The Worst Book I've Read this Year (rant/review)

[@dragoniraflameblade]

I really don't understand the "stalking for love" trope as being a positive thing in any romance.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Right? I mean she gets on board with it real fast, it's not like she's telling him no, but still creepy.

[@CyborgZebra]

its a warped trope, but it's been around for such a long time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIuUfoOZaq16las

[@jesscrockett5316]

Absolutely - it sends the worst message, and it's so creepy.

[@plantemor]

Felicity Swan it is the persuasion/persuring part of a man financing a woman taken to it's dramatic extreme because exaggeration in fiction is generally more appealing and interesting to read than real life mundane romance.

[@pachamaridamofasat7803]

I wish a guy would be interested in me enough to stalk me, haha

[@empressfreya9872]

Teenage talk is so hard to replicate despite it being not that complicated. No matter how it's written, it comes off as weird and awkward and incredibly try-hard. 9/10 you just KNOW it's written by an adult

[@JordanHarveybooks]

It's true! It is really hard, but yeah this book does NOT do it right.

[@minimooster7258]

Thing is, teens tend to talk like adults, just with more pop cultural awarensss and more swears

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

When I was a kid my favorite writer was Judy Blume because it was so hard to believe she was an adult. She seemed to remember what every adult in the world forgot. What it was actually like to be a kid.

[@Josue-mv2fo]

This feels like a Wattpad fanfic that would be trending

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Seriously though.

[@Notfallkaramell]

@@Neon_Swing Wattpad has its gold, but to find it, you need to take a deep dive in the shit.

[@AmeliaEverythingBabyNames]

I've read fanfiction where I've left comments just to make sure that the author is actually writing their own work because their fanfiction is better written, plotted and executed than most classics, let alone the story it's based on. This book sounds like something I wrote when I was 16.

[@ejedwards988]

We've all read fanfiction that laughs in the face of published YA. Fanfiction that is better than the source material.

[@lilsaam]

she was obsessed... bobsessed I'M SCREAMING

[@JeanetHenning]

Love, I Hate Everything's "Search for the Worst". I think the reason why I like "worst book/movie" videos is because it's a good examination of execution and what to do and not to do with regards to plot, format, and character. I have to say, the book that frustrated me most with the fact that it could've had an interesting twist to an old concept was "Soulmate" by Kellie McAllen. It was "Fifty Shades of Grey" type bad influence in romance and the thing is you see hope at every plot point only to be disappointed at every turn.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Okay, well I won't be picking that up anytime soon!

[@proudpancake3441]

“Let’s cut into this” so basically you want to murder this book

[@JordanHarveybooks]

yes.

[@annaan2873]

Me too

[@frostfang1]

So many people with great hook ideas but horrible at actually enacting them as a story.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Yeah, honestly I'm in love with the idea. It could've been so cool.

[@SpaceandGoats]

I don't know what you're ranting about. Nothing screams romantic like curry boogies

[@JordanHarveybooks]

You're right, my bad.

[@SpaceandGoats]

Jordan Harvey in all seriousness, the book sounds like dumpster fire. But it doesn't even have the common courtesy of being entertaining

[@SylvainDementi]

From now on, there is no other way to be obsessed... I'm Bobsessed with Bobsessed!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Oh boy

[@proudpancake3441]

Considering you hate this book, when you say “dissection” it sounds kinda violent lol

[@steph2994]

When you said 'dark past', I literally rolled my eyes so hard they hurt.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Steph C hahaha

[@JulesKM]

Booger of curry!? gag.

[@yogsothoth8389]

Julie McLean “Booger of curry” sounds like the name of a punk band.

[@stephaniehauenstein9123]

It frustrates me so much that books like this get published, it sounds like a complete steaming pile of garbage

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Yup, same.

[@Rubahae]

throws????? fish??????? f i ??s h ?

[@starlitbri]

I've never heard of this book until now, and from the sounds of it, it contains all my worst fears as a writer: lousy writing, dull plot, and flat 2D characters. Your channel is one of my favorites because of your honesty and in-depth discussions; I'm always learning new angles to view my writing through your videos.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks! It's so nice hearing that people are learning and thinking more about stories watching my channel!!

[@barbaramarbell9358]

Yep, definitely a Wattpad book. I want to read An ember in the ashes trilogy, six of crows duology, the grisha trilogy, and many more

[@anayaj402]

Naa Marbell ive read six of crows and the grisha trilogy and i want to read an ember in the ashes but i havent got round to it yet. I think six of crows was muchh better than the grisha trilogy (i mean it was her second series) and i was kind of bored by the last book but i guess i enjoyed it too. Random comment and anyways I hope you enjoy the books

[@GreenRobinL]

"Bob-essed" lmao.. Sorry to laugh at your suffering but your reaction to that was so funny. I'm also planning on reading Children of Blood and Bone & Vicious some time soon.

[@littlewinterflower1831]

GreenRobinL I'm halfway through Vicious and it's been pretty damn good so far!

[@fatimashafiq3930]

I completely agree with you on that last part. Stories should be written with a purpose. I feel like plot naturally arises when you have something important to say, a message to convey.

[@thepeonyvillage9637]

I haven't finished the rest of the video yet, but I just wanted to say that I'm so grateful for booktube channels like yours. You are always honest about your opinion and you don't sugarcoat anything. And while some people think that people should never say tell an opinion if it isn't positive (which idk why they think that lol) I admire your boldness to say what is on your mind. It helps aspiring authors like myself and even the author of the book you're critiquing (even if they never come across your video). Again, just wanted to say that you're awesome and you're one of my favorite booktubers! Keep doing you Jordan ^_^

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thank you SO MUCH!! That's so nice of you to say! Xx

[@williammccoll5563]

I can see you as a librarian where you can read all the books you want all day and write novels in your spare time until you become famous writer. I know I would read whatever you write and watch any movie/show you write as well. I can say this because all your videos show all of us you know your shit. So it will be good.

[@kathham9342]

the excerpts of the writing that you’re reading are so bad how tf did this get published

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I think it must be because the author has a bunch of other moderately successful books that she's published.

[@sushidragonmaster3555]

I got this book off of NetGalley, I kind of regret that. I seriously hated the book and I have nicknamed it Fish Abuse Book because the amount of times it says someone threw a fish is ridiculous, I've never heard of anyone in my entire life who throws fish when they're angry or frustrated. Anytime I see it in a bookstore I take time to glare at it. It gives me the feelings that cause the characters to throw fish, I am a normal person though and don't react that way because no one does that :)

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Seriously. WHO DOES THAT?

[@jenb7780]

Wait, people throw fish? That's kinda hilarious because it sounds so, so bizarre.

[@sushidragonmaster3555]

Jen B Its definitely bizarre

[@dawnmayflower4422]

sushidragonmaster Lol. My cousin slapped one of her friends in the face with a fish. But this is the same cousin who's done a ton of crazy shit with both family and friends to the fish thing isn't even in the top ten weird things she's done. Also "Fish Abuse Book" 😂🤣

[@ThesmartestTem]

As much as I love YA, I can't figure out how these garbage books that drag the genre down, keep getting published.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Especially when there are so many amazing manuscripts that aren't being published because they don't fit the market.

[@arnold20139]

I still don’t understand how these garbage books get published in the first place

[@maliceburgoyne495]

Jordan Harvey So many amazing unpublished manuscripts? I worked for a publishing house. 1 in 1000 is a good manuscript. 1 in 100,000 is a great manuscript. The best publishing odds for a new author is one that doesn’t write fantasy or romance.

[@nootnewt3]

Malice Burgoyne Tell me how garbage like this is published. I’m actually curious, because I’ve written better things than this and I consider myself very mediocre.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

@@maliceburgoyne495 OK, so this is the best of the pile??

[@cowgrll]

I’m obsessed with your reviews. Bob-sessed.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

tia thomas STOP

[@devanshigupta7567]

At 5:33, I thought I heard Bob sassed, which didn't quite feel as cringey as Jordan was making it. I was sure I'd heard wrong. I repeated the clip twice more, and then I got it--BOB-SESSED. OH, MY GOOOD. I literally shouted out loud. That is soo bad. I feel a lot better about my writing now.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

YUP. BOBSESSED. I'm so done.

[@devanshigupta7567]

Jordan Harvey I pity you. You had to read it in an actual book.

[@naanmelon7386]

W h y d o e s n 't h e h a v e a p h o n e? Like yo, this ain't the 19th century

[@JordanHarveybooks]

mystery soldier because it’s convenient to the plot.

[@naanmelon7386]

Jordan Harvey eh honestly though yeah. An inconvenient convenience

[@naanmelon7386]

Chatnoir 77888 in....uni?

[@nootnewt3]

In all of my 23 years of life I have only met like two people without cell phones. One was back in 2007 and we were in middle school. Second was in 2013 and we all thought it was weird.

[@tessavery2151]

I am so sad that this was so awful. I thought that the idea of this study would be really interesting, and I was really excited about the book. I was a little wary, because it didn't sound like it was super scientific, and the characters sounded pretty underdeveloped and troupe-y. I was hoping that it might be better than most of the reviews, but I feel like it is definitely not worth it. So sad it wasn't the best.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I know! It's actually a really great idea for a book, but the execution just wasn't there.

[@Maryannkf]

"I hate everything search for the worst in book form" subscribed

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Haha it's TRUE though

[@smileymctrashbag]

Hey! You like IHE too. That's awesome! Love your book reviews, btw. Especially the ranting ones.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks! And yeah, IHE is the best.

[@NotaBizarreJoJo]

Your honest reviews save me from wasting what little money I have left. Thanks!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

No problem, I got you.

[@shanejones3955]

Oh my gosh, I'm excited about your reviews for Six Of Crows, Children Of Blood and Bone, and Vicious. Those are on standby for when I'm done reading this Jackie Collins novel (which is surprisingly dragging for me). I hope I'm done reading each book by the time your reviews come out.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I'm a slow reader, so I think you'll be fine!

[@shanejones3955]

I doubt not as slow as I am. I only just got back into reading in December with Ready Player One, which I did in a month, but I just finished one long Jackie Collins novel and I'm a third into another, which is only now starting to pick up. And I've heard such great things about Six of Crows and Children of Blood and Bone, so I feel strongly you'll breeze through them, but I'll wait for your review to know your actual thoughts. #excited And I'll be reading Vicious as well. I've heard great things about V.E. Schwab as a writer.

[@carolinedixon5913]

When you were reading the examples from the book, all that was missing was you tipping a fedora and saying, "m'lady." I think it's hilarious that my generation made such a meme out of people who spoke like that in real life, but it is so prevalent in YA now. I don't know whether the meme itself has become acceptable common place in real life now with the younger generation or if adult writers don't understand that it is a meme and they think teens actually speak like that with each other... It's in Red Rising with how the Gold's speak. It's in the Hunger Games with the Capital. It's in Mortal Instruments with the hunters (so I guess it usually the people portrayed as higher class). The teenagers go from one paragraph being all, "lol" and "bitch wha?" to spouting wannabe Shakespearean love poetry while bowing to their love interest in the raid. Am I the only one that, if a boy on a first date started loudly proclaiming his love in iambic pentameter in a crowded park, would feel uncomfortable? Now if my husband did that, I'd be more okay with it (because we've known each other for almost a decade even though I'd still be a little embarrassed in front of all the random people), but in YA it's always when the two characters don't even really know each other yet; and the girl is always okay with it. It would end up on reddit under r/cringe in a heartbeat and the girl would leave the guy standing there knowing she dodged a bullet. Anyone have any suggestions as to why this is a thing?

[@theopollind8024]

Try webnovels, I recommend 'Common Sense of a Duke's Daughter' it's a scorned woman who moves on from heartbreak and goes on to become a mogul.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Theo Pollind I’ll keep that in mind! I have so many books to read though, I’m set for a while!!

[@FSEThompson]

Some of the writing samples were just awkward and then we got to "Bob-sessed" and.... mate.... I can't stop laughingcygvhbjn

[@Audreybbbb]

your last point is something i've been thinking about a lot. especially in a lot of these "YA contemporary novels"... like, for most of them, what is the point? what message is being communicated? why is it being put out into the world??

[@agnetebutk]

and out of all the books this one is the one that's gonna have a translation to my language, meanwhile all the other books that I really want to read are still waiting

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Oh no!! What a bummer.

[@paulflint6254]

sorry to heat that

[@i.147]

I know that pain :/

[@thejenmath]

I literally only got 20 pages into that book before DNF-ing it. I just couldn't continue.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Jennifer Mathis I rarely DNF books, but I wanted to with this one for sure. Don’t blame you.

[@JuliaSapphire]

I love your reviews yesss

[@JordanHarveybooks]

[@3Andzia3]

Six of Crows! I just read it last week, together with the second book, and it's totally a goodread :3

[@idapalmergrayson340]

so glad you're back! and with a rant too! we stan a queen

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Haha thanks!

[@idapalmergrayson340]

also your skin is glowing!!

[@ezzasyuhada]

Oh god... I feel so sorry you had to suffer through this... Love the review btw

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Luckily because of the formatting, I flew through it. But man. It was a struggle.

[@ezzasyuhada]

I feel for you when you said the bobsessed part I just cringed so bad hahahah

[@Phiahcm]

Ah, lovely video as always, Jordan. I feel the issue with most contemporary YA books (like this) is authors can't seem to make the characters interesting enough. Since most contemporary books don't have that much of a wacky or "out this world" plot and setting, the best way you can make the book "readable" is by making the characters good. This book had so much potential for an emotional story of relationships, growing up, coping with family issues etc. Yet it was wasted due to sloppy writing and nonexistent characterisation.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Indeed. Though I disagree that "most" contemporary YA struggles with this. I've read plenty of fluffy YA romances that have great characters that you absolutely fall in love with.

[@oOErdbeerkuchenOo]

Thanks for the video Jordan, it is always so insightful how you take apart stories. When I first saw your video about Throne of glass I thought to myself: “Wow, THAT’S why I disliked the story so much” I couldn’t really pinpoint it other than “With 13 I might have found this kind of flat character believable, but...”. Now I can finally communicate to others what my problem with underdeveloped characters is because you gave me the right vocabulary and mental model! Thank you so much! That being said: I am very much looking forward to you reading Six of Crows. I absolutely loved that book. You should check out “an ember in the ashes” as well. The world building in it was really good. Oh! And the most amazing book I read last year: “The girl with all the gifts”. It’s best read without knowing anything about it. Greatest world building ever!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

oOErdbeerkuchenOo Thank you so much, that’s honestly so nice to hear!! Very much looking forward to reading Six of Crows. And I’ve heard Girl with all the gifts is good, so I may check it out when I have a chance!! Thanks for the recommendation :)

[@biavechiato]

I'm in love with your vocabulary

[@vanessaajohn]

Excited to hear your reviews of Vicious and Six of Crows! They’re super fun and some of my favorites

[@sortasofi254]

"Throws an exotic fish at Paul" K what

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Who comes up with this stuff though? (Vicki Grant. Vicki Grant does.)

[@jazipa4139]

love this video, but i feel like you should have your head higher to fill out the frame. while there is symmetry and weighted balance in that aspect, the same cant be said for the vertical balance. i dunno. just feels off. great video nonetheless, keep it up :)

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I'll keep that in mind. I try to have my videos framed the same way, but sometimes it's off. Sorry!

[@futurestoryteller]

A bit random I guess, but being much more of a television watcher your disappointment with the final product vs. the premise reminds me a lot of my experience with Gotham. So many people trashed the idea of a show that was "Batman without Batman" but I couldn't help imagining all the ways in which a show like that could be brilliant. Especially when you consider we've seen his parents die on camera like ten thousand times, we'd finally get an opportunity to see what kind of people they are _and..._ they're dead.... Yeah.... and the show couldn't be bothered in the slightest to do character development for almost anyone. It was so embarrassing to watch them write this little boy who just lost his parents as a super smart "detective" suppressing his emotions, barely acknowledging in later seasons that at 12 he's not a welterweight. They were so confident of Jim Gordon's informed attributes, they figured they could have him murder people for crime lords and still talk about how "honorable to a fault" he is. The worst part being: they were right. A lot of people seemed to like that show. They had in many ways a story prepackaged for them. All of that to say. I think if you're a writer and you can't imagine how you'll turn your excellent premise into a story, rethinking your profession wouldn't be the worst idea.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I haven't seen gotham, but that does sound disappointing!

[@futurestoryteller]

My favorite quote about it comes from a review that said "Gotham is the kind of thing that would make perfect sense if we discovered the whole series was written by the Joker to slander Jim Gordon and his allies." lol On an unrelated note it's an interesting coincidence that you, Jenna Moreci, and Terrible Writing Advice dropped videos within 24 hrs of each other. Are you guys part of some KZbin author Illuminati? 😜

[@yesplease1125]

I love how with these certain types of reviews you do I can just lay back and listen. It honestly helps me relax.

[@nightbreed9305]

The best book I've read this year was The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

NightbreedGaming I may read the first one, but I have so many books that I want/need to read first!

[@nightbreed9305]

Jordan Harvey Alright, cool. Warning: The first one is written weird so it might be a turn off for some. It is so worth it though! Also, I was wanting to know if you could check out my video on why the modern entertainment industry is failing now, excluding film and gaming. You seem to be the only person that has noticed some of these things as well and of course, it is a hugely unpopular opinion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5q9qYmcitdljZo One more thing, I was watching your video on the project your working on and I am looking forward to it. From what I've seen you know your stuff when it comes to how a story is told. Good luck!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I gave it a watch and left a comment!

[@DrEllert]

OMG I needed my Jordan dose! ahem nothing nothing... I hope you had a great time on your time-off! "Bobsessed"?... I'm both perplexed and uncomfortable. "This book is a collection of cliches with little drama, genuine sentiment, growth, development, or anything interesting." - sums my life pretty much.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Oh my god, nooooo. And yeah, the trip was great, thanks!!

[@honoree-louisenguyen8634]

I haven’t read this book, and after your review, I won’t. But I’ve seen other books being defended for lack of meaningful message because they’re just pure entertainment, and that really frustrates me. I, for one, can’t be entertained if there isn’t some heart in the story. The message doesn’t have to be new or profound, but there’s got to be something.

[@ikigaime3158]

I really love your book reviews! You're not afraid to speak out and tell your dislikes. You're not afraid to tell your thoughts and you're very honest! Love your videos OuO

[@JordanHarveybooks]

The Penny and Kelly show thank you!

[@canniblanch]

I love how expressive and articulate you are!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks!

[@TheProcrastinatorFiles]

Okay, second comment!! First of all, great review. The spoiler-free part was well presented. I never know how to structure a spoiler-free section of a review so thanks for doing them. The entire review was well structured and concise so well done 😁 But aside from that, will never pick up the book. Now! Six of Crows! My God, that book was fabulous... I think it's even my favourite YA book (and I'm a critical reader) I'm also reading Children of Blood and Bone whilst listening to the audio book for authenticity. Can't wait to finish so I can review. All in all, I'll be waiting for your review on both of them 🤓 have a great read and a great day

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks so much!! And yeah, I'm super excited to read both of those. They've been on my list for a while!

[@strawberrybunny.2983]

The Procrastinator Files I've heard plenty of good bout six of crows , what is it bout ?

[@TheProcrastinatorFiles]

Jellyfish Tears It's a gritty heist novel involving six teenaged criminal attempting to break the world's most valuable hostage out of the most secure fortress on [their version of] earth. If they fail, they die and the world goes into chaos. Now representation is 6 out of five stars. The main character is 'a cripple' as referred to in the novel. Though he's far from helpless. The genius is dyslexic. The love interest is Asian (central). The Casanova is black and has ADHD. The grisha (mage) is a bigger build of female, eats for fun, confident as hell, and comfortable with her sexuality. The plot is well paced and relevant. Even the smallest details count. This is supposed to be realistic and it shows because no character is safe because they're important. People are stabbed. People burn. People get addicted. People drown. If you don't use your wits, you die in this novel. Dialogue is gorgeous as there isn't too much but each character has their own voice and sounds realistic. And the romance? Let's just say no stupid clichés occur and they aren't horny bunnies like in most YA. In fact, you wouldn't even expect the romances to unfold how they do. Ultimately, this is the book every author, writer, reader, and criminal should read because it's outstanding. And let's not forget the world-building. Despite having two maps in the novel, not a detail is missed, no setting unseen. And it's mentioned because it's necessary, not just for writing sake. Would recommend to anyone. God, I'm even trying to get my own mother to read it and she only reads non-fiction!

[@strawberrybunny.2983]

The Procrastinator Files k , i managed to find an online version and thus far seems pretty alright?( I'm only 47 pages in , and I'm only now getting in the first proper chapter , assuming the other pages are simply the epilogue ). I hope Its just not hype talking and the characters really are more then just the archetypes you've mentioned

[@strawberrybunny.2983]

The Procrastinator Files just saying I've had plenty of people suggesting me things they thought was the bees knees only for me to get dissapointed or kinda of underwhelmed

[@RANDOM-ou6ez]

I live for these reviews

[@JordanHarveybooks]

[@tylerdun6340]

this is lowkey why I’m terrified to write a book

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Tyler Dun Ooof ain’t that a mood

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

This is encouraging Lol. I need to read more terrible fiction so I know I'm good.

[@thebeldam8202]

Jordan, I love your uploads. They teach me a lot of things cause you give such good advice.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Lacey Tea Tales Thank you!!

[@camocat2038]

It sounds like a great book to dissect and then write a significantly better version of, or rather to take the premise and use the rest as a guide on what not to do. I'd do it myself but that would require buying the book and spending the time to write a new one...

[@constellationnova688]

Casually watches all these book rants so I know what NOT to do when I’m writing

[@rainylight6268]

I've never read this book or heard of it. Thanks to you, I'll never read it. It sounds terrible, boring and uninteresting. It could have been a good book too.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Right? The idea is really clever!

[@littlewinterflower1831]

Good review/rant! I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on Vicious! I'm reading it myself currently and I'm halfway through, so far I really enjoy it. It's quite a breath of fresh air for me 😃

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Little Winter Flower nice! I’m looking forward to reading t!!

[@EDDIELANE]

LOL “Bob-sessed” You closed your eyes, “no no no."

[@Marie45610]

I really hope you like Children of Blood and Bone. I think it's an amazing book, I really like books with interesting worldbuilding and magic systems, and I think that book has both. (there is a romantic subplot that I'm kind of 'meh' for, but everything else is really good)

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I'm super excited to read it!!

[@mystinary]

I love you even more now that you mentioned I Hate Everything, love your reviews

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks! And yeah, I love IHE!!

[@andreahartman9656]

I am so ready for your Children of Blood and Bone review - I read it last month, expecting to find my next favorite book of all time, and was very, very surprised by what I read. I don't want to say anything that will spoil you, but I was really underwhelmed and disappointed by what was actually delivered, and I haven't been able to find much critical analysis on how the story works as a story.

[@hollykishable]

I love watching your rants and reviews. 😊

[@jenniferohrstrom9831]

I remember reading a Sherlock fanfic about the study this was based on back in like 2013. I feel like it worked better in a short format, though I suspect I wouldn't much care for that fanfic either now that 7 years have passed.

[@jimkaragkounis4750]

Your reviews are very deep and insightful. I'm sending this to ask: do you beta read books that haven't been published yet? I am finishing up the edits on my novel and was wondering if you might be interested in critiquing it. If you are, you can always ask for more information on the project. Either way, keep up the good job!:)

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks so much! I'm not beta reading at this time because of my schedule. I just have too much going on. I really appreciate you thinking of me and reaching out though! :)

[@phyrcracker93]

How does one hire/find beta readers anyway? I love writing, but I'd actually never even heard of the concept of beta readers until maybe a month or two ago.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Jenna Moreci has some great videos on the topic!

[@Sophiek2221]

Ooh, I've actually read something by Vicki Grant called Small Bones, which I liked although it was not that well written. I read it years ago, though, so I don't know how I would feel about it now. I laughed out loud when you held Frostblood because I featured it in the video I just finished editing and I didn't have many high hopes about it (it's a "viewers choose my tbr" video, and this was one of the TBR Jar options). WOW, the excerpts you read made me cringe. BOBSESSED. Oh nooo. I hope you enjoy Children of Blood and Bone and the rest of the books you got. Great review.

[@paulanogueira497]

I really hope you like the other books you bought. Good luck, Jordan =). Nice review, I have not read this book, but from what you told it really does sound like a generic fanfiction plot.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I hope so too! I think I bought like 8 books, so we'll see if any of them end up being good. I still have high hopes for one of them!

[@paulanogueira497]

That's a lot of books! But I'm not going to judge, I will probably end up doing the same thing in an event next week. That's just how life works.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Paula Nogueira I didn’t mean to, sometimes it just kind of happens

[@miaturgoose8255]

Have you read the naturals series by jennifer lynne barnes? favourite series of all time, just finished my fifth read through. Absolutely amazing characters, plot foreshadowing and suspense. Also has the most explosive ending of a book series ive read, you should really check it out!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks for the rec, I'll look into it! :)

[@nocturnus009]

I wonder if the vivisection of where a book goes from prime cut to offal is more important than if it is any good. We get to discover the lessons in how we can move the art forward. Not everyone will be so pedantic with their writing, but if we never set a standard, we abdicate too much & should not be surprised if publishers settle on minimum effort for maximum disarray. Side note: not sure I shared this with you on Twitter on in a video buy with the fandom drama the following Alexander Hamilton quote came to mind "In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution." It is probably better posted here as to not trigger any trolling fan that is looking for escilated discourse.

[@The_Nightsong]

I've actually experienced the "stalking for love" trope IRL. A co-worker of mine wanted to go out for coffee as friends during our summer-break from work. It quickly escalated to him sending 40 texts a day, telling me personal stuff about himself and at one point, after I had been eating breakfast at a café with a friend of mine, I got a text from him on my way back to my apartment: "who was your friend?" We still have problem with him at work and it's really difficult to go there sometimes...

[@HetLedie]

The Nightingale just make up a boyfriend just to get rid of this guy

[@ItsRoseForYou]

Great review! You broke it done really well :) tip for next time: when talking about a strange layout, maybe show a (non-spoilery) page to demonstrate it? Now I'm left kinda curious what the interrogating style and those pauses look like, but there's no way I'm going to buy this book to find out xD

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Rowace yeah, sorry about that!

[@isadoragoncalves8492]

pardon my shit english, but i was just watching some of your older videos and found out you have family in brazil, and that's so cool. i'm brazilian and i'd never seen any foreigner show much interest in our culture before, and i'm really happy you do. also portuguese is a very complicated language so if you actually get into learning it, i'm sorry for you already

[@sorcerersapprentice]

Great vid, as always. The writing sounds pretty bad, especailly the prose, keeping things a mystery for what's going on with the girl's family and the "plot" or lack there off (seriously, I heard of hentai with more actual plot than that!). I'm looking forward to your future YA reviews, because you deserve to read some good YA for once. To be fair, if this took place in the late 90s the guy not having a cellphone is true to life. I remember when I was a kid in the early 2000s, a school aged kid having a cell phone was rare and it wasn't until I was in the tail-end of middle school that I got one. I imagine that having a cellphone back in the 90s would've been even more rare, because cellphones were the size of bricks at that time. Although, I still think a lot of that was just to create forced drama. :/ If that's the case, wouldn't Paul have a pager if he was in college to go to a pay-phone or something? And why was Facebook around that back then when it was invented in 2005?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

No it came out last year and is set in modern times!

[@sorcerersapprentice]

Oh, thought it was set in the 90s because that's when the study happened. In that case, then that's stupid and unrealistic.

[@emiliesmith9917]

How do you even pick up a fish to throw it? When the fish I had when I was younger died I struggled getting them out of the tank.

[@steph2994]

The other books you mentioned I heard only good things about them I especially loved the COBAB and Six of Crows. I hope you do to.

[@camerkiddo]

Good to see you again! If you don't mind, or you didn't do it already, could you do a review of Children of Blood and Bone? I feel like it's such a good book, and her reason for doing is great as well.

[@evermoreisamasterpiece]

I feel so bad that all of the bad ya books seem to be following you around, lol. When I get done writing mine, I will gladly send the healthy relationships, no "bad boy" or "bad girl" MC/Love Intrest, superpowers, diversity, INTERESTING characters, etc. your way.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Honestly, I know there is good YA out there, but I can't seem to find any recently.

[@evermoreisamasterpiece]

Finding a good YA book is like finding a good Wattpad romance book. Very difficult, lol.

[@iknowfacebutidontknowname5880]

Aaaah, I'm equally nervous and excited for your SoC review! I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

[@oliviamoon222]

This seems like such a good idea! Too bad the writing/plot/characters is so cringe!

[@TheWestcoastqueen101]

New subby here! Love your review, I appreciate the way you go in depth with your reviews! I would love to recommend Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and Dread Nation by Justine Ireland. I had all but given up on YA but these two brought me right back in. It was refreshing to read stories that doesnt include love triaganles but very strong yet vulnerable, interesting and entertaining female leads. I would also recommend you listen to it on Audible too, the narrator is phenomenal!

[@GabrielRodriguez-dc8vq]

Can you recommend any titles with eighteenth-century masquerade balls in a fantasy setting? I love the idea of the masquerade kind of environment and I can't find anything anywhere.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Can't say I know of any, sorry!

[@GabrielRodriguez-dc8vq]

Ah! No worries.

[@rileyelizabeth7942]

I️ was literally about to ask about the fish so I’m glad you explained that 😂 but why did she even have it with her at the study??? Lol this whole book is a mess 😂

[@sietskevisser8409]

I hope you had a nice trip with your family and omg did I hear the words six of crows I'm already so hyped haha hope you be doing a review on that :)

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I will for sure once I have a chance to read it!! And thank you! :)

[@Claeleth]

If anyone is looking for a good story about the Questions listen to "36 Questions". It's a podcast musical, wich might seem weird to some people but it is absolutely incredible. Aside from great writing and stellar performances by the voice actors it also has very interesting characters. Plus a really cute duck.

[@rivendellstarlight]

Did you read Six of Crows?? I actually really loved that duology

[@AdamMendoza007]

"low stakes", lol

[@Ceylin_Kurtbogan]

I didn’t really need to watch rest of the review after the “bobsessed” part...(but I did :DD)

[@Faith-Trust-Pixie-Dust]

Yes! Vicious is amazing, you'll love it!

[@MrsLps]

I love watching you rant about terrible books

[@jazimae]

What were some of the questions they asked each other? It seems it could've been like slumdog millionaire, where each question was asked for a reason, and dives into the characters backstory.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Here's the full list of the questions: www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html And I agree, that would've been a much more interesting idea!

[@jazimae]

Jordan Harvey right? And I think the big bang theory did something like this too. Between penny and sheldon. The author should have at least watched that because it was highly entertaining lol

[@Charisamaeby]

I would really love to hear your review of Caraval 🙈

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Honestly, I have no interest in reading that book, so I don't think that will happen. Sorry!

[@Charisamaeby]

Jordan Harvey oh well, I tried lol

[@nadia-pl4fj]

this sounds like an essence of boredom but the throwing fish part really got to me, like, to me this was the Twist™ of the book to be honest. also six of crows!! yes!! i feel like you'll appreciate it a lot (once you get into it and adjust to the writing style and the world itself) :)

[@dekelneedstime411]

Wouldn't it had been better if Paul and Hildie (???) answered a question per meeting? You know, like the people organizing the study could've said something like "We wanted to see which way of doing this is more effective by dividing our subjects into two groups, etc, etc", so they see each other twice a month for the first 6 questions (they don't get along during this time), then biweekly for the next 12 (they start warming up to each other, they laugh at each other's jokes, maybe they even decide to make the meeting a little bit longer somewhere around the 11th question), then once a week for the next 6 (they start warming up to each other, *insert a little bit of character development for both*), then twice a week for the next 6 (this is where the relationship bs takes place, have fun with romance, character development, etc), after that some shit happens and then they have to see each other every day for a week to finish answering the questions and just hang out a little longer (here's where everything ends. The problem is solved, they admit their mistakes and faults, etc, etc, they kiss, the end) ORRRRR The author could've used that exact same structure, but only for Paul to say "You only like me because these doctors told you to" and for Hildie to come to that conclusion as well. A.k.a the author could've conveyed this message: there are no formulas for falling in love! Let it happen naturally! Blah blah!

[@johnnam1380]

You should read Winner Take All by Laurie Devore. I'm still trying to figure out if I liked it or hated it lol

[@williammccoll5563]

See what is awesome about you channel is your so detailed I dont need to read, I always say I will wait for the movie. I am open minded on new themes but dont like them all. I will give anything a chance.