History BittersweetEnding / Literature

* In the ''Literature/TheBlackMagicianTrilogy'', they defeat the Ichani but [[HeroicSacrifice Akkarin, Sonea's love interest, dies giving Sonea all his power]].

* ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'' is a children's series, but ends with The Authority destroyed and his Regent, Metatron, eliminated... but in the process, Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter are trapped in the space between worlds for eternity, and Will and Lyra are separated into their own worlds because moving between worlds results in the end of Dust. They would've been able to stay together, but people who stay in a non-native world lead shorter lives than they would in their native world, typically dying only a few short years due to disease. Truly unfair.
** At least Will and Lyra have the consolation that they will [[TogetherInDeath meet again one day and then never part again]]. That's what they promised themselves, and that makes it easier for them to endure being unable to be together.

* ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' In the end, Eragon defeats Galbatorix and all ends well in Alagaesia, but he has to leave the place. Even after Arya and Eragon all but say they loved each other they separate because of their duties. Poor Nasuada was left alone by Murtagh, when he leaves for his soul-healling trip.

* Cormac [=McCarthy=]'s ''The Road''. The father dies, completely uncertain and afraid of his son's future in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. It's believed to have been a worthwhile sacrifice, however, as his son was finally able to find some place safe to be raised by decent people. The ending is then given even more bittersweetness as the epilogue implies that humanity will never be able to recover from the catastrophe that befell the earth, and will eventually die out completely. Still, given [=McCarthy=]'s usual KillEmAll tactic, this is practically a parade with balloons and circus animals.

* One of the {{Trope Codifier}}s: Creator/CharlesDickens' ''Literature/ATaleOfTwoCities''.

* Creator/HansChristianAndersen
** ''Literature/TheLittleMatchGirl'': The titular little girl [[DyingAlone freezes to death all alone in an alley]], but from her perspective, it's a happy ending; [[TogetherInDeath she's guided to Heaven by the spirit of her grandmother]], the only person who ever treated her with any love and kindness, and is finally free of her miserable life with her abusive father. [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth The people who find her the next morning realize how pointlessly tragic her death was]], [[GoOutWithASmile but note that she passed away with a smile on her face]].
** ''Literature/TheLittleMermaid'': The prince falls for the woman he ''thought'' rescued him. The poor transformed, mute mermaid sadly carries her train at the wedding. When offered a chance to become a mermaid again instead of dying by killing the man she loved, she decides not to take it. She does die physically, but God transforms her into an air spirit. This is because mermaids don't have immortal souls, and in fact the mermaid hoped to gain one by marrying the prince. As an air spirit, she will have the chance to shape a soul for herself, though it is clearly stated it will take centuries. Not surprisingly, many prefer the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon take on this story.

* ''Literature/{{Evernight}}'': Almost ever book ends with one:

** The fifth book's ending. The main bitterness comes from the fact Skye and Balthazar will have to face the constant threat of vampires coming after Skye for her blood, and her parents are still in denial about their son's death and will now lose their daughter too. However Redgrave has finally gotten his comeuppance for all his atrocities, there's a possibility Charity and Balthazar could repair their relationship, Skye comes to terms with Dakota's death and her powers, and she and Balthazar are happy together.

* ''Literature/{{Evernight}}'': Every single book has one:
** The first book: Bianca and Lucas are forced to part, but vow to always love one another and find a way to be together.
** The second book: [[spoiler: Bianca and Lucas get to be together, but she has to leave her family and friends behind, if Black Cross figures out she's a vampire she's screwed and ghosts are coming after her]].
** The third book: The only thing that stops from slipping into DownerEnding territory is the fact that [[spoiler: Lucas and Bianca will still get to be together (even if they're both dead)]].
** The fourth book: [[spoiler: Bianca and Lucas can finally be together, Mrs Bethany has been defeated and the vampires and humans of Evernight are saved. But, Lucas will inevitably die someday, though he says that living on in Bianca is fine by him, Balthazar is still all alone (though this is resolved in the SpinOff when he falls in love with Skye), Lucas will probably never see his mother again and Black Cross will be hunting them.]]
** The fifth book, though it has a much happier ending compared to the others. The main bitterness comes from the fact [[spoiler: Skye and Balthazar will have to face the constant threat of vampires coming after her for her blood, and her parents are still in denial about their son's death and will now lose their daughter too]].

** ''Literature/TheLittleMatchGirl'': The titular little girl freezes to death, but from her perspective, it's a happy ending; [[TogetherInDeath she's guided to Heaven by the spirit of her grandmother]], the only person who ever treated her with any love and kindness, and is finally free of her miserable life with her abusive father. [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth The people who find her the next morning realize how tragic and unnecessary her death was, but note that she died with a smile on her face]].

** ''Literature/TheLittleMatchGirl: The titular little girl freezes to death, but from her perspective, it's a happy ending; [[TogetherInDeath she's guided to Heaven by the spirit of her grandmother]], the only person who ever treated her with any love and kindness, and is finally free of her miserable life with her abusive father. [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth The people who find her the next morning realize how tragic and unnecessary her death was, but note that she died with a smile on her face]].

* Creator/HansChristianAndersen's ''Literature/TheLittleMermaid'': The prince falls for the woman he ''thought'' rescued him. The poor transformed, mute mermaid sadly carries her train at the wedding. When offered a chance to become a mermaid again instead of dying by killing the man she loved, she decides not to take it. She does die physically, but God transforms her into an air spirit. This is because mermaids don't have immortal souls, and in fact the mermaid hoped to gain one by marrying the prince. As an air spirit, she will have the chance to shape a soul for herself, though it is clearly stated it will take centuries. Not surprisingly, many prefer the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon take on this story.

* ''Literature/UnderHeaven'': The Ninth Dynasty survives, and the Ang Li Rebellion is suppressed, but several named characters die, and the Emperor steps aside in favor of his DesignatedHeir.

* ''Literature/ForestOfTheNight'': The main character fulfills her childhood dream in the end. But by then, her mentor is dead, as is the [[IllBoy disabled native child]] whom she'd befriended. She's had to dump her boyfriend, because it's clear he'll never fully understand her. And she's become [[KnightInSourArmor generally disillusioned]].