I read 7 books and almost lost my mind | RANT
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- Опубликовано: 6 окт 2024
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Let's talk about the seven books I have recently read. I do apologise for being so negative haha!
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I usually don't rant on RUclips so this is very uncharacteristic off me but I have read too many bad books this year and I felt the need to show showcase my authentic feelings as a reviewer. Obviously, this is nothing personal against any author or anyone that loves some of these books. I promise I will be more positive in my next video 😅
Make sure to check out Derek Alan Siddoway's Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/dsidd/a-monster-taming-fantasy-novel-and-audiobook-storm-totem?ref=en06sb
I love it when reviewers are honest. It isn't rude. It's your job. When you tell us what you like and don't like, we can, over time, get an idea of your aesthetic and can decide how to rate your critique--given our own aesthetic. You can't be everything to everybody, but when you are authentic, that's when you really shine.
"Nothing happens" is one of the buzz words that makes me want to pick it up 😂😂
I love slice of life fantasy and cozy fantasy. I think we have very different tastes
Same here! this was basically a recommendations video for me :D
Exactly. Sometimes "nothing happens" DOES mean I'll be bored, but if the writing and characters are good then it's highly likely I'll be hooked on the slow burn.
It was a breathe of fresh air to see a reviewer just talk like you would to a friend.
That means a lot! I was definitely worried about posting this video since it is a tad more negative than my usual videos. Glad you enjoyed it!
This is my personal opinion, but I do love hearing people ranting on books, I liked or not the books. I think are a very honest opinion instead of a faking one, because eveything can't be perfect on books. For me, those rantings are more "natural", like if you were talking with a friend, casually. For me, hearing people ranting on books has more impact on wanting to read that book rather than any recommendations or good reviews. And in my opinion, you shouldn't apologize for anything you said on this video: you were's being disrespectful at all. I liked this video and I liked your real opinions about the books (specially the last ones). I think it was funny.
I am a quite new subscriber so I wasn’t around last year when you read Illborn, but the series sounds very good and I purchased the first. It is added to the Kindle pile!
Thank you for subscribing, Laura! Hope you enjoy it! It is fantastic!
I adored "The Goblin Emperor." One of the best reads in my lifetime.
I am so glad you loved it!
One of my favorite books, as well.
Same here
I loved The Goblin Emporer, especially the audiobook. I've also listened to the Cemeteries of Amalo books (in the same world focusing outside the palace). So good. My husband also hated The Goblin Emporer, for the same reason. There's no action and it's all about politics. He swears nothing happened in that book.
A slice of death :D That really made me laugh out loud.
Thanks, you actually gave me some recommendations with this one - I'm exactly the type of reader who enjoys nothing happening. You didn't need to apologize for ranting, it was totally fine, and I'm actually going to pick up the Goblin Emperor thanks to you :D
Nettle and Bone was actually my favorite read of last year. But I totally get why you wouldn't like it (and I'm sending your video to my best friend who told me the exact same things you're saying here). To me, Nettle and Bone was a winner because it combines hard-hitting truths (that are just inconspicuously there, like the way she described that feeling of having someone close hate you), super weird imagination (I mean, the toothdancer?!), amazing characters (these different types of strong women, all in their own special ways), and a type of humor I just vibe with. But this book is such a great example of "not for everyone" :D I totally get it.
Dude you are Awesome. I love your videos. You have brought a lot of otherwise unknown books and authors to light for me. Thank you.
Thank you so much Richard! It means a lot of me to hear that!
I really liked all the politics and manipulation in children of gods and fighting men, I love women scheming in a historical way through marriage and whispers, and hellmouth was also a quick fun read.
I liked nettle and bone but it took a while to get into the story, but I’m loving the cozy fantasy trend, plus I love how Kingfisher tends to only do characters 30+ years old which is hear to find, even though they probably feel the youngest in this book
I absolutely agree with you on those points about The Children of Gods and Fighting Men and Hellmouth!
I need to give Kingfisher's other work a read. Any recommendations?
@@libraryofaviking since you liked Hellmouth I’d try one of her more horror/gothic leaning books and go with What moves the dead. It’s only a short novella retelling the fall of the house of Usher. Since you didn’t like Nettle and Bone probably stay away from her self-pub which is more cozy romance fantasy
@Library of a Viking a wizard's guide to defensive baking by Kingfisher. I enjoyed it quite a bit
Historical fiction/fantasy hasn't really clicked for me outside of Bernard Cornwell. At least so far. As far as Goblin Emperor, I think I've cracked the code that if the r/Fantasy Reddit loves a book, it probably isn't going to be something I'd enjoy.
I would love to see you read The Goblin Emperor haha!
If you like historical fiction Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series is a masterpiece. The pinnacle of the genre.
I'm 150 pages into goblin emperor and I needed a break. Not sure when I'm going back...
I read Goblin Emperor a couple of years ago and did not like it. My girlfriend loved it.
You should never apologise for not enjoying a book. We're all different. I love how honest you are & I know I can trust your opinions because of it 💙
I read the Goblin Emperor in January... and had complicated feelings about it. The names and naming conventions were definitely super frustrating for me. But I liked the world and the main character. By the end, I enjoyed it more than I didn't. I haven't decided whether I will read the sequels or not though.
Ha! I loved Mapping the Interior so much and I'm reading The Goblin Emperor next month. I'm in for a ride apparently lol!
I do agree that Nettle and Bone was underwhelming. I liked it just fine but nothing more than that and it hasn't stuck with me at all. No need to apologize for a good rant! Let the hate flow through you
Thank you so much for commenting! I feel sad I didn't love Mapping the Interior as much as you did but we can't all enjoy the same books. I did LOVE Locke Lamora though 👀
I am really excited to hear your thoughts on The Goblin Emperor. It seems like one of those books you either love or hate!
Thank you so much for the encouragement! It means a lot!
Hellmouth is one of the best novellas I've ever read, it's top 3 for sure. I was really shocked at how good it was, I think it was only 56 pages, but so much work was done in that time, it blew me away
You should maybe give one of Adrian Tchaikovsky's novelas a shot. They tend to be more character focused. I would recommend "Elder Race" or "The Expert System's Brother".
Either of those two, or maybe Cities or Last Chances, his return to Fantasy. Based on his reaction to the (IMO) awesome Dogs of War and Shards of Earth I would skip the also high concept / deep on themes/ not too character centric “Children of Time”, another masterpiece but probably not really his cup of tea.
I have heard people praise The Goblin Emperor and people hate it, not much middle ground. After seeing both you and Matt's Fantasy Book Review not like it at all I am pretty sure this is not for me.
Another fantastic video; thank you!!!
Sometimes a book just doesn't appeal to us. I adored Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones. I enjoy his Native American sensibility. The different way the story progressed was due to cultural differences imo and I am looking forward to reading more of his work. Happy reading.
I've seen a few negative reviews of the Goblin Emperor. Sounds like a very polarizing book. Knowing my taste, I have a feeling I probably won't like it, but it's not a priority read for me since there are many other books that intrigue me. I tried Illborn and couldn't get into it. The writing style and prose was not to my taste and I thought the early part of the book relied too much on cliches that I've seen a hundred times. The prologue was great, I'll give it that. I DNFd around the 20% mark. Glad you loved it and know many others do.
The Goblin Emperor is one of my favourite books of all time so I'm putting this video on very timidly... 😂
I am so sorry 😂 I am really glad you love it though!
@@libraryofaviking No problem! It is definitely a niche book and I'm not surprised you didn't like it, but I fit in that niche perfectly (and I don't find the book confusing at all so that part of your review did surprise me)
I loved Aiduel's sin, (but some of those characters 🤬). I'm hit and miss with Adrian Tchaikovsky but Empire of Black and Gold hit the ground running, I highly reccomend that one (you can read the prologue as a taster test)
Thanks Johan, I am delighted that you enjoyed Aiduel's Sin.
Not me looking at my TBR pile and seeing Goblin Emperor… this will empower me to DNF it if I’m not enjoying though
7 books already wow! I give a book 100 pages and if i still dont enjoy it by then it gets took to the charity shop.
I should follow your advice! 100 pages should be enough to know whether a book will work for you. Thank you for watching!
I completely agree, if I still not am intetested after 100 pages, then. No, not worth my time continuing.
And some books you just know ate not for you very quickly.
A huge cæue for me, is if I for some reason not really am that interested in picking the book up again or look forwards to continue reading after a few days.
But there are of course also those books where I just not am sure if I like or not, even thrugh the whole book. But they need to still be imteresting enough for me to want to know just a little more 😂
Sorry, that ended in half an essey 😉
I grabbed Illborn on a sale in Apple Books for less than half a pound! I have been meaning to get to it but I just finished Ruin from the Faithful and the Fallen and it left me emotionally devastated so I need to read something less exciting (thinking Death’s End from the three body problem series)
My problem with The Children of gods and fighting men was that the setting wasn't treated as a character. I never got vivid descriptions of the environment. It all felt kind of formless and that really lowered immersion. I think where you struggled with the historical side of this historical fantasy, I struggle with the fantasy side of the novel. I think I like my fantasy to be fantasy and my historical fiction to be historical.
That's a very fair comment! I actually loved the fantastical aspect of this novel but would have wished it was more "fantasy heavy"!
Thank you for getting me in to Illborn I really love it
🤣 I love seeing you rant! I want more!
😂 Thank you! Some people were not very pleased with this video 😂
Honestly, good for you for just venting a little bit here, you have every right to share your honest opinions ;)) And I hope it was cathartic, hahaha.
I tend to get on pretty well with 'boring and slow' books, so I am still kinda curious about The Goblin Emperor. Although the prose does sound rather tedious to read 👀
Also totally feel you on Nettle & Bone! Kingfisher is one of my favourite authors, but that book is by far my least favourite of her works, it was just so MID.
I am very eager to get to Aiduel's Sin soon though, I am kinda kicking myself for not having read it already! Hope you find some new favourites soon, you deserve it hahaha 🤪
For Sci-Fi, the Expanse also has great characters
I was sadly quite disappointed in Illborn. It was only just 3 stars and had me bored at multiple points in the book. 😅 But I’m glad that you loved it!
Oh god! So was I! Everyone rants about just how good it is and I don’t agree.
There are plenty of scifi books with brilliant characters, you just need to try the right kind of books. I've only personally read a couple of novellas by Tchaikovsky but he's known for not having a lot of character work (and he does write fantasy too).
Do you have any recommendations?
I agree with you on Goblin Emperor. It was a really painful read for me as well and I just didn’t understand the hype
I've only read Aiduel's sin of this collection and I agree with you - it's as good as Illborn. A great read!
I have loved everything I’ve read by Tchaikovsky, but I haven’t read any of his sci-fi yet. I’d recommend Made Things if you want a short fantasy by him! I agree with you on Nettle & Bone, I hated it 😭
I will add it to my tbr! I really need to read some of his fantasy works! Sorry you didn't enjoy it😭
@@libraryofaviking same to you! 😀
I actually enjoyed this video and the rant. I do appreciate not just hyping up books but also hearing about books one does not enjoy and the reasons behind that. So please don´t apologize for it, I totally appreciated it. I wish more of this would be done! That way readers can form their own opinion about the books and maybe a different discourse can be started through the honest review of books, be it good or bad.
"Nettle and Bone" and "The Goblin Emperor" are both 'girl' books. Looks like you need some splosions or stabbings. I'm a guy and I like both. "The Goblin Emperor" kept me in suspense the whole time. "Nettle and Bone" is funny and suspenseful. "How will we defeat the evil ancient and all powerful fairy godmother?" "I know, let's go have a chat and some tea with her." A very feminine solution.
You have convinced me to order illborn immediately! Could I recommend another self pub series with 1 book so far that I thought was amazing,5 stars, but terribly underrated? The Purple Prince by Sebastien Menke - it also is multi POV and a supercool high fantasy world. I've just only seen 1 person ever talk about it and it deserves more!
I picked up Illborn based on your recommendation and I am loving it so much. I read the prologue and yelled, “Holy sh**”
If you’re having a string of bad books, you should read the next Gentleman Bastards novel.
That is a great suggestion!
@@libraryofaviking I second this notion. XD
Read children of time, the characters are more a focus, the spiders were really interesting
I love that you ranted about the goblin emperor I loved it (love that copy too!) but I 100% agree with your opinion its pure chaotic and confusing as a book. I like to see youtubers being honest in their opinion when they don't like a book! Great video. 🗡
I hear you on Goblin Emperor - I enjoyed it more than you did because I liked the main character and some of the themes, but I felt like it didn't take full advantage of its interesting premise. I've picked up one of the follow ups because it sounds like more will happen and I would like to learn more about the world, but a bit worried it might be another snooze fest.
I enjoyed the format and tone of this video btw - you aired your negative opinions in a very measured and respectful way. If you're in a position where everything you read is potentially future content, feeling like you can't express more negative feelings towards a book every now and then is just going to make you fall out of love with reading altogether.
"what's unique about this book is that it was boring from the first chapter" LMAO
I liked Nettle and Bone when I read it but it was kinda forgettable, I've already forgotten most of it unfortunately. Goblin Emperor is great though, all about the vibes, Viking, THE VIBES 🤣🤣
Hi there. I know how you feel about Nettle and Bone, it was meh to awful. It took me trying to listen to this book 2 to 3 times, before I finished it. I was not a fan of any of the characters and I have forgotten everything about that story really fast. I have to find characters to get attached to, in order for me to get into a story. Also, I have a feeling that I may not be into the Goblin Emperor, since after reading while listening to one chapter, I lose interest. My favorite series this year and last year is actually a Japanese translated light novel series called A Certain Magical Index. It takes place in a sectioned off part of Tokyo, called Academy City. This is a science based city where kids go to develop their psychic or espers abilities. There is also a magic side that focuses on religious and magic and mythology. Anyway, in this world walks a boy named Touma Kamijou who has a very unique ability
It's called the Imagine Breaker, and if he touches an espers or a magical or any supernatural power, he can cancel it out. I have been obsessed with this series for a long time. I can't recommend it enough.
Hahaha, I love your honesty. I lolled. Just to check if I should read mapping the interior. have your read Murakami and how did you like it? if you did not like it I'll try this confusing thing. If you did, it probably transcends my confusion tolerance as well. ;)
I was seriously considering whether I should post this video due to me being so 'negative' 😅 Glad you enjoyed it haha!
I want to read some Murakami but haven't yet. Where would you recommend starting?
@@libraryofaviking personally I loved Kafka on the shore. For me it is his best book i've read. Blends in some low fantasy and sci fi elements through magical realism.
I think Norwegian wood is also very nice and quite a bit shorter if you first want to get a feel. More of a mood/romance/slice of life than kafka on the shore though (but with awesome music references).
@@Wouter_K I own Norwegian Wood so might give that a read!
If you want a good character and plot driven sci fi you should read Sun Eater. If you want a good mix of idea, tech, and characters try Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton.
Sun Eater is on my tbr! The first book in the series is on my shelf waiting to be read. Thank you for the recommendation!
I do agree that Adrian Tchaikovsky's books can be hit or miss (I more or less agree with your assessment of dogs of war) but if you get the time, give children of time a chance. I think it is his best work and it present a very unique perspective that is fascinating.
There’s a movie critic channel called TheCriticalDrinker, he’s also a writer. His books are sort of like Jack Reacher or Mission Impossible, but the important thing is that he always says the plot and character development should not be sacrificed in order to highlight themes, themes should be secondary to writing a great story
Ah I love his channel, he's one incredible astute dude!
I just purchased ILLborn, because I read some of the those books, okay lies, I started to, and promptly DNF'd them, I felt the same way about them and thought it must be me, they got 5 star 's from some people, so I bought them and to the Salvation Army they go.
The Goblin Emperor was not my favorite. But I did love The Witness for The Dead set in the same world.
Yay! FINALLY someone who dislikes Mapping the Interior and Nettle and Bone! I thought I was all alone!
A bit harsh to say you'll never read an author again just because you didn't like one of her books, especially when it's quite apparent that she was trying out something new for the genre. I'd say the Goblin Emperor strays quite far from the beaten path of fantasy and the author took quite a gamble weaving political intrigue, high society and fantasy but that makes me admire the effort even more. We don't need twenty thousand books replete with the same fantasy tropes over and over, this book was quite a breath of fresh air, even though I didn't understand all of it.
Try reading Becky Chambers A Long Way to an Angry Planet. Pretty character driven sci fi.
It is on my tbr! Thank you for the recommendation!
“I’ll probably never read anything from this author again” followed by the most ruthless sarcastic book recommendation I’ve ever seen… 😂.
I almost got the Goblin Emperor on audible a few months ago. I’m glad I didn’t. The serenity thing would have been too much for me. It’s weird how people can be so different that some would love this book and others hate it. I mean, that’s normal, but it’s weird.
Minute 14: 56 "It felt like this book (The Goblin Emperor) was written like 300 years ago..."
--So the author managed to make this book feel like it was written during a different literary period of time. Not an easy thing to do.
Minute 15: 15 "I mean this is more than 400 pages and almost nothing happens in this book...400 pages of just people walking in courts discussing marriages and some political alliances..."
--Yes that is how novels of hundreds of years ago were written. The action was off page and only talked about by the characters. Today's epic fantasy novels spoon feed everything to the reader and these author's call that spoon feeding "world building."
The Goblin Emperor seems like a good book because the prose, according to you, takes the reader to another time.
Have you read the series A Pattern of Shadow and Light by Melissa McPhail ? It's a fantastic read!
Try to explore more space opera than hard scifi. Space opera tend not to focus more on concept and idea like hard scifi tends to do
The Goblin Emperor removed from my wishlist. I'm so excited to read Illborn
We need more negative reviews from you! I love it when you get sassy out of frustration 🤣🤣 with that said I do hope you find better reads 🤣
You are probably the first person to call me sassy 😂 Thank you Yuli!
Thanks for your sacrifice reading The Goblin Emperor. You may have save from something it is clearly not for me. 😅
The ending is spicy. Were you forced to read all of these in a row? :-) Sounds like torture :-)
Haha you would have thought so!
I finished Goblin Emperor earlier this week and felt the same. It was just so pointless!
Same feeling I have for legends and late. Why is it much loved? I don’t get it
It's OK not to like books- it happens. I strongly disagree about Nettle and Bone because I very much liked the character work. A chicken with a Demon? Very funny!
I actually enjoyed this video, even tho I did like Nettle & Bone but I listened to the audiobook. Interesting that you mentioned Merphy Napier, she did a video a while back about popular books that she doesn't get the hype about, and my god, I'm still feeling triggered by her video, she can like what she likes, as we all should but she savagely went after some of my favorite books with so much malice and disdain, it hurt my feelings listening to her wanting to stab and burn books I liked. It felt very personal lol. So you def did this type of video better, so thank you.
I love Merphy but yeah it always hurts when someone goes after our faves... It feels really personal and if people are mean about it it hurts even more.
@@claudiafernandes1150 Yeah, sorry if my comment sounded lame, like I'm so sensitive ( I am lol), but she really dragged Project Hail Mary through hot coals and I read it when I was extremely sick for months and her video really affected me. Thank you for your kind comment :)
@@Blue-xk8vq you are not lame. You are literally talking with the girl who had a rant cuz somebody said shit about Carry On 🤣. Reading is a very personal and intimate experience, the characters you like stay with you and can become a source of comfort and joy when you hang out with them (aka read their book), so of course you are gonna take it to the personal side when someone says something bad about them... They may not be real but the joy they brought you was.
@@claudiafernandes1150 Aww thank you! I agree. I haven't read Carry On but I love Rainbow Rowell
For sci fi with characters, try the Mars series by Kim Stanley Robinson - absolutely great sci fi for people who want character development.
I love Giles Kristian books! The Raven series is awesome if you enjoy Viking fiction and he's written an Arthurian series too
How do I find Illborn?
Reading the description of Illborn, I'm curious... Is it considered christian fantasy? I'm open to it regardless the answer, I just don't like to be caught of guard when it becomes a prevalent theme.
Religion is a big theme but it is definitely not Christian fantasy! Some might even argue that some aspects criticises the Catholic church.
@@libraryofaviking awesome! Thank you! I will add it to my list!
I have to make a recommendation to you. If you haven't read it yet, please try Heliotrope by Palmer Pickering. I just read it and found it amazing!
My best read this year until now would be the underground railroad by colson whitehead.
The worst would be paladins grace also by kingfisher. I could'nt finish it.
All the 'his chest is so big' and her heaving breasts and tight dress'..jeez..Maybe I'm just to old..😄 I did like her book the hollow places better.
The Hollow Places gave me the worst nightmare haha, I really liked that one, especially that ending.
Good rant! 😂
Me struggling to find time to read 1 book
*cries in exams*
Read remonster you gonna like
i have a suggestion for a book for you called Lord of the Mysteries by cuttlefish and mother of learning hope you try it
I just finished Aiduel’s Sins it was good
You should have read my book instead, because EVERYTHING happens 😉
I could t figure out the hype about Nettle and Bone either
If you would like some punchy short reads try Burn by Patrick Ness or A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix. Both stand alones
They are classed YA but fun circuit breakers
For a good fantasy historical fiction cross over I like Stephen Lawhead’s Arthur series, first and second books have very little Arthur which is very refreshing
Fav so far this year is The Binding, yep I know it was out years ago … finally got there. Most looking forward to Justice of Kings series and The Forgetting Moon series
I'm about to give a book full of praise a not very enthusiastic review... since it is for netgalley I tried to keep reading and finish it. So I know exactly how you feel. I hate giving bad reviews but some books... ugh XD
When I first hear of The Goblin Emperor I thought it sounded snob and boring haha I'm definitely not picking that one
You might enjoy it. I definitely seem to be in the minority when it comes to my opinions about it!
Legend🔥🔥
The Goblin Emperor ended up being a 4/5 for me, mainly because of how things came together at the end, but I think for at least half the book I was feeling 2/5 vibes as well. It's true that nothing really happens and the book is grotesquely over hyped for sure. I kind of liked the old style prose and the political machinations though.
Good to know about Nettle and Bone. Maybe I will do a Kindle sample of that before I make a purchase. Whimsy can be very taste-driven.
I am glad you enjoyed it and ended up giving it 4/5 stars! It is definitely a book with pure vibes 😅
Definitely give the sample a try. You might end up loving it!
You should've listened to audiobook of "Nettle and Bone". You would've hated it even more! My god! It was unbearable ! 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪
I thought the audiobook of it was great.
Just goes to show popularity doesn't always = quality writing.
I honestly have no idea what people saw in Goblin Emperor. It's one of the worst books I've ever read.
The Goblin Emperor is the single most disappointing book I've read in the last three years. I'm so glad to hear something other than praise for it.
I think this is the type of content that booktubers shouldn't do. Tatse is subjective, so I might like some of these books and consider them to be my best reads of all time. Maybe you should change the title or the idea to "Books I won't be finishing or Books I'm unhauling" but the "Don't read this" is kinda unfair to authors and maybe future readers that easly get influenced by booktubers.....
I think he did it well, there was nothing malicious or hurtful in what he said.
Should everyone not voice their opinions? He wasn't rude about anything. He just didn't like some books haha
The music in the background is so annoying! I just wanted to hear you talking about the books, why force me to “multi-task”?!
I don't see how you aren't extremely tired from using your hands to say every word.
Who says I wasn't tired? 😂
@@libraryofaviking lol poor guy
@@Jaeno311 😂
I understand you because I also hated Nattle and Bone. 😁😁 I just don't get the hype around it. It was boring and it definately dragged from the very begining. You are not alone, haha.