unpopular opinions book tag 😱

[@dinocollins720]

John Gwynne has such short chapters with action and events in basically every one. I feel like it's the opposite of a day-in-the-life writing. He cuts out any fluff and I feel like this is a huge hit or miss with people. It can feel kinda episodic if you're not into it. Malace starts slow with more character building but gets faster and more action based, so that's why I would guess you didn't love it if you like the slower character build style.

[@GraceDionneReads]

Yeah I think you've hit the nail on the head!! I understand why plot driven readers really enjoy it

[@OverlyAverageBen]

It's almost embarrassing how much I agree with your takes lol

[@GraceDionneReads]

I’ve just saturated your brain with my takes after you’ve listened to me talk so much

[@ChristianBullock]

Feel you on The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue take. I also really enjoyed it! I also agree that it seems like it's all either love or hate for that book. And - YES to your Wheel of Time take as well. I didn't get it either. Love the series, but that always felt off. Like the hockey sweater (hockey season has a noticeable impact on my reading time). Props to your Discord message on Matt's Fantasy Book Reviews that got me here and now am a subscriber.

[@GraceDionneReads]

Thanks for the sub, I’m happy to have you here! ☺️ so glad to hear you enjoyed Addie LaRue as well, the more I think about it, the more that books probably deserves a reread because it’s such an interesting standalone! Hockey season does impact my reading sometimes, but I also love to read with hockey on (as long as it’s not the Leafs) because it’s the perfect ambient noise!

[@crystalsingh7325]

Good to know that there are other people who did not like Dany all throughout the series. Illborn did not work for me either!

[@GraceDionneReads]

Yes! I’m with you!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Really feel you on not loving Dany as much as everyone else seems to, she is just very... fine, lol. Curious to see if my feelings will change in book 4 and 5. And can't blame you for not jiving with FatF. I am actually a bit nervous to re-read that series now that I've read soooo much more, because I have a feeling that my reading tastes have changed since then and I also way prefer the deeper, slower and more intimate character-focused stories now. Loved hearing your answers Grace 🤩

[@GraceDionneReads]

Books 4 and 5 are honestly a blur in my memory so we’ll see if I have new feelings too! It’s been so long. Honestly, for something like FatF you could take the chance on a reread, but you could also just leave it as the positive experience you had at the time 🥰

[@derekb.4292]

I feel very similarly about King. I read Salem's Lot last year and liked it (I'm kind of a sucker for a good vampire story even if it's not super original), but didn't feel any kind of urge to pick up more of his books. I don't know that I'd agree with your spicy take on LoTR, but I will admit that I get very different things out of the movies than I do from the books. I've also probably re-watched the movies more than I've reread the books if I'm being honest. I also checked out the extended cuts last year (watched them in ~1 hour chunks) and was impressed with how much they added and how much closer they felt to the books (particularly The Fellowship of the Ring).

[@GraceDionneReads]

I absolutely need to watch the extended cuts! I need to rewatch the movies in general. I do plan to re-read the books, and I think that being more familiar with the story and a more experience fantasy reader will help me enjoy them even more on the second time ☺️

[@bentheoverlord]

I'm totally with you on Faithful and The Fallen, and since we have similiar tastes I don't think Illborn would work for me either. I liked Danerys in the show (never really loved her) but rereading the books I'm kinda like "shes not really doing anything haha". Of all the POVs I feel hers could easily be cut haha. I also didnt really mesh well with LOTRs the books (read them twice now and Im not a fan) but I love the films (and Tolkiens other books)

[@GraceDionneReads]

Yeah I think you would probably have similar issues with Illborn as me! I probably won’t continue in that series at this point. With Dany, I totally agree with you. This reread is cementing how separate her POV is from all the other characters and how little connection it has with the Westeros story to this point!

[@readbykyle3082]

Haha I DNF'd Illborn and I didn't really like FATF so with you there. The fact that the characters don't process any of the events happening is one of my problems with it haha. You should check out Sun Eater for more character based sci-fi. Also, you picked two good Stephen King books but he just has such a wide variety. I would recommend 11/22/63 or The Stand, or for a short book maybe The Long Walk.

[@thatsci-firogue]

I know for a lot of people FATF is an all-time favourite but for me they're just nice palate cleansers. It's been over 2 years now since I finished it and I still don't have any immediate desire to return to the Banished Lands.

[@GraceDionneReads]

Sun Eater is on my radar for sure, and now you know I have the first book from the book box lol 😋 luckily I now have a copy of The Stand! I’ll definitely add The Long Walk to my goodreads though

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Illborn also didn’t work for me you are not alone. Glad people love it though

[@GraceDionneReads]

Good to know!! Maybe I’m getting a skewed sample size from following the author on twitter haha

[@mcina001]

I agree with you on a lot of points. Fantasy >> sci-fi. Slow burn character-driven fantasy >> fast-moving plot without exploration of emotion or character growth. LotR movies > books (even though I loved the books as a kid!). Re: The Expanse, you might enjoy later books more, as we do get to see character evolution, but if you didn’t enjoy the first, I think it’s fine to have set it aside. I’m on book 5 and liking (but not loving) it. WoT spoiler ahead: Hahaha love your Gawyn shade. He’s the emo prince who thinks he’s the protagonist but is just a side show. He’s not as bad as most fans think he is (after all, he actually does save Egwene’s life!), but he’s definitely not good enough for Egwene. Then again, love is a mystery, and there are plenty of amazing people who fall for the wrong guy/gal!

[@GraceDionneReads]

Yeah Leviathan Wakes definitely wasn't a bad book, I'm just in a place where there are so many things I would rather read at the moment. I could always return to it! But Gawyn having main character syndrome is very funny and accurate 😂

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

I fist pumped the air at your WoT relationship opinion

[@GraceDionneReads]

Yessss Andrew, you are the WoT guru haha

[@thatsci-firogue]

While I had fun with FATF, I definitely didn't love it. I don't think you're missing out much since Valour is way more indicative of what the rest of the series is like than Malice is. I loved the reading experience I had with LotR and will happily reread it again at least once, but I still prefer the films 😅

[@GraceDionneReads]

That’s good to know! I’m probably going to part with my copies of the books somewhat soon, because I don’t really see myself continuing. Also, I really need to rewatch the movies, it’s been too long!!

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

King either works for you or it doesn’t. But those two books aren’t his best works…I will hesitantly Recommend Needful things.

[@GraceDionneReads]

Added to my goodreads TBR ✅ King is pretty common at second hand stores so I’ll see if I can find myself a copy!

[@nathantowns2043]

That second question *is* hard to answer. It has to be popular, but also everyone else has to hate it?

[@GraceDionneReads]

Haha right!! Now that’s a conundrum

[@nele3527]

Maybe this is my sign to finally read v e schwaab 🙈

[@GraceDionneReads]

I haven’t read anything else from her, but I did enjoy her writing quite a bit!

[@nele3527]

@@GraceDionneReads soon i can build a „grace’s recommendations“ shelf with robin hobb etc 🤭

[@thatsci-firogue]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and recommend Iain M Banks' The Culture. Not just my favourite Sci-Fi series but my favourite book series. 9 standalones and 1 short story collection. Some fantastic character work in those books and great variety

[@GraceDionneReads]

I’ll definitely look this up and add it to my goodreads!

[@BaldBookTuber]

I think Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio would be up your alley for a soft character-focused science fantasy series. Then again, this could be my bias of wanting every living reader to read and love Sun Eater.

[@GraceDionneReads]

This one is absolutely on my radar!! I’ve heard such good things

[@cazevans]

Yasss Daenerys is so overrated! And if you dare to point out a flaw or criticism you'll get bomarbarded by her apologists

[@GraceDionneReads]

You’ll be attacked by a flock of children named Khaleesi 😂

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Lmao 😂 Merphy is awesome and would find this intro hilarious

[@GraceDionneReads]

She is the OG booktube channel for me, love her so much!

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Insert generic outrage

[@Paul_the_Bookworm]

FINALLY!!! Someone who has the same opinion as me about Lord of the Rings. Be mean to you? If we were in the same country I'd buy you a pint for that

[@GraceDionneReads]

We can pretend this happened! 🍻

[@ericmerrell8622]

Your Wheel of Time opinion isn't controversial. Most fans agree that he is the worst.

[@Rogue_VI]

You are wrong about LOTR. The reason why you are wrong is because you are wrong. Those fantastic movies will never be better than the books.

[@GraceDionneReads]

You’ve got me, I can’t argue with that logic 😂

[@gregorylaperche5574]

I came here to be mad but your first opinion is that The Faithful and the Fallen is overrated. I can't be mad 😂

[@GraceDionneReads]

Hahaha never fear I’m sure there were more opportunities to be mad 😂