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!
I only finished the “Percy Jackson” series by Rick Riordan and I loved it but I’ve read them in French! Another book on your list that I’ve read is Divergent and I DNF’ed the series as well. It was just too similar to Hunger Games and I accidentally spoiled myself, so I knew what was happening in Allegiant and I was like NOPE!
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I don’t speak French, but I’m from Noway- so I could try the Norwegian editions. Maybe that’ll make the difference! I totally spoiled myself too, but like two years after I read the first book, so I didn’t even care.
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I gave up on Rebel of the sands because I too forgot most of it, and it doesn’t seem worth rereading just to continue with the series
I do remember some cool supernatural horses, that’s what I liked the most 🙂
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I feel you! I won’t reread it either, I’ll just jump into the sequel and cross my fingers I’ll understand what’s going on eventually 😂
I’d forgotten the horses until now! They were really cool!
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I hope you like the next one then 🙂 Who knows, maybe I’ll continue too, but I’ll have to read some reviews of the first one to remind myself, as I didn’t write a review 🙂
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I always check out Recaptains when I forget plots (it happens a lot), I think they have a post on Rebel of the Sands. So if you change your mind, you should check that out 😊
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Wow I never heard about that, it’s so useful, thanks! 🙂 I’m checking it out right now 🙂
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I DNFed the Divergent series, too! I just didn’t fall in love with the characters for some reason. I find it funny that I’m not the only one!
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I’m glad I’m not the only one! I didn’t really connect with the characters either, they didn’t feel like real people to me.
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Percy Jackson is one of my favourite series to be honest, it’s a big favourite of mine, and I find Riordan’s writing does improve as he goes along. But it is definitely the characters that get you to stick it out haha.
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I already love the characters, so I’m pretty sure the series will grow on me! Especially if the writing improves 🙂
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I read Rebel of the Sands two times (one of them to read the sequel) and I still remember nothing about it. It isn’t bad, it’s just very not memorable?
I agree with your unpopular opinion, I tried one of Riordan’s books when I was 14 and hated the writing. I don’t remember why, but it didn’t work for me.
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That makes me feel better about my terrible memory, it’s the book’s fault this time!
THANK YOU, I think you’re the only one who does. I”m not sure why either, but it on my nerves after a while. I don’t think it’s badly written, it’s just not my style.
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I adore Rick Riordan – he’s an auto-buy author for me but I get what you mean about writing style, it’s not for everyone. The series after Percy Jackson (Heroes of Olympus) is slightly more grownup and I’m loving his new series Trials of Apollo.
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I admire what he’s doing with Rick Riordan Presents, using his success to boost marginalized voices, and I love books inspired by mythology, so I really want to love his books. Hopefully I’ll get into the series eventually 🙂
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Yeah I especially love that he’s a middle school age writer and his books have characters that represent minorities in a way that makes them more accessible – like his new Norse series has main characters that are gender fluid and Muslim and the heroes of Olympus main characters are the most diverse group of 7 teenagers I’ve read and it never feels intentional like he’s trying to shove his views on the reader. 😊
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That sounds awesome! Now I’m a lot more excited to keep reading his books and trying his other series 🙂
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This is such a good idea, there are so many series I keep saying I want to finish, but probably won’t XD I wished I DNFed Divergent, I rage read the whole thing because my sister said it would get better…
Traitor to the Throne made me love the series as Reel of the Sands was such a ‘meh’ read for me, though it’s more political than action packed
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Thanks! Same, I’m really trying to get those off my tbr, but I just want to read all the series! I’m guessing it didn’t get better?
That sounds promising! Now I want to read Traitor to the Throne asap 🙂
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Percy Jackson is so awesome 😀
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I’ve totally given up on trying to get into THG and Divergent at all just because I think they’re so dated now and there are so many amazing readalikes. Percy Jackson is starting to grow on me that way as well but I’m still (somewhat) determined to read them one day!
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That’s a good point! I don’t think I would’ve picked up those books in 2018. I’m (somewhat) determined to read Percy Jackson too 🙂
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Omg I’m so glad you are continuing on with Rebel of the Sands! The sequel (Traitor to the Throne) was one of my top favorites last year, it was SO good! I really hope you get to reading it soon!
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That’s awesome! I’m even more excited to continue reading the series now! Thanks for letting me now 🙂
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I’m currently reading the second book of the Percy Jackson series and I get what you’re saying about the writing, but personally I want to read all of his books because after reading the Magnus Chase series (where I think the writing was better) I wanted more of this world! I don’t really have the patience to sit down and read Percy though, so I tried the audiobooks and I would totally recommend reading the series in that format to keep you company while you’re doing some chores!
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I want to branch out and try more of his series too, especially Magnus Chase, since I love Norse mythology. That’s good advice! I’ll definitley try the audio for book two 🙂 Thanks!
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I adore The Percy Jackson series. The Queen of the Tearling is on my TBR and I’ve only read the first Rebel of the Sands book as well!
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It’s such an easy trap to fall into with unintentionally starting series as well! I’ve read so many books where I didn’t know it was a series and all of a sudden I have tonnes of books to read because of that! Also, I have to agree with you so hard about Divergent. I got bought the set for Christmas in 2016 and haven’t picked up Allegiant simply because I had such a doody time with Insurgent!
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That’s happened to me too. You think it’s a standalone, then the author announces there will be 6 more books and we all cry 😂
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It’s too bad you didn’t like Rick Riordan’s writing style. I think it’s really fun and hilarious, but also effortless. However don’t force yourself to read the PJO series if you don’t like it. I know it’s not for everyone, although the series is really hyped.
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I definitley agree it was fun, it just wasn’t my favorite. I still liked the book though, so I’m it’ll grow on me 🙂
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I’m glad you have decided to keep reading Rebel of the Sands series! I loved the first one so much and can’t wait to read the second
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Same! I’m so excited to continue reading the series!
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I love this idea! I’ll have to try it out someday because I have no ides how many series I’m reading and have forgotten about.
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Thank you! You should try it, it’s really helping me sort out what I still want to read 🙂
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When it comes to the Divergent Trilogy … I’ve only Allegiant left to be read … but idk if this will ever happen 😂
I definitely agree with finishing Percy Jackson as I love all Rick Riordan books 😀
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The fact that everyone loved Percy Jackson so much makes me really hopeful for the rest of the series! 🙂
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The book are definitely amazing and Rick Riordan has so many more books out 🙂
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So… After you finish this, you’ll have to go BACK through the ones you chose to keep reading and compare them AGAIN to see if you can flush more out. 😉 I gave up on the Divergent series as well… It was just too much like to many other books..
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And this is why I am kinda hesitating to start any series. I know I am losing out on reading lots of good ones but I have come to accept and made my peace with it.
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I get that! Series aren’t for everyone, but I don’t think I’d be able to stay away from them 🙂
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Oh, it’s kind of the same on my end. I’ve been wanting/deciding to read Divergent and the Percy Jackson series, but never gotten around to it.
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There’s so many series to read, it’s hard to find time for them all! I hope enjoy them if you do pick them up 🙂
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I also find it hard to read MG as an adult and I think it’s fair enough to DNF divergent tbh!
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Some middle grade works for me, but mostly I just re-read childhood favorites 🙂 I have no regrets about DNF’ing Divergent!
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Yeah I completely relate!
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Ahhh my problem with series is the same. I like the first book but don’t get around to reading the next four a while and now I’ve forgotten what happened and I don’t want to have to go back and reread the first when I could be reading a new different book so….. I have a lot of unfinished series too!
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I had the same problem with how Percy Jackson’s book were written, I still read them because the story was really good but the writing still bugged me. I’d suggest you to read the Heroes of Olympus series because the writing is way better (and you can read them even if you haven’t read the other ones) 🙂
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Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitley check out the Heroes of Olympus books! 🙂
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