Don't Read These Horrible Booktok favs... Read these instead!

[@yumirose1450]

I support the title. We need more people who are critical readers and not scared to be haters.

[@Shantilly0091]

This definitely needs to be a repeat video idea!!! Loved it!

[@alliramsay1328]

Any time there is a popular new fantasy release, I genuinely wait to hear your review of it because of how similar our tastes are and how much I trust your recommendations. Thanks for the video!!

[@currentlyreadingplato]

Do you guys not follow Regan for her opinions on books? So why offended all of a sudden when she disliked a book you love? Hello?

[@jayare888]

Y’all are so hurt by the title of the video but in the actual video she speaks very fairly about why she disliked all of your little TikTok books

[@pankopanda]

“Little” TikTok books? That’s so demeaning for no reason lol

[@crimebrulee]

@LionsDen-i7z Yeah but it went viral on Tiktok hence it being called a Tiktok book

[@miguelangelvega7176]

@LionsDen-i7za KZbinr used click bait, gasp 😑

[@wyldstill]

@@jayare888 I’ve actually only read 2 books shown in this video. I’m not offended by her talking about the books at all, and you’re right she does speak fairly. It doesn’t change the fact that the title is completely unnecessary and detrimental.

[@TheLiteraryLifeofBeans]

Yes it was definitely rage bait and a little cheap imo. Not a fan of the title. Booktube is supposed to have a mutual respect for different tastes in books and this video title is not it. ​@LionsDen-i7z

[@Anya-lh8dt]

Well I’m so glad that everyone here understands clickbait and poking fun at popular booktube content. Also, I feel like you shouldn’t have to give 10 disclaimers that something is your own opinion. Common sense would be enough to realize that she doesn’t mean this objectively. Even if she did feel that these books were horrible (which she clearly doesn’t) then she should be able to say that without conciliatory phrasing.

[@sarahwelsh3]

YESSS!!! I’ve been waiting for you to do a video like this. Thank you so much!! I have no interest to read the “TikTok” popular fantasy books but I had no idea where to start when it came to finding good fantasy. Thank you for this video!

[@brittanyprice8109]

Swordcatcher was one of my favorite books. I can’t wait for the second installment! I always love your recommendations!

[@blujeangirl32]

I LOVE “Sword Catcher”!!! I hope more people start talking about it ❤.

[@nicholeheitzenrater4246]

Don't worry, I haven't stopped yapping about it since it came out.

[@maRRiiH95]

Sword Catcher is such a good book. Its a pity not many people know it because CC has a huge fandom focused on the Shadowhunter Chronicles but this one is equally as good

[@Cm-up9sf]

Yassssssssss this book was my favorite read of the year !

[@hw-hv8qf]

finally mask of mirrors mention!!! one of the best fantasy books i have read in recent years, it's so underrated, but soooo good

[@roguetaco5487]

honestly never heard of this book until now. I'll definitely check it out!

[@roguetaco5487]

I appreciate that you didn't poop on the booktok books but offered suggestions. Reading is so subjective just like many forms of entertainment (i.e. games, music, movies, etc) that it is truly a personal preference. I have no problem reading fantasy "Smut" or full-on contemporary romance along side more "serious" or "epic" fantasy. Like hey I like my absolute over-the-top mafia romances but also read The Witcher books. For me, it's a vibe. What I want to read, in the moment.

[@Betwixxt]

Thank you! I felt the same about Fourth Wing. I DNFd it, then tried again... i just couldn't.

[@sousou5926]

Same here. Fourth Wing is so bad at writing and plotting. The dragon school romance idea is good but the execution is cheesy and low-grade.

[@storiesandsadhbh4673]

I love one dark window and have been looking for a good comp title! I’m 100% going to check out sword catcher

[@aimwalk]

Thank you so much for this video. Every year for Christmas, books are given as gifts and some of the family does not have the same reading preferences that I do, and many of these books are right up their alley.

[@pia.vakkani]

I read The Ninth Rain because of you and I LOVED IT!! All your recs will directly go to TBR now :)

[@paigenoel8913]

I hated Sword Catcher. 😅 I was so bored and didn’t really care about anyone. I also felt like everyone Lin met was set up as a possible romantic interest for her with no real reason or actual chemistry. I wanted to love it and definitely enjoyed Lin’s parts more than everyone else’s, but unfortunately it just didn’t land for me. I may continue with the series to see. I’m glad so many people enjoyed it though!

[@SparklesFantastic]

100% agree with you here

[@tamarabelizario]

yesssss, same!

[@t0ebeans]

This

[@redjarl]

Thank you for Mask and Mirrors recommendation, I picked it up after your video and it is so interesting.

[@danaprovenzano3961]

I loved red rising so much 😭 I wasn’t crazy about will of many but will have to try the expanse! It’s been on my TBR. I had fun with the fourth wing . I would def recommend the priory of the orange tree which was amazing for those that liked the dragon and academy aspect. Good romance in it but not smutty.

[@skullcandy9641]

you can try these as well ..underrated dragon series kzbin.infooLh6-1-A980?si=6MjlQ3wECQVYb3Gi

[@kashishbarot2298]

Our reading tastes are similar, so always gonna trust your recommendations. Thank you for amazing video 💜

[@christophervehon9554]

What's awesome is I love some of the TikTok books AND recommendations you provided! Very great video idea

[@Thedorkyreader]

Yay I’m excited, I have several of those recs in my physical tbr pile. I feel like my tastes coincide with yours so often, so I appreciate the warnings on some of these.

[@twicestan4life]

this is the first time in years where I wanted to read every single one of the recommendations in the video by a booktuber

[@milkteaful]

After watching your videos and reading your recs over the years I realized my taste has really adapted to yours!! 😂 a lot of these popular books were also just OK to me

[@turkeyrunner712]

I loved Fourth Wing simply for the dragons. So now I’m on the search for more dragon fantasy. I’ve got The Aurelian Cycle (Fireborne), Dragonriders of Pern, and To Shape a Dragons Breath on my radar. I’m also planning to start reading the Realm of the Elderlings soon and I hear there will eventually be dragons in that world as well!

[@lisas.2902]

I loved sword catcher, glad your talking about it 😊.

[@BeautyBookCorner]

Omg Fireborne is one of my favorite series. It doesn’t get enough attention. 🐉

[@Acacia52]

The Fireborne series is my favorite series I read this year! I listened to it on audio and it was amazing!!

[@nicholeheitzenrater4246]

Respectfully, I will never stop hating on A Deadly Education.

[@jordanreadsalot]

i finally got to my copy of Sword Catcher i ate this book up and it's her first Adult Novel i may be biased when it comes to Cassandra cause she is my favorite Author but this book in general is so good!!!!!!!!

[@stephaniedefreitas1292]

Reading is very subjective. I personally loved Red Rising and am currently on book 3 in the series. Fourth Wing i found fast paced and liked it although I haven't read bk 2. Is it the best written novel? No, but it was entertaining. Love your recos, and I have added a few to my tbr! 😊

[@asfaloth12]

-I actually enjoyed Red Rising, and look forward to continuing the series. So, I am definitely interested in checking out The Expanse. I’ve heard great things about The Will of the Many as well, but I want to try the Licanius trilogy first. -I have heard very…mixed..things about Fourth Wing. It has its fans, but I’ve seen many people who loathed it. I’m definitely interested in Fireborne. And the Scholomance series! I really enjoyed Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and I hope to get to Temeraire as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@messyatbestx]

I love this video concept, because that’s what booktube is about, sharing opinions on books🧡

[@th3aft3rlif3]

1:41 just finished book 3 of The Expanse series. Y’all she’s not kidding these books are so good!

[@teganj9512]

I felt like I was the only person in the world who didn't like red rising. I was speed reading at the end just to get it done.

[@KossybRo]

Every time you voice your opinion on Red Rising you get jumped in the comments but I stand with you girl I felt the same way 😭

[@thakatspajamaz]

she doesn't get jumped she just mentions it... a lot. Like a weird amount lol

[@crimebrulee]

@thakatspajamaz Well she IS a book reviewer 😂

[@thakatspajamaz]

@@crimebrulee ...it's weird to repeatedly mention how much you disliked a book everyone else loves constantly, in like 4 diff videos.

[@annaaabananaaaahh]

@@thakatspajamaz You wouldnt say the inverse of that statement is "weird", it just seems like you're butthurt she didn't like a popular book.

[@thakatspajamaz]

@@annaaabananaaaahh that's a weird thing to say. Loving a book is not as weird as constantly hating on a book.

[@juliacash8135]

I understand what you are saying and it’s a valid point but I loved red rising. I am currently in book four and really like it! I respect your opinion of not liking it though.

[@bauhausofgucci]

Sword Catcher had everything that I like on paper, but I found myself bored by the characters. I think I just had higher expectations for the characters bc they were written by CC (not saying I want them to be a redux of Jace by any means). The romances fell a little flat for me too. I will still read the second installment and maybe I’ll have a different opinion! I loved the world CC created

[@TeeFannie]

red rising is great but fourth wing was a huge miss for me

[@PagesInTheForest]

I recently picked up Empire of Exiles by Erin M. Evans, based on a recommendation from one of your previous videos, and I just wanted to drop in and say I'm really enjoying it so far! Loving the unique world :D

[@sportlams]

it's kinda crazy how nobody talks about Unveiling Your Hidden Potential by Bruce Thornwood

[@thehollyalderson]

I read Red Rising a few years ago because a friend loved it but I just couldn't get into it. I started Leviathan Wake a couple of days ago and absolutely love it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of The Expanse series!

[@crimebrulee]

Red Rising series is so overhyped imo you aren't missing much 😢

[@hayleybel]

Sword catcher was soooo good I still think about it!!!

[@kamrynchristine3302]

I love the title hehe!

[@jordanreadsalot]

'I'm more of a Character-driven reader so Red Rising works for me in that aspect i do have the expanse though so I will check that out. Regan, i love you but you are somewhat striking out for me i absolutely hated a Deadly Education

[@logann-mackenziefroste563]

Awesome video 💯‼️ I love hearing all of Reagan’s book recommendations even if I haven’t read most of them. I did start Robin Hobb and The Assassin’s Apprentice and i am not continuing with Robin Hobb because it’s not for and I found it boring. I did love Fourth Wing. 😊 I only loved the first 3 books of Red Rising. I am always impressed with Reagan’s choices but I don’t know what she means when she talks about writing style. How does one know what a good writing style is and how does one notice the different writing styles ?

[@average-rice1068]

Okay I need to start the Expanse series this Winter 🤭🤭

[@feylights166]

I loved Sword Catcher. I don't mind some smut (though at this point I prefer male/male, and tend to skim it if it is f/m), but i need a good plot, too.

[@snackymcsnackycakes6556]

Why are people getting mad? I liked the Red Rising series and Deadly Education but I would never touch a book by bullying plagiarist Cassandra Clare and she's one of Regan's faves. So what? I still love watching Regan's videos. She's not attacking you personally and we don't all have to like the same thing.

[@shannon14025]

100% agree with One Dark Window! Really neat concepts, but overall, very underwhelming in its execution. Anyone have any thoughts on Sword Catcher vs. Casandra Clare's other series? I have tried her other books in the past and never seem to get past the first few chapters. She's so beloved, has a huge fandom, and I desperately want to like her books, but also not going to force myself to read something I'm not going to like.

[@jcompton8507]

Does anyone else think Fourth Wing is a weaker version of The Poppy War?

[@inge1428]

I'm always so glad whenever I see someone who doesn't like Red Rising either because for a while I thought there was something wrong with me for not liking it? Everyone seemed to rave about it and I just.. couldn't. I told myself I liked it and read the whole trilogy but it only got worse for me. Seeing other people disliking it makes me feel validated :p

[@Thedorkyreader]

Currently reading Ninth Rain.. and I loooovvve it.

[@artbeautyrandomvlogs]

Good timing omgggg

[@bookishfairygodmother]

Have you ever done a video about fantasy for newbies? I started Robin Hobb because of you!

[@alexreid1173]

I feel like I remember her doing that a couple years ago, but my brain could have made that up. Either way, an updated version could be good!!

[@siobhanmoire9594]

Has she done a Robin hobb video? Am getting into her books at the moment too

[@TriforceLiz]

Regarding One Dark Window, did anyone else ship Elspeth with the Nightmare? Disclosure, I only made it about 1/5th of the way into the book before I put it down, so I have no idea if the Nightmare gets into gnarly territory, but I often find myself shipping the MC with characters that the writer overlooks as a potential love interest. Regan, THANK YOU for these great recs- I've put a lot more holds on libby! I agree with you about the booktok books feeling lacking-literally every one you listed I DnF'd.

[@sousou5926]

Agree with you 100% Many popular BookTok picks are quite awful.

[@ArtizenAura]

Was no one else thrown off by stem on that pumpkin? 😂 It’s interesting to see all the comments about the title. Personally the title is irrelevant and I simply enjoy listening to her opinions and how she explains why.

[@readandcoffee]

just a disclaimer, try things for yourself as well. I have personally met very few people who did not liked Red rising , so yeah just putting it out there, try to give it a read.

[@sportlams]

Unveiling Your Hidden Potential by Bruce Thornwood (thank me later)

[@_heidikate_]

Love this video, thank you so much!!!

[@NezziieFF]

You NEED to finish the fireborne series, it's so good and the story only gets better

[@moviefiendz]

Regan you shouldn't list the books in the description, that way people have to rewatch for the recs heheheheh

[@cristinamagalhaes4813]

I've read the first 3 books of the red rising series and I still don't like Darrow 😂 I just keep reading because I love Darrow's best friend and I need to know what happens to him 😅

[@zelbelreader]

I wouldn't say Red Rising is a Tik Tok book really. I read it six years ago and it has a really crazy fandom even before tik tok/ book tok craziness. Reading is subjective. I don't really love that established book series are just getting grouped into "tik tok" and dismissed.

[@Ceyda-c2j]

do you have some kind of script before going into these videos? you are so well spoken 😭😭

[@funngirl189]

I’m always mildly confused when booktok hypes Red Rising as one of the best fantasy books of all time because didn’t a lot of people (myself included) dislike it when it first came out? Was that a fever dream? 😢

[@Hedinia]

It wasn’t a fever dream!! I track all my books and my TBRs religiously and I also have lists for books that I ‘ removed ‘ from my tbr. Red rising was removed and added to my shelves around 2-3 times, people had seriously divided opinions about the book. The popularity of the series only increased after it was re-shelved to adult and book 3 came out.

[@liviahutch8675]

I've read both Fourth Wing and Fireborn and actually preferred Fourth Wing. I didn't finish the second book in the Fireborn series. There wasn't as much connection with the dragons and felt more YA.

[@AwkwardBookworm]

Fireborne sounds so good! 👀

[@jilliannoble00]

I love these “if you didn’t like this, read this” videos! I personally find them helpful. Except I loathed the Scholomance trilogy, I personally found it boring and repetitive (I think I’m in the minority for that opinion though 😅)

[@chelseyjohnson501]

I ate heartless hunter up. Cant wait to check out your recommendations 😁

[@kassandrakoller4973]

I started Leviathan Wakes because of your videos 😅

[@chrisott9129]

It’s ok if you really like the books she doesn’t. That’s what is great about books. Take her recommendations of others and read those too.

[@aesthetically-cozy]

Thanks for the video you made it make sense 😇😍☺️

[@tamarabelizario]

I really dislike the pacing in sword catcher lol

[@HashiraFranklin]

I was with you on The Expanse, but saying Will of the Many is better than Red Rising is crazy. Vis is a Mary Sue like no other. Islington is a master of telling and not showing anything. The whole book is a series of montage sequences and being told how to feel about certain characters. It should really take first place as the most overrated Tiktok book.

[@TerryMcCollum-zp2qe]

Read "Raintree County" by Ross Lockridge, Jr. He killed himself after it was published. 1066 interesting pages.

[@hellomeisha2534]

I only trust regans recommendations! ❤

[@joaniebrisebois6485]

I'm curious if the reco for Fourth Wings have the same intense hornyyyy vibes that people love about it.

[@piropiro1882]

I’m not agreeing with the « horrible » label on these 2 books but everyone has his own taste at the end. There are plenty of books you recommended that did nothing for me. I think it’s about what we are looking for at one specific moment and what we relate to.

[@ScooppyLise]

Regan everytime I watch one of your videos I wonder why your stack of the mirror visitor series is in that order. Is there a reason they're out of order? 😂

[@so_big_hope8694]

Ary you... Me? (our prefrences are so simmilar)

[@bluseadragon]

I gave One Dark Window 5 stars, but I will say I 100% agree with everyone’s criticism of it. I had a great time while reading it and I got through it in one day, hence the high rating. The sequel kinda sucked, though, imo.

[@lilimonada14]

I recently read One Dark Window and was very disappointed after the hype this book received but I can confirm Sword Catcher is sooo good.

[@louloubellex9292]

Has anyone from the UK been able to get hold of Fireborne? I’ve been wanting to read it for a while but can’t seem to find it anywhere (physical or e-book)

[@t0ebeans]

Hi physical is on black wells right now with a fiver off x😊

[@shannonkennefick4862]

I still have hope you’ll like morning star😢

[@paulaballard4053]

It’s “I-ling-ton” not “Is-ling-ton.” James Islington. Just FYI. S is silent

[@wyldstill]

I really don't like the title of this video telling people not to read certain books. You can read whatever you want and people shouldn't feel shamed because they enjoy something that others may not.

[@nitzeart]

Do you know what hyperbole is??

[@wyldstill]

@@nitzeart Yes of course I do. That doesn't change the fact I still don't like the title or find it necessary. There is so much book shaming in the reading community and I didn't expect Regan to be someone who would feed into it. This simply could have been a "Didn't enjoy this popular book? Try this instead." title not "Don't read these horrible books."

[@eviechatsandchapters]

Hahaha don’t take things so seriously!! 😂

[@wyldstill]

@@eviechatsandchapters I'm really not. I'm not crying about this or anything, just wanted to point out I think it's a really unnecessary and detrimental title for a video.

[@Didi_Online]

Ugh please be less sensitive to stuff that is not THAT DEEP. No one was hurt…

[@coffee_cookies_books]

I felt very similar about Red Rising to you. It wasn't a complete miss, but very mid for me. I bought the second book as well, as I got them both for a great price, but I am still not sure if I'll bother. In the meantime, I am definitely going to get myself moving on Leviathon Wakes. I've had that one for a bit and am putting it on my TBR now!!! Thanks for getting my butt in gear on that!

[@The_onset_tutor]

I heard a deadly education was awful.

[@millyw.5140]

If you’re going to get your feelings hurt over the title of a video, get off the internet. Why should people have to tiptoe around ur feelings over a book? She thinks that a book y like is horrible? Cry about it! Clickbait is everywhere. It’s the internet. God forbid someone has an opinion and is blunt about it. It’s not that deep, I promise!

[@marianacruz0]

clicked instantly with this title lol

[@KLR30]

I enjoy the video, but I feel like the title could’ve been worded differently.

[@nitzeart]

I will usually defend popular media because everyone is so quick to dunk on popular stuff just because it’s popular, but Fourth Wing is the exception 🫢 I mean I also don’t like red rising but that’s because it’s such a dudebro series 😅

[@Katelin626_]

I went to Books a Million today. There was a table FULL of Fourth Wing shit. Absolute shit. I felt ashamed to have read it, and my bf definitely poked fun at me while looking at the merch. Anyway! Wound up buying two Brandon Sanderson novels so 🤷‍♀️

[@chelseyjohnson501]

I wanted to like fourth Wing so bad. I just wanted to be in the fourth wing club lol

[@Katelin626_]

@@chelseyjohnson501 hahahah SAME! It sounded like a fun club to be in but YIKES lol

[@kristinmarie1538]

wow!! congrats!! 🎉

[@jenstatz4568]

I thought Fireborne was boring. It was a struggle to get through all three books.

[@katbrask]

I really enjoyed Fourth Wing and loved Throne of Glass. I also enjoy the song Rockafeller Skank but I doubt it has any awards. All pieces of literary, audible, & visual is subjective; even works with awards. Still loved this video 😊

[@caitlinl2750]

I’ve read these all😅🎉

[@MikePagonis1]

Reagan’s videos are really bad for my wallet 😂😩

[@chelseyjohnson501]

Same. I'm so grateful for her waking up my love for fantasy/sci fi. My reading experience is so much better since finding this channel. I can't not buy the books though. The library just doesn't cut it for me lol😊

[@angelaholmes8888]

You might want to check your local library's it's helped me a ton

[@AWitchAndACat]

Good recommendations but pretty disappointed in the title. As others have said if people enjoy books, even if they are popular, that’s still enjoyment.