DNF&Y is a feature hosted by Lindsi at Do You Dog-ear? According to Lindsi, "DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative!" Since I tend to DNF quite a bit, I thought it would be fun to participate!
Since I've been participating in a retellings reading challenge this year, I was really looking forward to this Cinderella-inspired story, told from the POV of one of the stepsisters.
I ended up DNFing around page 50, and I think this was a total "it's me, not you." The story wasn't bad, but it was a bit confusing. I think part of the problem for me is that I've been feeling a little burned out on YA fantasy lately and I have little patience when the world-building doesn't immediately provide answers or make sense. I put this one aside, but I might pick it up again in the future.
I picked up this book on a whim at the library. I was browsing the new release section and the cover jumped out at me; it was so adorable! The blurb grabbed my attention, too - digital marketing and social media maven Annie accepts a challenge from a friend to make someone Instagram-famous in 30 days; that person just happens to be a social media-averse historian named Samuel.
I really wanted to like this one, but I ended up DNFing around 50%. Although the idea for the story was really cute, the pacing was so slow and there was too much about Annie's family and not enough about Sam. Also, it was feeling a bit predictable (like, of course the nerdy historian is a total hottie once he gets a haircut and new clothes). I never really felt a pull to keep reading, and after a few days I finally decided to give up.
I used to read my horoscope every day, so I was really looking forward to this story about a woman who manipulates the horoscope section of the magazine she works for to try to nudge a man into a relationship.
The beginning of the book just moved at a glacial pace. I ended up DNFing at page 72 because it felt like nothing was happening, and the characters were relying too much on outside forces instead of their own brains. I found myself caring more about the unsuspecting periphery characters and how the manipulated horoscopes were affecting their lives than I was about the main duo. Also, I felt like the author was trying too hard with the main female lead, Justine - with her quirky clothes and penchant for constantly correcting other people's spelling and grammar.
Have you read any of these?
I have two of these on my TBR so I'll probably go into them biased now LOL. It's good though, I would rather know the opinion of someone i trust, even if they didn't enjoy the book!
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, that happens to me, too!
DeleteWhat a great idea! Sometimes it's frustrating when a book is just listed as "DNF".... so good to get the Y behind it! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, JoAnn!
DeleteI totally get what you mean about being burned out on YA fantasy. I've been really looking forward to Stepsister, but I think it's one I should wait a little while to read also. Star-Crossed has such a cute premise, bummer it didn't work out!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Star-Crossed was a bummer! I probably shouldn't have forced myself to try Stepsister when I did, but I randomly got an ARC of it and wanted to take advantage of that.
DeleteI hadn't read any of these, but the second one sounded promising to me. You really stuck it out too. I normally pack it in by 20 - 30%, and if the book was really slow, I know I would not have made it that far.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the second one sounded so cute. I usually don't wait that long to DNF; most of the time I DNF within the first 20 pages or so. But, I wasn't hating it and I was just reading bits at a time and all of a sudden I was at 50%.
DeleteHelpful to know your thoughts on these, Angela! I like to DNF too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer!
DeleteI haven't read any of these but Stepsister is on my TBR. I've been going through YA fantasy burnout too so I've been hesitant to pick that one up for that reason and hearing that it starts off confusing doesn't make me excited for it either. I'm actually really hoping the IronThrone readalong will be a slump buster for me on that front, lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of hoping so, too!
DeleteI'm so happy you decided to participate in DNF&Y! I love seeing why people chose not to continue a book. It's super helpful! Star-Crossed was too slow for me, and the characters were incredibly frustrating. She didn't ask for his number because she knew she'd impulsively call, and he didn't text her because she didn't ask for his number...ugh. If they'd been childhood friends, they should have just said what they wanted instead of dancing around each other. I'm sorry these didn't work out! Stepsisters is on my TBR, but I haven't felt compelled to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
I was having so many DNFs, I thought it would be a good time to join! I agree, the characters in Star-Crossed were very frustrating.
DeleteVery!
DeleteSometimes DNF'ing is best :)
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI enjoyed the side stories the most in Star-Crossed too! I hadn't thought to mention that in my review, but definitely agreed :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I love things like that in a book!
DeleteI haven't read any of these. I do have Star-Crossed and Stepsister on my TBR list. I do like a good YA Fantasy and can kind of deal with slow starts but it better get moving and then be stellar when it does. I might still check them both out still. I hope your next read is better.
ReplyDeleteMary
Thanks, Mary! I think I might go back to Stepsister at some point.
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