as bad

    4.8%
  1. Cutter Masterson

    Cutter Masterson Well-Known Super-Soldier

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    Warning Novel Venting Coming-
    I’m reading the series “Eternal Dominion series”, but the harem interaction is taking up more than half the book. I think the author is loosing his focus. The MC was betrayed and loss everything. He is then sent back in time to get what he lost, but along the way. He picking up VR girls like they were candy and RL is no better. I can put up with having a Harem, but do you have to talk about them all the bloody time. It’s book 16 and if he left out all the harem filler he’d have a book series of 5 books at a guess. That’s how irritated I am. I will always defend Harems, but there are a few that question my sanity.
    Have you read anything similar? Just so I know not to read it.

    https://www.goodreads.com/series/337212-eternal-dominion
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2023
  2. Toralk

    Toralk Certified Grouch

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    Actually it sounds like the problem is the overused betrayed and goes back in time template. Cut out the whining, self-pity, and vowing revenge, make it just a lighthearted wish-fulfillment novel, and what would be wrong with most of it being harem filler?
     
  3. Anra7777

    Anra7777 All powerful magic grammar hamster queen pirate.

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    For me, the poll is incomplete. Regular harems are “hell, no.” Reverse harems are “yes”/“depends.”
     
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  4. DeirdreH

    DeirdreH Well-Known Member

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    The problem with harems is that it introduces too many women into the story.
     
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  5. Cutter Masterson

    Cutter Masterson Well-Known Super-Soldier

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    Done

    Nothing. As I said I like Harems. What guy doesn’t. I even usually defend them, but there are times. I have to say no
     
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  6. Sabruness

    Sabruness Cultured Yuri Connoisseur

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    totally agree. half the problem with a lot of harem novels is that they dont know what they want to be and end up, quite often, being confused and edgy cringe. serious plot novels with harem can be done well but they are rare.
     
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  7. Goblin Sleuth

    Goblin Sleuth Well-Known Member

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    This is the problem I have with harem like 90% of the time.
    1. Cool badass harem cast, but the protagonist is a forgettable loser.
    2. Cool badass protagonist, but the harem are just a bunch of forgettable background characters.
    3. Protagonist and harem are both boring forgettable cookie cutter cliches.
    4. Cool badass protagonist, cool badass harem, but there is no actual harem, everyone is just really good friends.
     
  8. Cutter Masterson

    Cutter Masterson Well-Known Super-Soldier

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    Yup. The book I’m talking about is number 4. The way he strives to be fair with everyone is getting out of control. They never understand. You have 100% of your time to distribute. Let’s leave out sleep, work and life. Let’s say two girls 50%. Then three girls 30%. Do you see the pattern. It’s ridiculous. Especially when you add in Virtual Reality girls and kids both in VR and RL. It’s just stupid. Then you have the MC trying to convince the parents of these girls that it’s a good thing. Like dude. Are you serious. In what world is it alright to give someone you love so little attention, but hey what do I know
     
  9. Nefasdetestasti

    Nefasdetestasti ❄️Wɪɴᴛᴇʀ's Sᴏɴɢ❄️ ||| [Schrödinger Pantsu]

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    the only harem that I approve becuz it's wholesome and cute is "The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You"
     
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  10. Cutter Masterson

    Cutter Masterson Well-Known Super-Soldier

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    The anime Shuffle for me
     
  11. Goblin Sleuth

    Goblin Sleuth Well-Known Member

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    Actually for me that falls more into number 3, where the story revolves mostly around the exploits of the badass protagonist, with new love interests being added and forgotten about all the time. You mostly see it with xianxia novels.
     
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  12. Cutter Masterson

    Cutter Masterson Well-Known Super-Soldier

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    I wish. Every single girl that’s his and a few wannabe always get equal amount of time with him. Hell, he had three weddings all on the same day with three different princess from three different kingdoms. While all the while all his women all chummy and happy to share him. I call BS right about now. The worse part as mentioned. The books are three quarters of only him being fair with each of his girlfriends/ wives. I just wish the novel would stay on how he created the most amazing guild in and out of VR
     
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  13. Goblin Sleuth

    Goblin Sleuth Well-Known Member

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    So I guess that be...
    5. Harem consumes everything and leaves no room for an actual story.​
     
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  14. Cutter Masterson

    Cutter Masterson Well-Known Super-Soldier

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    LOL! Too right. It’s in a category all its own. And that category titles is labeled “Stupid”. Sounds about right
     
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  15. Goblin Sleuth

    Goblin Sleuth Well-Known Member

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    Oh have you ever dealt with an open harem? You see it a lot if you ever read fanfiction or original novels. Basically all of the harem characters end up being bisexual, and start romancing one another. It completely shifts the whole dynamic of the relationship, so rather than feeling like you're reading about a harem, it feels more like you're reading about a group of people in an open relationship. The protagonist just coincidentally happens to be the only male/female in the group.
     
  16. Cutter Masterson

    Cutter Masterson Well-Known Super-Soldier

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    Now that does sound interesting
     
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  17. Goblin Sleuth

    Goblin Sleuth Well-Known Member

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    A little interesting, but the novelty can wear off pretty quickly. Personally I prefer it when the harem members treat one another like sisters or brothers. The open relationship just comes across as insincere and lacking in commitment. Which is unironically what pretty much all harem protagonist are guilty of. The problem is when everyone in the relationship has that attitude it just makes their bonds feel so shallow and superficial.
     
  18. ToastedRossi

    ToastedRossi Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure why so many people read crappy harem novels. If you're into that kind of thing there are plenty of good ones out there, so why not check those out instead?
     
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  19. Crabbylioness

    Crabbylioness Active Member

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    I've known people in polyamorous relationships. I have NEVER seen a harem novel that looked like the writer had ANY clue about what they were writing about.
     
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  20. Goblin Sleuth

    Goblin Sleuth Well-Known Member

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    1. The synopsis sounded interesting.
    2. The reviews claimed it was good.
    3. Didn't even notice the harem tag.
    4. I'm sad/stressed and want to read something that won't make me think too hard.
    For reasons I read crappy harem novels.
     
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