The wonderful Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts tagged me to do The Wasted Potential Tag and I thought it would be fun. I do not often talk about books I didn’t like on this blog, but it I think it is an interesting thing to do every once in awhile.
One. A book that tried but failed to tackle an issue?
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
The Almost Moon is up there as one of my most hated novels, which is a shame considering I did enjoy The Lovely Bones. The Almost Moon is so dark that it is almost ridiculous. The main character and her both her parents obviously suffer from mental illness, but it is never addressed. I had some issues with how the mother was made to be the villain, while the father, who made just as many mistakes, was excused. It has been years since I read it but it still makes me angry!
Two. An intriguing series that didn’t pay off?
Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
I wanted to love this series! It sounded so creepy and I loved the inclusion of the old photographs the author found at antique stores- such a cool idea. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me and I actually found it to be quite boring. It was disappointing because the premise intrigued me so much. I made it through the first two books in the series but couldn’t force myself to finish the third one.
Three. A great beginning with a mediocre ending?
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
I was really excited to read The Turn of the Key and I thought that it had a strong beginning. Ware is an expert at building atmosphere and I loved the smarthome twist on a haunted house. There was a lot of great foreshadowing and some fun reveals, but the ending was unsatisfying. I want the endings of my thrillers to give me all the answers, and that was far from the case here.
Four. A last-minute twist that ruined it all?
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
I will forever be grateful to Everything, Everything because it was my despise for the twist that inspired me to start this blog- I needed somewhere to rant! I saw the twist coming a million miles away and I thought that it cheapened the entire novel. If you are going to do a twist like that it needs to be explored a lot more!
Five. A great plot with some boring characters?
The Girls by Emma Cline
Emma Cline is a very talented writer, but I do not understand how she managed to make a story about a cult so boring. I think the major problem was the main character. She had connections to the cult but was never truly in the thick of things. Because of this, it feels like the reader is on the outside looking in- not something I want when reading a book about a cult. Honestly, I would have eliminated her character all together.
Six. A character death that ruined a book? (SPOILERS)
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Forever my answer for this kind of question. Such a great book but that death was unnecessary and made me so angry!!
Seven. A romance that ruined a book for you? (SPOILERS)
Uprooted by Naomi Novak
I realize that Uprooted is a Beauty and the Beast retelling so it kind of needed the romance, but boy did I hate it! I felt like the characters had zero chemistry and the whole thing made me very uncomfortable. I think part of the problem is that the characters felt very one-dimensional. That said, I am still curious about Spinning Silver!
Eight. A romance that you wanted to happen? (SPOILERS)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I love you Peeta, but no! I will always be team Gale. I felt like Katniss settled for Peeta because she could not forgive Gale, which isn’t fair to anyone. A part of me wishes she would have ended up alone!
Nine. A scene you have petty beef with?
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I love Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I had a lot of issues with One True Loves. I can not really get in to the scene that annoyed me without spoilers, so I will just say this- I hate when there is a love triangle and it is obvious that the author wants you to prefer one of the love interests over the other, and to do this she makes one of them a jerk! I thought that the character deserved more time and understanding!
I have to ask the aged old question- Team Peeta, Team Gale, or Team No one?! Also, should I read Spinning Silver even if I had issues with Uprooted?
this post made me cackle SO HARD. please write something like this again!
Hahaha glad you enjoyed it!
I didn’t like the romance in Uprooted either. I didn’t like it when he called her an idiot. And I hate love triangles that bash one love interest to make the other look better. (SJM I’m looking at you!) and I’m Team Peeta, even though you might have a point about Katniss being better off alone.
Yes! That made me so angry.
I haven’t read SJM but it’s good to know that it’s something she does with love triangles. It really annoys me!
I think there would be a better chance of Katniss ending up alone if it were written today.
omg this tag looks like a lot of fun. having to go through the books that disappointed you in some way! I feel the same about Katniss to be honest. It would have been so much better if she ended up alone, or at least her and Peeta were friends living in exile and safe from the Capital but not together.
It was really fun! I love the idea of her and Peeta living together as friends.
I actually had to stop reading The Knife of Never Letting Go after the death. I just couldn’t bring myself to continue reading it which is such a shame because I enjoyed most of it.
I struggled to push through. Caught me completely off guard!
I’m also in team Gale. I never liked Peeta. He was too weak for my liking and his love was odd, I never felt it.
Agreed! I never bought that Peeta loved her that much.
Excellent tag! And, team Gale💜
Thank you! Team Gale 100%!
I absolutely LOVE this tag and *slams fist on yes button* ABSOLUTELY YES AT MISS PEREGRINE
I feel like i’m in the minority with that but you got it spot on
Thank you! Miss Peregrine had so much potential! I was so disappointed.
I totally agree with Miss Peregrine! I thought the first book was good, but not amazing, and then I thought turning it into a series was a bit much. Also totally agree about The Girls. I just started the audiobook and omg it’s taking so long for things to start, and the narrator is pretty bland so far
I feel like the series was neverending. It’s start to feel like a money grab at some point. I had such I hopes for The Girls! I am curious to see what you think in the end.
Great post, Kristin. Interesting thoughts on The Turn of the Key – I haven’t read it yet but its a shame the ending wasn’t so good.
Thank you. I would be curious to see what you think!
I was rooting for Peeta the entire time too! And I’m so sad you couldn’t enjoy Everything, Everything. I’ve been wanting to read it for a while but I’m sad to hear bad stuff about it 🙁
The romance is cute and it has such a strong start but I just couldn’t get on board with the twist. A lot of people loved it though!
I actually TOTALLY agree with your thoughts on The Hunger Games. Also, the Everything Everything twist was beyond disappointing. Great post!💜
Yes on both accounts! So glad you agree.
I’m with you about Miss Peregrine’s. I was so bored by it and expected so much.
Lol! Yea, I’m all Team Gale too 😀
The series was so hyped but I think it was more for the idea than the execution. Gale all the way!
This is an awesome tag!
It was fun to write!
Yesssss! I was also disappointed by Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children and The Turn of the Key. Glad to know I’m not alone.
I was bored by both at times! It’s too bad because they did have potential.
The almost moon was one of the worst book I ever read! I’ve loved The lovely bones, but I can’t finish this one. Horrible.
And #TeamGale forever!
Yes! I can’t believe The Almost Moon was even published. Go Gale!
Personally I am team no – one! I think that if THG was written more now, when less triangles are encouraged, Collins would have her as someone by herself. However, considering the tropes and genres written when it was published, I can see how it worked 🙂
– Emma
I can totally get behind team no one! I think the same thing.
I really enjoyed this post. I think it’s good to write about books that irritate or annoy, it might save someone else from being annoyed 🙂
So glad you enjoyed it! I completely agree!
Awe!! I’m glad you had fun with this! I totally feel you with “Everything, Everything” … I was enjoying it but that ending twist was … I don’t even know. And regarding The Hunger Games … *SPOILER*
I was happy with that couple ending ha-ha! I was one of the few of my friends that wasn’t team Gale ha-ha!
Everything, Everything was really sweet until that twist!
Hahah I understand the Peeta love but still Team Gale! 😋
As long as you understand the Peeta love, them I’m satisfied 😉 I do love Gale as well. I actually got him for the test ha-ha!