Mabuhay, friends!
This has been a great month of going through all the hyped books I’ve come across. Of course, despite the hype, despite many of our close friends enjoying the book, some books just don’t work for us. I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing though! I believe that when we find out we don’t like a book, it gives us more insight in to our reading habits. When we ask ourselves: ‘Why didn’t like this?” or “What didn’t work for me?” we’re engaging with the work and developing our inner critic. Do you feel the same? Let me know what you think in the comments!
If you would like to, you should also check out my other Top Five Tuesday posts: Hyped Books I Love, Hyped Books on my Reading List and the Hyped Books I’m Not Interested In.
To check out the July to September topics post, please click here. Top Five Tuesday was created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, and is now being hosted by Meeghan at Meeghan Reads.
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
I am so, so sad to have The Chosen and the Beatiful by Nghi Vo on this list. Nghi Vo has become one of my favourite writers ever since I read The Empress of Salt and Fortune. This book sounded right up my alley even though I had not read The Great Gatsby. Unfortunately, despite the beautiful and whimsical writing, the narrative was too detached. While I enjoyed Jordan’s character, I do wish the character study had explored more about Jordan’s identity. While I, personally, did not enjoy this, I would encourage others to give this a try.
🌸 Related Review: The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao, sadly, did not reach the depths of my heart. As lovely as the premise was, the characters and their relationships with each other fell flat. I did like that the story showed different ways people grieve but I was not emotionally impacted by the story. Julie’s character study was a reminder that grief is messy and prickly. But Sam’s character lacked dimension, to a point that I could not imagine who he was as a person. Because of this his relationship with Julie was not conveyed as well.
🌸 Related Review: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie is one of those books that the first time I read it, I loved it! But the more I thought about it, the less impactful it was. What didn’t work for me was the Bastien and Ailesse’s attraction to each other. Every time Ailesse brought up the subject of being soul mates, even as a threat, I wanted to roll my eyes. I do think this would be an enjoyable read for someone who is looking for a fast-paced adventure because the magic system was certainly admirable!
🌸 Related Review: Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
To Kill A Kingdom was marketed as a retelling of The Little Mermaid about a feared siren intent on killing a prince so that she can be turned back into human. Nothing about this book impressed me. The world-building was not well-described and the secondary characters were one dimensional. If you want a dark siren story, then I highly recommend A Lair of Bones by Helen Scheuerer.
🌸 Related Review: OUR BLOODY PEARL BY D.N. BRYN
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
I will admit that The Switch was a very cute book. Though I enjoyed Eileen’s character arc, Leena’s was meh. I was excited to read this book since I had heard good things about The Flatshare and wanted to give the author a try. I’m still finding my way through contemporary books, especially romance.
🌸 Related Post: FOUR ROMANCE BOOKS I WANT TO READ DURING ISOLATION
🌸 Which hyped books have you read an didn’t like?
🌸 Have you read any of these books? What did you think?
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Camillea Reads 
I’ve heard a lot of good things about you’ve reached Sam, it was fun to hear a different opinion. I do plan to read the book, and I hope I enjoy it 😁. Nice post!!
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I hope you enjoy it too!! The premise was really good 🙂
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Ooof!! Bone Crier’s Moon is on my TBR… I might push it further down the list 😅
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I agree with You’ve Reach Sam; I feel like Sam as a character wasn’t really fleshed out and it affected how I viewed their relationship. I’m currently reading To Kill A Kingdom and it’s been really boring so far 😭 It pains me but I really don’t enjoy it
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So I am scared and this is why: The first two you have here I own and plan to read. And I ALSO did not like Bone Crier’s Moon, like, at all. I rolled my eyes much like you did hah. So… consider me scared for the first two bwhaha. Especially Sam, because I have to read it for review! Or maybe The Chosen and the Beautiful because I paid for it, frankly 😂 Sorry that these were all letdowns for you!
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