The Worst Books of 2024 🙅‍♀️

[@Kristenisfullybookd]

Sometimes I honestly forget that house of flame and shadow came out last year lol. That first CC book had so much potential and was so exciting and new for her to do something different and she just lost the plot literally.

[@Kristenisfullybookd]

Yes Ruhn is the saving grace of that series

[@amilliontinystars]

I was also so disappointed by HOFAS. I really hope it's not a case of her not putting the effort in anymore since people will buy her books anyway.

[@cassidya.963]

That sweater is AMAZING

[@BeccaandTheBooks]

Thank you!

[@randomname4726]

​@@BeccaandTheBooks Is it hand knitted?

[@BeccaandTheBooks]

@ no it’s from Anthropologie 😊

[@randomname4726]

@BeccaandTheBooks I love looking at their website, beautiful stuff. I can't get it in my country unfortunately.

[@ellys106]

I really think Crescent City should have been a standalone and then maybe a few years down the line she did another book in that world or something. Just book 2 was a mixed bag and book 3 was the very definition of "i don't want to be writing this and i don't really care." sometimes authors fall out of love with their stories and characters. so my expectations for the next book she writes are DULY adjusted.

[@KaySutcliff-Michaelis]

The haunting reflection is the crazy SJM fans that cannot deal with someone not liking one of her books 😂

[@kennadyspurrier7909]

I hyped HOFAS up so much in my mind for 2 years straight that I went from being so unbelievably excited to finally have it in my hands to downright distraught when I finished it. worst whiplash of my life and I'm still so pissed about it that I don't even like talking about it with my friends

[@ezmee870]

I closed the book and was like, well, that was it 😂 NOT HYPING MYSELF UP ABOUT ANY BOOK EVERY AGAAAAIN

[@NovelsNook]

im obsessed with your hair! but rooting for us all that 2025 will have better books and our worst books list will consist of maybe only 1 or 2 books!

[@AntoninaTX]

Heard a lot of negative reviews for Hurricane Wars from the booktubers I trust, so off TBR it goeees haha

[@parkercrystal1]

It's not great

[@ezmee870]

You cannot understand how BAD i felt when i found out CC only got 3 books instead of four in the series, and that is how it ended!!! OMG. I screamed, what a waste of my time!!

[@plushieangela]

Book 3 of the acotar series pushed me into the BIGGEST reading slump I've ever been in. Was dnf'd and I doubt I'll ready any of the other series

[@kellyxannex]

my worst book of 2024 was How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying. it had so much potential and the synopsis made it sound so good, but in my opinion the writing was terrible and the main character was insufferable. very sad about it 😢

[@bookishcountryside]

The worst book I read this year was The Wall of Storms, book 2 of the Dandelion Dynasty. It was a fantasy, but it read like nonfiction and I felt no connection whatsoever with any of the characters. DNF’d the series about 70 pages into book 3, but I should’ve done it after book 1. Wasted time, money and library loans on that series. Still annoyed

[@IfersInklings]

Meddling Kids. I hated this book so much. I had a whole rant video about it that I never posted. I wish I had DNF’d that book.

[@SummerIris90-yb2lz]

Tried reading it years ago and something felt off about it and had to DNF it. Disappointing since I’m a big fan of Scooby Doo!

[@Harley24986]

Agreed. The only CC book that was good was book 1. Silver Flames was bad to me too. ACOTAR doesn't need another book and I really want her to just leave it lol

[@Sara-fx3yl]

100% agree with your SJM takes!! HOFAS was so dissapointing. I have to wonder if she was on a super deadline but only have one more book contracted so that's why it felt so rushed and bad? Also dreading an announcement for acotar 6

[@Jesse.Walkinshaw]

I am holding out hope that a house flame and shadow was like a tower of dawn was like crown of midnight. I’m really hoping it was a book that had to be written to progress the story more and like I don’t agree with everything and how it was wrapped up and how it was presented to us, but I’m hoping it means there’s the door opening for more beautiful things to come within this world and for these characters, because now that the photo is gone where do we go from here so I’m hoping it was a set up book as disappointing as some of the contents were I’m hoping that’s what it was

[@queenlucysroyalmaid1]

I was expecting the ending fire to be on this list! XD

[@ashsbookadventures]

I totally agree with HOFAS. I originally gave it 4 stars but ended up putting it on my worst list of 2024. It felt like she put in no effort with this book and just wrote whatever she wanted.

[@lilou8269]

Completely agree on CC3. The first two was so good and book 3 was a big dumpfire... was sjm on drugs when writing this?

[@Stephanie0612]

I felt the same about SJM on book two of Crescent City, I ended up DNFing it. I was so disappointed, I'd read the first book in a day. 😢

[@Harley24986]

Same. Kinda felt like it wasn't written by the same person.

[@misskarin]

Fourth Wing was my worst book by a mile. I was honestly shocked when I read it that it was so popular lol.

[@Nikeruki]

I agree with you on HOFAS and Hurricane Wars, both of these books were so disappointing. I love CC 1, I can't believe the direction this series took. 😢 Worst book I read this year has to be Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber. It was Owlcrate's YA monthly pick and I can't believe someone read this and decided to make special edition of it. I'm so angry I payed extra to have a pretty edition of such a bad book. 🤦‍♀️

[@Bella-pb6uk]

my worst book of 2024 was a tempest of tea by hafsah faizal. nothing worked: not the plot, not the world building, none of the characters, all of it was so bad. it was one of 2 dnfs from last year. it makes me nervous to pick up we hunt the flame by her, even though i’ve heard amazing things

[@sakurahan91]

My least favourite book of 2024 was Fruits Basket omnibus 2, which I didn’t hate. It just could have been better.

[@adrastea2]

It's so disappointing when one of your favourite author disappoint you. But there are other wonderful other series and author to love. I don't remember what the worst book I read last year😂 and I am happy this way

[@heathersloane5764]

My most disappointing book was Butcher and Blackbird. I couldn’t stand the writing and I’m so sad because on paper, it should have been my favorite book, but alas, it was not.

[@Soolepoh]

I love the cover of the hurricane wars, but didnt really know what it was about, but yeah wont pick it up now

[@astoldbykat]

For me, "Seasonal Fears" by Seanan McGuire was my worst book of 2024. Lucky for me, I was expecting it; but it still was a huge disappointment after how great "Middlegame" was earlier in the year. In "SF," the MCs were extremely bland and generic, there was absolutely no tension after a certain point, and the villains were so non-threatening after the initial introduction of one that a two-year-old wouldn't have been scared of them. I was also disappointed in Allison Saft's "A Fragile Enchantment"; it was such a mediocre book after "A Far Wilder Magic."

[@trulyintroverted]

My worst book was When He Was Wicked. So I knew going in I wasn't the audience for it (not a fan of steamy HR) but that was worse than anticipated 🔥

[@laurajaynexo26]

I have to agree with HOFAS being one of the worst books of 2024. It fell so unbelievably flat for me, and Silver Flames wasn't far behind in terms of the rest of SJM's books. I am dreading ACOTAR book 6 😭

[@EmmyAngua]

The problem with Meddling Kids is that it's marketed as a riff on Scooby Doo when it's actually a riff on The Famous Five. The tomboy/gender stuff makes more sense when you know the MC is basically George. Not a perfect book but if you like Lovecraft and adventure mystery stories, it's pretty fun.

[@hannahp7326]

The worst book I read was Here and Now and Then, I was ANGRY at that book 🤣

[@gemmab3715]

Wasn't surprised by the SJM book being your worst, but I'd forgotten about it so was genuinely expecting you to hold up The Ending Fire... 🔥🔥 My worst books were Gideon the Ninth and The Black Bird Oracle (so disappointing!) ☹

[@Bookbonkers8439]

I agree about The Black Bird Oracle. So disappointing, and to make it worse it was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 ☹️

[@marcelinochlebiwino3354]

I can already tell what my worst book of 2025 is - Blood of Hercules 😅 I will never recover from the brain damage it gave me xD A lot of SEs is coming out for this book so I strongly advise - try before you buy.

[@juliacash8135]

🔥 🔥 I have two least favorite books that I read these year. Those are The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and The Tale of Kore by Amanda L. Rautio. I regrettably read all of The Lodt Apothecary but I did DNF The Tale Of Kore. I would highly recommend to thoroughly read the synopses and reviews about these if you decide you might want to read these.

[@KayBethBookish]

oh noooo....I gave Poison Study 5 stars an was so excited to get to the rest- I don't think I will now 😭

[@nicoleroe5181]

Who is your new favourite author? 😊 sorry you were disappointed by SJM! My two worst books were ‘daughter of the pirate king’ and ‘dreamland’

[@thenerdy_dreamer]

Worst book of the year was the moonlight market. It was so slow, and the main character had zero. common. sense. It felt so repetitive where main character does something - side character tells him to stop - character does the same thing again. And it also felt vaguely incesty. Not the book for me

[@Soolepoh]

I had only 2 dnf's this year and both of books I think might be good, but I'm just not the person for: inkheart by cornelia funke (I tried many times, but further that 150 pages in was not achieved) & the blade itself (I didn't care and it felt gross, not my genre)

[@jessicah6839]

My most disappointing book for last year was Red Side Story by Jasper Fforde. It was a sequel that I have been a long, long time for (like more than 10 years) and it was just mediocre. Besides the plot lines being rushed and the characters being off, I think part of the problem is how long it took to come out and how the author's style had changed. You used to be able to tell in his older books how much fun he was having creating these worlds/stories or a review I read mentioned his older work was very whimsical. And to me, that doesn't seem to be there anymore taking away a lot of what I enjoyed about his writing. But I guess its an unpopular opinion because the goodreads rating is pretty high and it was nominated in the sci-fi category for the choice awards.

[@jessicaking3065]

I gave Crime and Punishment a 1.5/5 rating. It was awful. People tried to convince me that it was good too 😅

[@VeraFran]

Last book burned you. 🔥🔥🔥

[@emmaworkman2911]

My least favorite book of 2024 was Lost and Lassoed ~ I read all 3 of Lyla Sages books in 2024 and really didn’t care for any of them but just kept reading because they were short and easy but I hit my point at lost and lassoed and just can’t read another page

[@SophieBrown16]

My biggest disappointment of the year was Gideon the Ninth, I’d heard good things but it just really wasn’t for me! Also I agree with you about HOFAS 😬

[@wendypridmore2005]

😂🔥🔥🔥☄️☄️

[@thegoblinempress]

🔥 Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson was my most disappointing read of the year. I wasn't expecting it to be a masterpiece, but MAN it was a BAD book. But I've started 2025 with The Raven Cycle and I'm loving it, so onwards and upwards!

[@SamanthasBooks]

Totally agree about The Hurricane Wars - I had to DNF it!

[@melindaforry644]

Hi Becca! I am trying to use your link to Everand but when I click the button for Read free for 60 Days, it takes me to a screen that only shows thirty days. Is that correct? It’s fine if it’s only 30 daus. Just want to make sure it’s good and you’ll get your free 30 days also. Will wait to hear before I subscribe. Thanks!

[@BeccaandTheBooks]

Hi Melinda! I clicked through on the link myself and it showed 60 days for me so I’m not sure why yours is showing 30 😩

[@melindaforry644]

Hello!! Yes, when you first click it says 60 days. But then when you click on start, it takes me to a page where I can click 3 unlocks for $16.99 a month or 1 unlock for $11.99 a month after my trial. Does it matter which of those I click on?

[@Nittanynn]

🔥House of Flame and Shadow was also my biggest disappointment for 2024

[@hardboiledayggs]

Year of wonder was the worst book I read but project Hail Mary was my most disappointing

[@GriffReads]

I still haven't read HOFAS because I've heard so many negative reviews 😭 however I am making my way through the ToG series for the first time and having a great time! My worst book of the year was The Teacher by Freida McFadden because it gave me the ick 🤢

[@heatherpruchnicki7870]

I’m glad it’s not just me with HOFAS. Characters being annoying, easy ending, and that weird ass science fiction bit was not for me. Lidia and Ruhn were the only positives of that entire book and I’m still so mad lol

[@robyn1766]

the worst book I read this year was Meet Cute Diary, the characters were insufferable but I thought it might have been that it was YA and read as very young YA so I wasn't too mad at it, but The Pairing by Casey McQuiston was the most disappointing book I read last year, these characters were also insufferable and it didn't even have the excuse of being for a younger audience >.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

Luckily I have not read a single one of these 🤪

[@conniesbookshelf]

my worst book of 2024 was 'where the library hides' by isabel ibanez. i wasn't expecting it to be a life changing read or a new fav or anything like that (so the bar was fairly low) but good lord, i wasn't expecting it to be such a stinking, steaming pile of crap. it was so unexpectedly bad that it genuinely made me mad reading it 😂😂

[@irl.bookworms]

Love at 350° was my most disappointing read of 2024, i usually love queer cooking romances, but this one did not pass the vibe check 😬

[@chaoticash513]

I HATED Norwegian Wood, I also found it very uncomfortable and dull. I am currently reading though Murakami's books and it's by far my least favorite so far.

[@MikaylaKennedy]

Actually shocking to see the sjm as a worst book

[@BeccaandTheBooks]

Who even am I

[@woodlandlady7011]

❤‍🔥SJM HoFaS was bad

[@kerstincarw2503]

I never wanna talk about this stupid book ever again 😭🔥

[@caitlinbrewer4843]

I really loved the first CC book. Corny, yes, but a solid 5 stars with an excellent climax. The second book was a 4/5 and the side characters (i love Baxian) were really the stars of the show, not Bryce and Hunt. But, my god, did the last book suck. It got a 3/5 for me because im a softy and there were some emotional moments at the end that got to me. But, jesus, was Bryce insufferable! And really racist. Hunt turned so spineless that he couldnt do anything with Bryce holding his hand.

[@noelanikaanana]

My worst book... How to become the dark lord and die trying

[@AbiofPellinor]

🔥🔥🔥

[@leecassett8687]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@amandacollin1]

My worst book of 2024 was Project Hail Mary I loved the Martian but project Hail Mary just made me annoyed I kept reading because I thought it might get better it didn’t should have dnf’d it.

[@misskarin]

omg that's in my top 5 books of all time lol. sorry it didn't work for you.

[@tareegibson9351]

​@@misskarin Same! Although I listened to the audiobook which was outstanding so maybe reading the physical copy didn't hit for some people because of *redacted* parts.

[@Katie-eq3ku]

Completely agree. The Martian was a hit but Project Hail Mary? He lacked any emotional connections to people on Earth to make his journey and decisions emotional. Plus the conveniently chronological memories returning made my eyes roll... 🙄

[@amandacollin1]

@@Katie-eq3ku I just didn’t like the main character and the ending I think I audibly groaned…

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

Thanks for reading these so I don't have to. I have read Norwegian Wood but it is not my favorite Murikami (that would probably be Kafka on the Shore).

[@cuppa.books.]

🔥📚

[@sophiareagan6425]

🔥

[@ja.ck.IE_Ma.kw09]

🔥👨‍🚒

[@arianab.99]

If there’s one book I think everyone should read this year, it’s keezano’s Your Life Your Game. It beautifully shows how connecting with God and building meaningful relationships can lead to spiritual growth, and success in both your personal and professional life. This book truly changed my life…a must-read. Amen

[@MisMariaRosee]

l totally agree

[@caitlinbrewer4843]

I really loved the first CC book. Corny, yes, but a solid 5 stars with an excellent climax. The second book was a 4/5 and the side characters (i love Baxian) were really the stars of the show, not Bryce and Hunt. But, my god, did the last book suck. It got a 3/5 for me because im a softy and there were some emotional moments at the end that got to me. But, jesus, was Bryce insufferable! And really racist. Hunt turned so spineless that he couldnt do anything with Bryce holding his hand.

[@readbyamity5440]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MildredsMom]

🔥

[@tara3827]

🔥🔥

[@patriciapersson7111]

🔥

[@goster4070]

🔥

[@whitedaylilies]

🔥

[@brandim1230]

🔥

[@bethmetcalf3447]

🔥

[@sandy_reads]

🔥

[@jbrose40]

🔥

[@rhondac.5696]

🔥

[@AndyKC-nd8vf]

🔥

[@caspiansvensson]

🔥