Books I Think Are Overhyped (yikes)

[@marjorie.mp4]

I'm convinced everyone raves about Evelyn Hugo because of peer pressure. It's not a terrible book, but the absolute uproar just baffles me.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It has such a huge amount of praise, it’s baffling

[@margereads1676]

I'll have to disagree, it's my favourite book ever. I don't care if other people like it or not. I've read it twice and I still love it with my whole heart and want to reread it many other times :)

[@sakinaalia1067]

I don’t understand why it’s baffling thought. I didn’t really care for it but I don’t think art can necessarily be overhyped because it’s subjective and everyone who raved about it genuinely liked it that much

[@sin3358]

@@margereads1676 sameeeee!!! Personally I loved it!!!

[@Ivielynn123]

I'm happy that your not sorry for your own opinion. I have disagreed on something you talked about but I dont care bc we are adults and enjoy different things. Nothing wrong with that.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Exactly! Books are so open to interpretation, it’s silly for people to be offended over someone else’s thoughts on one 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@tovaportmann]

I agree 100% on your thoughts of Evelyn Hugo. I appreciate the bisexual representation with my entire bisexual soul, but like I didn't like how Evelyn didn't bother to address Celia's biphobia, like that rubbed me the wrong way.

[@HollowMoonReads]

It wasn't exactly Celia's responsibility to address it. The responsibility and awareness falls on Evelyn in my humble opinion.

[@sin3358]

@@HollowMoonReads no, Celia was pretty much biphobic so she's just as responsible to be fair. But that's what I loved about the book. How toxic this whole relationship was. I liked it not because it was romantic as much as it was just shocking. I don't think Evelyn Hugo is a good romance book, it shows u nothing but a very toxic and unrealistic relationship that was never meant to work, but it's very interesting to read

[@bookishtopics]

I completely agree with you about Little Women. The same thing bothered me there. I strongly disliked their mom. That woman just doesn't think. And that's why her daughter dies. The second part - Good Wifes was the worst for me. There was one part where the author describes Russian people as "ugly" (and I am Russian) you can imagine how angry it made me. And then Jo and her relationship with men - I found just ridiculous. So yes I don't like Little Women either 😅

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

There’s a lot of odd opinions and attitudes from the time 😅

[@155books]

I have a really big problem with sequels to books that are released yearssss after. Like you said, they don’t need to exist and they ruin the original! Awesome video ☺️💕

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It’s such a weird trend that seems to be happening lately too!

[@ThePsycoDolphin]

My top list: Secret History This is How You Loose a Time War Circe As I Lay Dying Mexican Gothic (one of the single worst books I've ever read) Farenheit 451 Left Hand of Darkness Dispossessed (le guin sucks) The Stranger Haunting of Hill House Old Man and the Sea All dreck.

[@junpi8562]

I keep trying Taylor Jenkins Reid books because I keep getting told they are brilliant and I will love them, and I just ... don't. I've read three of her books, and I always end them feeling like I wasted my time. No more!

[@ohsoabby4689]

i agree with what you said about ninth house (and i plugged my ears when you talked about the secret history😂😂)! great video :)

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Still so sad about secret history 💔

[@MaryAmongStories]

I liked The Secret Garden, but A Little Princess is much better in my opinion ^^ supposedly the movie is brilliant though! completely agree about Evelyn Hugo 😅

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’ve been put off trying it tbh 😅 I think most children’s classics are a no from me aha

[@moonbook12]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction I think you may like the litte prince

[@sabrina.lnd95]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that just can't get hooked on contemporary romance. I also agree with you on Evelyn Hugo. Not gonna read Daisy Jones either since it's written entirely in Interviews and it's a format I do not appreciate 😬

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Don’t think I’ll be trying anything else from her either tbh

[@peterkarargiris4110]

It's great to see BookTubers doing this sort of video, lest BookTube turn into yet another form of advertising and nothing more. Personally, hype tends to turn me off of books (TV shows, movies etc). Old and cynical as I am, I was turned off GOT by all the hype way back when the whole thing first came along. The apogee of Sword & Sorcery fiction for me will always be Michael Moorcock's work of the 1960's and 1970's and 80's. Check him out one day, he is a universe, or more accurately a multiverse, unto himself. Just a quick word about 'dark academia', in Japan it's been a staple of manga and anime for many years. Maybe check out a dark academia themed manga one day. One ounce of your opinion is worth a ton of hype. Well done Ashleigh.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’ll check everything you mentioned out, thank you! I get that (what you said about hype), it can be hard to trust

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I'm with you about Little Women. I have enjoyed the movie, 1994 one and haven't seen the new one, but I DNFed the book halfway through. I liked the first book in His Dark Materials, but the rest wasn't that great. I also thought the direction Lyra and Will's relationship went was weird with them being younger than sixteen.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It WAS a weird relationship!! This was one of my main gripes, I swear they were like 13/14 and it was just weird to read about them that way

[@FableForager]

I haven't read any of these books but I thoroughly enjoyed hearing your opinions about them! Some of them I have on my TBR so I'm curious to see what I think when I get to them. I know this is more than likely a very unpopular opinion but I think that the books by Cassandra Clare are overhyped. I haven't read Prince of Thorns and I don't think I'm going to. But I have read Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence and the MC drives me nuts but I love the second MC so....I have to continue the series to find out what happens. But if you ever want to give Prince of Fools a try, from my memory, it isn't all that bloody or gory.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I hope you enjoy them more than I do! Aha I think Cassie Clare is overhyped now, but I used to love her when I was younger.

[@FableForager]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction Haha I'll let you know if I do xD I think I just missed the boat with her. I read City of Bones back when it was all the rage and was severely let down. Mostly because my expectations were so high going into it after hearing how amazing it was from everyone else.. Haven't been able to get into her since

[@sarahsperusals]

totally agree about little women & evelyn hugo. evelyn hugo was fine; i liked the writing but the plot felt tedious since it was basically only about evelyn's relationships. if it hadn't been so overhyped i probably would've liked it more honestly because my expectations would have been way lower. and YES to everything you said about little women. the writing is so moralizing, especially whenever marmee spoke. like you predicted, the 2019 movie takes that problem away. obviously the morals are still there but it's not shoved in your face like it is in the book

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ahh not just me then! And yeah I imagine the film is better, I need to try it some time

[@VanessaButtino]

I hated both The Secret History and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, so when I saw this video's thumbnail I was like YES!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ahhh you feel me 😂

[@VanessaButtino]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction I hated The Secret History so much I actually threw it across the room when I was finished reading it. I found it SO pretentious and so anticlimactic. Evelyn Hugo was too overly dramatic for me. It felt like I was reading a soap opera the entire time (and I hate soap operas lol).

[@skrensh69]

Hey, really liked this video! I've decided not to read The Testaments because of what you said in a previous video, so I'll stick to that. Now onto the main subject - overhyped books. I will go with Vicious & Vengeful, which I read this week. I agree that there are interesting things about this duology, but I wasn't that impressed by the way things were wrapped up at the end of the first book, although I did want to know more. I just feel like there needed to be more. Then I started reading the second book, enjoyed the faster pacing and the introduction of two new characters (Marcella and June)... and the last quarter of Vengeful was a HUGE LETDOWN for me. I'll just say it: it was a really bad conclusion. Some things didn't make sense, some elements were only added in order for the two protagonists to meet again and for the book to get to the ending. Again, an enormous lack of details that were much needed in my opinion. I won't even waste my time and comment on the final denouement, which was supposed to be this big moment the reader had been waiting for. Hope you're doing well! x

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I didn’t enjoy Vengeful all that much in comparison to Vicious 😅 it was somewhat underwhelming

[@caenerys]

okay yes Amber Spyglass is not good, but I loved The Subtle Knife SO MUCH and it was my favourite in the series!

[@junpi8562]

Louisa May Alcott described her Little Women books as "moral pap for the young" and she only wrote Good Wives because her publisher said they might publish her father if she did (and then she refused to marry off Jo to the man they wanted her to marry.) So I think she'd probably agree with your assessment. She preferred to write adventures.

[@DuskEverheart1308]

Finally! Someone disliked The Amber Spyglass as much as I did. The Amber Spyglass is one of my most hated books to this day.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It’s just...so bad in comparison 😅

[@TheBookishMom]

I liked the Handmaid's Tale show, haven't read the book and only watched season 1 lol but I don't really want to pick up the sequel book because it was SO long after the original.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Honestly I’d just leave it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@TheBookishMom]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction I probably will! 😂 I'm happy with it being a standalone

[@misreadmeg2024]

Oh no, now I'm scared to finish His Dark Materials and to start Prince of Thorns cause I COMPLETELY agree with you on all the other books 😭 Anyway, hi I'm new and just subscribed after watching this video! 😊❤️💛

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Oh no 😭😂 hopefully the trend has to break somewhere? And you might disagree? 😬😂 Ahaha either way, thank you for subscribing!!

[@BobbiReads]

Prince of Thorns was Lawrence’s first series. Read the Book of the Ancestor series. Red Sister is TOTALLY different. I read the Book of the Ancestor trilogy before picking up Prince of Thorns and they are like night and day. As for Seven Husbands, I read that back when it was first released. Before I was making videos and before anyone on booktube noticed it. Everyone on booktube read it about a year after it came out. I loved it when I first read it. I’m not a contemporary reader, but I love almost any story that deals with old Hollywood and the drama that surrounds it. But I get why people would find it overhyped. Ninth House I loved. A LOT. Now for context, I hate the Grisha trilogy and Six of Crows. I found them super boring. 😬 I agree that the trigger warnings were super hyped up. There is some dark shit, but it wasn’t that bad. And you’re right a lot of fantasy stories are waaaay worse. Prince of Thorns for instance. Alex could have been written better but I think that will come later. It seems people either love Ninth House or hate it. I was nervous reading it since I didn’t like any books in the Grishaverse at all. But I seem to like her adult books way better. Was it perfection? No. But I was thoroughly entertained by it!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’m glad you enjoyed them more than I did!

[@maep1543]

I totally agree with your opinions on Evelyn hugo but I listened to the daisy jones audiobook and it was soooo much more enjoyable!!!! Definitely would recommend it if you’re looking for a fun audiobook

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’m sure it’s fab for most people but I have even less interest in music related stories so I don’t think it would go well 😂

[@maep1543]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction hahaha oh no, probably wouldn't do much for you then

[@laurenb_101]

Loved this video and really glad that you’re not going to apologise for having your own opinion! 😊 I tried reading Ninth House last year and I just couldn’t get through it. I was pretty bored tbh 😒

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Thank you! Ahh a shame you couldn’t get along with it either

[@laurenb_101]

I will definitely try again now that I’m working from home...😏 but there are just SO many other books I want to read 😂

[@crystalldrose]

I agree with you so much on Ninth House. I was so excited to read it and got it as a 7-day speed read by chance at the library. The thing about this book that really bothered me was that the plot and prose was quite New Adult, whereas the dialogue, especially the main characters' was extremely juvenile. I rolled my eyes so many times...

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Not just me eye rolling then 😅

[@Amyduckie]

The way you describe your feelings towards Evelyn Hugo is how I feel about Daisy Jones. I think I’m probably going to read Evelyn Hugo at some point, but who knows when.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ahh see I’m just avoiding Daisy Jones 😂

[@Amyduckie]

Can’t say I blame you. 😂

[@JulEnglefaris]

Daisy Jones was trying to hard to be edgy. Hugo was ... Eh okay.

[@alittlelifeofmel5157]

I hated Northern Lights but still want to continue because I’m hoping it gets better for me. Otherwise, I own a lot of these and now I’m scared to read some of them.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

😂 at least with them being overhyped, I’m in the minority so chances are you’ll love them too!

[@Misha-fv2vd]

I guess I'm... really out of the loop? I had no idea The Secret History is considered a dark academia book? I read it in my college literature class for an example of CHARACTER STUDY. I love the book because of every character and their individual reaction to what happens to Bunny and onward and I guess I thought everyone else realized that too? The book isn't about the plot, it's not a murder mystery even though it sets itself up that way. It's just a book about characters and MAYBE consequences (or lack thereof) of actions you aren't even aware of. I hear it gets a lot of hate because people say they don't like any character in the book but um... that's the point. It's much like As I Lay Dying by Faulkner. Every character in there is made to not be liked, just observed. For that I think it's brilliant. A shame people don't like it but of course to each their own :)

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It's funny because I usually like reading about characters I dislike (like this book) but it just didn't hit the mark for me. Just had zero interest. I can see how it's an interesting character study for a class, though reading for leisure and reading for class makes it a different experience - probably why it's largely considered dark academia. But even reading it as a character study only goes so far when you don't find said characters interesting , sadly 😂

[@jenny_readss]

I'm so sad you didn't love his dark materials! I agree Amber spyglass was weak, but subtle knife was my favourite in the series! 100% agree about the testements, I haven't read it yet because like you said, I don't think it's needed. Also, LOVE your eyeshadow!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Honestly just don’t bother with testaments 😅 and thank you!

[@MLLatUtube]

lol - well I liked most of these books so I guess I should actually give Evelyn Hugo a chance also - I do value your opinion and I can see what you mean about books being overhyped (and I do agree about The Testaments)

[@chiacchieretralerighe]

I think the last book in the His Dark Materials series was a huge letdown too! I was not happy with the super religious turn taken in the book, I know religion is a very important theme (after all, the Magisterium is the Church and it is intended as one of the main villains), but I certainly didn't expect or want THAT to happen... no spoilers for those who still have to read the series! I also agree with what you said about Prince of thorns, I found difficult to connect what happens in the book with the fact that the protagonist is so young; plus, it‘s really hard to believe that a group of bad and grown man could ever accept a kid as their leader. It‘s a pity because I really loved Red Sister and Grey Sister!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Yeah it was w weird turn of events. You could see the religious ties beforehand anyway but it went extreme in the third book 😅 I’ll still be trying red sister, so I’m glad to hear you at least enjoyed those ones!

[@jenniferbrooks]

I agree with you on every single one of these! I thought I was the only one who didn’t get on with Little Women. I wonder if I would have felt better about it had I read it when I was a child. Prince of Thorns was so violent and I hated everyone. Gosh, I wish I’d DNFed it.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I almost DNFed Prince of Thorns too, would’ve saved myself time of I had aha

[@natscorner]

I’m currently reading Ninth House, nearly 100 pages into it and I’m still not into it. I agree with you completely on the characters, I don’t understand why everyone loves Darlington and I can’t really connect with Alex, I just don’t get her at all. It does seem like nothing really happened so far in the story. But I am curious to see what else Leigh Bardugo includes in it to see how dark and gruesome it is as so far I’m not impressed.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’ll keep an eye out for your final thoughts because it’s an interesting conflict for me 😅

[@readbymalja]

The review for last book was pretty interesting! 🤭😂 I hope you're doing well, stay blessed 😊💕

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

😂😂💚

[@readbymalja]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction 😊💕

[@cori4727]

The Cruel Prince. For sure. I felt about this book the way you felt about Ninth House. We are told SO many times how mean Cardan is and how he's the worst faerie, the meanest of his siblings. And the whole book I waited for him to do something that was ACTUALLY mean, and he pretty much never does. He does ONE thing that I would consider mean, and otherwise, I thought everyone else around him was meaner. His friends, his siblings, literally everyone else. I was soooo frustrated the whole book.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’m reading that one soon so let’s see if I agree 😂

[@readbymarta2781]

i still need to read ninth house, i hope i love it because i have veeeeeery high expectations for it but who knows what'll happen

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I hope you love it too! I feel like the series will definitely improve with each book at least

[@MythicMelancholy]

I’m now unsure about picking up Ninth House because I frequently feel underwhelmed by books that are supposed by so dark. I want more!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I mean...it IS dark to some extent but meh 🤷🏻‍♀️ go in with lower expectations aha

[@anam.1467]

Prince of Thorns is a book written with intention to show the character, although original its a hard read, I couldn't even finish it. Mark Lawrence's style and storytelling has definitely improved. Red Sister (and Prince of Fools which is a later series) is a much better novel, and I think you will enjoy it if you give him a chance.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

But I don’t believe in the character at all so...didn’t work too well in its showing 😅 I own Red Sister so I’ll be reading that one!

[@ariascarlet7736]

You can not say that there's one dark academy book that you've read and liked and not tell us which one it is!! (please). Also, I recently listened to The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I can see what you mean, I rated it 3 stars, but I think that if I had actually read it, it would've been a 2 star read for me.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

The Furies by Katie Lowe! Ahh I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it all that much either

[@moonbook12]

Same rating for seven husband

[@Readingwithabawse]

I don’t think ill be picking up the secret history anytime soon!

[@nicholemohler2918]

I really enjoyed Ninth House. I agree on most of the others. But, I really think you should read the Book of the Ancestor series by Mark Lawrence. It is amazing!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I will be reading it! I own the first ☺️

[@nymeria941]

I like "The Secret Garden" a lot, but whoo boy, it is problematic! FHB also had some really odd ideas about how fresh air and exercise could literally cure disease that she wanted to weave into this book to convince people she was right, which...is a big nope. I'd also highly recommend the 1994 film of "Little Women." "The Amber Spyglass" made me cranky, and honestly, I won't be keeping up with his new series after the fiasco that was "The Book of Dust." I had absolutely no interest in reading "The Testaments," but I thoroughly enjoyed hearing everybody's reactions! I think "Evelyn Hugo" was kind of a one-hit wonder for me; I really enjoyed reading it and LOVED the queer rep, but I have no interest in the author's other books because the writing isn't great. That, "Cruel Prince," and "Ninth House" were all books that I really enjoyed, but I definitely think the hype machine got a little out of control with those!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Old classics and their odd thoughts on the way the world works 😅 it’s weird to read back now. And yeah I don’t think I’ll be reading anything more from Pullman, at least not for awhile.

[@NoFaceInTheCrowd]

Hey! I'm new here and just wanted to let you know how much I love your channel :) Watching your videos makes me forget about the stressful times we're going through at the moment. Thank you so much for that! Wish you all the best x

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Aw thank you so much! I’m glad they can alleviate stress slightly ☺️

[@annaportillo1016]

Honestly, sometimes there's an entire author's writing style that's just not for me, let alone one book. The hype on booktube can definitely be misleading.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

No book is for everyone!

[@gabbiepoppins]

the video opening with a Mark Lawrence book sure aged well 😂👏🏻 truly ahead of your time

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I am psychic

[@codyclaeys2008]

The goldfinch is the only book I read from Donna tart hated the movie

[@nextpageadventure9160]

You started with my favorite book! Lol this should be fun.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

😂 whoops

[@bookflixyt]

This video is giving me all the Autumn vibes I need rn

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

🍁🍂🍄🍁🍂

[@tifftargaryen490]

I liked Daisy Jones so I gave Evelym Hugo a chance. I was disappointed.

[@bookishburrow8549]

I didn't even finish the subtle knife. I felt like it was tainting my love for the first book. I just finished the secret history and I found it entirely unremarkable. The characters where neither likeable nor interesting to me and I'm not sure how the story managed to be over 600 pages long. There were also a few things that didn't make sense to me and the overall pretentiousness just got on my nerves. I did like Little Women though.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

A good choice, it definitely tainted mine 😅 and unremarkable is definitely the right word for Secret History!

[@caityc1837]

Omg felt exactly the same about the secret history. Had wanted to read it for so long, it was such a let down

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Sad times 😫

[@JulEnglefaris]

Mmm the tea is hot and delicious 🍵

[@aphroditereads]

go off on the secret history, thank u

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It’s just...not amazing?

[@codyclaeys2008]

Everyone has favorites but not everybody has the same taste

[@gemmapearce8957]

I was not a fan of Little Women the book however I loved the film

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ahh fab! I need to watch it sometime

[@marlabakes]

I nodded my head SO VIGOROUSLY when you held up Little Women. Oh lord, yes, I despised it. ☠

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It’s just so boring 😭

[@alicja938]

Well, now I really want to know what's the one dark academia book you've enjoyed 😀.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

The Furies by Katie Lowe!

[@rachelwoods2279]

Me watching this video knowing how much what you're gonna say will hurt me: ...

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

😂😂

[@garywatters11]

I haven't liked any book I've read by Mark Lawrence so I won't be reading anything else he comes out with.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Oh dear, that’s a shame 😫

[@garywatters11]

Ah it’s not all bad I have enough authors to read from that I do enjoy.

[@sallyandbooks545]

Little Women the movie is better than the book 😲

[@cleg78]

Hey my girl 🤗🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@cleg78]

There’s loads I could list that are meant to be popular. Absolutely bloody loved your intro 🤗🙌🏼🙌🏼 Don’t like it....Leave! 🤣🤣🤣

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Please give me the run down 😂 Ahaha it had to be said!

[@cleg78]

A Frolic Through Fiction if you look at the 50 shades series, yep they were reasonably “good” I use the term loosely but I could have written those a damn sight better than what they were. They were majorly overhyped though and I don’t get the phenomenon they caused. The same writer then shoots herself in feet with the male perspective follow ups which were dire shite and I dnf’d after first three chapters. To add insult to injury she then writes The Mister I think it was called. Utter crap. Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chebosky oh my god!!! How this book was so hyped I will never know and the perspective it was written grated my arse so bad A) it was in letter form to someone B) You never found out who the person was that received these letters. It was pretentious crap and covered many topics from abortion, to rape, sexual identity and none of it was really handled properly and was just swept under an invisible rug. Milk and honey a poetry collection by Rupi Kaur...if this is poetry I will eat my own shoes unseasoned. It was nothing but horrific, vile and breathtaking for all the wrong reasons. I kept thinking there would be something positive in there somewhere but it was nothing more vile, stomach churning shite on sheets of paper 🧻 I have more rantable books I could mention....this is just the tip of the iceberg. What a way this could be to make my KZbin debut lol 😂