Seriously tho the comment section of my review on goodreads is such a shitshow 😂 The amount of guys telling me they haven’t read the book but clearly “I didn’t get it” 😂
@@BookswithEmilyFox i'm a guy but i respect you calling it out that where you see it. Just because it's a highly eclaimed series, sexism in this day and age.. shouldn't really be tollerated and especially in modern books, in modern fantasy. Weeks should really know better!
“Paul said to Anna that this gun was too big for a girl like her. Anna rolled her eyes at that” Sexist character. “Female characters existing just to mention their boobs and nipples then being raped just to advance the male characters story, just because“ sexist author There’s more to it but it’s long to write on my phone lol
I feel like Game of Thrones is a sexist world because women have fewer rights and are valued less but that doesn't make the author sexist. The female characters have just as much depth as the male ones and in the end everyone just follows their journey no matter the gender. I can't think of any sexist authors right now but there are plenty.
@@legumesss Also in GOT the way you say that women are depicted is actually realistic because it is sexist. Let's be honest, the timeline (resembling of 1300-1400 of real world England/Europe) in which the GOT is set in was actually a real bad time for women. As you said they did not have any rights and were discouraged heavily by the society to learn any combative arts. I agree that the depiction is sexist but that is the whole point of it. To show realistic world-view of that time.
My general rule of thumb is that: If the female characters in the sexist/patriarchal world are ALL perfectly happy about their inferior social status and all the consequences following it (eg. having minimal legal rights, being constantly controlled and pushed around without consent, unable to report to the police when they’re raped/beaten by their husbands because no one cares) and isn’t even slightly traumatised (maybe subconsciously) by such oppression; AND When there’s serious harm (rape etc.) happening to a female character, the other characters around her either approve of it or ignore it, instead of showing outrage/protest or at least disapproval/criticism, THEN the author is clearly sexist and has the stupid belief that women used to be perfectly fine with patriarchy (kinda similar to the “happy slave” belief). I’m sure some women back then were fine with that, and some slaves owned by benign masters were pretty happy, BUT most of them were just silenced. They didn’t have a public voice to express their pain and suffering. Their emotions and experiences weren’t properly recorded by historians who were mostly men.
The Raven Cycle is one of my favorite ya series!! If you like Ronan you should definitely continue because he only gets better throughout the series :)
A tip I would give is: "Go with your instincts, and just now and then try to go out of your comfort zone". I for example, never like horror books so I read less than five of this genre per year, but now and then I'm rewarded by getting out of my comfort zone while reading a book that has good qualities but at the same time has elements I don't like. This gets easier for example with historical fiction that if if it isn't always my cup of tea often has books I end up liking even more than pure fantasy ones. I try to avoid reading books of the same tropes over and over, because one book will be very different than your favorite in that trope so it isn't rewarding to look for your favorite trope. Better to always get a fresh theme every season, for example, I don't do it purposefully but I end up reading four books in a row about faeries, or djinn, or dystopia and this happens naturally, without any planning. ;-)
Because I mainly read YA I am going to only mention (some of) those series on your list. Here we go! First off, The Raven Cycle. I love this series. I understand that the magical realism elements can be confusing but that is honestly one of the reasons why I love it. It has a rich and poignant atmosphere and the magic feels wild and free and very much an unpredictable force of nature instead of a science the way it is with hard magic systems. The characters are what I absolutely adore when it comes to this series. The main cast (the four boys and Blue) have such organic relationship dynamics and they FEEL like real people. What I do have an issue with are the antagonists in the story. They pale in comparison to the complexity of the main gang which is not to say they don't have understandable motives. Overall it's a great series (the second book is my absolute favourite) with interesting characters and very atmospheric. Now on to The Mortal Instruments. Ah, high school. I LOVED this series back in 2013-2014 and I still do mainly because of nostalgia and because I just know the characters so well they feel like real people in my life. Objectively, I can see it has A TON of issues. It is very cliched, it's very cringey at times and super duper angsty. But so was most YA written around 2008-2009. On the issue of worldbuilding, yes, I agree that the first two books lack in that department but it does get a lot better in later books. TMI was originally ment to be a trilogy so the third book is actually quite a bit beeter than the previous two. The characters...don't get that much better with some notable exceptions such as Simon, Alec and Isabelle but you can learn to love them if you look past the teen drama. The other series in this world, The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices are arguably much much better in terms of character dynamics and especially worldbuilding. Next up, Throne of Glass. I am not going to ramble for long because you've probably heard thousands of people rave about or bash this book already. In short, TOG is trash but it's good trash. That coming from someone who has read all 8 books for the first time this year. I do have a bit of an issue with the overprotective, jealous and possessive nature of the male characters. They don't go to their love interests and be like "I forbid you to ever talk to any man other than me ever again because you are MINE!" but they go to the men and are like "don't you talk or look or breathe in the general vicinity of my wife/girlfriend /fiancee/girl I am extremely attracted to and whom I feel very protective of or I will hang you by your insides". On the flip side, some female characters call them out on it but for the most part it's just banter. I will say that the world is explored a lot more starting with book three but that is also when the entire series becomes an entire different thing from what it was in book 1. And lastly Red Queen. Just like you, I have actually enjoyed the first book quite a bit despite all the tropes and cliches of the dystopian genre that it contains. I have also read the second book and, for me, it kind of plummeted to the pits of hell especially with the way it ended and the dynamic between Mare and the antagonists of the series. I have then started the third book on three separate occasions and never managed to get past like 50 pages. At this point, not even Jesus could convince me to continue that series. I apologise if this is unnecessarily long and rambly. I will say I am looking forward to your review of The Raven Cycle if you decide to read the entire series and also The Mortal Instruments which I anticipate will be a very funny review :)) I hope you have an amazing day.
You should give Golden Son a try (second in Red Rising). The first book in this serie is kinda like hunger games but the other ones are really different. They're actually about the space war and you get to learn way more about the cultures and politics of every colours. I do believe you could like them, you just have to get past the first book !
Don't think you'll like the lunar chronicles or the mortal instruments. You shouldn't bother. I've read both and I've enjoyed them okay but you definitely won't like them. They are very character focused and the writing is a bit cringy.
I completely agree. Lunar Chronicles and TMI are totally the sorts of things that would make Emily cringe. I read Lunar Chronicles via audiobook and enjoyed them better that way, but still. Very trope-y. The Infernal Devices are so, so, so much better than The Mortal Instruments.
I adore all of the Riyria books. I love Royce and Hadrian so much. I think after Fitz, the Fool and NIghteyes from Robin Hobb's books, they are my favourite literary friendship of all time.
Totally agreed (for Hobb's characters and Riyria books). The finale book in the Riyria Revelations is one of my favorite book of all time, it's truly a masterpiece. And there's some very powerful and badass female characters in Rise of Empire and Heir of Novron.
And now I gotta reread them. Not only the characters are amazing but the writing is smooth and light so the books don't feel like they're big while they actually are.
Well, I think that some of the most famous YA series became popular because at that time they were offering something that was lacking, and in fact back in time I found Cassandra Clare's books brilliant and fascinating. In my opinion they didn't age well, so reading The Mortal Instruments for the first time right now would entail disliking the whole series, even if they contributed to shape the genre of YA.
As for the lunar chronicles and the mortal instruments, they definitely get better as they go on but they never become "great" and I don't think you'll like them. If anything I'd give TLC a go because they're funnier.
The Mortal Instruments is easily Cassandra Clare's worst series. Which is really annoying, because it's basically essential to read if you want to understand The Dark Artifices and other later books.
Hi Emily! The third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cress, is in my opinion the best. 😊 There was a lot happening in there. And I recommend you also read the novellas, Fairest and Stars Above. I think you'll have a lot to say about Fairest. 😆 I know I did.
Please, read "Rise of Empire" by Michael J. Sullivan, the story becomes so much better. As you said there's a huge difference between book 1 and 2 and I think that in the same way each book is better than the previous one.
For the mortal instruments series, highly recommend that if you're getting stuck you should pick up the infernal devices. Personally, it's my favourite trilogy/series from her and my favourite one in general. And you pick up the infernal devices around after you've finished the 3rd or 4th book in TMI, the ending of City Of Heavenly Fire will make much more sense and you wont be spoiled for the ending of TID.
Magical schools series I've read/started that I've never seen you mention: - The Air Awakens series by Elise Kova - The Academy Journals by Garrett Robinson Air Awakens is p romance heavy, but the magic is cool (I'm not done it yet) and Academy Journals is entertaining and has a cool magic system as well.
I really really like Red Queen too!! Book 1 was amazing. Book 2 was a bit slow, Book 3 was amazing again. Picking up book 4 on the library next week. And I have ordered books 0.1 and 0.2 and also book 4.5, smaller books but I want to read more this world!!! 💙
I want you to read Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. I just read book one and I found it a little confusing but I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I had to know what happened, and it's so interesting and kind of.. creepy? That I felt I had to read. It's an adult high fantasy, and in the first 50 pages you meet Sabriel at her magic school. She is the daughter of Abhorsen, an extremely powerful enemy of the Dead. Basically there are two countries. Ancelstierre, and Old Kingdom. The Old Kingdom still has magic (and the Dead rise and attack the Living) and Ancelstierre has no magic but in turn are pretty powerless against magic. I'm explaining it poorly but I think you'd like it!
I know you don't read a lot of middle grade but please pick up book one in The Keeper Of The Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger. I'm on book five now and I think you'll really like the series. Read the first book all in one sitting and all the books are a really good size with each book getting better as the series progresses ☺
Out of these, the one I think you'll most likely enjoy is the Red Rising series. It does get really interesting, and I would say it's the best out of all of these by far. I did enjoy the lunar chronicles when I read it but I think it's one of those for when you just need something lighthearted and not thinking too much
Oh please do read all of Riyria Revelations! I find each book seems to get better. I finished the series about 2 weeks ago and I loved it... but then again I don't read as much as I liked but I really enjoyed this series! If anything I just encourage you to finish the first 2 books and then go from there, it goes deeper after book 2 and you learn more as time goes on.
okay, so, you should definitely finish Throne of Glass if you're curious about it, but I don't think you'll like the direction it takes. there's more added insta-love and the plot gets really convoluted. I never finished the series (I plan to go back and reread them at some point so I can pick up the last book) so I can't speak on the ending overall, but it doesn't seem like your taste. The Mortal Instruments isn't worth finishing. I'm a fan but you'll find the next set of 3 books cringey or unnecessary or boring or likely all of the above? finish City of Glass (that plot twist/device resolves itself) and then leave it there. I would recommend The Infernal Devices though! there's a love triangle which might be a deal breaker for you, but they're plotted much tighter and have actual action happening. if you wanted to give the shadowhunter world another chance (and give yourself a chance to get the hype) I would start there! the first two books of the Lunar Chronicles sucked, which is why the last two books were so surprising! were the last two books worth slogging through the first two? idk, but it seems like you were almost to the third book anyways, and I think you might enjoy the third and fourth installments more than you'd expect! I sure did. also, Fairest - the novella of the series - is an absolutely vicious villain origin story, and it seems right up your alley. wow that was long, yikes sorry
The TMI books are better from book 4 to 6, maybe even the middle part of book 3 but the series was 3-4 stars for me. I'm thinking about putting it in my classroom library for my students
I felt the same way after reading Cinder. I was kinda meh about it but I continued on with Scarlet. With the beginning of scarlet I felt the same way but a few chapters in (I think when Wolf got introduced) I started to really enjoy it more. The series for me is one of my favorites.
Noodle Katz I got a few chapters in to the second one and the dialogue is just so repetitive. I was actually shouting at the book “oooook I get it! Move on!!” Lol. Definitely not one I’ll be continuing
Throne of Glass is one of the best story tellings I think I've ever read. Every book the character and story develop in such a logical and intriguing way but, are still crazy surprising. The first two books are pretty slow if you compare them to the latter half of the series, but the story telling is unreal because of how much time she spends developing Celaena .
I only started the second Red Rising book, Golden Son, recently but I can definitely tell you only from what i have heard, and so far read, that its already taking a different turn from the first book and it started with a bang for me, really cool stuff going on already. I also heard the rest of the series is way better (from what i heard even tho I loved the first book) and that Golden Son is one of the best books in the series as well. So, mostly from what i heard, I think it will be worth continuing. I def am!
I know I've mentioned somewhere that I really love The Lightbringer series. I'm actually starting another reread since the series final is coming out in the fall. I'm going to make a point to try to pick out the parts that people may consider sexist. I hear a lot of discussion about the way characters being described or the way characters think of themselves as sexist, I'm not denying it is, but I've never personally picked it out. I know I can't have my entire read history be with out it because, well, I've read the first 3 Lightbringer books at least twice each. Also though do a lot of separation of artist with art. I don't really know much about many of my favorite authors further than marriage status, their picture on the book and country they live in.
Throne of glass gets A LOT better. The writing in the first two books was not my favorite but that gets better after a while, and I would recommend to read the prequel now. I read the prequel before throne of glass and it was the prequel that got me through the first two books. But I do have to say that by the end of the series the books are SO capturing.
I just recently finished the riyria Revelations. I totally agree the second half of the first book is so much better than the first half, but honestly the quality fluctuates so much throughout the series. Some parts are really good and interesting and some are just absolute garbage. It's an easy mindless read but definitely not one that I'd prioritize. I talk more about each book in my most recent wrap ups if you're curious 😊
I have soooo many series that I want to continue reading but for some reason I just haven't. Probably because a more hyped up book comes along and steals my attention. I have the rest of the series though so here are some you can tell me if I should hurry up and get to or just read eventually lol -The Shadow and Bone Grisha triology (I have the last book to read) -His Dark Materials (only read the first one but I feel like it's a fall/winter read lol) -The Winners Curse (only read the first one) -The Raven Cycle (read the first one and gave it three stars so not a fave) -Shades of Magic (read the first but did like it) There's others but those are the ones I glance at and think I'll read you later... I have so many series I didn't even start yet 😬
The Raven Cycle is absolutely worth the hype!! The characters are amazing ( all but one in my opinion ) and the story is enjoyable you gotta continue it
I felt the same way about Red Rising. I had a one year gap before I picked up the second book and then had to read the third one right after. Pick up book two and let us know what you think!
Red rising gets better. The first book was the worst for me since it was like hunger games. But I kept reading for Sevro and I enjoy the rest of the series.
I read Red Rising like 2 years ago. I actually really liked it, read it in 2 or 3 days, was really eager to continue but didn't own book 2 by then... Now I own it but still have to read it ! I enjoyed Theft of swords so much !!! I was a little skeptical about reading it when I first heard you talk about it a while back but ended up picking it up after doing the "try a chapter" thing... It's been a huge suprise ! I definitely didn't have the same issue you had about women in this book. I had a lot of issues with Cinder... I didn't really want to continue the series, but a friend of mind recommanded me to keep going so I did and... I enjoyed the rest of the series far more than book 1 ! Book 3 is the best in my opinion. Black prism is on my TBR, definitely need to read it, I'm really intrigued :)
Your thoughts on Red Queen are so similar to mine. I read Red Queen in the beginning of my reader days so I kinda wasn't a very good judge back then. Now, I totally see how it's a very cliché book with an overused plotline and a cringey love triangle but I still don't hate it. It was fun and it got me into reading, so that's that. I haven't read King's Cage and War Storm (the third and fourth book) because I know if I read them now, I'm gonna start to hate this series and I really don't wanna do that. Oh and for The Lunar Chronicles, I suggest listening to the audiobooks at 2x if you really wanna finish the series. It has a lotttt of fluffy romance and you'll roll your eyes a couple of times but if you also read these at the right time, like Red Queen, you'll like them. It's nothing special or anything, nothing MIND BLOWING, but if you want to read something simple and light and fluffy, pick TLC up.
I started Micheal J Sullivans books with the prequel series, the Age of Legend and let me tell you, the female characters are amazing. A bunch of different ones and they're all very well written. Might be more up your alley than the revelation ones.
I love the Lunar Chronicles, but the second book is my least favorite. It's more of a guilty pleasure 4/5 stars than an amazing piece of literature. So if the first book didn't do it for you, don't sweat it. Donate the books to some friends who might get a kick out of them. I haven't continued Steelheart either, I don't know why. I liked the first well enough, but after reading Mistborn I just had higher expectations so... The Raven Boys, definitely read the second one, Ronan is my favorite. It's ok if you don't continue after (magical realism isn't your cuppa tea) but at least you'll have no regret. And the books are short (ok no, sorry, the book is 439pages long, but I finished it in 2 sittings). I haven't read any Cassandra Claire books, but from what I've heard, you might enjoy the Clockwork series, and since it's a prequel you don't actually need to finish the city of Bones series before reading it. Haven't read Black Prism, if you intend to review it deeply and talk about sexism in a video I'm a 100% behind you, otherwise, there are so many other books to read that doesn't make you roll your eyes every few minutes ^^
I loved the twist at the end of City of Bones only because it was something that I had never seen done before in a slow burn romance. I guess because as a reader you hope that twist is not real and have to keep reading to find out.
Pls finish the Lunar Chronicles. Marissa Meyer is from my hometown and I absolutely love the world she has built. Though the second book might be a struggle for you. It’s got a sorta instalove relationship.
Pretty much all of the books series you mentioned, are series that I read the first book and was done with the series. (I also hated The Gunslinger. I can't decide if I want to continue on.)
I hope continue with the Red Rising series soon. Red Rising is border line YA but the next books are adult. soooo good! also, don't read the Red Queen series. it gets worse. Lunar Chronicles is the type of series you'd read if you just want the usual YA fantasy tropes. Nothing special but kind of an okay read (but yes, so lengthy).
I would continue with the Dark Tower Series. I HATED The Gunslinger because it just didn’t read like King’s typical style (even King states he was trying to write like how he was taught in class so he wasn’t true to himself). Book 2 & 3 in my opinion are the best books in the series with the rest also being good. They read like King books, are way less confusing. Also, since you like to audio book longer books, the audio books are AMAZING!
It would be great if one month you could read the next book in three of the series mention and review. The ones I’m more interested in your thoughts of are Steelheart, Red Queen, and Theft of Swords.
If ur committed to reading the mortal instruments, I would read the infernal devices first. It was written later so I feel like it’s a little more “high quality” and it has more of the world building.
keeper of the lost cities is a series that has a magic school. i’m literally in love with those books and reagan from peruse project has been reading the series and loving it!
Like others have said, Red Rising feels more like a YA Hunger Games book, but the others pick up! I thought that Iron Gold (book 4) wasn't quite as good as the initial trilogy, so hopefully book 5 will be better. I've also only read Steelheart and haven't felt rushed to pick up the others in the series - I think it's definitely his weakest series, but it's still Brandon Sanderson. If you end up picking them up, I'd be interested in hearing what you think! Overall, I enjoyed the Red Queen series, but I don't think they're anything mind-blowing. If you're looking for something kinda mindless and fun, I'd pick the others up (probably through the library if possible). I also enjoyed all the Riyria books by Michael J. Sullivan - they're sort of cheesy, quick reads. I'm not sure if it's really a series that's super memorable, but they're fun.
Steelheart was the first Sanderson book I read, and I really liked it. The MC *is* pretty cringy and I got a decent amount of second-hand embarrassment. But the books do get better. Calamity and Firefight are both really good books. I, like you, read Red Queen years ago when it came out. And I too thought it was fine. But I just haven't felt motivated to finish the series. At least not enough to buy the rest of the series. I might borrow them from the library at some point. But it's not a priority for me. Ronan is also my favorite character from the Raven Cycle. The Throne of Glass series *does* get better, the MC, kind of becomes less insufferable. My favorite character, Mannon, shows up in I think the third book. The Lunar Chronicles get much much better. I really liked Cinder, though I went in with really low expectations, because I didn't believe the hype. But I ended up really loving the series. There is less filler in the later books than there is in the first. The Infernal Devices is the better series of the Shadowhunter books. You might like that one better. It's set in Victorian London. You don't need to read the Mortal Instruments to read Infernal Devices. There are easter eggs of characters who are related to the characters in TMI, but nothing is exactly spoiled.
I agree with you about the mortal insturments. the 'twist' is cringy i did finish the first mortal insturments series i haven't read any of the shadowhunter books.
I Forced myself through City of bones and a bit of City of Glass...I just got BORED. I did really love The Infernal Devices tho its way better I recommend that!
Of all the series, The Dark Tower series takes off on book two and is crazy awesome book 2 all the way to book 7. PLEASE read The Dark Tower! It’s my most favorite fantasy series!
If you got annoyed reading Steelheart, I honestly wouldn't recommend continuing the series, in my opinion it doesn't get better on those aspects. The world building is interesting, but nothing like Mistborn for example. Writing it as a YA fantasy series, I felt like Sanderson got a bit lazy on a variety of things... and the ending is also not his usual "blow my mind" kind of closure... But again, that's just my opinion.
As for magical school, Christopher Nuttal has a portal fantasy series about a girl who accidentally travels from our world to a magic one and has to go to magic school to blend in. I haven't read it in a while so I'm not sure how it'll hold up, but I found it enjoyable.
+1 to this! I tried reading Mortal Instruments twice, and each time I couldn't even finish the first book. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the whole Infernal Devices, even if it wasn't the most ambitious reading from my bookshelf :)
Lunar Chronicles. Maybe give it a try. I thought Cinder was okay, but didn't understand all the hype? (Shrug) i continued on and fir me, they did get immensely better... each one gets better. Cinder was her debut novel and I thought it was clear that she grows as an author.
I think past a certain age, the Mortal Instruments books (at least the first few) are genuinely painful to get through...good luck 😂I don't think any of those Cassandra Clare books are particularly good on their own (in fact, a lot of it is pretty unoriginal in her earlier works) but as a whole it's an experience you can't really find with any other series. It's kind of worth reading all of them just to get into the whole Shadowhunters shared universe. To be honest, I've never really found an author that has managed to build up a YA world over multiple series with multiple timelines like that and managed to keep a fairly consistent and sensical history and lore. It's a love-hate relationship but the payoff is definitely there once you're invested
Same! I first read them in my early twenties and I was just... not impressed. I will say TID was better but the second and third books focused on the romance when I was just there like “why are you ignoring the one interesting plot that you’ve actually written thoughhhhh 😭😭”
I read the second book in the red queen series and I was really bored while I was reading it but everyone tells me that the third book is better but I don’t know if I’m going to finish this series...
I was also bored to tears during Glass Sword but pulled through and started King's Cage. It's been two years, I have attempted reading it three separate times and never got past page 50...
Agree it *isn’t* better!! Don’t bother! Series gets worse and boring. Plot is all over the place and loads of wasted opportunities to progress the story. Wish I’d never finished it!
I have the same feelings for the Raven Boys. I'm not into character driven stories but the raven cycle's plot intrigued me enough just to know how it ends so I'm reading the whole series now.
The first book of the Dark Tower series is horrible, but it gets sooo much better. In my opinion book three is where it really grabs your attention, and the series in general are one of my favorites, don't let book one stop you.
I don't know why you put so much effort now on to make people understand why you liked certain books, girl if you liked red queen it's totally okay, so glad you enjoyed! And this goes for the majority of the books you mentioned here that you made apologies for ❤ sorry for the bad english and I'm so happy that you're back!!
I would finish Riyria. I feel like the representation improves across the books. I skipped Mortal Instruments and Throne of Glass because they didn't appeal to me. All of the other series I either DNF'd the first book or opted not to finish the series.
I read Cinder when I was in middle school or early high school and I LOVED IT but idk if it would be different if I had read it now. I’m scared to re read it bc I don’t want to ruin it for myself.
From these series, I think the Raven Cycle and Red Rising are the ones you should read! The second Black Prism is worst than the first but third is waaaayyyy better, especially in terms of the female characters.
I desperately tried to finish the city of bones series but just couldn’t. I rarely dnf but after book 2, I knew it was not for me. I really wanted to love it as much as everyone else but no. just no
I am on the sixth book in the Dark Tower series. I did not start getting into it until the fifth book. Wolves of the Calla had been my favorite, so far.
Raven Boys: people either love or hate the second book imo, but I loved the whole series. If you like Ronan and end up liking the series, there’s a new trilogy focusing on Ronan coming out! Throne of Glass: I thought the second book was way better than the first, but for me it just went downhill from there. :/
the raven cycle is definitely my favorite series because it’s so character driven and i would really like to here you thoughts. but it’s also magical realism (?) and i know it’s not your favorite genre. but i’d like to know your opinion!
I somehow knew RR was going to be the first on your list.... I feel the exact same about it. Read it last summer and still haven't picked up Golden Son. The ending was okay, but because the pacing was so poor in the first book, I have worries for the rest of the series.
I didn't feel like the women were weak, epic fantasy tend to get inspiration from medieval times so I guess that's why the women are usually like that but like you said they grow out of it, I think most of these books have better character development for the female characters, they get stronger as the story advances. Idk, it never bothered me and I'm a woman reading them.
I read Theft of Swords a few months ago and I absolutely loved it even though I definitely agree with you about the female characters all seeming to be sex workers lol. The one good thing about what he did is that I found his female characters actually well written and they played a big role in the book. They weren’t just there to say that “oh this book had female characters”, or at least I didn’t feel that way while reading it. I haven’t read book 2 yet but I’m planning on reading it in October. I’ve heard good things about it but I do think most reviews I saw were from men. I also only last month read City of Bones after putting it off forever and I liked it maybe because I went into it thinking “I might hate this” so my expectations weren’t super high. I didn’t enjoy the trope of best friend loving the other friend but I didn’t mind the other romance.
I agree about TOS. And the female characters only get stronger as the series progressed. If it helps me and all my female friends who I have strongly suggested, ok maybe I heavily pushed it on them 😁, all have loved it.
I am the same feelings about Red Queen. I tried the second book and DNF it because I thought nothing was really happening. The Raven Boys and The Lunar Chronicles are so good!
Talking about Throne of Glass, I think you should at least read books two and three before deciding whether you want to keep reading it or not - in my opinion, book two is not much better than the first one, but it’s in book three that the story finally starts to become interesting, well-developed, it’s where you finally start to really know what’s going on inside Celaena’s mind, which is very important because I couldn’t stand her in the first two books.
My two cents: I loved Red Queen! Read the second book and considered giving up on the entire series. I found the main character to be incredibly annoying and that the author missed a big opportunity in having a debate on race. Read the 3 book and got more positive. Haven't read the 4th yet so that will determine where I fall on the series. Cassandra Clare: I have read 9 books (mortal instruments and infernal devices (in that order) a lot of people claim ID is better than MI. Not sure that I agree). I found myself agreeing with all your critique on the series, but overall I have found that I enjoy spending time in the world CC have created. Thus, I intend to read the next 3 books in the "series" (Dark artifices).
I have so many of the same books to continue, but I came here to say.. Don't bother with city of bones- it's so young that no adult first time reader would enjoy. Secondly, pleeeeaaase continue Red Rising and Lightbringer, I get you have similar issues with both of these BUT if you can get over that (not saying those authors aren't questionably sexist) they are incredible series. Specifically lightbringer (some great twists) but Morning Star was also a twisty fun time..
The Raven Cycle is one of my favourite book series!! And, for what it's worth, I feel like the definition of magical realism is somewhat fuzzy, but I wouldn't call TRC magical realism
“It’s one of those books that always seem to offend people on the internet *whispers* guys”
I’m dying 🤣🤣🤣
Seriously tho the comment section of my review on goodreads is such a shitshow 😂
The amount of guys telling me they haven’t read the book but clearly “I didn’t get it” 😂
@@BookswithEmilyFox i'm a guy but i respect you calling it out that where you see it. Just because it's a highly eclaimed series, sexism in this day and age.. shouldn't really be tollerated and especially in modern books, in modern fantasy. Weeks should really know better!
11:57 ”Non.”
Please talk about the differences between a sexiest world and a sexiest author!!
“Paul said to Anna that this gun was too big for a girl like her. Anna rolled her eyes at that” Sexist character.
“Female characters existing just to mention their boobs and nipples then being raped just to advance the male characters story, just because“ sexist author
There’s more to it but it’s long to write on my phone lol
I feel like Game of Thrones is a sexist world because women have fewer rights and are valued less but that doesn't make the author sexist. The female characters have just as much depth as the male ones and in the end everyone just follows their journey no matter the gender.
I can't think of any sexist authors right now but there are plenty.
@@legumesss Also in GOT the way you say that women are depicted is actually realistic because it is sexist. Let's be honest, the timeline (resembling of 1300-1400 of real world England/Europe) in which the GOT is set in was actually a real bad time for women. As you said they did not have any rights and were discouraged heavily by the society to learn any combative arts. I agree that the depiction is sexist but that is the whole point of it. To show realistic world-view of that time.
My general rule of thumb is that:
If the female characters in the sexist/patriarchal world are ALL perfectly happy about their inferior social status and all the consequences following it (eg. having minimal legal rights, being constantly controlled and pushed around without consent, unable to report to the police when they’re raped/beaten by their husbands because no one cares) and isn’t even slightly traumatised (maybe subconsciously) by such oppression; AND
When there’s serious harm (rape etc.) happening to a female character, the other characters around her either approve of it or ignore it, instead of showing outrage/protest or at least disapproval/criticism,
THEN the author is clearly sexist and has the stupid belief that women used to be perfectly fine with patriarchy (kinda similar to the “happy slave” belief).
I’m sure some women back then were fine with that, and some slaves owned by benign masters were pretty happy, BUT most of them were just silenced. They didn’t have a public voice to express their pain and suffering. Their emotions and experiences weren’t properly recorded by historians who were mostly men.
Aleo Vera the reason women don’t have much jobs is because that’s how life really was in mid evil times
The raven cycle gets so much better, but yes, it is character driven. The second book is more centered on Ronan, give at least that one a shot:)
The second book killed my interest in the series. Found it incredible boring.
Emily is one of this booktuber that even though we don't really have same tastes in books, I just love watching her 💙
Finish Red Rising! The series changes so much after the first book, and the 5th book comes out on Tuesday
It's definitely one of the ones here I'll prioritize!
The Raven Cycle is one of my favorite ya series!! If you like Ronan you should definitely continue because he only gets better throughout the series :)
For Throne of Glass, book 2 is amazing. But... book 3 is where the shit gets real. That’s where people have the most divide.
See, I didn't like book 1, thought book 2 was meh, but fell in love halfway through book 3. 4-5 are my FAVORITES!!!
A tip I would give is: "Go with your instincts, and just now and then try to go out of your comfort zone". I for example, never like horror books so I read less than five of this genre per year, but now and then I'm rewarded by getting out of my comfort zone while reading a book that has good qualities but at the same time has elements I don't like. This gets easier for example with historical fiction that if if it isn't always my cup of tea often has books I end up liking even more than pure fantasy ones. I try to avoid reading books of the same tropes over and over, because one book will be very different than your favorite in that trope so it isn't rewarding to look for your favorite trope. Better to always get a fresh theme every season, for example, I don't do it purposefully but I end up reading four books in a row about faeries, or djinn, or dystopia and this happens naturally, without any planning. ;-)
Because I mainly read YA I am going to only mention (some of) those series on your list. Here we go!
First off, The Raven Cycle. I love this series. I understand that the magical realism elements can be confusing but that is honestly one of the reasons why I love it. It has a rich and poignant atmosphere and the magic feels wild and free and very much an unpredictable force of nature instead of a science the way it is with hard magic systems. The characters are what I absolutely adore when it comes to this series. The main cast (the four boys and Blue) have such organic relationship dynamics and they FEEL like real people. What I do have an issue with are the antagonists in the story. They pale in comparison to the complexity of the main gang which is not to say they don't have understandable motives. Overall it's a great series (the second book is my absolute favourite) with interesting characters and very atmospheric.
Now on to The Mortal Instruments. Ah, high school. I LOVED this series back in 2013-2014 and I still do mainly because of nostalgia and because I just know the characters so well they feel like real people in my life. Objectively, I can see it has A TON of issues. It is very cliched, it's very cringey at times and super duper angsty. But so was most YA written around 2008-2009. On the issue of worldbuilding, yes, I agree that the first two books lack in that department but it does get a lot better in later books. TMI was originally ment to be a trilogy so the third book is actually quite a bit beeter than the previous two. The characters...don't get that much better with some notable exceptions such as Simon, Alec and Isabelle but you can learn to love them if you look past the teen drama. The other series in this world, The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices are arguably much much better in terms of character dynamics and especially worldbuilding.
Next up, Throne of Glass. I am not going to ramble for long because you've probably heard thousands of people rave about or bash this book already. In short, TOG is trash but it's good trash. That coming from someone who has read all 8 books for the first time this year. I do have a bit of an issue with the overprotective, jealous and possessive nature of the male characters. They don't go to their love interests and be like "I forbid you to ever talk to any man other than me ever again because you are MINE!" but they go to the men and are like "don't you talk or look or breathe in the general vicinity of my wife/girlfriend /fiancee/girl I am extremely attracted to and whom I feel very protective of or I will hang you by your insides". On the flip side, some female characters call them out on it but for the most part it's just banter. I will say that the world is explored a lot more starting with book three but that is also when the entire series becomes an entire different thing from what it was in book 1.
And lastly Red Queen. Just like you, I have actually enjoyed the first book quite a bit despite all the tropes and cliches of the dystopian genre that it contains. I have also read the second book and, for me, it kind of plummeted to the pits of hell especially with the way it ended and the dynamic between Mare and the antagonists of the series. I have then started the third book on three separate occasions and never managed to get past like 50 pages. At this point, not even Jesus could convince me to continue that series.
I apologise if this is unnecessarily long and rambly. I will say I am looking forward to your review of The Raven Cycle if you decide to read the entire series and also The Mortal Instruments which I anticipate will be a very funny review :))
I hope you have an amazing day.
You should give Golden Son a try (second in Red Rising). The first book in this serie is kinda like hunger games but the other ones are really different. They're actually about the space war and you get to learn way more about the cultures and politics of every colours. I do believe you could like them, you just have to get past the first book !
Don't think you'll like the lunar chronicles or the mortal instruments. You shouldn't bother. I've read both and I've enjoyed them okay but you definitely won't like them. They are very character focused and the writing is a bit cringy.
@Lady Jane the prequels are honestly so much better
yes on the lunar chronicles read 1 and 2 and i unhauled them pretty much immediately. they only took up valuable shelf space
I completely agree. Lunar Chronicles and TMI are totally the sorts of things that would make Emily cringe. I read Lunar Chronicles via audiobook and enjoyed them better that way, but still. Very trope-y. The Infernal Devices are so, so, so much better than The Mortal Instruments.
I adore all of the Riyria books. I love Royce and Hadrian so much. I think after Fitz, the Fool and NIghteyes from Robin Hobb's books, they are my favourite literary friendship of all time.
Totally agreed (for Hobb's characters and Riyria books). The finale book in the Riyria Revelations is one of my favorite book of all time, it's truly a masterpiece. And there's some very powerful and badass female characters in Rise of Empire and Heir of Novron.
And now I gotta reread them. Not only the characters are amazing but the writing is smooth and light so the books don't feel like they're big while they actually are.
Well, I think that some of the most famous YA series became popular because at that time they were offering something that was lacking, and in fact back in time I found Cassandra Clare's books brilliant and fascinating. In my opinion they didn't age well, so reading The Mortal Instruments for the first time right now would entail disliking the whole series, even if they contributed to shape the genre of YA.
As for the lunar chronicles and the mortal instruments, they definitely get better as they go on but they never become "great" and I don't think you'll like them. If anything I'd give TLC a go because they're funnier.
The Mortal Instruments is easily Cassandra Clare's worst series. Which is really annoying, because it's basically essential to read if you want to understand The Dark Artifices and other later books.
Hi Emily! The third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cress, is in my opinion the best. 😊 There was a lot happening in there. And I recommend you also read the novellas, Fairest and Stars Above. I think you'll have a lot to say about Fairest. 😆 I know I did.
I thought Red Queen had some good elements but it was way to YA for me and super predictable.
Please, read "Rise of Empire" by Michael J. Sullivan, the story becomes so much better. As you said there's a huge difference between book 1 and 2 and I think that in the same way each book is better than the previous one.
For the mortal instruments series, highly recommend that if you're getting stuck you should pick up the infernal devices. Personally, it's my favourite trilogy/series from her and my favourite one in general. And you pick up the infernal devices around after you've finished the 3rd or 4th book in TMI, the ending of City Of Heavenly Fire will make much more sense and you wont be spoiled for the ending of TID.
I binge read The Lunar Chronicles when I was on a big reading slump 😂
Magical schools series I've read/started that I've never seen you mention:
- The Air Awakens series by Elise Kova
- The Academy Journals by Garrett Robinson
Air Awakens is p romance heavy, but the magic is cool (I'm not done it yet) and Academy Journals is entertaining and has a cool magic system as well.
Read City of Glass! The cringy twist from book one is resolved and it is so good!!
For the Red Queen I'm on the 3rd book and it's amazing! There is a4th too!
I really really like Red Queen too!! Book 1 was amazing. Book 2 was a bit slow, Book 3 was amazing again. Picking up book 4 on the library next week. And I have ordered books 0.1 and 0.2 and also book 4.5, smaller books but I want to read more this world!!! 💙
@@l0n3wolf89 i can't wait to pick up book 4! Also, another recomandation (my favorite author) Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The shadow of the wind!
I want you to read Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. I just read book one and I found it a little confusing but I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I had to know what happened, and it's so interesting and kind of.. creepy? That I felt I had to read.
It's an adult high fantasy, and in the first 50 pages you meet Sabriel at her magic school. She is the daughter of Abhorsen, an extremely powerful enemy of the Dead.
Basically there are two countries. Ancelstierre, and Old Kingdom. The Old Kingdom still has magic (and the Dead rise and attack the Living) and Ancelstierre has no magic but in turn are pretty powerless against magic.
I'm explaining it poorly but I think you'd like it!
Yes yes yes!! The BEST series ever!
I know you don't read a lot of middle grade but please pick up book one in The Keeper Of The Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger. I'm on book five now and I think you'll really like the series. Read the first book all in one sitting and all the books are a really good size with each book getting better as the series progresses ☺
There are elves, goblins, trolls, unicorns, good world building, a school setting and a really interesting and fun magic system ☺
Out of these, the one I think you'll most likely enjoy is the Red Rising series. It does get really interesting, and I would say it's the best out of all of these by far. I did enjoy the lunar chronicles when I read it but I think it's one of those for when you just need something lighthearted and not thinking too much
Oh please do read all of Riyria Revelations! I find each book seems to get better. I finished the series about 2 weeks ago and I loved it... but then again I don't read as much as I liked but I really enjoyed this series! If anything I just encourage you to finish the first 2 books and then go from there, it goes deeper after book 2 and you learn more as time goes on.
okay, so, you should definitely finish Throne of Glass if you're curious about it, but I don't think you'll like the direction it takes. there's more added insta-love and the plot gets really convoluted. I never finished the series (I plan to go back and reread them at some point so I can pick up the last book) so I can't speak on the ending overall, but it doesn't seem like your taste.
The Mortal Instruments isn't worth finishing. I'm a fan but you'll find the next set of 3 books cringey or unnecessary or boring or likely all of the above? finish City of Glass (that plot twist/device resolves itself) and then leave it there. I would recommend The Infernal Devices though! there's a love triangle which might be a deal breaker for you, but they're plotted much tighter and have actual action happening. if you wanted to give the shadowhunter world another chance (and give yourself a chance to get the hype) I would start there!
the first two books of the Lunar Chronicles sucked, which is why the last two books were so surprising! were the last two books worth slogging through the first two? idk, but it seems like you were almost to the third book anyways, and I think you might enjoy the third and fourth installments more than you'd expect! I sure did. also, Fairest - the novella of the series - is an absolutely vicious villain origin story, and it seems right up your alley.
wow that was long, yikes sorry
The mortal.instrument is the kind of YA fantasy that you read ONLY IF you are a new reader in the world of YA fantasy, then you can truly say its good
The TMI books are better from book 4 to 6, maybe even the middle part of book 3 but the series was 3-4 stars for me. I'm thinking about putting it in my classroom library for my students
Red Rising gets so much better! Especially Golden Son is really good, I hope you get to it at some point! :D
I felt the same way after reading Cinder. I was kinda meh about it but I continued on with Scarlet. With the beginning of scarlet I felt the same way but a few chapters in (I think when Wolf got introduced) I started to really enjoy it more. The series for me is one of my favorites.
I agree with you on the red queen! I'm not reading the rest of the series, it was okay but not enjoyable enough to read more.
Noodle Katz I got a few chapters in to the second one and the dialogue is just so repetitive. I was actually shouting at the book “oooook I get it! Move on!!” Lol. Definitely not one I’ll be continuing
Throne of Glass is one of the best story tellings I think I've ever read. Every book the character and story develop in such a logical and intriguing way but, are still crazy surprising. The first two books are pretty slow if you compare them to the latter half of the series, but the story telling is unreal because of how much time she spends developing Celaena .
I only started the second Red Rising book, Golden Son, recently but I can definitely tell you only from what i have heard, and so far read, that its already taking a different turn from the first book and it started with a bang for me, really cool stuff going on already. I also heard the rest of the series is way better (from what i heard even tho I loved the first book) and that Golden Son is one of the best books in the series as well. So, mostly from what i heard, I think it will be worth continuing. I def am!
I know I've mentioned somewhere that I really love The Lightbringer series. I'm actually starting another reread since the series final is coming out in the fall. I'm going to make a point to try to pick out the parts that people may consider sexist. I hear a lot of discussion about the way characters being described or the way characters think of themselves as sexist, I'm not denying it is, but I've never personally picked it out. I know I can't have my entire read history be with out it because, well, I've read the first 3 Lightbringer books at least twice each. Also though do a lot of separation of artist with art. I don't really know much about many of my favorite authors further than marriage status, their picture on the book and country they live in.
I haven’t read any of these except TMI but there’s definitely some I want to pick up eventually
Throne of glass gets A LOT better. The writing in the first two books was not my favorite but that gets better after a while, and I would recommend to read the prequel now. I read the prequel before throne of glass and it was the prequel that got me through the first two books. But I do have to say that by the end of the series the books are SO capturing.
I just recently finished the riyria Revelations. I totally agree the second half of the first book is so much better than the first half, but honestly the quality fluctuates so much throughout the series. Some parts are really good and interesting and some are just absolute garbage. It's an easy mindless read but definitely not one that I'd prioritize. I talk more about each book in my most recent wrap ups if you're curious 😊
The Dark Tower gets better! I thought the same after reading the first BUT in the second the story really begins
I’m so happy you posted!❤️
Once a week until I’m back! ❤️
Definitely continue with the Lunar Chronicles! All the books after Cinder just go so well together.
I have soooo many series that I want to continue reading but for some reason I just haven't. Probably because a more hyped up book comes along and steals my attention. I have the rest of the series though so here are some you can tell me if I should hurry up and get to or just read eventually lol
-The Shadow and Bone Grisha triology (I have the last book to read)
-His Dark Materials (only read the first one but I feel like it's a fall/winter read lol)
-The Winners Curse (only read the first one)
-The Raven Cycle (read the first one and gave it three stars so not a fave)
-Shades of Magic (read the first but did like it)
There's others but those are the ones I glance at and think I'll read you later... I have so many series I didn't even start yet 😬
The Raven Cycle is absolutely worth the hype!! The characters are amazing ( all but one in my opinion ) and the story is enjoyable you gotta continue it
I was kind of bummed by the ending of the series.
I really loved the raven cycle audiobooks
I felt the same way about Red Rising. I had a one year gap before I picked up the second book and then had to read the third one right after. Pick up book two and let us know what you think!
Red rising gets better. The first book was the worst for me since it was like hunger games. But I kept reading for Sevro and I enjoy the rest of the series.
I read Red Rising like 2 years ago. I actually really liked it, read it in 2 or 3 days, was really eager to continue but didn't own book 2 by then... Now I own it but still have to read it !
I enjoyed Theft of swords so much !!! I was a little skeptical about reading it when I first heard you talk about it a while back but ended up picking it up after doing the "try a chapter" thing... It's been a huge suprise ! I definitely didn't have the same issue you had about women in this book.
I had a lot of issues with Cinder... I didn't really want to continue the series, but a friend of mind recommanded me to keep going so I did and... I enjoyed the rest of the series far more than book 1 ! Book 3 is the best in my opinion.
Black prism is on my TBR, definitely need to read it, I'm really intrigued :)
Your thoughts on Red Queen are so similar to mine. I read Red Queen in the beginning of my reader days so I kinda wasn't a very good judge back then. Now, I totally see how it's a very cliché book with an overused plotline and a cringey love triangle but I still don't hate it. It was fun and it got me into reading, so that's that. I haven't read King's Cage and War Storm (the third and fourth book) because I know if I read them now, I'm gonna start to hate this series and I really don't wanna do that.
Oh and for The Lunar Chronicles, I suggest listening to the audiobooks at 2x if you really wanna finish the series. It has a lotttt of fluffy romance and you'll roll your eyes a couple of times but if you also read these at the right time, like Red Queen, you'll like them. It's nothing special or anything, nothing MIND BLOWING, but if you want to read something simple and light and fluffy, pick TLC up.
I started Micheal J Sullivans books with the prequel series, the Age of Legend and let me tell you, the female characters are amazing. A bunch of different ones and they're all very well written. Might be more up your alley than the revelation ones.
Same here. I've read the first 3 books and love the main characters who are almost all female.
Please please please continue through Throne of glass! You have to make it to book 3! Also The Raven Cycle!
I love the Lunar Chronicles, but the second book is my least favorite. It's more of a guilty pleasure 4/5 stars than an amazing piece of literature. So if the first book didn't do it for you, don't sweat it. Donate the books to some friends who might get a kick out of them.
I haven't continued Steelheart either, I don't know why. I liked the first well enough, but after reading Mistborn I just had higher expectations so...
The Raven Boys, definitely read the second one, Ronan is my favorite. It's ok if you don't continue after (magical realism isn't your cuppa tea) but at least you'll have no regret. And the books are short (ok no, sorry, the book is 439pages long, but I finished it in 2 sittings).
I haven't read any Cassandra Claire books, but from what I've heard, you might enjoy the Clockwork series, and since it's a prequel you don't actually need to finish the city of Bones series before reading it.
Haven't read Black Prism, if you intend to review it deeply and talk about sexism in a video I'm a 100% behind you, otherwise, there are so many other books to read that doesn't make you roll your eyes every few minutes ^^
Continue with the Lunar Chronicles!!!! It gets so much better especially in Cress and Winter!!!!
I loved the twist at the end of City of Bones only because it was something that I had never seen done before in a slow burn romance. I guess because as a reader you hope that twist is not real and have to keep reading to find out.
You defs need to continue on with Red Rising!! The first one is good, but golden son and morning star are much much better!!
Pls finish the Lunar Chronicles. Marissa Meyer is from my hometown and I absolutely love the world she has built. Though the second book might be a struggle for you. It’s got a sorta instalove relationship.
Pretty much all of the books series you mentioned, are series that I read the first book and was done with the series. (I also hated The Gunslinger. I can't decide if I want to continue on.)
I hope continue with the Red Rising series soon. Red Rising is border line YA but the next books are adult. soooo good! also, don't read the Red Queen series. it gets worse. Lunar Chronicles is the type of series you'd read if you just want the usual YA fantasy tropes. Nothing special but kind of an okay read (but yes, so lengthy).
Black Magician trilogy by Trudi Canavan is set in school for magic. It's not talked about at all, but is quite good and I remember it being addicting.
I would continue with the Dark Tower Series. I HATED The Gunslinger because it just didn’t read like King’s typical style (even King states he was trying to write like how he was taught in class so he wasn’t true to himself). Book 2 & 3 in my opinion are the best books in the series with the rest also being good. They read like King books, are way less confusing. Also, since you like to audio book longer books, the audio books are AMAZING!
The audiobooks are good for the Reckoners Trilogy, I still need to finish book 3 but the series does take some interesting turns :)
It would be great if one month you could read the next book in three of the series mention and review. The ones I’m more interested in your thoughts of are Steelheart, Red Queen, and Theft of Swords.
If ur committed to reading the mortal instruments, I would read the infernal devices first. It was written later so I feel like it’s a little more “high quality” and it has more of the world building.
keeper of the lost cities is a series that has a magic school. i’m literally in love with those books and reagan from peruse project has been reading the series and loving it!
Like others have said, Red Rising feels more like a YA Hunger Games book, but the others pick up! I thought that Iron Gold (book 4) wasn't quite as good as the initial trilogy, so hopefully book 5 will be better.
I've also only read Steelheart and haven't felt rushed to pick up the others in the series - I think it's definitely his weakest series, but it's still Brandon Sanderson. If you end up picking them up, I'd be interested in hearing what you think!
Overall, I enjoyed the Red Queen series, but I don't think they're anything mind-blowing. If you're looking for something kinda mindless and fun, I'd pick the others up (probably through the library if possible).
I also enjoyed all the Riyria books by Michael J. Sullivan - they're sort of cheesy, quick reads. I'm not sure if it's really a series that's super memorable, but they're fun.
Steelheart was the first Sanderson book I read, and I really liked it. The MC *is* pretty cringy and I got a decent amount of second-hand embarrassment. But the books do get better. Calamity and Firefight are both really good books.
I, like you, read Red Queen years ago when it came out. And I too thought it was fine. But I just haven't felt motivated to finish the series. At least not enough to buy the rest of the series. I might borrow them from the library at some point. But it's not a priority for me.
Ronan is also my favorite character from the Raven Cycle.
The Throne of Glass series *does* get better, the MC, kind of becomes less insufferable. My favorite character, Mannon, shows up in I think the third book.
The Lunar Chronicles get much much better. I really liked Cinder, though I went in with really low expectations, because I didn't believe the hype. But I ended up really loving the series. There is less filler in the later books than there is in the first.
The Infernal Devices is the better series of the Shadowhunter books. You might like that one better. It's set in Victorian London. You don't need to read the Mortal Instruments to read Infernal Devices. There are easter eggs of characters who are related to the characters in TMI, but nothing is exactly spoiled.
I agree with you about the mortal insturments. the 'twist' is cringy
i did finish the first mortal insturments series i haven't read any of the shadowhunter books.
I Forced myself through City of bones and a bit of City of Glass...I just got BORED. I did really love The Infernal Devices tho its way better I recommend that!
Of all the series, The Dark Tower series takes off on book two and is crazy awesome book 2 all the way to book 7. PLEASE read The Dark Tower! It’s my most favorite fantasy series!
If you got annoyed reading Steelheart, I honestly wouldn't recommend continuing the series, in my opinion it doesn't get better on those aspects. The world building is interesting, but nothing like Mistborn for example. Writing it as a YA fantasy series, I felt like Sanderson got a bit lazy on a variety of things... and the ending is also not his usual "blow my mind" kind of closure... But again, that's just my opinion.
As for magical school, Christopher Nuttal has a portal fantasy series about a girl who accidentally travels from our world to a magic one and has to go to magic school to blend in. I haven't read it in a while so I'm not sure how it'll hold up, but I found it enjoyable.
hey emily, just skip the mortal instrumental series and go read The Infernal Devices, I mean... this one is so much better!
+1 to this! I tried reading Mortal Instruments twice, and each time I couldn't even finish the first book. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the whole Infernal Devices, even if it wasn't the most ambitious reading from my bookshelf :)
The Red Queen series is great. The first 2 books are decent but the last two are insane! I was left devastated and highly recommend it
Lunar Chronicles. Maybe give it a try. I thought Cinder was okay, but didn't understand all the hype? (Shrug) i continued on and fir me, they did get immensely better... each one gets better. Cinder was her debut novel and I thought it was clear that she grows as an author.
I think past a certain age, the Mortal Instruments books (at least the first few) are genuinely painful to get through...good luck 😂I don't think any of those Cassandra Clare books are particularly good on their own (in fact, a lot of it is pretty unoriginal in her earlier works) but as a whole it's an experience you can't really find with any other series. It's kind of worth reading all of them just to get into the whole Shadowhunters shared universe. To be honest, I've never really found an author that has managed to build up a YA world over multiple series with multiple timelines like that and managed to keep a fairly consistent and sensical history and lore. It's a love-hate relationship but the payoff is definitely there once you're invested
Same! I first read them in my early twenties and I was just... not impressed. I will say TID was better but the second and third books focused on the romance when I was just there like “why are you ignoring the one interesting plot that you’ve actually written thoughhhhh 😭😭”
I read the second book in the red queen series and I was really bored while I was reading it but everyone tells me that the third book is better but I don’t know if I’m going to finish this series...
I was also bored to tears during Glass Sword but pulled through and started King's Cage. It's been two years, I have attempted reading it three separate times and never got past page 50...
Agree it *isn’t* better!! Don’t bother! Series gets worse and boring. Plot is all over the place and loads of wasted opportunities to progress the story. Wish I’d never finished it!
I have the same feelings for the Raven Boys. I'm not into character driven stories but the raven cycle's plot intrigued me enough just to know how it ends so I'm reading the whole series now.
The first book of the Dark Tower series is horrible, but it gets sooo much better. In my opinion book three is where it really grabs your attention, and the series in general are one of my favorites, don't let book one stop you.
I don't know why you put so much effort now on to make people understand why you liked certain books, girl if you liked red queen it's totally okay, so glad you enjoyed! And this goes for the majority of the books you mentioned here that you made apologies for ❤ sorry for the bad english and I'm so happy that you're back!!
Your English is amazing and don't let anyone tell you differently.
Continue with the Lunar Chronicles. The third book is fun.
The red rising series is FABULOUS as audiobooks!! So good.
I would finish Riyria. I feel like the representation improves across the books. I skipped Mortal Instruments and Throne of Glass because they didn't appeal to me. All of the other series I either DNF'd the first book or opted not to finish the series.
I read Cinder when I was in middle school or early high school and I LOVED IT but idk if it would be different if I had read it now. I’m scared to re read it bc I don’t want to ruin it for myself.
I had to read city of bones when I was in high school and I gave my English teacher such a hard time about it
You read that for school??? I would've never thought that TMI would become required reading lol
@@elenanicoleta5127 it was a lit-cirlce type thing. A handful of kids read that, some read the book thief, and some read Unwind I believe.
From these series, I think the Raven Cycle and Red Rising are the ones you should read! The second Black Prism is worst than the first but third is waaaayyyy better, especially in terms of the female characters.
I desperately tried to finish the city of bones series but just couldn’t. I rarely dnf but after book 2, I knew it was not for me. I really wanted to love it as much as everyone else but no. just no
I am on the sixth book in the Dark Tower series. I did not start getting into it until the fifth book. Wolves of the Calla had been my favorite, so far.
Raven Boys: people either love or hate the second book imo, but I loved the whole series. If you like Ronan and end up liking the series, there’s a new trilogy focusing on Ronan coming out!
Throne of Glass: I thought the second book was way better than the first, but for me it just went downhill from there. :/
the raven cycle is definitely my favorite series because it’s so character driven and i would really like to here you thoughts. but it’s also magical realism (?) and i know it’s not your favorite genre. but i’d like to know your opinion!
If you want to try out Cassandra Clare. Please start with the prequel (the infernal devices) series. Its so much better the the mortal instrument!!!
I somehow knew RR was going to be the first on your list.... I feel the exact same about it. Read it last summer and still haven't picked up Golden Son. The ending was okay, but because the pacing was so poor in the first book, I have worries for the rest of the series.
Ryria Revelations grew out of weak women with the latter books especially the third bind-up. Do it, Emily!
I didn't feel like the women were weak, epic fantasy tend to get inspiration from medieval times so I guess that's why the women are usually like that but like you said they grow out of it, I think most of these books have better character development for the female characters, they get stronger as the story advances. Idk, it never bothered me and I'm a woman reading them.
Have you read Keeper of the Lost Cities series? It's a middle grade series and it has a magical school!
I read Theft of Swords a few months ago and I absolutely loved it even though I definitely agree with you about the female characters all seeming to be sex workers lol. The one good thing about what he did is that I found his female characters actually well written and they played a big role in the book. They weren’t just there to say that “oh this book had female characters”, or at least I didn’t feel that way while reading it. I haven’t read book 2 yet but I’m planning on reading it in October. I’ve heard good things about it but I do think most reviews I saw were from men. I also only last month read City of Bones after putting it off forever and I liked it maybe because I went into it thinking “I might hate this” so my expectations weren’t super high. I didn’t enjoy the trope of best friend loving the other friend but I didn’t mind the other romance.
I agree about TOS. And the female characters only get stronger as the series progressed. If it helps me and all my female friends who I have strongly suggested, ok maybe I heavily pushed it on them 😁, all have loved it.
I am the same feelings about Red Queen. I tried the second book and DNF it because I thought nothing was really happening. The Raven Boys and The Lunar Chronicles are so good!
Talking about Throne of Glass, I think you should at least read books two and three before deciding whether you want to keep reading it or not - in my opinion, book two is not much better than the first one, but it’s in book three that the story finally starts to become interesting, well-developed, it’s where you finally start to really know what’s going on inside Celaena’s mind, which is very important because I couldn’t stand her in the first two books.
I "have to" read book 2 for my Goodreads challenge this year so I'll for sure read that one lol
My two cents:
I loved Red Queen! Read the second book and considered giving up on the entire series. I found the main character to be incredibly annoying and that the author missed a big opportunity in having a debate on race. Read the 3 book and got more positive. Haven't read the 4th yet so that will determine where I fall on the series.
Cassandra Clare: I have read 9 books (mortal instruments and infernal devices (in that order) a lot of people claim ID is better than MI. Not sure that I agree). I found myself agreeing with all your critique on the series, but overall I have found that I enjoy spending time in the world CC have created. Thus, I intend to read the next 3 books in the "series" (Dark artifices).
I share your opinions about the The Red rising, and Steel Heart series.
I have so many of the same books to continue, but I came here to say.. Don't bother with city of bones- it's so young that no adult first time reader would enjoy. Secondly, pleeeeaaase continue Red Rising and Lightbringer, I get you have similar issues with both of these BUT if you can get over that (not saying those authors aren't questionably sexist) they are incredible series. Specifically lightbringer (some great twists) but Morning Star was also a twisty fun time..
The Raven Cycle is one of my favourite book series!! And, for what it's worth, I feel like the definition of magical realism is somewhat fuzzy, but I wouldn't call TRC magical realism