Where Booktube and Bookblogs often focus on the books we’re hyped for, I thought I’d do something a little different today. Instead of talking about my anticipated releases for the rest of the year, I’m going to focus on some 2019-releases that were on my radar at some point, but I’ve lost interest in. Some of them are already out, some of them have yet to be released.
Obvious disclaimer: this is not a bash of any of these books, as I haven’t read them. It’s simply me keeping my TBR in check and explaining why I suspect some of these releases won’t be for me.
What it’s about: The start of a new spin-off series centering around Nikolai from the Grisha trilogy. Why it was originally on my radar: anything by Leigh Bardugo will automatically grasp my attention. Why I lost interest: I have a bad track record with spin-off series, or unplanned additions to existing series in general. I’m often left with the feeling that they don’t add anything, other than money to the publishers/authors pockets. Additionally, I feel I may have outgrown the phase of my life where I enjoyed the original Grisha series. I don’t want to risk tarnishing the nostalgic feeling I have about that series, so I’ve decided to stay away from this one.
Ship of Smoke and Steel – Django Wexler What it’s about: A fantasy story of a girl chasing down a legendary ghost ship on the high seas. Why it was originally on my radar: I love a good sea-set story, and the legend of the Flying Dutchman (which this seemed inspired by) is one of my favorites. I was very excited to see what Wexler would do with that in a fantasy setting. Why I lost interest: The review for this novel have been pretty much all over the place, but a few people I really trust have said some stuff that really put me off. Very poor writing of female characters, awkwardly written F/F romance that feels very voyeuristic, weird use of made up words/slang… I don’t know… I might still give this a try if I can get it through the library, but I won’t be spending money on this book, just for now.
What it’s about: A girl from a royal family is send out on a treacherous sea journey along the (fictionalized) European coasts on a mission: find a suitable wedding candidate, or never return home. Why it was originally on my radar: It was originally sold to me as a YA-fantasy retelling/inspired by the Odyssey, and I was all over that. Also; this is until this day the best cover of 2019 in my opinion. Why I lost interest: It is not a YA-fantasy retelling/inspired by the Odyssey. In fact it’s more of a romance set in a fantasy world, inspired by Cinderella, both of which are anti-buzz words for me. I’m very sad that I won’t be getting my Odyssey retelling, but since this book isn’t going to be that, it had to move off my TBR.
Storm and Fury – Jennifer L. Armentrout What it’s about: A YA-fantasy about a blind girl who has the ability to speak to ghosts and spirits. Said to be dark, feature gargoyles and demons and a supernatural war. Why it was originally on my radar: I was really, really stoked to see a blind main character in fantasy. Other than that: the hype got to me… Why I lost interest: Similarly to The Beholder: when I actually looked into this, I discovered it’s a YA romance, disguised as a fantasy. I’m just not about any of that.
What it’s about: A Beauty and the Beast retelling, set in a fantasy world, featuring a protagonist who is constantly dismissed and underappreciated by her family because of her cerebral palsy.
Why it was originally on my radar: continuing in the line of my deep desire for protagonists with physical disabilities in fantasy: I really wanted to see this main character with cerebral palsy. Also: I did love Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer, even though the premise sounded like something I should hate.
Why I lost interest: The main reason is that I really have zero interest in a(nother) Beauty and the Beast retelling, no matter how well written. After hearing some opinion from reviewers I trust, I just don’t think this will be my cup of tea.
Daisy Jones and the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reed What it’s about: The story of the lead singer of a sixties rockband singer in LA, from struggling artist to rock-legend. Why it was originally on my radar: The hype. Just like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, everybody seems to love this book. Why I lost interest: Where do I start… Nothing about this book appeals to me. I don’t care for books about bands, I don’t typically enjoy books written in interview format, and most importantly: I don’t care for Taylor Jenkins Reid books in general. I seem to have been the only person on the planet who didn’t like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, so I have zero interest in picking up any of her other books. Although I always appreciate you recommending books to me: this one is just not going to happen. To Be released:
Bone Houses – Emily Lloyd Jones What it’s about: A YA fantasy about necromancy, folktales, the rising dead and a teenage gravedigger. What more do you want…? Why it was originally on my radar: The cover, the hype, the author, the … Pick any. Why I lost interest: This is probably very petty of me, but hear me out. I originally missed a key point in the synopsis: this story centers around Fae, which is probably the most overdone trope of the past years, and I immediately lost every interest once I saw that.
Here There Are Monsters – Amelinda Bérubé What it’s about: A Blair Witch inspired story about an unknown horror in the swampy woods, and a group of teenage girls who try to find out the truth behind the legend. Why it was originally on my radar: Blair Witch, monsters in the woods, searching for the truth behind creepy urban legends… basically all of those things are my jam. Why I lost interest: I feel like I’ve read this book so many times before now… Sawkill Girls, The Devouring Gray, Strange Grace, even Stranger Things, just to name a few. Not to mention that I’ve been disappointed by ¾ of those. Unless this gets fabulous reviews, I’m skipping it.
What it’s about: The sequel to what was probably the most hyped fantasy of 2018: Children of Blood and Bone
Why it was originally on my radar: I have so many people in my environment who adore Children of Blood and Bone. I even tried to reread it this year, in hopes I’d like it more the second time round.
Why I lost interest: I couldn’t even finish Children of Blood and Bone upon reread. Everything I disliked the first time, I disliked even more now. Where it got a 3 star-rating from me the first time around, I’m tempted to lower it to a 2 after my second try. Apart from the all black cast, this is one of the most generic, mediocre YA-fantasy’s I’ve ever read, and I have zero interest in continuing in this series.
I hope you enjoyed this list. Let me know if there are any books that you were originally on your radar, but you lost interest in. Also, if I'm completely wrong about any of these novels and you think i will very much enjoy them: please let me know as well.
Until then, happy reading and I hope to see you back soon.
Comments