Yorha
DNF@38%
This book wasn't bad at all but it put me in a huge slump that I've been in almost 2 months now. I keep trying to get back to it but nothing pulls me in. My friend has just finished it and based on their thoughts it seems like it's just better to let this go.
I will say that the story was interesting and I wanted to love it. Lin Chong was interesting to follow, and she was the only reason I wanted to continue. I felt like her inner conflict and having to adapt to a lifestyle and values that were the opposite of what she is used to would've made a really good read. I really enjoyed what I have read of her. On the other hand, Lu Da was absolutely annoying and I genuinely hated reading the book whenever she was on page, which might've been why I didn't feel the pull to go back to the book. The way the narrator did her voice was awful too, which didn't help.
DNF@28%
First disappointment from Abby but there were already 4 “not like other girls” lines and that's 4 too many.
Wish we got to experience Cardan's POV in the actual trilogy as i've found him a more interesting character to read about.
DNF@50%
I usually don't rate books i DNF'd but I feel the need to after wasting so much of my free time on this (since i barely have time to read this month).
First of all, this is yet another case of a YA book being published as an adult book. Nothing in the first 50% makes the book stand out from YA titles. It has your typical YA tropes and nothing really makes it any different from other titles in the genre. There is a focus on the politics but it's nothing complex or interesting. Same goes for the magic system which is very typical and underdeveloped. As mentioned though, i only read half of the book so maybe things change but i just was so bored I couldn't make myself continue. It feels like a book I have simply read many times before.
I think what took me out of the story the most is the romance, the obvious Reylo inspo. I didn't think it would bother me at all but as someone who is familiar with the Star Wars movies, it is really hard to disconnect the couple from the characters they were based on. Alaric basically looks identical to Adam Driver. “Waves of disheveled black hair framed pale angular features dotted with beauty marks. He had a long nose, a sharp jawline, the overall harshness alleviated by a pair of full, soft lips”. And, of course, he has very broad shoulders. They both act similar to their counter-parts (especially Alaric). At around 30-35% there was one scene that felt like it was taken out of The Last Jedi, just with a different setting.
Maybe it's just me but, while i dont mind stories inspired by ships/other things, i do not want to read about the same characters in an AU in my books. It's a personal preference though, if you are a fan of Adam, or a Reylo stan, you will probably enjoy that factor.
I wanted to force myself to finish as this was one of my most anticipated reads for this year, but I just don't think anything could make me like this book. Maybe it's about time I finally acknowledge maybe this genre just isn't for me (with a few exceptions!). If you are a big fan of the romantasy genre, don't mind the Reylo inspiration, and are okay with an instant attraction trope, don't let me dissuade you from reading the book, there's a chance you will like it. It however was just not for me.
DNF@30%. When the prince and Wes ended up being the same person I just knew it's time to bail 😂 was a pretty bland read till then anyway
I decided to DNF at 43% solely because I really don't enjoy the writing style and whenever I put the audiobook, I just find myself turning it off. I also hoped for more introspection but what I have listened to was interesting. Also I think perhaps memoirs just aren't for me, sadly.
DNF@20%
I rarely DNF books this early but I just don't enjoy the writing at all. Can't speak for the quality of the book as a whole since I stopped so early on + the setting sounds like a lot of fun.
Nothing much happened in this book though i really enjoyed the underwater setting and wish we saw more of it.
I was so excited to read this and knew I'd love it but the writing style is just really not for me. It's flowery and overwritten, and goes on for too long about nothing. I enjoy what I've read but I do not enjoy the experience of reading it, if that makes any sense? Which just makes me sad but I've dreaded going back to it for 2 weeks so I'm just going to let this one go.
