GARBAGE DRAGON ROMANTASY | A FIRE IN THE SKY

[@ReadswithRachel]

Check out Rocket Money for free: RocketMoney.com/readswithrachel #rocketmoney #personalfinance

[@spidersarefriends5571]

Not going to lie, if I found out me and someone else had like super rare powers, and neither of us knew our parents, I would start heavily considering the possibility of us being like...siblings. rip to the main couple of the book.

[@MrGreyseptember]

omg, that was my first thought!

[@britt6184]

That's more likely than both of them just being super special for no reason. That could actually be an interesting choice if done well, preferably without the potential incest though.

[@Zee-iv9oe]

literallllllllly

[@chance757]

omg my middle school ‘city of bones’ ptsd just flared up

[@marocat4749]

Honestly it would be more interesting too if he were a red witch and she a dragon too. And mean more if they fall in love, break the curse, uuh. And being a red witch absolutely could be a shameful secret for him. Why not that? It even has a nice role reversal, and could have some reason to break the curse?

[@sol-uw2kz]

''i climaxed to save my family'' took me out.

[@Cakelynn6]

Same 🤣🤣🤣

[@Artbyhurricanyounot]

I’ve been having a huge fight with my own draft, bouncing between “this is a hot steaming pile of garbage” and “maybe this isn’t so bad.” Then I hear about books like this and I lean more toward “you know, truly, maybe my own idea isn’t THAT bad.” 🤣 so, in a way, thank you, bad authors!

[@malloryb1674]

SAME!

[@izzygraff2026]

Haha I feel that!

[@chellyfishing]

Not even joking, poorly-written books have always been a huge motivation to my writing because I go, “pfft, I can do better than that”

[@MetastaticMaladies]

That’s what keeps me writing. I used to trash my stories all the time, while rereading them and deciding it’s complete garbage. But then these books come out and get popular and… I’m just like, yeah maybe my writing isn’t as bad as I think it is.

[@malloryb1674]

@@MetastaticMaladies well hey if you ever need a beta reader lmk! It can be so hard to find writing buddies that know good writing 😊

[@AuthorViaGonzalez]

Let me make something clear here : I only watch book-hater videos because if Rachel actually likes a book, I won’t watch her video on it so I don’t spoil the book for me cuz I am definitely going to read it (eventually…. at some point… probably. No, yes, definitely). Watching videos where she’s hating on something saves me so much time AND is extremely entertaining. So, thank you for your service, Rachel. 🙏🏼

[@ReadswithRachel]

I’m so glad to hear I’ve been helpful!

[@petrichorbones]

same, and if i watch a more positive review i stop watching before the spoilers bc i wanna read it! and i have discovered books this way!!! slowly getting through my giant TBR lol

[@ragingdevi]

Lowkey, she mentioned Strange the Dreamer as a book she liked (and stated why) so I found it on Libby and OH my god, what a good recc. I bought it and read it and then was in agony for like four days while I waited for the sequel to show up lolol

[@peaches41575]

​@@ragingdevi Strange the Dreamer altered my soul, so glad Rachel likes it too 😅

[@blueberryf1nch969]

This! I'd been heeing and hawing about reading Ava Reid's books and seeing her positive reviews made me decide to prioritize them in by TBR. I didn't watch her review until afterwards 😅

[@MarcelleLeiturasPreguicosas]

Romantasy is written in PT-BR as Romantasia (romance + fantasia), and I'm calling bad romantasy as "Romantazia" because "azia" is the Brazilian translation of "heartburn", which is what a bad romantasy gives to me.

[@lordknightalex]

amei vou aderir

[@ReadswithRachel]

Isso e perfeito

[@MarcelleLeiturasPreguicosas]

@@lordknightalex uma pessoa comentou "romantazia" em um dos videos do Paulo Ratz por erro de digitação, mas aí eu associei com as romantasias ruins e desde então diferencio assim kkkkk

[@grlwnder7343]

azia é pouco esses romantazias me dão vontade de enfiar um garfo no uc

[@ReadswithRachel]

Kkkkkkkkkk

[@starophie]

🎶dragon fire in the sky...rachel is going to cry...this is cooked, don't read this book, reads with rachel 🎶

[@ReadswithRachel]

This is the best comment

[@snicketylemony]

I would pay money to hear Levar Burton sing this version

[@Evelyn_Okay]

When a book is so undercooked Rachel can roast it without even turing on the oven

[@x.em0_k1tty.x]

@@Evelyn_Okay BYE😭😭🙏

[@astrothsknot]

marry me, queen of wit and we shall spread bon mottes like wildflower seed

[@jojow.877]

“I climaxed to save my family” is killing me 😭😭

[@ReadswithRachel]

And so she could just do her arts and crafts again 🥹

[@Cakelynn6]

Feyre, is that you?!

[@krow5099]

wtf 😂😂😂

[@seraphonica]

Rachel critics: "she doesn't like anything though!" actual Rachel: recommending things that nail the dismount on plot points the reviewed book couldn't do in practice sessions

[@ReadswithRachel]

Literally begging everyone to read The Diabolic 🤣

[@akisatsuki8444]

Yeah like I’ve gotten several good book recommendations from this channel

[@JesseRowanShawe]

Also can authors stop with trying to sell the idea their fmc is "totally normal/ordinary" when they are actually the most rare/special as some kind of cheap plot twist? Its so predictable and sucks when you're looking for a book where the main character ISN'T chosen or special in some way I'm so tired

[@addiedoherty4371]

Literally, I’m just begging for more books where the mc is just some dude in the wrong place at the wrong time, they don’t always have to be the most special person to ever special ever 😭🙄

[@JesseRowanShawe]

@ I don’t even mind chosen one adjacent characters it’s just cheap when they’re *supposedly* ordinary only for the plot twist lmao though I do prefer characters who were totally ordinary but made something of themselves by their own choices/actions etc. Like a character who spent years training will always be more interesting than the character who became The Most Powerful To Ever Powerful on a weekend getaway

[@izayoi2006]

It sucks because I would love just reading about a normal girl having to learn and struggle with how to handle the politics and a new culture and an organic romance blossom. Instead we get instant lust/love and she's secretly the most important magical person ever.

[@onlyonGraceXM]

Me when I clicked this video: “A Bad Dragon, you say?” 🤣🤣🤣

[@thejester2751]

We aren't accepting horny clowns right now, get out. /J

[@snicketylemony]

the email notification from patreon for this vid had the subject line partially cut off so it looked like she’d posted a vid titled “another bad dragon” lmao

[@onceuponamelody]

Sounds like the publishers just said "What can make us money right now? Dragons and s3x? Ok, throw it in a book! No, it doesn't have to be good as long as TikTok likes it!" 😂👀

[@friendofdragons763]

"All the witches have red hair" of COURSE they do 🙄

[@athenab8617]

When you first started explaining the characters i was convinced this was based off of Daenerys and Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones

[@MarcelleLeiturasPreguicosas]

the romance in the book Rachel read could be something like theirs and the big conflict between the two nations would be considering the other as salvages but they needed each other because the witches were coming back looking for revenge for being almost extincted.

[@fionamclary7631]

"Are you new...at life?" Rachel that SENT ME

[@ReadswithRachel]

Similarly this book sent me… into a fit of rage

[@TheNumnutRandomness]

It's wild b/c if this book were a fantasy romance manhwa I'd eat that shit up. You got your "cold duke of the North" type who is an absolute demon on the battlefield (and in the sheets), but is actually a bit of a softie. The "princess who basically lower than a maid" with even lower self-esteem, who actually, secretly SUPER SPECIAL. Honestly, if these cringy books all got manhwa adaptations they'd make gangbusters.

[@ReadswithRachel]

You know what… you’re making a good point

[@Rivenlore99]

Yes, I’ve totally read manhwa like that! They’d be awesome manhwa, it’s a shame they aren’t

[@TheNumnutRandomness]

@@Rivenlore99 Right down to the "I don't want my REAL daughters to marry some monster. Here, illegitimate child with super rare and special hair color that I abuse, YOU can marry him. Oh, psych, him being a super, cold murder beast is actually a rumor to discredit him?" trope. I've DEFINITELY read this manhwa before 😂

[@Rivenlore99]

@@TheNumnutRandomness I’ve definitely read one called “the Duke of the north” or something. Yeah, every time the female lead will have odd colored hair 😂 Tho I tend to stray into the reincarnation/coming back to get revenge manhwa. The one singular time I found a manhwa with these tropes that explained it really well in-universe and actually developed into a cool plot is “this is an obvious fraudulent marriage.” The lead has pink hair, and it’s 100% classic manhwa silliness, but it’s so entertaining to read :D highly recommend if you like the genre.

[@TheNumnutRandomness]

@@Rivenlore99 Ooh, I'll check it out. There's one currently updating on webtoon called "The Price is Your Everything" if you enjoy regressor, revenge manhwa. This one the MC returns back to when she and all her tormentors are school-aged so tries to nip it all in the bud before anything can happen. This one also does the "your special eyes indicate your specialness but we treat you like crap anyways" trope, but I'm still into it. XD The One Within the Villainess is also great, where it's a regressor taking revenge for an isekai'ed protagonist who switched bodies back with her!

[@j.j.knight6932]

I think a big problem with romantasy is the bar has already been set so low that most authors don't feel the need to try. 😒🐲

[@JesseRowanShawe]

The rest of the problem is that the romantasy crowd has absolutely no standard of quality so they eat this shit up and give it 5 stars every time

[@sanakimchi88]

@@JesseRowanShawe yeah romantasy readers are something else…. I guess bc it’s a big trend rn you get people who don’t normally even read so they rate everything with a love interest 5 stars bc they don’t think critically

[@snicketylemony]

how much of this can we blame on SJM

[@JesseRowanShawe]

@@snicketylemony I’d give it 80% and then fourth wing did the final 20

[@camillesharem]

This is a real shame because I'm digging the book cover

[@ReadswithRachel]

Same that’s what first caught my eye!

[@TheNumnutRandomness]

So many of these terrible books have the most GORGEOUS covers, I'm so upset 😭

[@camillesharem]

@@TheNumnutRandomness Right? It almost feels like wasted potential 😅

[@HungryEyes-sl3mu]

I've come to the conclusion that I will never be a romantasy girlie, the characters are so dumb, the plots are paint-by-numbers, the twist villains are painfully obvious, and the worldbuilding is non-existent. I'm just gonna stick to fantasy books, but do enjoy listening to you suffer through it all Rachel

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

The problem is combining the two genres. Most romances traditionally follow a pretty predictable line of action to get to some sort of HEA. They are meant to be cozy and safe, much of the time. Fantasy allows for different types of development because they can give different types of experiences, including really challenging philosophical discussions. Getting the two to read together in a satisfying way is really tough. If it's too much of a traditional romance plot, it's going to feel like a half-baked fantasy that's so underdeveloped it is barely fantasy. Get too philosophical and any romance will feel inauthentic.

[@HungryEyes-sl3mu]

@@Kimberly_Sparkles Agreed. A big part of fantasy is worldbuilding whereas romances are more insular, the two feel like oil and water, even though there are good fantasy novels with hints of romance in them.

[@shy2infinity]

This is why I prefer books that have a focus on the plot rather than the romance. The romance can be a part of it, but I feel like it's often so much more believable if it happens NATURALLY as the plot goes on. So many authors in the romantasy genre try to force it when they really shouldn't be.

[@marocat4749]

@@Kimberly_Sparkles No, the problem is not making the romance and the plot there and playing into each other. And use that, and keep, having still a plot. Also romance an literally be just romance no erotica, in which case its way easier. Romance isnt really erotica, if its explicit erotica fantasy, yeah thats probably not great. But romance and fantacy are pretty good if you dont have perma hory of a lense. Or something they actually have a relationship over that plays important in the plot.

[@sanakimchi88]

@@marocat4749did you have a stroke over the keyboard what is happening here 😭😭😭😭

[@Ekami-chan]

Wait, the idea of people watching is that they see couple is really consummating the marriage, so him pulling the curtains defeats the point and maybe would make their marriage null. 😂

[@shaylenwayne9284]

"The air was a bruised grey." 😂 What does that even MEAN?! Stop it!

[@MC-lm7de]

Tbh I can kind of see what the author meant with that one, and in the hands of a more thoughtful writer it could be (with some editing) a revealing choice! What does it say about your "whipping girl" that her point of comparison for colors is how bruises heal, y'know?

[@emackenzie]

​​​@@MC-lm7de the concept could be cool if it was applied in a way that actually made sense and didn't look like the author tripping over prose

[@deandracarter8468]

If i hear one more MC named effing Tamsin or Tamsyn. 🤬

[@ReadswithRachel]

I’m tired of it

[@LuciMolaMola]

@@deandracarter8468 How many are there now?

[@pixelsbykris5494]

18:36 WHAT IS IT WITH THESE SHITTY ROMANTASY STORIES AND THE FOCUS ON FEMALE VIRGINITY?!?!?!?! 😭😭😭😭😭 Wasted potential is worse than something without potential because something that could only ever be bad has nothing, but something that COULD have been great but just isn’t? Now THAT is a deep cut imo

[@ReadswithRachel]

The emphasis put on it always gives me the ick but this book is a case of especially so

[@bealoverchooselovegivelove]

You read the summary and before you spoiled it, I seriously thought: shit, they're both dragons. LMAO 🐉

[@strangeaelurus]

Did you mean to make that innuendo with that title lmaooo 😭😭

[@ItsFreakingGrimmie]

@@strangeaelurus help until I saw your comment I just assumed it was on purpose

[@ReadswithRachel]

I didn’t but what a hilarious accident

[@AuthorViaGonzalez]

Waiiiit it got changed. What was the original title?? lol I must know

[@TheProxy066]

@@AuthorViaGonzalez The original title said "Bad Dragon Romantasy" instead if "Awful Dragon Romantasy", lol.

[@AuthorViaGonzalez]

@@TheProxy066 ::one quick google later:: 😂 ohhh I get it now!!! LOLLLLL thank youuuu

[@cor7ana]

A show of heroic restraint to not play a clip of Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear saying "The Stig" every time you say Stig.

[@chaotic_stupid9394]

that's literally all I could think of every time he was mentioned 😭 so all I was imagining was The Stig™️ in a fantasy setting and that alone sounds more interesting than whatever happened here

[@frenzy2061]

I literally just commented that oh my god. I'm so glad someone else thought of that

[@cor7ana]

@@frenzy2061 If we convince Rachel to watch Top Gear, she might become too powerful.

[@cor7ana]

@@chaotic_stupid9394 Some say he's a forgettable character in a forgettable fantasy novel.

[@TheFran2555]

I CLIMAX TO SAVE MY FAMILY HAHAHA HELP ME

[@alliegonzalez9751]

the way I dnfed this at like 10% bc I just had a feeling and was WAITING for a review that proved me right

[@araoren]

Rachel, I am going to tell you this with love: I watch your videos on books you hate because - AND I AM NOT KIDDING - several books you have disliked have become some of my favorites. Huh… it’s almost like… reviews are for readers? I will also say, your critical reviews have also helped me be more critical in my own reading. It’s one thing to gobble up a melodramatic romantasy, but we need more meaningful stories that don’t romanticize abusive shadow boys and actually gives life to protagonists and side characters. 🖤

[@ReadswithRachel]

This made my day! I’m glad I’ve helped!

[@UnicornRoseDust]

A couple more of these books and my impostor syndrome will be cured for life! HAHAHA

[@vildaterrior]

"Run out into the cold soup" literally choked on my toothpaste and almost died

[@emmanarotzky6565]

I want to know what kind of crimes these princesses are committing regularly enough that the character’s whole job is to get whipped in their place 😂

[@strawbee5]

hello from a fellow tampa resident! your latest videos will be a big help in keeping me sane during cleanup :) i hope you and your family are doing well!

[@ReadswithRachel]

Hope your house is alright! Got some water damage on the roof over here 😩

[@LorewithouttheE]

not the hand-cutting thing AGAIN, authors please stop 😩 also please stop with making the main woman character The Most Special Of Specials also to these romantasy authors: even if you're planning on a series, please remember you have to make the first book more than just....a bit of setup and then barely slogging forward through an interminable bog of surface-level horniness. it has to have plot beats, major external things happening, SOMETHING PLEASE. 😮‍💨 i'm also personally SO tired of the love interests ALWAYS having to be ""enemies"" or whatever.... had enough, i'm tired of this flavor, may i have some actual chemistry and interest please and thank you

[@SolarmatrixCobra]

I hate the argument people have for not posting negative reviews so you don't dissuade people from reading a book if they might potentially dislike it. I want to know whether I'm potentially gonna like or dislike a book before I read it, and negative reviews help a lot in making that decision because they point out the flaws and I can tell whether these are flaws that normally ruing a reading experience for me or not

[@riverswitness6293]

your usage of characters from vikings is the unsung hero of the video and well appreciated.

[@ReadswithRachel]

Finally someone noticed!!

[@happyxdragon1215]

I knew they looked familiar 🤣🤣

[@isaacbenrubi9613]

Seems like this was a DUMPSTER FIRE In The Sky, AMIRITE?

[@Tishisaurus]

30 seconds in and I agree with you so hard I think I pulled a muscle. I'm so sad about picking up 'this sounds like the book I want' books only to find they are in fact full of a bad smell and scrunched up bottle-o receipts. I am so bummed I have stopped buying books entirely. I need a 'faith in publishing restored' book. I walk past my shelf three or four times these days, before I end up writing my own. Writing is hard, yo, I want books I can read and celebrate and aspire to, not like... "f🤬k it, I'll write my own" I feel your pain. Its why I can't be a booktuber. I am not built to withstand the pain, I get too weepy! You are the Athena of booktubers for me. Strong, inspirational, almost mythical. And a goddamn delight. Thank you! 💜

[@ReadswithRachel]

Athena 😍 best compliment

[@marisagettas]

Well, that’s one book coming off my library holds

[@justokayemilay6029]

I'm thankful you read this book instead of me!

[@artsyhoodie1275]

I understand that fantasy books can get away with names that are only slightly better than keysmashes but Stig is absolutely taking me out 💀

[@SoundOfMuzek]

Bruh, you know its gonna a be a great video when Rachel got you laughing in the first 10 seconds.

[@cookkeh]

rachel you can't put bad + dragon next to each other like that you activated my fight or flight response

[@ReadswithRachel]

😂😂😂😂

[@kylascottage]

Videos like this help my impostor syndrome SO MUCH 😂😂 Thank you for your service, Rachel. Sending you a big hug because idk how you’ll keep your sanity 💕

[@jojol.2630]

The consummation scene feels like the feck or die trope, which I love but feels more appropriate for erotica rather than romance.

[@nyssalynn5216]

Thank you father I have sustenance for while I work

[@ReadswithRachel]

Dinner is served

[@frankensteinlives]

I really appreciate how your analyses of books cover not only vibes but, also, the four C's of effective writing. (I actually learned that phrase from one of your videos!) So, thanks!

[@ReadswithRachel]

I’m so glad!

[@wildkattrigger]

God, if this is the kind of romantasy that tradpub acquires, it makes complete sense why my best friend has been having a helluva time selling hers. (Which is m/m, gorgeous, with beautiful writing and a unique world. It's fucking depressing.)

[@kandibug5303]

What's up with these romance with the faintest whiff of fantasy books now giving such strange names to their protags like Pay-den from Powerless or Tamsim from this book? What's next? Reviccya, Gyunveria, or Mayocina?

[@bbo7002]

Ok to be entirely fair, Tamsyn (from this book) and Peyton (like from Powerless spelled it differently but I don't remember how 😅) are real-world names that ppl actually use. "Tamsin" is a Cornish form of "Thomasina", the feminine version of "Thomas" that was fairly popular in days of yore. The names u suggested seem like they have different spelling AND different sounds, so urs are a bit more creative lol 😅 I kinda like "Gyunveria" actually, it's got that "y + u" swag like "Lyubov"!

[@opiateutopia]

It's like those Facebook moms who couldn't choose if they wanted to give their child a special name or confusing spelling of a common name and just went for both

[@kbird6208]

Mayonasya

[@jadedoni6447]

7:09 I’m so sorry, Rachel but I am laughing as you fall into madness

[@ReadswithRachel]

GOOD

[@dia2693]

Every time I hear about a romantacy book I can think of at least a shoujo/josei manga that does the concept 10 times better. It's unfortunate most of the time they don't get english publications.

[@malloryb1674]

6:34 This delivery has me CRYING HAHAHAHAH. You know when Rachel goes supersonic it’s bad

[@ReadswithRachel]

The way my mic was like STOP IT WOMAN

[@malloryb1674]

@@ReadswithRachel HAHAHAHA PLS KEEP IT UP ITS WHY WE LOVE YOU OUR DRAMATIC QUEEN!!!!

[@randomspider725]

~Spoilers below~ “The dragons are extinct but the protagonist is one” is literally the plot of Breath of Fire 3. It’s a video game, so you arguably get a lot more time in that world, but I swear that it’s so much better than whatever this is. Characters are actually memorable, too!

[@nobody4248]

Whenever you read Stig I think of the driver(s) from Top Gear

[@chellyfishing]

Damn, I would have completely fallen for that synopsis and cover! You’re really looking out for us. ALSO!!!! Unrelated!!! I read Heir by Sabaa Tahir and it was my first book by her, when my library notified me that they had it I grabbed the ebook IMMEDIATELY because you are always talking about how good she is, and this book ate my entire brain!!!!! It’s temporarily ruined other books for me.

[@amandalori4n]

Finally someone mentioned the Diabolic!! One of my all time favs

[@ReadswithRachel]

SO GOOD!

[@XZeroDragoonX]

Not one but *two* yugioh cards in a Rachel vid was more of a plot twist than anything the book itself could've pulled off.

[@ReadswithRachel]

We’re all nerds here 😆

[@Carolinemarques8]

I live for the voices Rachel makes for the characters. I am sorry she went through this though kkkk 😂

[@raphaellasaroukos3775]

I really appreciate your work. Your reviews help me make informed purchasing decisions. When you vent your frustrations it’s a bonus because you’re so funny and your reactions are iconic.

[@randomskykidboy]

I’ve discovered there are pros and cons to watching/listening to your videos Pros: Nice voice, good explanations, comedy style I’m used to, and fun visuals. Cons: I’ve listened to these so often to fall asleep, and that ever time I listen to your stuff, I struggle to stay awake.

[@eilishaviland8856]

your reviews have saved me so much money 🙏🏻

[@ReadswithRachel]

Happy to help!

[@MasonShmason]

Rachel out here continuing the good work of "How Not to Write a Novel"

[@NadirEatsRocks]

I swear, every time you start listing tropes you like that these books don't do well it's something that Merciful Crow does incredibly. You should seriously check it out sometime, it's so good!

[@ReadswithRachel]

I love Margaret’s other book so I know I’m going to like merciful crow!

[@NadirEatsRocks]

Also! I checked out Dragonfell after your review and I'm going to start it once I finish my Merciful Crow reread ^.^

[@TheSnakeh]

I'm currently re-reading Sabriel by Garth Nix (you should read if it you can, btw!), and I was surprised at how quickly the inciting incident happened! And it was done really well too. I guess I've gotten used to books moving at a slower pace but this one seems to be particularily guilty of that, moving at a snail's pace 😭

[@HeyMyian]

Why... why are we whipping princesses? Who is issuing this punishment? If the King issues the punishment, why is there a whipping girl stand-in? Who organized this? ?????? 🐲

[@ell-ell_elI]

All I will say is my brain went somewhere else when I read the video title.

[@asiamurphy3460]

not chucking the headphones across the room!

[@lizzygreene5928]

losing my absolute shit over that tiktok lmfaoooo I CLIMAXED TO SAVE MY FAMILY

[@fukyomammason]

Naming a character "Fell" is like just straight naming him "Evil".

[@britt6184]

Maleficent and Cruella laughing in the distance.

[@fukyomammason]

@@britt6184 Yes, but they work better in their respective contexts.

[@sanakimchi88]

@@fukyomammasonfr so much better than straight up “fell” 😂😂😂 cruella and maleficent have nothing on “fell” straight up so uncreative

[@enokii]

Is there a slim chance Rachel can do her thing while doing her makeup because her makeup looks and skills are fantastic!

[@ReadswithRachel]

I’d like to! I need to figure out how people do that because I normally do my makeup standing and in front of my bathroom mirror. The folks who do makeup while sitting are truly talented

[@emmaboxer4659]

I don't know if it's really romantasy, but when you talk about perfectly balancing both elements at the start, it made me think of sorcery of thorns. The story itself and the world building is sooo good. But the romance is also a really stand out feature to me that I loved and think about when I remember the book.

[@kandibug5303]

The true plot twist is that there's more books to come. JOY! 🐉🐲

[@e_nyuszi]

the ending is CRAZY, like wdym "the end" 😭😭😭

[@ReadswithRachel]

THEYRE DRAGONS NOW THE END -Sophie Jordan

[@e_nyuszi]

@@ReadswithRachel FR like the epitome of "it was all a dream...SURPRISE RELATIVE"

[@blueranyk4198]

this video got me through deep cleaning my room, thanks rachel!

[@ReadswithRachel]

I'm so glad!

[@micahguillemette3344]

You know what? I'm gonna go read my favorite character x y/n fantasy AU fanfics, because they will all be better written and more elaborate than this published book. Thank you fanfiction authors!

[@Milovatsi]

That veiled bride hoax is in Winter king by C L Wilson 😮

[@colegreenofficial]

This sounds like a random book my childhood bestie would find at thrift stores in the 6th grade and tried to convince me it was good.

[@user-px1mf7uz5m]

love the very 2015 fancasting you've chosen to put in lol, fitting

[@TheFran2555]

Thank you Rachel for suffering for all us 😅

[@ReadswithRachel]

Doing my civic duty 🫡

[@SereneDancer]

If you're looking for other books where a non-royal stands in for a royal, I'd suggest Mirage. It starts with a girl being kidnapped from her family because she's identical to the royal. It's soo good!! t is a good exploration of colonialism in a fantasy series.

[@ReadswithRachel]

That’s one of my favorite books!

[@Sunnytyme]

I’m so happy to look into these comments and see that I’m not the only one that saw bad dragon in the title and went 🤨 before reading again

[@kilian-one-l]

I don't remember, have you ever read Seraphina? I really like it. it's got dragons, and I guess it could be considered a romantasy? It does have an element of romance in it

[@ReadswithRachel]

I haven’t but I’m hoping to!

[@kilian-one-l]

@@ReadswithRachel Looking forward to it! I think you will like it, it's a book that actually has something to say thematically

[@bbo7002]

Can't believe that known Viking, Stig Haller is now dating presumably Welsh (but maybe Irish?) author Tamsyn Muir. And they're both dragons!! 🐉 Lol

[@ReadswithRachel]

Small world 😆

[@MC-lm7de]

Tamsyn Muir is from Aotearoa/New Zealand! She's a Kiwi

[@bbo7002]

@@MC-lm7de oh cool, I didn't know that! Thanks bro 😊

[@frenzy2061]

I'm only at the part where you're reading out the synopsis but I know now whenever the name Stig is brought up I'm gonna be picturing that anonymous race car guy from Top Gear lmao and I don't even watch Top Gear

[@onceuponamelody]

Also, Tamsyn ... Tamlin...? Were they hoping people would get confused and think this is ACOTAR? 😂

[@mimisezlol]

I was thinking of the girl from The VVitch

[@bbo7002]

​@@mimisezloloh yeah, Thomasin!! Names are weird, but that's why I love em lol 😅

[@theprinceovercameall]

I keep hearing the country as Pantera, which would be way more awesome.

[@jessicar2609]

That was a standalone and that's how it ended?!?!

[@clarkispotamia]

WAIT WAIT WAIT "i climaxed to save my family" I CANNOT BREATHE

[@tsifirakiehl4250]

Books like this give me confidence in my own writing. 🐉

[@applebonker141]

It took me out because the name of the place sounded so close to the band Pantera 😆

[@raibaby272]

It’s so funny yet so sad that most male povs in 99% of romance books are just them thinking about how horny they are

[@alexanderbrown8343]

Honestly, I love your reviews but what keeps me coming back is the books behind you. I pick a different one out every time. Just finished daughter of the moon goodness and can safely say it was on of the best I’ve read. Thanks Rachel for another astounding recommendation!!

[@JesseRowanShawe]

I read Black Water Sister because I saw it on her shelf 😂

[@zachreads]

Oof every time I reaf Pentera I'd get "Cowboys from hell" by Pantera stuck in my head. And every time I read Dtig I'd picture The Stig from Top Gear. This book would be a mess

[@legacyofthunderstorms]

I have not read a single romantasy, but I watch plenty of reviews like this, and when I saw that TT and another similar one, I was glad to know that most of them are the exact same

[@jacobdavis3359]

Sometimes a story shouldn’t be written

[@addydeejreads]

This sounds like a bad fanfiction of the Webtoon Subzero and the season of Game of Thrones with Daenerys and Khal Drogo

[@alanisyn]

Thank you for your service 🐉

[@kaialexander6806]

There's a version of this book with bisexuality and polyamory instead of heterosexuality and a love triangle, but alas, we got this one.

[@TheArbarbtube]

I think people are writing books with the intention of turning it into a series and forgetting that the first book has to be good to get people to want to read a series.