I finally read A River of Royal Blood

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[@tristonanan]

I won't lie, these videos help me as someone who wants to be a writer. The point of tying up some loose ends in an individual book in a series is a really good way of describing why I think sometimes book series fall flat.

[@minbyc]

Me too! I’m working on my first book at the moment and hearing detailed breakdowns of why something is bad is SO helpful

[@emmyxb94]

Agreed, I’m in the process of editing the first book in my fantasy series and seeing how other books could have been better with more thoughtful editing makes me look at my story with a more critical eye

[@ellai.3119]

Same it's so informative!! Perfect for beginners or writers that want to improve their craft.

[@Trunksette]

Okay, the half-siblings reveal is so lame because it should have been established from the beginning. Royal family sibling death matches aren't something invented by fantasy, they happened in real life. In the Ottoman Empire the Sultan had an entire harem of wives, each wife would have a son, and when the Sultan died essentially the first one to seize power was the ruler and all the other heirs were slaughtered. It was the mother's job to prepare her son to rule, plot against the other sons, and make potential alliances for her son. It would have made a lot more sense and built more into the sibling rivalry if the Queen openly had multiple husbands, and each daughter had a father that was vying for their daughter to be the most powerful. Wasted.

[@murasakidrummer]

That would have actually been so cool

[@lizpris8783]

I grew up with siblings with different fathers. I never for a moment as a kid let that affect my feelings for them. It really ticks me off when fiction books use having half parentage as a reason to hate each other. "We're only half siblings! That why I'll never love you like a sibling." Its in Eragon too and i think its messed up :/

[@dylannoah8512]

I agree with this. My brother is half-black and I'm white, and I was around 10 years old when he was born, so more than old enough to understand what was going on at the time. I've never seen him as anything less than my brother, and I get actively annoyed with other people who point out we're half-siblings. We obviously don't look the same, but that has literally never mattered to me at all.

[@Joyride37]

Yeah i have two older brothers from my dads previous marriage. And officially they’re half brothers by blood but I’ve never seen them that way, I don’t make that distance in my mind, we weren’t raised that way. I don’t refer to them as “half brothers” unless it’s clarifying something when people get confused after I called them my brothers but other people are like “but you have separate moms”. I always refer to them as my brothers first, because that’s what they are

[@CelticGuardian7]

I agree with this as well. I have a half-sister and a step-sister (and technically two step-brothers but that marriage happened so late in our lives and with so little interaction that we're more acquaintances than seeing each other as siblings, which is fine). I only clarify that they're half or step sisters when either differentiating them (which I prefer to do with older/younger instead) or describing when asked. I love them both and it sucks to think that some people would justify a relationship as not being close because of technicalities like that. As a side note, it used to be that the 'wicked step-mother' trope was a thing because the idea of a blood-related mother hating their child so much was implausible, so there had to be a degree of separation to make that 'realistic'. Nowadays it's pretty clear that blood isn't the binding force some people used to believe (and still do), so it'd be nice if that stereotype were used less often, especially since there are so many loving step-parents out there.

[@valerielevasseur8674]

Every time the name comes up, no matter how wrong I know it must be, my brain says Bacca is short for Chewbacca.

[@Garrison_the_Barbarian]

At the very least, it sounds like a better book than the icy romance book you reviewed that had a princess named Elmer Fudd, I mean, Elma Volta. I'll get it right one of these days. Haha! Thanks for the awesome review! :)

[@ReadswithRachel]

NOT THE ELMER FUDD ROMANCE

[@AlejandraPaolaGuerreroRadillo]

Everytime Rachel said Bacca (I assume that's the spelling) I heard "vaca", which means cow in Spanish. Can't take someone with that name seriously 🤣

[@chrisogara5283]

Or "Baka" which is "dumb" in Japanese, I couldn't help but laugh when I first heard it lol

[@seadinosaur3313]

Wtf "bacca" is "berry" in Italian... I haven't even started the video, you're telling me one of the characters is named like an item I'd give my Pokémon 😭😭

[@AlejandraPaolaGuerreroRadillo]

@@seadinosaur3313 quite the unfortunate name 😅

[@que278martinez5]

Tell that to Joe Baca Junior in California congressman

[@unbowedqueen]

Dark sided energy

[@sardonisms]

Paused at the comment that this is someone's 5* book because I know you get comments about how your 1* book ended up being someone's 5* book, and they found it through you, and I wanted to tell you Fourth Wing is not a 5* book for me but it is serving as my gateway to audiobooks. I tend to be hesitant of audiobooks because I space out and don't want to miss things, but I wanted something to listen to while I drive or do chores. So, I got that on Libby. And I have it up at 1.4x speed and I'm keeping up with it fine, and don't really care enough to worry if I miss something, so your scathing review of it has given me a gateway to a form of reading I've really struggled with.

[@ReadswithRachel]

I’m honestly so happy to hear this because if you’re reading a book because of me it means I did my job 😭

[@sardonisms]

@@ReadswithRachel I'm glad! I hoped hearing that would make you smile (or even laugh knowing that the very fact that it isn't a 5* book made it a good read for someone). You've helped me get back into reading in a big way and I appreciate it so much, I'm glad to be able to give you a bit of happiness in return!

[@mel4957]

Based on the description of the story, it almost seems like it may have originally been a standalone and then later the author made it into a duology - which is a shame because the premise sounds so cool (It kind of reminds me of Three Dark Crowns, which had the same "heirs need to kill each other for the throne" premise but that imo fizzled out by the end)

[@piscesonpluto]

It very well might have been based on publishing standards. Usually literary agents and/or publishers take YA books that are up to a certain word count and not beyond since its a harder sell and costs more to produce/edit/print/etc. Especially for debut authors. So the author may have cut down the manuscript for it to be a first book + a little of the sequel so their word count was within the industry standard range.

[@stephaniearaujo9752]

Your the absolute best Rachel!!!! Thank you so much for doing this the second year in a row 💗

[@ReadswithRachel]

Of course! I'm happy to. Happy birthday!!

[@LilRonGal]

Happy birthday!

[@Garrison_the_Barbarian]

Happy Birthday, Stephanie! I hope you're doing well. :)

[@Alsira98]

Happy birthday!

[@sardonisms]

Happy birthday!

[@stephaniearaujo9752]

Hi everyone who enjoys the video! I'm the one who commisioned this video for my birthday and i wanna explain why I DNF'ed this book. It's because once Baka got introduced it was such a plot contrivance. Up until that point that point, the book kept saying no one knows how to do blood magic, no one knows how to do bone magic, And then all of a sudden she's like, oh right before my birthday This random centuries-old guy who taught I think the first Queen how to do her own blood magic shows up and teaches me . She didn't seek him out, she didn't know about him he just fucking showed up. What also drove me crazy is the lack of agency the character seemed to have. She was essentially resigned to dying which is fine, IF AND ONLY IF you're going to give your character hope and then give them that like "oh hell yeah I can live" scenario after and then they start to fight but It never felt like it got to the point where she wanted to fight she always felt resigned to dying and just being whatever.

[@vampeyeliner]

21:41 the "this could've been an email" vibes are off the charts

[@DukesGrace]

It would have made way more sense for the dad to be the one to tell her that he's not human and for him to be the only one that knows. It could have been a plot for them to get a Chimer (I'm guessing on the spelling but assuming it's based on chimera) back on the throne to end the oppression. Then he sent the Chimer prince to guard her hoping to unite their bloodlines once she's queen.

[@millicentthecat]

Rachel, your channel is genuinely my favorite on KZbin and an absolute safe space for me. I watch your videos while I do chores, while I work on creative projects or when I just want to wind down and watch a darn good KZbin video. So thank you thank you thank you for doing this and doing it SO WELL 🖤

[@acaseymonster]

The way I made it almost to the end of this video before realizing I fully have read this book. I guess it didn’t leave much of an impression.

[@LilRonGal]

I haven't read this book, but I have read and LOVED the Raybearer books! I'm not a huge fantasy reader, but those sucked me right in. I love its visibility on your shelves!

[@MeganTHEEcatlady]

I have a question for you! I’m only in the beginning of the video, so maybe you touch on it later, but I’m too excited to ask! **What is your view with duologies that, rather than at least have a beginning, middle, and end, the author basically takes one book and snips it at the climax to produce two books?** I’ve noticed, lately, how a lot of books are using this to invoke intrigue for the next book-but it does the opposite for me. I feel scammed, almost. A book doesn’t need to have its overarching plot be resolved in one book. But having multiple books means, to me, that each arc contained within a book contributes to the overarching plot-and that arc ends. The epilogue can invite intrigue/set-up for the next book, but, typically, a book should have some sort of conflict, resolution, and closure. It’s frustrating how a lot of duologies aren’t books but parts. It feels like both parts became over bloated with rising action or falling action, and the climax suffered for it. I don’t know. I stay away from duologies that are “parts” because I can sense it means both books are significantly padded with little payoff. But, especially in the sub-genres I enjoy, it seems more common for authors to do “parts” as books, so if I want to read more books in my sub-genre, welp, I’m stuck. And sometimes, some authors genuinely do have two books with their own closures, but they label them "parts" instead of Book One/Two, and it makes my head spin 'round 😵‍💫 Just wanted your opinion 🥰 Happy International TDOV! 🏳‍⚧ And thank you for the video!

[@jasminv8653]

This is actually a pretty fascinating thing to think about! Imo a separate book definitely should have its own arc, or at least a clear *thematic* cutting point... Some well-built stories pick up right where we left off, but it works because the thematic questions are rehauled (I'm thinking Elena Ferrante's Naples quartet where each of the books has the main characters age into a new life stage in one way or another). And then a lot of fantasy stuff just cuts abruptly and leaves you fealing cheated, like you said.

[@alyxbarter3155]

If you want sibling rivalry, may I recommend the Kinder Poison trilogy? The books are short and sweet but SO much happens in them, the magic is cool as hell, and the siblings are MESSY ♡♡

[@DarwinRoger893]

Ayy mention of Kinder Poison. Such a fun read. I really wish more people would pick it up. I especially loved the fmc which is really rare nowadays

[@123till321]

As an anime watcher I can't take this seriously when a main character's name is "Baka" lmao

[@ReadswithRachel]

Oh in this book it’s Baccha, if that helps!

[@emmyxb94]

My thoughts exactly 🤣🤣 a mentor named Stupid/Idiot is hilarious

[@dragoninwinterfell5213]

The problem with books being heavy on vibes and tropes with very little substance seems to be a running theme in publishing for these last three or five years. There are so many books where I'm saying something similar to you about liking the ideas and the promised story only for the execution to fall flat. I've started and stopped this particular book several times :/

[@bib4eto656]

The ancient, magical race is called.... Chimer? Like Elder Scrolls chimer, the essentially extinct golden-skinned elves? 🤨

[@britt6184]

My stupid self read that as the Falmer at first. Still, nice to see a fellow Elder Scrolls fan here.

[@barbararowley6077]

Happy birthday Stephanie! This book sounds like it’s got a lot of potential. Hopefully the second book is more focused.

[@andiman44]

Such an interesting review, Rachel . I always love hearing your thoughts.

[@ReadswithRachel]

I'm so glad!

[@zvikomboreromukamba3389]

This makes me want to read it honestly. It's hard to believe you hated it. ❤🎉Very nuanced review here... Even though objectivity is impossible it feels like it is

[@lauram_books]

The cover art reminds me of the illustration of rhaenyra and alicent at the feast table 😅

[@jessilyngray1223]

Every time you said bacca I just keep saying chew on my head

[@Lysa-wx8qp]

this is so weird, my little sister’s name is Eva and mine is Lysa so almost the same. we’re not fighting to death anytime soon though

[@ditzydoodle8381]

9:13 why does this remind me of Frozen? Sibling has magic power, hurts sister with them cause lack of control, was super close as kids but grown apart as adults cause afraid to hurt/kill sibling...? Just replace frost magic with blood/bone magic. Maybe it's just inspired or a coincidence. XD

[@inuzuna]

every time I hear you say the character's name, I keep wondering if the tutor's name is spelled Baka. because that's Japanese for fool so it's just funny to think of a mentor being named basically idiot

[@ReadswithRachel]

Oh no it’s Baccha!

[@inuzuna]

@@ReadswithRachel oh wow, wasn't expecting this reply. And that's much better but I kinda wish it was Baka now for the lols

[@reki76]

I was hearing baka too! I kept imagining going through an audiobook of this 😂

[@cakt1991]

I’m glad to hear that others didn’t love this book. I saw seeds of promise, but I wasn’t blown away. I won the sequel in a giveaway, but even with my poor track record of reading books from my owned-TBR, I have little to no interest in picking it up, and any momentum I had is now gone from having put it off.

[@inabacklistmood3124]

Since you like books with mommy issues have you read The Cold is in Her Bones? It's been a while since I read it but I think that's the book I'm thinking of.

[@chantristrammell6088]

Always a joy to watch your takes on videos because i get to see others react to books like i do but thought i just think too deeply about what was written.

[@emmyxb94]

I feel like the name Baka was a poor choice for a mentors name since in Japanese it means idiot or stupid 🤣

[@mittag983]

If it was a comedy book written by a japanese author a mentor called stupid would be funny

[@emmyxb94]

@@mittag983 so true 🤣 unfortunately that wasn’t the case

[@unbowedqueen]

God, why are y’all so ……white

[@angelaholmes8888]

I really liked a river of royal blood i read it after it came out

[@gothamtruecrime]

If you want to read something similar, you should try Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. There’s a sibling rivalry between triplet sisters. The triplets were separated at birth and raised in different kingdoms. Each kingdom wields a different type of magic, either poison magic, nature magic, or elemental magic. After they turn 18, the time limit begins for one of the triplets to kill the other two to become the queen of every kingdom.

[@Renjiabarailover]

Every time you say the mentor's name I can't take it seriously because it sounds like the Japanese word for "dummy" 😭 I'm curious to see how it's spelled now

[@BandFairy]

1000% agree about Truly Devious. (Except I hated Stevie. I'm sorry, she's THE Worst.) That whole first trilogy should have just been a standalone. The next few in the series were standalones, so obviously it can be done. Also, David did nothing wrong.

[@mplbooks]

I had the same feelings about "Truly Devious." Never read the rest of the series cuz it just felt so long winded for no good reason. All setup, and I didn't want to wade through however many more books for just tidbits of plot. (And I'm a character reader! But it was too much of a good thing and... not enough of another good thing?)

[@magnoliawaters4983]

if you haven't read The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen, then this is me suggesting it. It has a neat magic system and bone magic!

[@ThorWantsAnotherLetter]

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 *shocked pikachu face* I remember loving this and like finishing it in a day kind of fun, but I didn't read the second book so I get it...

[@justokayemilay6029]

Thanks for the new video!!

[@AlyGhostface]

*pounds table* Give us map content Rachel. You know you want to! 😂 Thank you for another well-rounded review.

[@annabelledrake2027]

i wonder if the author read the all souls trilogy, this book kind of sounds like a mix of that and shadow & bone

[@amanita.muscaria204]

the description of the book kind of reminds me of Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon like Queen Reina, even if its spelt a different way reminds me of Rhaena and the Ivory Throne which obviously sounds like the Iron Throne

[@Mushroomelixir]

how can a river be full of royalties blood

[@ReadswithRachel]

My immediate thought is Moses and the Egyptians and the Red Sea

[@jazzmineanderson6330]

Question how come you don’t do reading vlogs?

[@ReadswithRachel]

I do sort of, but those videos are only available through Patreon

[@CelticGuardian7]

Wait, is it spelled Baka? Because given how often I watch anime and read manga, that's hilarious (at least to me) if so.

[@ReadswithRachel]

No haha that would be funny but it’s Baccha!

[@CelticGuardian7]

@@ReadswithRachel Aw, darn. I'll just have it be my head canon then. ;) Thanks, and great video!

[@aromaladyellie]

“Baka” is a terrible name it means “idiot” in Japanese lol

[@Joyride37]

Is also sounds like Vaca in Spanish. Which means cow Maybe they were going for the Bacchae vibes? But missed

[@Heothbremel]

[@Obgtgggfc]

Hey Rachel! My birthday is almost in 2 weeks, can you read my favorite book series or just the first book? My Favorite book is the heartstopper series by Alice Osman, it is a Gay MLM romance, it as graphic novel, if you can make a video about it i would love that Love your videos -Sean

[@cakt1991]

If I recall, most of her review requests are commission only, through her Patreon. This one definitely was…she says so in the video. You’d have the best luck doing it that way if it’s a special request, plus doing it far enough in advance that she has time to get to it. Unless she specifically asks for recs, as she’s done for a couple other genre and theme videos, it’s very unlikely unpaid requests will get a response.

[@yourmom9474]

happy birthday stephanie! i nearly picked this one up the other day, let’s see if i’m into it

[@LunaMoth-rt5qe]

Hey Rachel. So remember four months ago when you said you wanted a lesbian romance with necromancy and shadow magic? I’m in the middle of working on one because I’m kinda tired of mediocre books. Sure, there are good ones out there that don’t get enough rep or marketing. But I want more queer positive romance without internalized misogyny. Although I might need to find some sensitivity readers to make sure I’m good to go once it’s finished if you would like to be a beta reader for it! 🌸🤍 Completely up to you, of course! Let me know!