Series I won’t be finishing… probably… maybe… #2

 

Despite being a massive mood reader, as I mentioned the other day, I’ve always been pretty clear on one thing: I’m a series finisher. Much like my inability to DNF, I will happily/unhappily casually continue even the most meh of series (which I proved to myself the other day when I read a less-than-average sequel to a pretty mediocre book). It doesn’t matter how many times I promise myself I won’t read rubbish, I somehow can’t help doing this… especially if it’s oh-so-temptingly available on overdrive… But I’ve decided to do something about this horrendous habit and do a sequel to my post about series I possibly won’t finish! (if I can manage to have shelf-control lol)

Enchantee– I’m starting with the most recent book (and easiest to announce) series that didn’t wow me. Though I haven’t talked about it much, Enchantee left me less than enchanted and I can’t see any reason to continue. That was easy, so let’s move onto the next one…

 

The Last Magician– ohhh this is painful. I loved the first one, but I was so underwhelmed by the sequel that I told myself it wouldn’t be worth investing in the next one. Let’s see if I can actually keep to my rule of not reading things I don’t like and hope I can resist the urge to go back to this series. The way I’m talking, it’s like I have a toxic relationship of books or something, speaking of which…

 

Sword of Truth– this used to be on my “to finish” list, but it’s like I’m punishing myself at this point cos I got zero enjoyment out of the last two. I’m still tempted to read a couple more, but I don’t see myself going the whole way.

 

 

Chain of Gold– I’m kinda cheating by putting Clare’s next series on here, cos I have actually come to the end of her last series, but I consider all the Shadowhunter books to be one gigantic series. Plus, I promised myself I was done with her books and I have to stick to this. I’ve completely outgrown these stories and I just know reading another one will make me miserable.

 

DC Icons– I don’t know if any other book this year has made me quite so bored and disappointed. This series is a shameless cashgrab and as much as I love the authors involved, I won’t be wasting my time with anymore of them #sorrynotsorry

 

 

Monstrumologist– here’s my monstrous opinion: despite all the monsters and mayhem, I found the first book boring. So I’ve no desire to continue with it.

 

 

Anna series– Anna Dressed in Blood was excellent, but girl of nightmares didn’t do it for me. Personally, this could’ve been left as a standalone and although I’ll gladly read more by the author, I’m done with this.

 

 

Crazy Rich Asians– this one might not be such a popular choice, so *don’t hate me*, but I feel like I enjoyed the film version more?! Don’t get me wrong, I liked the book, but I LOVED the movie. If they do adapt the sequel, I think I’d rather just watch it instead… although I am curious about what changes they make. Gotta admit I’m being a bit more tentative about this decision, unlike…

 

Foxhole Court/All for the Game– I found out about this book from a negative review and I LEARNT MY LESSON. Or lessons as the case may be: don’t read books your friends hate, be wary of free ebooks and if the first time you hear about a book someone is saying “I don’t get the hype” then you should run! (or else be doomed to be like me wondering WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ABOUT?!?!?!) (seriously though, why is this abuse-filled-nightmarishly-structured-nonsense-sports book a thing?!?!) (can anyone explain?)

Red Queen Series– this should be harder for me to put on the list, but it’s super easy (barely an inconvenience 😉 ) I actually read THREE books in this quartet. That’s usually too many for me to give up on a series. And yet, I’ve had zero desire to check out how it ends… which should give you an idea of how I felt about the last two.

 

Okay- I’ve been decisive with a few of those- annnnd we’ll see about the others! Do you have trouble giving up on series? And what series have you decided to quit read? Let me know in the comments!

Let’s Set the Record Straight on the Remnant Chronicles

Well, this isn’t the first time I’ve been way, way, way behind the curve of popular YA books, is it? I’d say better late than never buuut while I kind of get the hype, I also felt a little underwhelmed by this series. I’ve decided the best ways to cover this is mini reviews. These won’t really be spoilery, but I will get into which ship sailed in the last review.

A Quick Peck From Kiss of Deception

It’s safe to say the first book didn’t totally capture me. And, despite my picture of the series, for me this missed the magic I crave in fantasy. It did pick up at around the 60% mark and it was well written. I especially liked the execution of the different povs- using “the assassin” and “the prince” to obscure identities and keep the reader in suspense, so it was a real surprise when each one was revealed. In terms of characters, the protagonist was especially strong- not just cos she’s the spunky run away before an arranged marriage type, but because she generally relies on her rather sharp wits. For the record, this has a love triangle, which I can see becoming a problem (also for the record: I preferred Rafe by the end of this book- we’ll have to see where that goes…)

3/5 bananas

Heart of Betrayal was a Little More Heartening

Yup- still on #TeamRafe. I rarely change my ships though, so that’s par for the course. My main gripe so far is that I don’t care for the love triangle at all #sorrynotsorry. I did prefer the setting in this book though- it leant more atmosphere and mystery to the story. There seemed to be more magic lurking and the Song of Venda leant more intrigue to the tale. But generally speaking, the world building is like window dressing- not much to it beyond the surface. And that’s okay with me- but there’s not much to the story either- it’s simply like so many I’ve read before. The one saving grace for this series, I really liked Lia as the main character as well- she’s got far more personality than most YA mcs combined. She has a lot more agency and is the driving force behind the action. A pleasant enough way to pass the time, but nothing mind-blowing.

3½/5 bananas

Beauty of Darkness was Less-Than Pleasing

I baulked at the length of book 3. I just wasn’t loving the series enough for this much of a tome- and unfortunately I was right to be concerned. The action was decent- but it wasn’t enough to save the series- and I wasn’t that happy after all the build-up. Worst of all for me, the whispers of magic earlier in the series never really materialised. I think I was disappointed with that most of all. Thank goodness my ship sailed though or I might have sunk into a truly bad mood 😉 Sadly, I don’t think it was enough to keep the book or the series afloat for me.

2½/5 bananas 

Overall, I did come away understanding why this series garnered a strong following and had a real respect for the author– yet love triangles and the lack of magic left me less-than spellbound. I just wish they’d been as captivating as their titles and covers. Personally I could’ve done with a little more oomph from the setting as well- however I can see why this one would be a subjective read.

That doesn’t really leave me much to say other than- have you read this series? Did you enjoy it more than me? Let me know in the comments!

Series I need to finish…

Well, we’re into the second month of the year (already?!)- it’s time to get serious about reading- which means dredging up all the unfinished series sitting guiltily on our TBRs, dusting them off and promising that *this’ll be the year* (or you know, not). For all my dramatics, I actually am decent at finishing series (partly cos I like to binge them all in a row if I can) but there are still a number which I would actually like to read. So in no particular order, I thought I’d share them with you:

Mistborn– what the hell is wrong with me? I loved the first book- I have the second, third and a ton of other Sanderson books on my kindle… and yet I’ve never got round to reading any of these. I’d make the excuse that “it’s the length” or something… but given I’ve read other tomes since the first one that’d be a bald faced lie…

Terry Goodkind– ermm yeah, I went on a splurge of buying the kindle versions when these were reduced ages ago too. I’ve still only read 2- even though I liked them- and have looaads more to go. It’s a bit intimidating if I’m honest.

Howl’s Moving Castle– I’ve read quite a lot of Diana Wynne Jones over the years, but for some reason, even though I loved the first one, I never picked up the rest of this series up. Which is kinda silly, cos I know I’ll have fun with these.

Daughter of the Lioness– ditto with Tamora Pierce- I think she’s great and would happily read all her books. The thing with Pierce is I’m usually a completionist with her series and so I don’t really know why I left this one hanging- especially when there’s only one other book to read.

Discworld– to be fair, I have actually read a lot of these (Pratchett’s my most read author after all)- but there are still some I haven’t read yet- I blame Pratchett for being so prolific! (not that I’m complaining- if anything I’d like to ask Death to bring him back to write MORE)

Pellinor– okay- not my fault! I actually completed this series when I was about 15- she just added to the prequel Bone Queen recently! Although I did want to pick it up immediately… I still haven’t.

Abhorsen– as above- Nix kindly added Goldenhand to his *absolutely amazing* series and I was so excited about it… but being a lazy bones haven’t got to to it yet.

Sandman– they had a lot of these in one of the libraries I go to- I was thoroughly enjoying whizzing through them… but haven’t been back in a while and kinda unintentionally stopped with the series.

Falling Kingdoms– well I’m actually just mentioning it cos it’s fresh in my mind and the conclusion is coming out this month (eek!) I’m finally caught up and ready for whatever Rhodes throws my way! (as long as my baby Magnus is alright in the end!)

Lara Jean– okay, here’s where the guilt gets intense- because I *need* to read this. Alas I will Always and Forever be behind (ba dum tss). I could make the excuse I wasn’t in the right mood, but it’s not like I haven’t read any contemporaries in the year since it’s been out… so there’s no excuse really.

And there you have it- all my guilty secrets laid bare for the world 😉 What series do you have on your tbr that you still need to complete? Let me know in the comments!

Series I Won’t Be Finishing #noguilt (okay a little bit of guilt…)

Hello, my name is the Orangutan Librarian and I am a series-finisher (sounds like I’m starting an AA meeting). But after starting a couple of series recently I wasn’t too keen on, I want to make a commitment to myself *not to* continue reading the rest of the series- no matter what!!

Because there are plenty more fish in the sea and there are books crammed into every bookshelf/library/shop/orifice and OH MY GOD I AM DROWNING UNDER A NEVERENDING TBR!!!

1. Killables– arghhh I could not think of a single reason to recommend this book to anyone. The only problem is that they have this book in the library to tempt me. But no- I WILL BE STRONG!!!

2. Caraval– it had its moments, but that ending made me just give up on it. I just can’t bring myself to read the sequel- I’m out.

3. Outlander– as you may remember from my posts months ago, I rage quit this series- I won’t be picking up another one.

4. Long Way To A Small Angry Planet– hahahaha I had to put this one on here- but it’s actually hilarious to think about reading the second one when I only finished the first so that I could rage review it. I think my thoughts about this book can be summed up thusly:

5. Bronze Horseman– nope, just nope. I’m not gonna read any more of this because *YEUCH*.

6. Knife of Never Letting Go- okay, so unpopular opinion here, but I hated the style of this one. The Grammar Nazi in me just could not deal.

7. Thief’s Magic– I have a love-hate relationship with Canavan- and even though they have copies in all the libraries I frequent I have no desire to carry on with this series. I just did not connect with any of the characters in this- not a-one.

8. Queen of the Tearling– what makes me feel better about this one- aside from being bored stiff with the first one- is that I’ve heard a lot of people didn’t like the finale and said it wasn’t worth finishing anyway.

9. An Ember in the Ashes– another unpopular opinion, but I really wasn’t sold on this series and have no desire to read the second.

10. Talon– okay, I’ll admit I read the second one, even though I hated the first one, because it had a scaly cover and I love dragons. Buuut no more!! I will not read another whiny book about non-dragons masquerading as mythical wyrms. I just cannot.

Annd on that note it’s time to say goodbye for today! (Yes, yes this post was just an excuse for a million goodbye gifs). Did you agree or disagree with my choices? What series have you quit? Let me know in the comments!