Hi guys, it’s time to DNF some series again! I hope you’re ready for some unpopular opinions, cause I seem to have a lot of those. But it’s okay, cause I’m just one (pretty irrelevant) person and I’m sure you guys dislike lots of stuff I like too (Purple prose? Unlikable female characters? Teacher/Student romances? Country music? Just take your pick.)
21. The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
Books Published: 2/2 Books Read: 1/2
Synopsis: A dead girl walks the streets. She hunts murderers. Child killers, much like the man who threw her body down a well three hundred years ago. And when a strange boy bearing stranger tattoos moves into the neighborhood so, she discovers, does something else. And soon both will be drawn into the world of eerie doll rituals and dark Shinto exorcisms that will take them from American suburbia to the remote valleys and shrines of Aomori, Japan. Because the boy has a terrifying secret, one that would just kill to get out.
My thoughts: Rin Chupeco’s The Bone Witch was one of my favorite books last year, and to get me through the long wait for it’s sequel I decided to try her other series: The Girl from the Well. I had very high expectations, which weren’t really met. I loved the setting and the inclusion of Japanese legends and mythology, but despite that I was pretty underwhelmed. It wasn’t as creepy as I thought it would be, nor was it as beautifully written as The Bone Witch.
Verdict: DNF
22. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
Books Published: 3/3 Books Read: 1/3
Synopsis: The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters, including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them.
My thoughts: Everyone told me this series is a lot better than the Mortal Instruments. Guess what? It’s not. It’s just the same thing in better outfits and I’m over it. Cassandra Clare’s created such a cool world, but for some reason I can’t bring myself to care even a little bit about anything that happens in it. And it’s not like I haven’t tried, I read all six Mortal Instrument books, even though the only thing I liked about it was Luke (I may or may not have a thing for middle aged werewolves. I mean Remus Lupin, Alcide, that one kid’s uncle on TVD…wow, this is a tangent) and I’m not doing that again. No more broody supernatural teens for me, please and thank you.
Verdict: DNF
23. Tales of the Ketty Jay by Chris Wooding
Books Published: 4/4 Books Read: 1/4
Synopsis: Frey is the captain of the Ketty Jay, leader of a small and highly dysfunctional band of layabouts. An inveterate womaniser and rogue, he and his gang make a living on the wrong side of the law, avoiding the heavily armed flying frigates of the Coalition Navy. With their trio of ragged fighter craft, they run contraband, rob airships and generally make a nuisance of themselves. So a hot tip on a cargo freighter loaded with valuables seems like a great prospect for an easy heist and a fast buck. Until the heist goes wrong, and the freighter explodes. Suddenly Frey isn’t just a nuisance anymore – he’s public enemy number one.
My thoughts: My favorite thing about writing these posts is trying to articulate my interesting and well informed opinions on books I have no memory of reading. It’s a lot of fun. So this series was pretty popular on booktube a few years ago and I picked it up cause I wanted to try something different. I really enjoyed the first book, even though I was pretty confused by some (or most) of the world-building and technology. But that’s probably not the books fault and rather a result of it being my first adventure in steampunk.
Verdict: DNF
24. Seven Realms by Cinda Williams Chima
Books Published: 4/4 Books Read: 1/4
Synopsis: While out hunting one day, Han and his Clan friend, Dancer, discover three young wizards using a magical amulet to set fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han wrestles it from them, but without realising that the amulet is a treasure with immense power; it once belonged to the Demon King, the legendary wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. Meanwhile, Raisa ana’Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells, has just returned to the city after spending three years with her father’s Clan in the mountains. She aspires to be like Hanalea, the legendary warrior-queen who vanquished the Demon King and saved the world, but her mother has other plans for her, plans that will put both the queendom and Raisa’s future in great danger.
My thoughts: This is one of those series where it’s really not the book, it’s me. I liked the first book a lot, it has amazing characters and an interesting plot. I’m just falling out of love with this specific type of YA fantasy. You know the kind I mean, the ones with multiple pov’s which usually include a prince/princess; a soldier/guard; a thief/criminal, at least one of the character has hidden magical abilities and at least two of them fall in love. I know that describes a lot of books and honestly, it describes a lot of books I love (Including the next series on this list…) Which is probably why I feel the need to take a break, I’ve just read it all too many times before.
Verdict: DNF (But I might come back to it)
25. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Books Published: 6/7 Books Read: 4/7
Synopsis: In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught. Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament, fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?
My thoughts: It’s time for another controversial opinion: I actually really like this series. The first book was pretty much a perfect YA fantasy to me, I loved the mystery and intrigue of it, I loved Celaena as a main character, I loved her relationship with Chaol, I loved the castle setting… My feelings about the next books are a lot more mixed. I’m not as invested in Celaena as a character anymore and I’m not a huge fan of the romance (it’s so…growly), but the introduction of Manon Blackbeak, my new favorite witch, more than makes up for it.
Verdict: Keep Reading
Total Score – Keep Reading: 13 DNF: 12 My Number: 59
I feel like I’m getting a lot better at DNF’ing things and I kind of like it! As usual, I’d love to hear what you think of my decisions. Would you make the same ones? Or do you think I’m totally wrong? And have you DNF’d any series lately?
I loved The Bone Witch and it’s sequel! I wanted to read The Girl in the Well, so it sucks that it wasn’t as good as you hoped
. I still may give it a chance if it’s at the library or something…
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I’m so excited to read the sequel! It’s at the top of my tbr! I’d give it a try, it’s not terrible – you can just tell her writing has come a long way 🙂
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It is amazing! I hope you get to it soon, I definitely liked it better than book one (not saying I didn’t love book one XD)
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I started it today and I’m already loving it! 🙂
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I love so much of the Shadowhunters world, The Mortal Instruments and The Dark Artifices specifically. But I have never had any interesting in reading The Infernal Devices. I am just not into reading backwards I guess, back story is one thing but I don’t want read a series and then a read a whole other series that takes place a zillion years before that. I’d rather keep it moving into the future, which is why I like Dark Artifices
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I wish I liked the books more, cause I think the world is so cool, but I just can’t get into them. I haven’t tried The Dark Artifices yet though, maybe I should? It sounds a lot more interesting that The Infernal Devices!
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Oooo… DNF the Infernal Devices?? I can picture that being an unpopular decision! Lol! (don’t worry, I haven’t read them!) I’ve heard a lot of people talking about how good they are! I’m glad I’m not the only one who decided to DNF the Ketty Jay series with it. I love the style, but I’m a big fan of the tv series ‘Firefly’ and this was just too similar to me… I’ll go back to firefly before I read something that sounds exactly like it…
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I don’t think they’re bad books, they’re just so much like The Mortal Instruments and I wasn’t expecting that. I didn’t realize doing these posts would mean sharing all my unpopular opinions 😂 I haven’t watched Firefly yet, but I really should cause 9/10 times if I love a sci-fi book or show, it’s been compared to Firefly.
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I LOVE sharing unpopular opinions on my blog! Lol!! I just love spurring on debate with people… I need to hate more things people love. It’s boring when the conversation is “oh, you liked that book?? I liked that book too!” *chirp* *chirp* ….there’s no discussion!! And YES!! WATCH FIREFLY!! Too short for sure, and Serenity was NOT the way I would have wanted it to end *shakes fist at Joss Whedon* but The show is SO GOOD!!
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I’m not going to lie, I’m starting to enjoy it too! And I agree, the conversation’s always more interesting when there’s different opinions! OK I WILL! Usually when I say that I probably won’t cause I never find the time, but it’s short and looks awesome, so I actually promise I will 🙂
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Ha ha!! Ya. That’s me on a daily basis.. That’s like 90% of the time when I comment on someone’s review and say “wow! I really have to read this!!” I DO mean it… But, I probably never WILL! 😂😂
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Hahaha, exactly! Just cause we don’t DO it, doesn’t mean we didn’t MEAN to 😉
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EXACTLY!!!
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I’m about to start the Infernal Devices, even though I disliked the last 3 books of The Mortal Instruments so much. I hope that I will like it better.
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Even though I wasn’t a big fan, I definitley think they’re better than the last 3 Mortal Instrument books. I hope you do too! 🙂
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I definitely think that I would have loved TMI a lot more if it had stayed a trilogy 😦
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I love TID but I see what you mean. I’m way too invested in TOG to back out now and I do enjoy the books too!
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I’m too invested to quit too! I’m really excited to see how it all ends, I finish series so rarely, so it’ll be exciting to actually be able to read a finale for once 😂
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Your post gave me a good laugh! Love your sense of humor it must be the Norwegian and me! And I love unlikable female characters, although I hate teacher/student relationships!🙂
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Thank you! I’m glad I could give you a laugh 🙂 Unlikable female characters are the best and I totally get your hate for teacher/student relationships, it’s definitley my most guilty pleasure 😂
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Though I disagree with you on The Infernal Devices (I have a thing for rude, dark-haired troublemakers/non-conformists that are bookish – A.k.a Will Herondale, Jess from Gilmore Girls, Mr Darcy, Dorian from ToG – yup tangent) – I get where you’re at with ToG. I adore Rowan (and Lorcan and now Sartaq) don’t get me wrong but when I read the first book this is so not where I thought she was going with it and I don’t actually read for Celeana anymore but for the side characters. I love these posts!
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Very good tangent! If you remove rude from the equation I’m right there with you. I guess I also have a thing for good manners? So I need a polite werewolf, basically. I really like Lorcan and now I’m very curious about Sartaq… I’m totally in it for the side characters too, but to be honest I usually am. Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoy them!
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I think I only like rude when it all turns out to be a front, so I guess switch it for misunderstood? I’m pretty much team werewolf every time too! 😂 and you’re welcome 😀
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This is such a great post idea!!!! I love the throne of glass series! I’m actually hosting a readalong for it coming soon in preparation for the last book. I haven’t read any of these other series to give you any advice. Good luck with your series!!!
P.S. do you mind if I post a similar post on my blog if I link back to your blog?! 💙
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Thank you so much, I’m glad you liked it! Oh cool, I’l definitley check out your readalong. I still have two more books to read and it’d be great to get through them before the last one comes out 🙂 And of course not, go ahead! 💕
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Aww, thanks so much!! You’re a doll 😊
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I haven’t yet read any of these, so can’t comment, but that first one sounds awful lot like the Ring, so I might check it out haha, I’m easily spooked 😀
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The best parts of it are a lot like The Ring! It’s worth a read if you’re into Japanese ghost stories 🙂
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I snorted a bit at your description of Clare’s series, I read City of Bones and disliked it, then tried to read Clockwork Angel, but never finished it. For me, her series are too much of a cliche, it’s just meh.
I stopped reading TOG after Heir of Fire because I dislike Rowan a lot, Celaena/Aelin is kind of meh lately. I really hope you enjoy it though. I really contemplated finishing the series as well, but I dnf’ed Queen of Shadows.
Great post! ❤
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I definitely have the same trajectory of feelings with regards to the Throne of Glass series. The first two books were pretty much perfect for me, despite the flaws and criticisms a lot of people expressed. But as the series has grown I’ve lost interest, but it’s like.. I’ve gotten so far I MUST finish it now. The Assassin’s Blade is also sooo good
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Me too, I’m not as invested anymore – but I’m too far in to quit now! Oh, cool. I hadn’t decided if I wanted to pick that one up or not, but now I definitley will 🙂
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Lord after Heir of Fire and Crown of Midnight I just couldn’t NOT keep going with TOG.
TID is one of my favorite trilogies. Mostly because I think the tropes are done a lot better and Clary doesn’t exist. But the similarities between Will and Jace are stark, so I don’t blame you. I just love Jem with all my heart.
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Clary doesn’t exist is a very strong argument for TID, maybe if Will wasn’t so much like Jace I would’ve loved it too. And I agree, Jem is wonderful!
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Will was VERY much like Jace. I remember thinking that the first time I read it. And I was annoyed by Clarly almost since the first book. But I adored Tessa as a MC. She was so much sharper and more relatable than Clary.
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Hey I’ve tagged you in this! 🙂
https://undercoverbingereader.com/2018/04/13/book-tag-mystery-blogger-award/
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So sad to see you DNFing Tales of the Ketty Jay (as I really enjoyed the series) – but I do totally get DNFing series you barely remember. Pretty sure I’ve done the same thing. I really don’t know what to say about Cassandra Clare’s books. I mean, I totally get why you’d DNF TID, but for me, I have this strange compulsion to keep reading her books … even if they’re not exactly what I would call good. I was, honestly, unable to get past my issues with Crown of Midnight, even for as much as I loved Throne of Glass. But, it looks like you’re making awesome progress DNFing series! And, just think, you’re clearing them out to make room to start more series. 😉
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I’m a little sad to be DNFing it, since I really enjoyed the first book, but I know I’d be lost if I picked up the second book. I mean, I did read all six books in The Mortal Instruments – so I totally get the compulsion to keep reading her books 🙂 It’s like you read my mind! This is all just a ploy to justify buying more series 😉
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Yeah I did stop reading Wooding a while back, but I did like them. I really like TOG too 🙂
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the only series I have DNF-ed so far is “The immortals series by Alyson Noel” It was really irritating to me
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I haven’t read that one and I don’t think I will now, it doesn’t sound great.
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Idk if it’s just me, but I like my female leads with a brain. Otherwise the synopses showed so much promise!
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Haha, I feel you there – protagonist who make nothing but stupid decisions are so annoying.
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