Ending

[Duke_Sandre]

Hi , I need help.

I'm plotting a fantasy book and I'm completely stuck on the end. I have two endings in mind.
1)Lots of betrayl and it ends unhappily
2)There is no betrayl and the 'good guys' win

For a long time I've wished there were more fantasy novels that did end more unhappily but now I'm not sure this will work. The ending I had in mind would involve a HUGE betrayl, but would the readers accept this?

What do you think, should I just leave the ending until later and see how the story goes first?

Please help me!

[Bardos]

A mix of (1) and (2) maybe?
The "good guys" win, but its not an absolute Good over Evil victory.

[Hans]

Goota agree with bardos. Lots of Betrayl, but the good guys win. But don't achive all they wanted.

[cassandra]

How post-modern of everyone.
Keep to the tone of the rest of the novel. And make sure everyone acts within character. If the "betrayal" requires a character acting in a way completely against his/her nature, with no previous provocation and no foreshadowing for the reader, the reader will indeed not believe it and be very upset at you, the author. If you keep everyone acting true to their nature, the ending may well write itself.
P.S - Duke Sandre from Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay?

[This message has been edited by cassandra (edited April 19, 2001).]

[Duke_Sandre]

Thanks cassandra, that's sort of what I'd come up with after thinking about it for a while.

P.S Yes Duke Sandre from Tigana

[cassandra]

Excellent book. I just bought and read the tenth anniversary edition.