These Books Would Be Better If...

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday and this weeks topic is:

Books I Wish Had More or Less....

I decided not to stick to just one thing, instead to pick books that I feel would have been improved if they had more or less of one or two things. Some of these are books I really loved, but wanted a little something more for. Some of these books are ones I absolutely hated, and who doesn't love a chance to moan about some of their least favourite books? I know I DO!


More Romance

Crooked Kingdom was a fantastic book and I felt it was a brilliant end to that duology. But I ended up only giving it 4/5 stars because it wasn't everything I had been hoping for. I really wish there had been a little more romance. Mostly I just wanted to squish Kaz and Inej's faces together and make them kiss! I ship them too far too much and wanted them to have a bit more closure to their relationship than what we got. But mostly the squishing together of their faces!

Less Romance

Urgh, Empire of Storms was such a gigantic disappointment in so many ways. And in other ways it was suitably epic. Mostly in the Manon and Asterin chapters... Those girls are THE BEST!!! What I really hated about this book was how ridiculously focused on romance it was. Seriously, every character gets paired off, to the point where it got ridiculous. Honestly, there wasn't a main character that didn't get paired off with someone. My eyes were rolling so much. I could also have done without the most over the top, ridiculous sex scene in the history of ever. Not to mention Dorian turning into Christian Grey.

Exactly my face during Dorians Christian Grey moments.

Uh... NOPE!

More Jin

I recently reviewed Traitor to the Throne and I did really enjoy this book, but it was lacking a few things. The main thing being JIN! Jin is incredible and should be put into as much of this book as possible because he is hilarious, adorable and rather awesome. I missed him when he was absent for parts of the book. I needed more of Jin. I needed more of Jin with Amani. I just needed more Jin!

Less Soap Opera Drama

Oh wow, I absolutely hated Too Late. I usually adore Colleen Hoover's books, but this was just an absolute mess. Horrible amount of soap opera, over the top drama. Such ridiculous scenes, like one where a girl sleeps with someone else in front of her abusive, rapist ex. REALLY?!?! Who does that?!?! Everything about this book was way over the top and I hated it. I can't for the life of me understand any of the 5 star reviews it gets. Especially considering that I feel the rape in this is never properly addressed.


More Action

I really enjoyed The Raven Boys, it introduced some amazing characters and I was fascinated by the ley lines and the search for Glendower. I hate to admit to being disappointed by the second book, The Dream Thieves. I felt it was really slow and boring, it seemed to lack a plot. I felt not a lot really happened in it and I was nodding off trying to get through it. I just didn't think it was as good as the first book and it put me off continuing the series. It was such a shame though, as this book focuses on Ronan and I absolutely love his character.

Less Death

Okay, fine, just less one particular death because... WHY!?!?! Like, seriously, why. Why would Green do that to us!?! I read this book almost a year ago now and I am still not over it. I just have to think about this book and I get all worked up. I absolutely loved this book, it was a 5/5 read for me but I just can't move past it. I wanted a sunshine and rainbows ending because that is just who I am! I don't know why so many of my favourite books end in the deaths of my favourite character.

More Sean

I remember reading and loving the first book in this series, Uninvited. I liked that is was super fast paced and had a ton of action. I really enjoyed the romance as well, it was slow building and it wasn't the main focus of the story. I was very excited for the conclusion to the series... And then I was completely let down. The author spent book one building up these characters and their romance, then just separated them straight away and brought in a new romance. Urgh! It was awful. I wanted Sean back so badly. A total let down of a book, I would never recommend reading it.

Less Copying

I really did not like Red Queen... AT ALL! It had been one of my most anticipated reads the year it came out, and I was left totally disappointed. I was expecting something incredible from this book, instead I just got a story I have read a million times before, only they did it first and they did it better. It borrowed from so many other well known YA books that it all felt far too predictable and I found myself bored whilst reading it. I expected this book to be one I'd be unable to put down, instead I found myself barely able to finish it.



More Action

I wanted to love Mockingjay, but it is definitely the weakest book in the series. It isn't awful, it just isn't the conclusion I was hoping for from the series. It starts very slowly, not much really happens until the final third of the book and then it suddenly feels rushed through. Not to mention Katniss sits out on so much of the action. There are great scenes I'd have loved to actually see, but we can't because Katniss isn't there or she passes out. This was just a bit of a let down after the amazing book that was Catching Fire.

Less Romance

URGH!!! This stupid book, I get annoyed just thinking about it. This book lacked world building or even a basic plot. The whole plot seemed to revolve around the romance. Even the books biggest 'plot twist' was just the identity of the two love interests. That is in no way exciting. Everyone else seemed to love it though, I felt I must have been reading a different book to them. There are three main characters in this book, Lia, then an assassin and a Prince. We're given two names, Rafe and Kaden, but it's not revealed which is the assassin and which is the Prince. Why? It is the most boring plot twist ever. How can that be the most exciting thing that this book has to offer? It's not even a twist, as you know it is coming. So it is logical to work out for yourself that whoever seems like the obvious option to be the Prince or the assassin, they'll end up being the opposite. And they do! WOW! I'm totally shocked.

What would you love certain books to have more of less of? Do you agree with any of my choices?

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton

Title: Traitor to the Throne
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Publisher: Faber & Faber

This is not about blood or love. This is about treason.

Nearly a year has passed since Amani and the rebels won their epic battle at Fahali. Amani has come into both her powers and her reputation as the Blue-Eyed Bandit, and the Rebel Prince's message has spread across the desert - and some might say out of control. But when a surprise encounter turns into a brutal kidnapping, Amani finds herself betrayed in the cruellest manner possible.

Stripped of her powers and her identity, and torn from the man she loves, Amani must return to her desert-girl's instinct for survival. For the Sultan's palace is a dangerous one, and the harem is a viper's nest of suspicion, fear and intrigue. Just the right place for a spy to thrive... But spying is a dangerous game, and when ghosts from Amani's past emerge to haunt her, she begins to wonder if she can trust her own treacherous heart.

Me with this sequel!

It feels like I have been waiting forever for Traitor to the Throne, even though I manage to get my hands on an early review copy. I read the first book, Rebel of the Sands, way back in October 2015 and fell completely in love with the world and the characters. It became one of my top reads of that year and I gushed about it endlessly, recommending it whenever I could. Waiting for this sequel was torturous, I needed more and jumped at the chance to read it early. I am happy to say that I felt it was well worth the wait, as Alwyn Hamilton didn't disappoint. Instead she has solidified her place as one of the most exciting emerging YA authors, and I can't wait to see what she does next.

Many second books in a trilogy have fallen victim to the dreaded Middle Book Syndrome, which is why I am always so nervous before I start a sequel, especially for a book I loved. I really feel like Traitor to the Throne manages to avoid falling into this trap, instead it has everything you could want - action, adventure, shocks, politics, new characters, as well as all the characters we came to love in the first book. Traitor to the Throne picks up about six months after the battle of Fahali, and the rebellion is growing every day. Amani is enjoying an active role in the rebellion when she is captured and finds herself within the walls of the Sultan's palace, a prisoner with no means of escape. Now she is forced to work from the inside to try and take down the sultan, realising along the way that the rebellion isn't as simple as she has always believed, as she starts to question Ahmed's ability to lead.

Amani is one of my favourite female characters, her journey is one that I loved reading about. It was great to watch her go from such a place of oppression to a woman who has the full use of her powers, working to help the rebellion. She has been able to carve out a place for herself within the rebellion, fighting for what she believes in. This book pushes Amani out of her comfort zone, back to a place where has next to no control and she couldn't rely on her powers, or even her sharpshooting skills to get her through. She had to use her mind to outsmart and outwith those around her and, personally, I really enjoyed that part of the book.

My Amani & Jin thoughts!

Now I have to comment on Jin because, boy, do I love his character. And I have such a hate for sequel books where they separate the two leads. WHY?!? Why would you do that to me! When I just want to squish their faces together, your putting them as far apart as possible. It is done here and I feel you definitely feel Jin's absence whilst reading. The book is from Amani's POV so we don't even get to check in on Jin and I hated it. I missed his snark and humour, I also missed the romance. I loved the romance in the first book and there was none of it here. It was very effective though, as I was just as anxious as Amani to find out what had happened to him.

Hamilton takes this story into the palace, throwing Amani at the mercy of the man she is trying to take down. This worked so well, giving a face and a voice to the Sultan, to our man antagonist. He gets to have an active role, we see who he is and what he is willing to do. It also meant lots of time for politics, with Amani being able to see the reality of ruling, and what Ahmed would need to be capable of doing if he were to rule. This book was all fast paced action in the beginning, fast paced action at the end, but a muck slower middle. It concentrated on the politics, as well as world building and the history of the Djinn. We learn a lot during this time, and the Djinn play a bigger role here. Not to mention we have a fantastic LGBT romance, involving a gender fluid character -and it gave me all the frigging feels!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great sequel. Yes, I will admit, I didn't love this anywhere near as much as I loved the first book. I felt it lacked the romance and humour I loved from book one, but the books calls for that so it was understandable. It is also a bit too long for me, I like my books under 450 pages or they can start to drag. But I still really enjoyed it and I am absolutely dying to get my hands on the final book.I trust Hamilton completely to write an epic conclusion to this series, which best include some epic kissing scenes to make up for the lack of Jin in this book!

4/5 Butterflies

End of Year Book Survey 2016

It's that time of year again, time to do the End of Year Book Survey hosted by Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner. It is a great time to look back on my reading and blogging year. I get to see all the books I have read, authors I have discovered, events I attended and so much else. It also lets me see that even though I have felt like the most failing blogger ever... I did accomplish quite a lot this year and should be proud of that. 

Every year I struggle not to reuse the same 12 or so books, but this year I will attempt to change it up a little bit... it probably won't work though. I also like to use picutres of the covers but my HTML on this post is being a little bitch and it won't let me put the image next to the text in most cases so that won't be happening apparently.

Here are my past End of Year Survey:

1. End of Year Book Survey 2015
2. End of Year Book Survey 2014
3. End of Year Book Survey 2013

Number of books read: 114

Number of re-reads: 21

Genre you read the most from: Fantasy

1. Best books read in 2016?

This actually said best 'book', but I am not about to pick just 1 favourite book of 2016. Mostly because I am one indecisive person, but also because I read so many amazing books.

I am not going to go into detail about these as I will probably use them for other answers and will give more detail then. 

2. Book I was excited for, thought I would love but didn't?

Oh so many books left me disappointed this year:

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was just like reading some god awful fan fiction, written by someone who didn't know the characters or the world very well. It was awful. I have bought tickets for the play, as I still feel it will be magical to see on stage. But this will never be canon to me... EVER! You can read my full ranty review here. 

The Dream Thieves was just too meh. Nothing really happened and I was bored whilst reading. I reviewed that book too, which you can read here. I love Colleen Hoovers books but I felt this one was too emotionally manipulative on so many levels. Every single character had some kind of tragic back story. Not to mention the weird diary entries to Ellen Degeneres, being just another attempt for Colleen Hoover to get on that show. I thought it was an okay read, but not to the level of her other books. Too Late was her doing something very different and I hated it, it was soap opera level drama and I couldn't stand it.

RoseBlood was one of the strangest books I have ever read. It is so weird that I couldn't even begin to try and put all the weirdness into words, which made reviewing it so hard. Chasing the Stars was just so terrible for a lot of reasons, I couldn't even bring myself to review that one.

3. Most surprising book I read, in a good or bad way?

Definitely the most suprising in a bad way was Empire of Storms, I really did not enjoy that book. I didn't absolutely hate it, I just felt it was the weakest in the series after Queen of Shadows. It had some brilliant moments, but I hated the surprising turn of one of my favourite young adult series turning into a weird new adult romance novel, with a bit of erotica thrown in. No, not okay. The best parts of this book were all of Manon's chapters.

4. Book I "pushed" the most people to read, and they did?

I have already mentioned the being a sucky blogger for all of 2016, so I have kind of been unable to push books onto people. I want to push the Saga graphic novel series on to EVERYONE though! So, if you haven't read it, go read it. It is hilarious and emotional, with incredible characters and a great story.

5. Best series I started in 2016? Best sequel of 2016? Best series ender of 2016?

Illuminae and Saga were my two favourite new series that I discovered, I absolutely love both and highly recommend them. I think A Court of Mist and Fury was the best book I read all year, it was incredible. Morning Star was such an epic conclusion to an already highly epic series.

6. Favourite new author I discovered in 2016?

I discovered Jay Kristoff this year and I am very happy for that... Now I just need to read Nevernight and hope it doesn't disappoint.

7. Best book from a genre I don't typically read/was out of my comfort zone?

I have to go with Vain for this one, as that is a new adult and not something I read very regularly. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it, especially when the main character is supposed to be so unlikeable in the beginning. I couldn't put the book down though, it was one of the best new adult books I have ever read. And I then devoured the rest in the series, plus bought two more books from the author. You can read my full review here.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

I think I am going to have to go with Gemina for this one. I thought that book was sooooo brilliant and I found it almost impossible to put down when I was reading it. Plus it completely shocked me at times, had my mouth hanging open and wanting to close the book, and step away from it slowly. Such a brilliant book!

Basically me reading this book.

I almost forgot Half Lost. Half Lost. Half Lost. HALF LOST!!! THAT ENDING!?!?!

9. Book I read in 2016 that I am most likely to re-read next year?

Literally any book that is a part of a series with a book coming out next year. I don't want to, but I will be rereading Empire of Storms so that I can review it finally and also do a recap for it.

10. Favourite cover of a book read in 2016?

LOOK UPON THEIR BEAUTY!

11. Most memorable character of 2016?

These six are memorable for so many reasons! Such a brilliant cast of characters, ones I did not want to leave.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2016?

I actually don't know which book I should pick for this so I won't pick any!

13. Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2016?

I think these two are great choices for this as I thoroughly enjoyed both. One handled mental health so well, the other dealt with grief and loss. I loved both.

14. Book I can't believe I waited until 2016 to finally read?

15. Favourite passage/quote from a book I read in 2016?

"I would have come for you. And if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we'd fight our way out together-knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that's what we do. We never stop fighting."

16. Shortest and longest book read in 2016?

Shortest: Half Lies by Sally Green

Longest: Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

17. Book that shocked me the most?

I definitely want to go with Morning Star for this for a few different reasons. It shocked me so much when reading.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR

Rhysand & Feyre 

Print by Charlie Bowater

She is so incredibly talented, her prints are available on Society 6. I got her 

19. Favourite non-romantic relationship of the year?

They are not new to me this year, but they will win out because they are incredible: Darrow & Sevro from the Red Rising series. Brilliant friendship! Sevro is so fiercely loyal to Darrow, and they have stuck together from the very beginning. Plus I love how utterly hilarious Sevro is, he brings some much needed humour to the series and to Darrow.

20. Favourite book read in 2016 from an author I have read previously?

I have already said that I love ACOMAF, it is my top read of the year. So to change it up, I will mention something different. I will go with P.S. I Like You by Kasie West. It was utterly adorable, as I have come to expect from Kasie West.

21. Best book read in 2016 that I read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure?

I finally read An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir and that was definitely because of pressure from other people. I actually really enjoyed it and am excited to read the sequel.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book I read in 2016?

Print by the very talented Merwild

Technically I discovered Kaz last year, but I am counting it!

23. Best 2016 debut I read?

I would have gone with Rebel of the Sands, as that is a brilliant piece of storytelling. But I technically read it in 2015 and it was included a ton on my End of Year Survey last year. Instead I will go with The Crown's Game because the Imperial Russia setting won me over completely, which is why I would also consider it for the question below - brilliant world building for sure!

24. Best worldbuildig/most vivid setting I read this year?

Art by the incredibly talented Charlie Bowater

THE NIGHT COURT!

25. Book that put a smile on my face/was the most fun to read?

 

These two graphic novels were a lot of fun to read. This was the year I discovered a ton of graphic novels and loved them all. Nimona was one that made me smile, it had such a cute gay romance in it too that was just too adorable. Rat Queens is just funny as fuck, I love the characters so much and can't wait for the next Volume.

26. Book that made me cry?

Basically every reader to Sally Green. Why, bitch, why?!?!

27. Hidden gem of the year?

I did not expect to love this book anywhere near as much as I did.

28. Book that crushed your soul?

I'm just going to go with Half Lost again. WHY, Sally Green, WHY?!?! *ugly cries*

29. Most unique book I read in 2016?

I am going with The Leaving by Tara Altenbrando, which I felt was very unique. I loved that book so much, and totally wasn't expecting it.

30. Book that made me the most mad?

 

Not only did the book make me mad, the stupid fucks reading it did too. There is a character in this book who is abusive and a rapist. And people kept saying how much they loved him. Or wished he got a happy ending. Or wish the girl had stayed with him. Or that he deserved sympathy because of a tragic past. Nope. No. Not ever. Never. Fuck you all. What absolute idiots?!? There is never any excuse to rape or abuse another human being. Having a tragic past excuses nothing. How can you like a guy like that. I also hated the main character, who acts like getting raped repeatedly by her boyfriend is completely normal. It is never addressed or treated as a big deal. Urgh. I was shouting at this book so much. I just wanted to chuck my Kindle out the window.

Paper Princess made me so mad too, for almost the same reason. The romantic male lead is a total dick. He is an awful human being. He basically refers to every woman as a slut or a whore. And is mean as all hell to the lead. Then the authors try to excuse this behaviour because 'he liked her all along really'. No, NOT OKAY! And to make matters worse I had the sequel and read that too, and it got worse from there. He then becomes that character who beats up any person who looks at the girl the wrong way. And she likes it! Urgh. Not to mention the female character is drugged and almost raped, which I hate when that is used as a plot point to just allow the male lead to come to her rescue and prove he's not a total dickhead. But she then decides to not press charges or do anything about it because he didn't succeed in raping her. WHAT?!?! What is this book trying to say?!? That it is fine to try and rape someone as long as you're caught before you can do it. Or that you shouldn't press charges, just let the guy get away with it so he can try and succeed with someone else in the future?!? Oh my, worst books ever.

1. New favourite book blog I discovered in 2016?

I am not joking when I say I was an awful blogger for the whole of 2016, so I didn't really discover any new blogs. But here are some of my favourite bloggers, not just for their incredible content but also because they are all wonderfully kind and supportive individuals:

Cait @ Paper Fury / Natalie & Lexie from The Honest Bookclub / Amanda @ Nellie and Co. / Brittany @ This is the Story of My Reading Life / Rachel @ Confessions of a Book Geek / Ella @ Once Upon a Bookish Time / Zoe @ Stories on Stage / Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books / Jeann @ Happy Indulgence / Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

I know there are probably a million more amazing blogs I love and should mention, but my brain is like jelly right now and I can't think. So I am sorry if I have missed you off the list.

2. Favourite review that I wrote in 2016?

My Fav Positive/Gushy/Fangirling Ones

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

The Martian by Andy Weir

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

My Ranty/I-Hate-This Ones

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling

City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

3. Best discussion/non-review post I had on the blog?

Things to Know When Dating a Bookworm

Non- Book romances that need a book adaptation

Rating a book before you have read it

4. Best event that I participated in?

I went to soooooo many amazing events this year and I loved them all. I got to go to another Sarah J. Maas event and meet her for the 2nd time. I also got to go see Leigh Bardugo and Rainbow Rowell on their Worlds Collide Tour, although the signing after was disastrously planned out - I was still so happy to get my Six of Crows books signed. I also got to go to YALC for the 3rd year in a row, it was the funnest one I've been to so far. I also got to go to some great blogger events, I especially loved the Chapter 5 event that I went to, so good.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2016?

FIND ME HERE

Giving more time to my Instagram and seeing it pay off. I have loved watching my Instagram grow, my style get better and finding my feet. I even started hosting a challenge every month and I love it.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or my reading life this year?

I suffered a giant blogging and reading slump this year. I have spoken a little in the past about my struggle with depression. I go back and forth with my medication, I always make the mistake of going off it as soon as I feel 'better'. Then my energy levels dip again and I can't bring myself to blog or read. I also started to get a bit healthier, I joined a gym but it is quite far away and so going their took up all my spare time after work. I might swap gyms to a closer one to give myself more time. I found regular exercise did amazing things for me, it really helped with my anxiety and depression. I hope to work on myself more in 2017, so I can dedicate more time to the blog.

7. Most popular post this year on the blog?

My Queen of Shadows recap

8. Post I wished got a little more love?

I don't know, probably reviews as they always get the least love.

9. Best bookish discovery?

Fairyloot!

I am obsessed with this subscription box!

10. Did I complete any reading challenges or goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year?

I complete my Goodreads challenge of reading 100 books, which is amazing considering my reading slump started in September and I only read 12 books in the last 4 months of the year, which means I read over 100 in just 8 months.

1. One book I didn't get to in 2016, but will be number one priority in 2017?

  

2. Book I am most anticipating in 2017?

3. 2017 debut I am most anticipating?

4. Series ending/a sequel I am most anticipating in 2017?

I also really want the next book in the Illuminae Files series, as well as to see how Throne of Glass ends. 

5. One thing I hope to accomplish or do in my reading/blogging life in 2017?

Just to post a bit more regularly and get on top of my reading slump.

6. A 2017 release I have already read and recommend to everyone?

So that is all my bookish thoughts of 2016, everything I read and accomplished all put down for me to see, and I am rather pleased with myself. I felt like I was the worst blogger in 2016, but I think I am being a little hard on myself. I did quite well for the first two thirds of the year, it was just the last 4 months that kicked my ass. Here's hoping 2017 is a bit better!

How was your reading year? Do we share any favourite books this year? Did you do the survey? If so, link to it, I'd love the check out your answers.