worst books & dnfs of 2023

[alexalovesbooks]

I liked A Study in Drowning alright (especially given the elements that really worked for me), but it did feel like a letdown given my expectations were definitely very high for it, so I can relate a bit to how you feel about that one.

Also, I’m with you on The Maidens in general! I read it pretty fast, but the ending was… a choice.

[DarkMistyDay]

Sadly I also DNF'd Malice, which sucks because I felt that the story and writing were really well done but it was moving too slowly and I knew there were more books after it and I didn't think I could commit to all of them with the way the first book was going

[silverx_]

If i may suggest, try the audiobook for the blade itself. I was the same as you, but then i switched to audiobook and steven pacey is one of the best in the game. It completely changed it for me. The second first law book is now one of my favourite middle books of all time 😆

[samreads.]

I’ve only read a few of these, and had similar feelings as yourself on those ones. But I loved The Blade Itself, that was a great read for me, so sorry it didn’t work for you. I also DNFd the Witch King, it was my only DNF last year. I have Malice on my TBR, I’m pretty sure it will work for me.🤞 🤞 🤞

[ladyfox]

Last year I dnf'd c. 6-8 books, mostly on Libby thankfully! I used to be really stressed about dnfing a book as I felt guilty, but now I'm much older I see just how many books I really want to read and I just do not have the time, nor patience, to faff about force-reading something I'm not enjoying.
Life is too short and there are too many wonderful other books on my Bucket List 🙂

[Laurasbookishlife]

i am very upset to hear that the geek book was on my tbr.. thanks for the review!! My thoughts on dark corners is i is fine but i don't feel connected to the characters at all!!

[Italianamuneca]

Yeah I hated Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six and What Have We Done. I loved Bunny and A Study in Drowning, 5 stars. A House with Good Bones just 3 stars.

[jennifer_left_a_comment]

ah, that’s too bad that you had so many disappointments. hopefully 2024 will be more favorable! 🤞
i have a few of the books you mentioned on my tbr or radar.. 😬 the only one that actually somewhat worries me is the atlas paradox. maybe i’ll just keep looking at the pretty shiny illumicrate covers and not open the books 😂 just kidding, i’ll read them at some point.
the only one of your list that i read is the maidens. i loved the silent patient and listened to the audiobook of the maidens shortly after but was a bit disappointed. luckily (?😂), i forgot the ending. i did recently have a good time reading the fury. it’s very gossipy in tone. the silent patient is still my favorite of the three.
have a lovely day + happy reading! 💜

[sarahhorne]

The only ones I’ve read off your list is A study in Drowning and I was bored, Bunny I hated so much, just do not see what everyone else does!! House with good bones was just Meh, I was expecting so much more from it!

[gamexpress]

honestly, I felt the same way about A Study in Drowning even though I gave it a three stars, I still thought it could've been done better. Same for The Narrow. I thought it was too basic tho there were some parts that I liked about the book, but the story was just too basic

[rebekahmackenzie]

Didn't know what to comment but wanted to show support 💖

[ladyfox]

Oh no, not Joe! It's fine haha 🙂I read The Blade Itself (my first Abercrombie) in January and loved it, and since Joe's books apparently just get better and better, I'm happy to have found a new favourite fantasy author to enjoy 🙂
My copy of Bunny is with the Courier as we speak XD I recently read Rouge by Mona Awad, and it was enjoyable but weird, yes, but I liked her writing and so with Bunny I expect more weird. I believe you just need to roll with the weirdness lol

[YW]

I know what you mean when you say theres a lot of action giing on in the story, but its still boring to a point. 😊

[YW]

Ive soft dnf'd two or three books 📚📖. For now at least. Lol 😆😊 maybe ill read them soon. They weren't horrible when reading, but were slow, and im a mood reader. Lol

[janet]

Funny, One by One is the only Ruth Ware I read that I liked! I don’t plan to read any more of hers. Did NOT like Woman in Cabin 10 and Death of Mrs Westaway. House with Good Bones not a favorite of mine either. Neither was Bunny. Hopefully this year will be less disappointing!

[zacmatney]

Olivie Blake I’ve been noticing is very miss than a hit to a lot of people I for one am not interested in any of her books they all sound great but in execution man they sound so bad:/ she’s one of those authors that makes me question how she’s still writing bestselling books I know that’s harsh but clearly nobody is enjoying a lot of her books