My Unfinished Series: Keep reading or DNF it #3

Hi guys! How are you? Welcome to third installment in my series about book series I have yet to finish. Last week my number of unfinished series was 64, but as usual I’ve had no self-control and I’ve started two more since then (Glitter and The Demon King), so now my number is 66. My goal with this whole thing is to get my tbr down to a number that’s actually somewhat manageable. Considering I started at 67 and am currently at 66, it could be going slightly better. But at least I’m trying, right? Anyway, on to the books:

11. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Books Published: 3/3 Books Read: 2/3

Synopsis: Young Kelsea Raleigh was raised in hiding after the death of her mother, Queen Elyssa, far from the intrigues of the royal Keep.  On Kelsea’s nineteenth birthday, the tattered remnants of the Queen’s Guard, loyal soldiers who protect the throne, have appeared to escort the princess on a perilous journey to the capital to ascend to her rightful place as the new Queen of the Tearling. Though born of royal blood and in possession of the Tear sapphire, a jewel of immense power and magic, Kelsea has never felt more uncertain of her ability to rule. But the shocking evil she discovers in the heart of her realm will precipitate an act of immense daring, throwing the entire kingdom into turmoil.

My thoughts: This series is the perfect example of my rocky relationship with series. I adored the first two books, but still haven’t read the third for absolutely no reason. I own it, I’m curious about it and I’ve had plenty of time to read it – I just haven’t. I need to get my shit together and just read it already, cause I’m actually really excited to see where this story will end. It’s one of the most unique takes I’ve seen on the high fantasy genre, fusing it with a dystopian futuristic backstory. The protagonist Kelsea is also pretty far from the typical YA queen reclaiming her throne. She’s a polarizing character, but I love that and I love her.

Verdict: KEEP READING.

12. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Books Published: 3/3 Books Read: 1/3

Synopsis: Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mythical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinn still perform their magic. For humans, it’s an unforgiving place, especially if you’re poor, orphaned, or female. Amani Al’Hiza is all three. She’s a gifted gunslinger with perfect aim, but she can’t shoot her way out of Dustwalk. Then she meets Jin, a rakish foreigner, in a shooting contest, and sees him as the perfect escape route.

My thoughts: This is actually another perfect example of my rocky relationship with series: I know I liked the first book a lot, but I’ve already forgotten 90% of the plot, cause my memory’s just like that. I remember the main character Amani being awesome and that the setting/world-building was very cool. The most surprising thing though, is that I lowkey give a shit about the romance plot? I haven’t cared about the romance in a YA fantasy novel since 2k13, you guys, please don’t let this turn into a mess.

Verdict: KEEP READING

13. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Books Published: 3/3 Books Read: 1/3

Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue–Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is, she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death

My thoughts: I read Divergent right after I read The Hunger Games, like everyone else on the planet and I actually really liked it. I remember staying up ’till 4 am to finish it, which I’ve only done two other times (One of them was to finish Emma by Jane Austen, cause we all know what a pageturner that one is.) But then the next day I picked up Insurgent and my brain just went nope. I figured there’s no point in forcing it, I’ll just leave it until I actually feel like reading it and here we are 4 years later. I still don’t feel like it.

Verdict: DNF

14. Confluence by Jennifer Foehner Wells

Books Published: 4/6 Books Read: 2/6

Synopsis: Dr. Jane Holloway is content documenting nearly-extinct languages and had never contemplated becoming an astronaut. But when NASA recruits her to join a team of military scientists for an expedition to an alien ship discovered lurking in the asteroid belt in the 1960s, it’s an adventure she can’t refuse. But the ship isn’t vacant, as they presumed. Jane fights the growing doubts of her colleagues as she attempts to decipher what the alien wants from her. As the derelict ship devolves into chaos and the crew gets cut off from their escape route, Jane must decide if she can trust the alien’s help to survive.

My thoughts: This is one of my favorite sci-fi series. The plot’s fun, fast-paced and full of twists, but it’s the characters that make it something special. I love them all so much, human and alien. The only reason I haven’t already read the third book is that it follows a different protagonist and I’m so attached to my crew, I don’t want to read about anybody else.

Verdict: KEEP READING

15. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Books Published: 5/5 Books Read: 1/5

Synopsis: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately it’s getting worse. He could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends, one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena, Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

My thoughts: I know this is an unpopular opinion and I’m sorry, but I kind of hate Rick Riordan’s writing style. That might come from reading Middle Grade as an adult, but I’ve read books for even younger readers where I didn’t have that problem, so I think it’s just a matter of taste. I really liked the story and characters in the first book though, so I totally understand why the series is so beloved and I want to give it another chance to see if it’ll grow on me.

Verdict: KEEP READING.

Total Score – Keep Reading: 10 DNF: 5 My Number: 65

That’s it for today, guys! I think I’m going to have to get stricter with the DNF’ing or my series tbr won’t be smaller, but bigger by the time I’m done! What do you think of my decisions? Have you read any of these series? Did you actually finish them? Let me know in the comments!