I just turned in a book review that's coming out next month, and although it was an excellent book, the ending left me cold.

OK, so maybe I'm not the biggest fan of "urban" fiction, but is it unthinkable to have an urban fiction book where good DOES triumph over evil? 

To me, it's sorta like rap music. I haven't listened to it in years because I'm sick of gang glorification. I remember when "Rapper's Delight" came out and to me, it's still on my list of "happy" songs because it makes me think of summer and block parties and how things were "back in the day." 

There's nothing wrong with grit and violence and realism as being the tenets of a genre, but when does the time come when someone decides to give it a "fresh" twist? For example the romance genre purists insist on having a HEA (happily-ever-after). Having a HFN (happy-for-now) or a "sad" ending was unheard of not too long ago. Luckily (in my opinion) some romance writers (and readers) like adding a dose of "reality" in their romance novels by ending it on a down note or HFN.

I may read more urban fiction if I thought I'd feel positive for reading it, rather than wanting to slash my wrists out of depression.

Why can't we do it? Do ALL books either written by writers of African origin or that portray people of African origin HAVE TO END ON A DOWNER??

Your thoughts?