Hey, Nerds! It’s time for another edition of Top 5 Wednesday and today’s topic is to list your 5 most disappointing reads of 2018. It’s funny this came up because I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Over on BookTube (the bookie subculture of YouTube) everyone is posting their year-end videos and this is a topic that gets discussed a lot.
I am glad that I only have to choose five because, frankly, I really didn’t read that many that I would say ‘disappointed’ me. Also, I just want to note that these are not necessarily my lowest rated books, they are just the ones that I didn’t enjoy as much as I thought I would. Without further ado, let’s get into those disappointing reads:
Wonderblood by Julia Whicker – This was actually the first book I completed in 2018 and man, did it let me down. (side note: I also think this was the first book that I ever reviewed from NetGalley) This was a post-apocalyptic, Adult, sci-fi mess, that I was really expecting so much more from. There was over-the-top brutality, right from the very start – and I read brutal things, guys, you know that – but this was just ‘shock value’ stuff. In my opinion, it was really detrimental to the overall story. There were a few cool things going on with religion and the politics but it was just so discombobulated story all the cool things got lost in the mess. I very, very, VERY generously gave this 3-stars but if I had it to do all over again, it would be a 2-star.
The Dead Ringer (Agatha Raisin #29) by M.C. Beaton – I have loved reading Agatha Raisin books since I was a tween. In fact, I continue to read cozy mysteries to this day because they remind me of that time, of home. Agatha Raisin, in my memory, was one of those fun-loving, if be it a little wild, female amateur sleuths who always had a good mystery to solve; like Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple. However, apparently over the years, Ms. Raisin has grown into a horribly negative and bitter old codger. I just did not enjoy this at all and was so disappointed with the writing and characters. It was nothing like the stories I remembered.
A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes #1) by Brittany Cavallaro – This is easily the most popular book on this list and hopefully, if this is one of your favorite books, you don’t take offense. The thing is, I really expected to love this YA Mystery that follows teenage descendants of Holmes and Watson. I just didn’t. I was so bored. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. I didn’t like them. I didn’t care what happened to them and I found nothing intriguing about the mystery. The only good thing for me is that I was able to take the rest of the series off my tbr list. Again, I generously gave this 3-stars. The writing was perfectly fine it was just the content that disappointed me.
The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty’s Prince (Villains #2) by Serena Valentino – This is the second book in Disney’s, Villains series, which essentially tells the origin story of some of the world’s best known villains. I read the first book in the series in 2017 and really enjoyed it. That one told the origin of the Wicked Queen and although I did find the writing a bit immature, there were some really cool, original ideas added to her story. That’s what I expected going into this one as well. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale and man, did this one disappoint me. It was SO terrible. Beast’s character was awful! I felt like writing an anonymous, heartfelt letter to Beauty and telling her to stay away from him. He had no redeemable characteristics whatsoever. I hated him. The end. Moving on.
Hunting Annabelle by Wendy Heard – This was actually one of the last books I read in 2018 and again, major disappointment. The synopsis for this sounded so good. A psychotic serial killer type person, a missing girl, did he do it, did he not. It sounded trippy and creepy and I got that for about the first 25% of the book and then it just got too weird. Think of the plot lines of like As The World Turns circa 1987 and then add some bullshit to it (ahem, more bullshit). I mean, just blah. It lost my interest with it’s ridiculousness and never gained it back. The writing, again, was good. It wasn’t the writing, for me it was what I consider to be very weak content. I’m not sure what the author was thinking for this one. But, you know what, it has worked for a lot of people because the overall rating on Goodreads is currently 3.81, so what the hell do I know? Take it with a grain of salt.
And just like that, this salty blog post is over! What were you most disappointing reads of 2018? I want to know! Leave a comment here or contact me through any of my social media links!
Cheers & Happy Reading~
King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1) by Leigh Bardugo – This is a BIG one. Probably one of the most hyped books of the year. Leigh Bardugo is an incredible writer and I’m sure this book is going to be sensational. Someday, I will read this, however, I have NEVER read a book set in the Grisha Verse (Bardugo’s fictional world). I need to read the Grisha Verse trilogy and the Six of Crows duology before I can even think about picking this one up. The good news is that I do own them both, so I am set up to someday be reading this book. It just may take a while, therefore I give zero F*s about it now.
Slayer by Kiersten White (Release Date: January 8, 2019) – If you were ever a fan of the hit series Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, you are probably aware that this book is coming out very soon. I was so pumped when I heard of this book’s existence. First of all, Kiersten White is a hugely popular author and this, a whole new story taking place within the Buffy universe, yes, sign me up! Side Note: ((aka super exciting news)) I was alerted today by the publisher, Simon Teen, that I actually have won a pre-release copy through a Twitter Sweepstakes I entered so should have a copy of this shortly! You better believe I will be reading it in January!
White Stag (Permafrost #1) by Kara Barbieri (Release Date: January 8, 2019) – The last child in a family of only daughters, 17-year-old, Janneke is being raised to be a male heir. While her sisters are training to be good wives and loving mothers, she is being taught to hunt and fight. After her village is attacked, Janneke, the only survivor, is taken prisoner by the evil Goblin King, Lydian. As she finds herself becoming more monster than human, Janneke begins to question who she really is and where she truly belongs. You guys, this books sounds action-packed and brutal and that is totally my aesthetic. Side Note: I am lucky enough to have been included in the Blog Tour for the release of the book so stayed tuned for that in the beginning of January!
Danny Torrance from The Shining & Doctor Sleep – For those of you who may have missed it, The Shining, is one of my all-time favorite books. I love this book to the moon and back. Every time I read it I am in absolute awe of the horror goodness within the pages. When King announced there would be a sequel, Doctor Sleep, where Danny Torrance was now a grown-up, I pinched myself. Too good to be true, was it not? But low and behold Doctor Sleep was released, Danny is still awesome and I would be blessed if he would join me for Friendsgiving Day dinner! Side Note: I believe ((but could be wrong)) that Ewan McGregor has been cast as Danny in the upcoming Doctor Sleep film. I will take that version, please.
Professor Minerva McGonagall from the Harry Potter series – Professor McGonagall is my idol and my queen. I love her dry wit and fair play and I know she would be an absolute blast to be around once she lets her hair down. Sure, she can seem a wee bit grumpy around Hogwarts but who wouldn’t dealing with all those damn kids all day. I am sure behind her pursed lips and stern glare there is a wildchild just waiting for the right opportunity to let loose and become the life of the party. Plus, magic. We need someone to bring the magic to the Friendsgiving Day party – my hopes is that would make clean-up a breeze!
Hercule Poirot from many Agatha Christie works – I mean, who wouldn’t kill for a chance to have Hercule Poirot at their Friendsgiving Day table ((pun absolutely intended)). The stories this man could tell = dinner and a show. I think him and Minerva would get along swimmingly. Is that love I smell in the air? In all honesty, Hercule Poirot is one of the most interesting, enigmatic characters ever written. I want to get to know him better. Hopefully there will be no murders to investigate whilst Friendsgiving is going on but if there is, between him and Holly we are sure to solve our ‘whodunit’!!
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton – I actually received this book as an ARC way back in February but I haven’t gotten to it yet because I am terrible. Just terrible. The release date for this book was 9/18/2018 here in the U.S., although it had released previously in the U.K. Overall, this unique mystery/thriller has received great reviews. The current Goodreads rating is 4.08 for 11,265 ratings – quite strong for a thriller on GR. This story follows Aidan Bishop as he wakes up every day at Blackheath House in a different body with the aim of solving the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day. I have never heard of a mystery book like this before and I am really looking forward to reading it. I plan to start this one by the weekend!
Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm – Releasing on November 27th, I received this cute YA Contemporary from the publisher, Disney-Hyperion, as an ARC to review. I am planning to start this one by this weekend as well. This book follows Rosie and Henry, two American teen chefs, who travel to Paris to attend a prestigious cooking school run by celebrity chef, Denis Laurent. I expect this one to be humorous and heavy on cutesy romance. Sparks will fly – I can just feel it! I love cooking competitions on television, my favorite being The Great British Bake Off. As soon as I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I wanted to give it a try.
The Mansion by Ezekiel Boone – This horror novel, releasing on December 4th, is another book I have an ARC copy of which I received from the publisher, Atria Books. I really don’t know how to describe this one, it sounds very unique and like it could be a wild ride. Basically, it follows two computer programmers, Shawn and Billy. After a fallout, Shawn goes on to become rich and famous while Billy is a complete failure. Seeking revenge against Shawn for perceived wrongs, Billy sets up a ‘smart house’ computer program at an old mansion they used to live near and all hell breaks loose from there. I am not sure what I am going to get from this as the reviews have been mixed ((which you see a lot with horror novels)) but Ezekiel Boone is an author I have been curious about so I am looking forward to reading something of his.
Song of Susannah (Dark Tower #6) by Stephen King – The Dark Tower series truly is King’s Magnum Opus. The size and scope of this series has been mind-boggling to me from the very beginning. I am currently reading the 5th book in the series, Wolves of the Calla ((I have about 45-pages left)) and I can tell you I have purposefully slowed down my pace. It recently hit me that I only have two more books and then I am at the end. As a HUGE King fan this series really means a lot to me. I am sure that I will read it again in my lifetime, start-to-finish, but you only get that ‘1st time’ feeling once. This book connects so much to his other works and connects those works together until you could have one giant flow chart of King goodness that would make any Constant Reader ((King’s loving nickname for his fan base)) swoon. It’s really hard to explain this series. Suffice it to say it is an all consuming story of a tight-knit group of individuals (a ka-tet in Tower speak) from different times and different places who must band together to protect the ultimate good from the ultimate evil. It is a parallel universe story that is so incredibly constructed it will leave you shaking your head in awestruck admiration. Certainly not for everyone but the people who read it all the way through never forget it, I can tell you that.
edition, published 2007) Yes, I have read The Stand before. In fact, it is my favorite book of all time. The ultimate tale of good versus evil. I am planning to reread this monster in 2019 so recently added it back to my tbr. The Stand follows a ragtag group of survivors after a virus carried outside of a government laboratory wipes out 99% of the population. The cast of characters in this is well developed, some heroes, some villains and some in-between. I cannot wait to dive back into this as time has lost some of the finer plot points.
The Dark Tower (Book 7 of The Dark Tower series) by Stephen King – (1,072 pages in the Pocket Books edition published in 2016) This is the final book in King’s epic Dark Tower series which follows gunslinger, Roland of Gilead, and his ka-tet as they battle the forces of evil on their quest to find the Dark Tower. I am currently 85-pages from the end of Book 5, The Wolves of the Calla. This series is mind-boggling. Absolutely astounding in its scope. The connections between this series and King’s other works are so enjoyable and really an experience any of King’s ‘Constant Readers’ should undertake at least once in their lifetime. If you are a fan of King’s works, I cannot recommend this series enough.
A Feast for Crows (Book 4 of The Song of Ice & Fire series) by George R.R. Martin – (1,061 pages in the Bantam Books paperback published in 2011) Many people are familiar with HBO’s hugely popular show, The Game of Thrones. I myself am obsessed with it. I did watch the show first and then began reading the books. I felt that helped with this series. It is so epic, I felt it was helpful when picturing it all in my head (and also, let’s be honest, with the pronunciation of names). I have thoroughly enjoyed the first 3 books in this series but have been putting this one off for a while. Because of the page count and the dense nature of some of the writing, they are an undertaking and definitely not for everyone. All fans of epic grimdark fantasy though MUST read!