Shippy books with a group of protagonists

[Loz]

Hi all!

I've really been craving a good 'shippy' book. Not a proper word I know but that's probably the best description. Something with a Love Dodecahedron in it. Essentially lots of different relationships in varying stages between a large group of protagonists. Or lots of couples getting together. I don't mind a bit of angst, but nothing too depressing and must have a happy or bittersweet end, nothing on a downer ending please. Kind of a like some mangas but I'd rather novel than manga at the moment.

I don't mind what genre or age in particular, but fantasy/urban fantasy/contemporary would be great, with a group of heros (or anti-heros, or even villians) going on a quest/journey etc so the shipping can begin!

Please not just love triangles - I'm sick of the two boys one girl love triangles prevelant in YA at the moment.

An added bonus would be for the the shipping to be a bit unconventional (no offense meant, please excuse my poor phrasing) - i.e. people not nescessarily beautiful, perfect, Hollywoodesque etc people with interesting characters and flaws. Non-white people. GLBTQ. Fat guys. Fat girls. Thin people. Nerdy guys. Strong guys. Strong girls. People who wear glasses. Animals. Abled or disabled. I don't mind if it's realistic, gritty and erotic, or very fluffy and romantic with no sex. Kind of leaning to fluffy erotic with higher story to sex ratio if that even exists!

Examples: Avatar: The Last Airbender (not a book I know). The Belgariad (although the shipping takes a backseat in this). Brain stopped working now.

Sorry this is probably quite hard, long and particular! It's also a bit weird - I don't know why I'm craving this! Any help appreciated greatly, thank you in advance!

[Shanna_redwind]

This series came to mind immediately, but it does have a love triaglish aspect to it at times, but I don't remember that part of it being too bad. (And it's sort of a love pentangle..err..pentagon rather than a triangle if that makes a difference.)

It's not the greatest writing, but something about the series really appealed to me. It's about a group of people that are thrown together and have to rely on each other to get through a series of tests in order to live up to their potential.

Competitions This is a five book series and there's a follow-up 3 book seriesIntrigues

[Valerie]

If you don't mind a bit of fantasy and dragons, try Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince
series.

[Lee Anne]

One of the books on my to-read list is called The Stepsister Scheme, and seems to combine some light fantasy with a group of protagonists and have a humorous tone. Since I haven't read it, I don't know how much emphasis on relationships it has, but with three princesses as the leads, I'm betting there's at least some.

[Loz]

Thank you all very much for the suggestions so far. I'll be sure to check them all out.

Shanna - I have downloaded a free sample of the first book to see if I like it.

Lee Anne- I have that book on my to-read list also!

[Cheryl]

Sorry, I don't know exactly what you mean by 'shipping' - all I can think of is Titanic or FedEx. Is it British slang?

[Random]

I think she means relationship focused maybe?

[Loz]

Yeah sorry, I haven't explained myself in the most brilliant terms, apologies.

This might shed some light:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...

Basically relationships are a big part of the plot but not the main plot like they are in a Romance book.

[Cheryl]

Ah. Well, books aimed at young teens very often have this vibe, but I dunno for adults. Possibly Nick Hornby's books? I have them on my shelves cuz they look like they've got interesting characters doing lots of stuff, including having r'ships, but I haven't read them yet.

[Lauren]

I don't know if this is quite what your looking for but it is REALLY good and it has interesting relationships in it: I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

[Lauren]

Also this doesn't have a group of relationships but the the main one is interesting: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

[Pamela]

Huge cast of characters and all kinds of romantic relationships: The Saga of Pliocene Exile by Julian May. Its four books: The Many-Colored Land, The Golden Torc, The Nonborn King, and The Adversary.

I enjoyed these books tremendously.

[Cheryl]

I'll Be There
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Julian May

[Loz]

Thank you! I'll give these a try when I can :)

[Marta]

I wonder if you would like Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men. The protagonist is a young witch who doesn't know yet that she is a witch and has grown up in an area where witches are not welcome. This is the first in a series of 4 books chronicling her development. There are many characters, of all kinds having all kinds of relationships. Pratchett spoofs on our world by describing his own world, and he loves a happy ending. His work is categorized as youth sci fi--I think of it more as social commentary fantasy shippy stuff. Hope it fits the bill.

[Cheryl]

The Wee Free Men, so that we have the link, and are connected to the book's page.

[Rebekah]

The relationships are not the main goal or focus of the books, but The Heroes of Olympus series (sequel series to Percy Jackson and the Olympians) does have a lot of couples and some drama/"unconventionalness" involved in that.

*SPOILERS*
Some examples:
- racially diverse characters
- one character must work out her feelings for a boy who looks exactly like her former boyfriemd
- said boy feeling frustrated that he's the only single one in his group of friends
- closeted character
etc.