Sad Endings

[SeverinR]

TI have no problem with sad endings if they are a natural outcome of the story. What I don't like is endings that seem forced. Endings that tie the story up in a nice little bow even though the story did not support it. You go though the whole novel knowing that it would take a miracle for a happy ending and then just before the story is over, that miracle happens and everyone walks off under a rainbow.

But then I tend to like the dark side.

I agree,
the main characters beaten down just waiting the ax to fall on them, and suddenly the calvary charges through killing all the "bad guys" and saving the day.
Bad things happen, good guys don't always win.
I also hate the drawstring ending. They tell a drawn out story and then in the last chapter everything magically comes together nice and tidy, even topped with a little bow. Like someone pulled the cord on a drawstring trash bag.