Top 5 Disappointmenting Books of 2020!

[@BeautifullyBookishBethany]

Noooo!!! Not Murderbot!! Lol! I think it's really that there's a lot of love for Murderbot as a character and it's a good entry point to sci-fi for new readers. I love them as a character and I think most people I've seen read them feels the same. A lot of the book is about this idea of what personhood means, but in a fun and snarky way.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

That's a good point and I agree that this could be a really great scifi entry! I think i was just expecting something....I dunno...more in-depth? My folly!

[@annalisitsyna7741]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I love Murderbot, but it's not exactly hard sci-fi, focusing on issues in-depth. I love it for the tone and the main character, and the rather fun and engaging world, not for mental stimulation and discussion.

[@Buchertn]

"Hey, I'm Kyle" best sound bite.

[@aysseralwan]

The "Hi, I'm Kyle ✌" after all those fantasy names had me dying 😂😂😂

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

I called almost all these titles 😉 Glad you're not giving up on the newbies. 🥰

[@ToriMorrow]

Ugh I can’t stand Murderbot! It really put me off from picking up anything else by Wells for a while. Allen!! My jaw dropped at Burning God but I love your explanation for the issues you had with it. Happy reading this year!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahhaha yes, another Murderbot non-convert! And yeah, TBG didn't do it for me; I liked TDR so much better! Which was your favorite of the trilogy?

[@tylerblack301]

Dang it sucks to hear you were disappointed with Promise of Blood. I really enjoyed the series as a whole.

[@FreeLatveria]

Oh no. Return of the Crimson Guard. I'm doing like you did reading though more of less chronological and I'm about 75% of the way through it and I'm loving it. If anything it is actually lowering Reapers Gale in my eyes because it gave me the story I wanted to read instead of the Reapers Gale. What happened to the Malazan Empire after the finale of the Bonehunters. I mean not to get into spoilers, but the whole Awl plotline in RG..... I finished that and thought, "Well that's hundreds of pages read and I'm closer to death. Thanks."

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahahaha the Awl plot is one of my favs in RG! 😛

[@LienesLibrary]

I think I liked Murderbot better than you did but I also felt quite underwhelmed and feel like it’s overhyped I was intrigued by Promise of Blood but you’ve talked me out of it 😂 You hated the Malazan book so much you ripped the cover off 🤣

[@andrew7955]

The Tower of Fools definitely picks up in the end. I was a bit disappointed by it at the start, but I still thought it was good fun in the end. I'm about to start reading the second book from the series

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

That's good to know! I still want to circle back around to it one day.

[@wjones28]

I'm about halfway through and a little annoyed by the lack of following the main plot and the fact that Reinmar always gets away with everything. However, between the fact that I trust sapkowski to address these issues in the book, the really interesting exposition and world Building, and the like insanely good dialogue, I'm excited to push on

[@joerosa9017]

Is the second book even out?

[@wjones28]

@@joerosa9017 yea!

[@EllieOnTheSpot]

The fact that you quoted Eddie Izzard made me adore your channel even more!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

YESSSSS

[@EllieOnTheSpot]

Oh and give murderbot another chance... I read the 4 novellas in December and am reading Network Effect now which is a full novel and it develops into a cool story... the novellas feel more like intro chapters leading up to the novel series....

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@EllieOnTheSpot i'll definitely be continuing with the series!

[@EllieOnTheSpot]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria sweeeeet🤓

[@EricMcLuen]

He does bits in Latin, go figure.

[@count_of_pizza]

I red Tower of Fools and I really enjoyed it a lot, especially characters and magic but the best part is historical events in Europe.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Yes, I still wish I had finished it but I just ran out of time. Did you read book 2?

[@count_of_pizza]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria Yes, I enjoyed it even more. All this events, characters, history - for me it's separate character. Did you read Joe Abercrombie interview with Sapkowski? It seems they like each other.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@count_of_pizza oh very cool!

[@CufflinksAndChuckles]

I sort of agree with Promise of Blood. In general, the Powdermage Trilogy oozes style and action-packed battles, skirmishes, and intrigue. However, it would've been better if they could've slowed down the pacing. The next two novels explore the justification for making a coup in the first place, but at that point it feels like it probably would've been better to restructure the entire trilogy or making a prequel novella or something.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

I’m excited for ashes of the sun though lol. As for powder mage trilogy. I enjoyed most of it but I had serious complaints with it as well. The detective dude is in all 3 books and I felt he overstayed his welcome by mid book 2. The author was an actual student of Sanderson.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Good! I think it's a good book, just slightly off of my tastes and what I wanted from Wexler! I plan on continuing, as I said.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I didn’t know he had written a flintlock fantasy! That has shot way up my TBR thank you :).

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Yes, the Shadow Campaigns! They're great!!

[@tovx76]

I’m in the camp of Powder Mage trilogy being just okay. Book 2 is easily my favorite! I think it’s worth finishing at least, and I’d now like to get into more flintlock fantasy. Mihali is my favorite character👨🏻‍🍳

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm excited to continue.

[@shawngillogly6873]

Don't feel bad. I read Return of the Crimson Guard back during my initial Malazan read. It put me off ICE so hard I haven't even touched him since, no matter how much praise other Malazan readers give him. I believe my initial response to when people said Orb Scepter Throne was good was, "No other author would've been given that much time to get good." And it was always hard for me to reconcile ICE's take on Malazan characters with Stephen Erickson's. I wish they would've segregated them so I didn't get a version of each. But I am going to read Path to Ascendency this year. I've heard too much good about it to not try again.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm so glad to hear someone else who had my Crimson Guard experience. Solidarity, brother.

[@VicRibeiro777]

Ah man, I hoped you would like Promise of Blood. To me it was a diamond in the rough, I did not know what to expect going into it, so maybe that is why I could give it more slack? Also I took into consideration this was a debut novel. I enjoyed it quite a bit and I've been thinking of rereading the whole first series with novellas included, the setting was very gripping. Maybe because I don't know of many fantasy stories set in the flintlock era (although you have mentioned Django's work and I'm looking to dig into that. Anyway, hope you enjoy the rest more, but curb your enthusiasm on it, don't expect too much, if you did not like the first one, you may not like the others at all.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm pumped to read the sequels now that my expectations are more along the lines of what they should be. I love flintlock fantasy so I'm hoping I like the sequels more!

[@Johanna_reads]

Promise of Blah! I always hear it that way in my head. I agree with you about Promise of Blah, The Burning God, and (I've been scared to say this) I DNF'd the Murderbot series after book 2. I had a few chuckles and thought they were okay, but I did not feel any motivation to continue. "Where was I? Ah yes, killing you." 🤣 I would watch that rant review even if I never read it!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahaha I keep considering doing it but part of me feels bad tearing into it lol

[@Kristenisfullybookd]

"The most fine science fiction book" Hahahaha. Love it. Oh man though, I'm so nervous to read the Burning God. I have VERY mixed feelings about the series. I still want to read it, but it is honestly so tough being inside Rin's head and watching her make decisions. I don't even know what I want from the final book. I totally know what you mean about expectations though - I think it can go both ways: if your expectations are so high a "good" book can really suffer, but if you go in with low or moderate expectations then a "good" book can feel amazing. (I used to be "Kristen Harpell" - new account!)

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Exactly!

[@PaperbackEmpire]

Great video, Allen! I felt the same way about my list -- all but one of mine were books that simply weren't for me. It does feel a little crappy to hate on a book, but I'd much rather have a strong reaction (love OR hate) than just be 'meh' about it. Good or bad, its all part of the adventure!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Agreed!

[@Marcus-id5ur]

As someone who just finished reading Dancers Lament last night, I'm not sure ICE really improves as a writer. I enjoyed it because it was more Malazan and you get history, but he spent so much time cramming in cameos that didn't contribute to the story and all the action felt forced to fit the narrative, nothing felt organic. Definitelty not a deep character study. I loved Powder Mage, but I wasn't looking for a book about a revolution, that is only the setup for the story. The story is mostly about dealing with external threats to the country.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Oof, that saddens me but I love Kellanved and Dancer so I'm hoping I'll enjoy those books a little more. Now that I know the basic premise, I think I will have more realistic expectations for the next books and will like them better!

[@Marcus-id5ur]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I know it's not a popular opinion but I actually prefer Mclellan to Sanderson. I dont need to know about every coin you throw or every training montage.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@Marcus-id5ur hahahahah I was literally talking to someone yesterday about how we have to hear about every use of allomancy every time it's used lol

[@sorenkrane]

Man, I agree with you about Murderbot and Promise of Blood. They were ok. If you like seiges, you'll like Red Knight for sure!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Oooooo that's exciting! I love sieges!!

[@SeekingStories]

I absolutely love that you keep a reading spreadsheet! What other stats do you track in it?

[@QuestLegacy]

Oh dang! The Promise of Blood stuff surprises me! I'm glad I didn't drop everything to try and fit it in last year. Also crap! A hot take on that Murderbot! I've never seen a negative opinion on that one until now!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

My middle name is "Hot Take"

[@marcweber8509]

Have you read any other of the Esslemont stuff? I love Erikson's books and then started reading Night of Knives - which I think is ICE's first book? - and even though it's short, I just couldn't do it. It felt like Erikson extra light to me. Bland characters, bland dialogue. I just thought I'd love to hear this with Erikson's voice and it could be really cool... Maybe gotta give him a second chance, but the magic just wasn't there. At all.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I hated Night of Knives too. The only reason I'm continuing is that I heard it gets better.

[@marcweber8509]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria Philipp likes Path of Acendancy, so maybe one should start there :D

[@EricMcLuen]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I got nervous when I misheard Burning God. ICE gets better as he goes. But the Ascendancy series is very good and a lot more fun.

[@isabellarobinson7894]

Finally! I found someone who feels the same about Murderbot! I agree with everything you said. I have read all the novellas in the series, and I still feel the same.

[@jonathansmith8726]

After this and your video discussing Powder Mage with Jesse I went and picked up the Shadow Campaigns on your recommendation for a good Flintlock fantasy. I’m 40% into it and I love it so far, would love to hear you do a review of those books!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Nice! I love me some Janus! Winter and Marcus are great too. I would love to review them, I'd just have to re-read them!

[@teresawestmoreland3581]

I am with you on Murderbot. I am going to continue the series and plan to even reread book 1 but I didn’t really get the hype either. I gave it a 3 star. Interested enough to continue 🤷‍♀️ on the hype

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Exactly!

[@Spafon1]

I'm with you on All Systems Red. It was ok and I will buy the next one if only because it's short and everyone, present company excepted, loves it so much, but I was expecting something extraordinary and it wasn't.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Yeah, same. I'll buy the next one but it's low priority. I don't super understand the love for it, but ah well lol

[@whosaidthat84]

Although I liked Powder Mage, I do agree that he does have a lot going on. The big battles were confusing and all over the place. Still loved it though.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm reading all he's written with the intention of finishing the trilogy. I desperately want to like it more than I do!

[@whosaidthat84]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I've read the first trilogy only but they all have more or less the style and tone. I hope things change for you! Love your channel!

[@meghanjackson7494]

I wasn’t sure that the Murderbot Diaries lived up to the hype for me after All Systems Red... until I continued on with the rest of the books. I think that can be a problem with character-driven novellas, that there just isn’t time for much attachment or growth. Red Rising to me was the same. After the first instalment, I wasn’t convinced, but I continued and it ended up one of my favourite series of all time. Edited to add: all books are not all things to all people, so absolutely respect your thoughts and opinions, even when they’re different from mine.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

100 percent agree. I completely understand when people love books I don't! I'm hoping I enjoy the other Murderbot books more and the same with Red Rising!

[@fantasticphilosophy181]

I love Murderbot! Admittedly mostly because of its personality, the books are such cosy and fun palatecleansers imo.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I agree it was a decent pallette cleanser!

[@moev29]

Just realizing the reason I am currently enjoying The Murderbot Diaries books is because I am actually just that character IRL. Lol. I’ll tell you I thought the ending of the first was far too abrupt. Suddenly it’s just like END. Oh ok. I guess that’s over. I have enjoyed the next two in the series more. Murderbot is developing more of a personality.

[@85dresden]

Agree with you about Muderbot, which I did enjoy. I have all the novellas and the novel and read them before all this recent hype and honestly I don't get it. They're fun and quick reads in my opinion but the way people are going crazy over them lately I thought I was missing something.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

It's been crazy!

[@jeffb01]

I'm with you on Murderbot. It was a fun 3 star novella. I liked it, but I was mystified by the accolades.

[@lauras9071]

if you love sieges, i would definitely read 16 ways to defend a walled city by kj parker! i loved it

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I know! I bought it for that very reason! Can't wait to read it!

[@nursyvibz3788]

Worst books - To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Hollow Kingdom, and Piranesi. Mostly I just DNF if I don't like it. But these I pushed thru....and regretted it! Do you feel like if you push thru you are rewarded for your effort? Or are you regretful of the effort? I seem to usually regret the push....

[@EricMcLuen]

Old school pulling out Riverworld. Sorry you didn't like it. Liked them when I read them years ago but they might not have aged well.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Pushing through I HAVE had pay off before but not always.

[@elizabaum]

You are SO right about Witcher 3. I can't even tell you how many times I've played that game.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

So good. Regis in the DLC is particularly amazing

[@katrinawright4918]

Well that hurt a little. But really, I get it. I love Murderbot, but was slightly let down by the second novella and I'm experiencing something similar with We Are Legion. We need to figure out a way to talk about books we love without hyping someone up for disappointment haha

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

YES! I always worry when I hype something as well but I think it's not just when one person but when MULTIPLE people hype that it gets difficult.

[@LyyraBat]

All Systems Red disappointed me as well. I loved Murderbot as a character (I too am highly introverted ahaha), but nothing else in the book really clicked for me. HA I knew Promise of Blood would end up on this list. I'm glad you're continuing on with it, though!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

So much agreement with Murderbot lol.... NOO IM SO SCARED FOR THE BURNING GOD!

[@stephaniesbookverse1098]

I'm sad you didn't like Promise of Blood. I thought it was so fun, but I listened to it on audiobook, which seems to help me ignore some writing problems. I'm going to be continuing with the series as well.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Yes! I'm excited to chat with you about the next books! I'm hoping with my expectations tempered I'll enjoy them more!

[@bookswithvish]

I’m very surprised ACOTAR was not on here but I’m glad it’s not 😂 I mean you were already expecting it to be disappointing so you couldn’t have been MORE disappointed right? I’m scared to continue the poppy war series because of Burning God but I’m still gonna do it

[@extrabadluck]

So we have a chance for a review of the 2nd book in the ACOTAR series?we need to see you lose a challenge again

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

🤮🤮🤮

[@extrabadluck]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria 😂😂😂

[@hhinorth]

I agree on All Systems Red as I thought Murderbot was going to be funny or funnier. I still enjoyed the story but wasn’t what I expected it to be

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Exactly

[@RepublicOH]

Finally someone else wasn't a fan of All Systems Red! I thought was going crazy. It wasn't terrible, but I really didn't have any connection with the characters or the story.

[@aysseralwan]

About the Powder mage universe; I liked the first trilogy better than the second but the short stories may be the best of all. I enjoyed Ghosts of the Tristan Basin and Mad Lancers (this one is more a story related to the second trilogy) the most but that's because Taniel is my favorite character and I've heard that you don't like him at all

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Ooooooo you like Taniel the best?? Yeah, I didn't hate him but didn't care for him in PoB, but who knows! Tamas is my current fav.

[@aysseralwan]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria yeah he's definetly one of my favorites too

[@Wats06071]

Personally, I Love Murderbot, but I also can see why others might not. It is interesting that you still want to carry on, because the subsequent 3 novellas are not fundamently different, although we get to meet some other AI entities. If you are looking for plot or well developed human characters/worldbuilding then you are going to be disappointed. This is about Murderbot's journey and arc. My most disapponting SFF book was Old Man's War by John Scalzi.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Ooooooo! What didn't you like about it? Old Man's War, I mean.

[@Wats06071]

​@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I think the biggest drawback is the total failure of the author to making me care about any character. I mildly cared about the MC, but since it is told in first person, we know he is safe. If I don't care about characters, I really don't give a damn about the war or what is going on. The other big drawback is the exposition. My GOD! It was long (maybe 50% of the book), boring, and not even beautifully written so you can at least appreciate the prose. I also wasn't that convinced that these people are 75+ years. The start of the book wasn't so bad. It was still intriguing, but once the big secret out and the setup is revealed, I started to lose interest (because of reason 1)apart from some scattered goodies here and there. I am starting to sound like you when you attack a book :P lol.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@Wats06071 hahahahaha

[@kaylaalbers1153]

Oh lawwd, he went there with Murder Murderbot! 😭😭😭

[@onfaerystories]

Gosh, I would have been depressed if I had forced myself to read 500 indigestible pages 😭 This is pretty much the number of pages of Little Women (543), which I enjoyed, but I still thought it was a lot and couldn't wait to be done with it haha. ^^" I've not read these books, I've never been interested by Murderbot, if I one day read sci-fi, I'll start with classics such as Frank Herbert's Dune or Asimov's Foundation (have you ever read them? I'd like to know your thoughts!). The book I've read this year that I have a very unpopular opinion about is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I hated it, and not because of the flowery writing style (I gave it 2 stars just for the writing). I've never heard anyone disliking this book, and I really don't get it... I found it very flawed, the monster never felt human to me and so many things didn't make sense. Dr. Frankenstein was the dumbest character, I was so angry with his stupid choices. I also disliked Till We Have Faces by C.S Lewis, I felt very uncomfortable with the philosophy in this book... But I'd loved everything by him up until now (Narnia, Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves, etc.). Very disappointed. :(

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I don't like Dr Frankenstein either! I haven't read much classic scifi! I think my wife is reading Til We Have Faces this year, as she is a huge Lewis fan!

[@Benstig8r]

Video Takeaways: Ignore Book-tube hype and maintain realistic expectations

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

💯💯

[@M_aryAnne]

I definitely agree with you in the pacing of the burning god. I totally understand being disappointed by that book, I wanted more of the war but I just love Rin. I think she’s my 3rd favorite character of the year I quit the Witcher books because the game was just so good that the books weren’t holding up, to me. I got the Witcher I wanted from the games the books were boring... You just hurt me with Murderbot...I love murderbot, because murderbot is me haha

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Agree with this.

[@M_aryAnne]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria And promise of blood ugh don’t get me started I did not like that at all it was my least favorite book of the year, people need to stop comparing it to Sanderson. I was waiting for it to get good for so long I ended up hate reading it.

[@lorbito155]

I’ve read the first four murderbot novellas. I think they are good too but not overly special unfortunately

[@charlesgabriel5569]

I think for couple of them you were a victim of the over hype ! .. which I totally understand ( one of the reasons I DNF the first mistborn book and dropped the series). Read 'Promise of Blood' years back before the hype and liked it. It was a good debut . All Systems Red is a sci fi novella , its just a good pallette cleanser. I enjoyed it with this expectation ☺

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm finding it so interesting being on BookTube how much expectation plays into our experiences. Before BookTube, I read in pretty much a vacuum so could really just take every book as it came.

[@wjones28]

Yes thank you, Mistborn is totally over hyped

[@LukeEdwardstube]

Was sort of hoping Powder Mage would be Sharpe with Magic haha

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I KNOW!

[@locolima279]

Ok. I'm confused. A book subverts your expectations, and therefore you are disappointed. Do you start every book with a path you expect the author to take? Seems an odd way to approach a new story. But, different strokes I guess.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I would argue that the main source of any disappointment is the subversion of an expectation. For these books in particular, it's a VAST diversion from my expectation: either a bait and switch on what the book is about, expecting a sequel to live up to the book before it, or going in with a ton of hype about something. 😃

[@JoanaSousaReads]

6 miles! 50 cave lions! 1 million soldiers!! will never forget that i 100% agree with your promise of blood opinion: he had too many good ideas and it was just unfocused. I didn't hate it but yeah it was disappointing

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahahaha

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Omg thank you... I also found Murderbot underwhelming. I do not understand the booktube hype

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I KNOW!

[@evelinehecklinger6257]

I didn't like Promise of Blood either. I had it on audiobook and I couldn't get with that story at all.

[@EricMcLuen]

To paraphrase Pat Paulson - I've upped my expectations, now up yours.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahahah

[@AbbySalter]

I completely agree for Burning God. Im still so sad about it. Part of me was expecting Rage of Dragons to make the list

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I didn't have any expectations really about RoD going in

[@robertnewberry8296]

I have collected Monopoly versions since the 80's.

[@bernhardrenner5176]

While I like The Witcher and do love me some historical fiction from time to time Tower of Fools has no appeal to me (only read the first few pages). That series really is some odd mixture of historical fiction and magical realism and the author somehow forgot to put anything into the first pages which sucks me in. The only book which disappointed me in 2020 was Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami, I hated all about it. But I did not read a lot of books in 2020 (12?). Which is odd because most people had more time to read because of the pandemic. I had less because additionally to my usual work I had to teach my children.

[@sjthorn]

"Fire blades, ice blades" Well, I know one book I'll be picking up this year. Honestly, the way you describe Tower of Fools is how I felt about And I Darken. Knowing it was YA did not excuse how utterly boring it was despite focusing on war and Vlad the Impaler. I felt the same about All Systems Red. I liked it, but I just didn't understand why everyone loved it so much.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

If the fire and ice blades sound cool, definitely pick up Ashes of the Sun! Yeah, Tower of Fools just didn't work for me!

[@jaisandhu4966]

I tend to hype Abercrombie too much. Haha. It's a problem.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahahah I will blame you personally if I hate First Law. 😛

[@jaisandhu4966]

Oh Noo. I hope you love it.

[@bernhardrenner5176]

Say one thing about Abercrombie say you can't hype him too much. Just said it that Allen has another one to blame 😁

[@alexnieves]

You like trashing books, don't lie. Well, one specific book. The book that I really enjoy, that you and others seem to just continue bashing to my face just to hurt me. You know what you did Allen, and if it's part of this video I'm going to be big sad. TBD... edit: Ok, we're still friends.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahahah yep it wasn't part of this vid and, you're right, i DO like trashing that one specific book....

[@alexnieves]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria You won't get away with it forever..

[@supersproodle]

Finally, someone who thinks Murderbot is meh, I thought I was alone in the world.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

There are a few of us resistance fighters.

[@StephenAryan44]

I have the same feeling, the super overhype with some authors too. I read the books and go.....is that it? Really? It was....ok. But not ground breaking or clever or unique or really special. Meh.

[@christeascozycorner]

AAAAA MURDERBOT i have ONLY seen people give that book 5* so i went into expecting the BEST THING EVER. i really related to murderbot itself because i'm the most introverted introvert to have ever introverted LOL, but the rest of the story was just... OK. the story was just okay, and the other characters were just okay. xD i gave it 3* ultimately, but i'm hoping it gets better as the series continues, especially the full-length novel "A MILLION" "SIX MILES" wow you hated that book so much you ripped off the cover... xDDD

[@DontHaveaDegreeinReading]

poor kyle 😂

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

hahahahhahahah

[@maximiliangerboc]

Man I'm happy to hear someone say this about All Systems Red. While it was fine, FINE, I just couldn't care about any of it. After seeing all the hype about it, I thought it was going to blow my mind. I don't know if that's just a function of it being a novella (but I've read novellas where I get attached to characters and actually see some development) or what, but I just thought it was so bland and didn't tell any particularly interesting story. I read it in one sitting and when I was done, just thought, "okay, that happened" and literally nothing else. No feeling at all. I also agree about Burning God. I was so amped by the end of Dragon Republic and then...well, I don't want to get into spoilers, but there were things that I thought should have been the climax that happened halfway through the book, and it felt like Kuang was trying to do too much in one book and couldn't decide who the final conflict was going to be between. I honestly felt like it could have been longer or broken into two books that could have been better. Based on Kuang's public question "What if Mao was a teenage girl?" when she talked about how she developed Rin, I thought the ending was going to be different (and better) than it was.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Man, completely agree on all points here!

[@Bunny_Aoife]

I totally agree with you on Murderbot, I also think that RotCG is the worst Malazan book out there, although I didn't find it as bad as you, but yeah, I took ages to get through as well... Finally, my by far most disappointing book, probably one of the worst books I ever read, was Bird Box

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Yes! Someone who agrees about Crimson Guard!

[@zan8152]

Totally feel you on Murderbot - and saying that as someone who loved it. But like - it's a 3 star book. That I totally enjoyed, yes, but it's not deep? It's fine! And I can confirm that the second book has a liiiiiittle bit more plot, but is still fundamentally the same thing. I want to go through and read the rest, i'll probably enjoy them quite a bit, but it's just a small little side thing, it's not worth making a big thing over. I also probably enjoy Esslemont more than you are, but... *the* - THE funniest, and by that I mean worst - is that the Crimson Guard are all the absolute worst most boring characters throughout all the entire series apparently about them. He definitely becomes a better writer - Assail is great, Orb Sceptre Throne is excellent! But the Crimson Guard just is kinda there the whole time. Lot of the side characters are great - You just can't hope for a Malazan army type thing. :/

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Gotcha! That's good to know, if disappointing about the CG! I'm excited to continue his series though later this year!

[@larzinthelibrary2530]

I also think Murderbot was overhyped. I liked All Systems Red and thought it was funny, but nothing amazing.

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

You already saw my disappointing reads 😆 As someone starting Malazan do I need to worry about these side novels??

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

No not really. Most people read them after the main series. I just made the decision to try and read them concurrently, which normally isn't advised.

[@jenb9742]

I agree about Murderbot. I read it and didn't get the hype. I also didn't get the hype about Mistborn, though. Amazing magic system - ok. But, I didn't care about any of those characters and I wasn't invested. I'm trying The Way of Kings. We'll see. Joe Abercrombie is good. I got through chapter 1. Ok. Chapter 2. Hmmm, I'm not sure. The rest - more, please. I am a person that dragged themself through the first 100 pages of The Dragonbone Chair, though, because someone said I would really like it and I had to justify giving up on it. After the first 100 pages I didn't sleep for a week after devouring that book and rushing off to Hastings to buy the rest of the series. I reread it about once a year now even though I don't like some of the characters parts. I started Powder Mage and said nope. I haven't read Eric Flint yet. I think you might like his stuff.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I have Dragonbone Chair to be read at some point! Glad to see you devoured it!

[@SorcerersApprenticeReads]

Oh no, The Burning God?? Uh oh....but I'm intrigued.

[@aliciaguzman]

Oh wow you're the first person Ive heard that thinks the Burning God was a disappointment. I havent' read the poppy war yet but when I do Im excited to watch your history of the poppy war video.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Yeah, I'm definitely in the minority

[@full-timehuman]

Heh heh. Kyle.

[@EhsJaySaunders]

Kyle Katarn would like to have words with you about your issue with his name...consider this a preemptive RIP. And, hmmm...maybe I'll just read through the core Malazan books before venturing into any side stories.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahaha I need to look up who that is!

[@EhsJaySaunders]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria Cliff notes: he's the main guy in the original Star Wars timeline involved in securing the Death Star plans...and he also defeated a powerful Inquisitor amped-up by the Valley of the Jedi (a potent Force nexus), took down a rogue Jedi's attempt to establish a new Empire, trained the guy who bested an ancient Sith Lord... He's jokingly referred to as the Star Wars Chuck Norris, in some corners of the internet, if that clears things up. And his books/games are a fun read/play!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@EhsJaySaunders 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@CharMeezy21]

You and Jessie have broken my heart sir...

[@Wildcarde1]

Ugh Murderbot. I read the first 4. I dont get the hype at all. they dont get better. The first is the high point. 4 books of her(its a girl not boy) just wanting to get back to her shows. Man it was Novellas and I was still bored. I kept wondering if maybe others had read different versions of these they are just soooo bland. I mean if I want a butchy introvert who want to be left alone with their entertainment Id talk to myself. Promise Of Blood I had to DNF... I just couldnt.

[@TheBookishMom]

The poor Burning God

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheBookishMom]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria though, i don't DISAGREE with you on a lot of the points. there was a lot I would have liked different too

[@coreydinardo5525]

I feel good knowing that you didn't enjoy PROMISE OF BLOOD. Fun fact, the sequel is equally bad :)

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hahahahaaha

[@kaylaalbers1153]

Mine was 100% the His Dark Materials trilogy.