WORST Books of 2019

[@LeeAnneRMT]

For anyone who has ever experienced suicide in their lives it has no glamour, no period of beauty, it is just unending heartbreak. It disturbs me that people that are possibly vulnerable to this may read this book. Suicide idealization is a very real and dangerous thing especially in our youth.

[@merphynapier42]

100% agree and I've heard it get's worse SPOILERS Apparently the boy with the suicide smile ends up killing himself in the end. It's honestly heartbreaking

[@witchf4ce310]

Merphy Napier if you’re talking about Nevernight, then no, he doesn’t commit suicide 😶

[@merphynapier42]

@@witchf4ce310 spoilers for whole series I'm talking about Trick. Apparently he does in book three. Though I haven't read it, that's just what my friend told me after she read it

[@PokeLSouma]

Yes. Can we stop with glamorizing mental illnesses and suicide. It breaks people apart and I'm tired of seeing people act like there's this hidden beauty in it. It's awful, it's not beautiful at all and nobody should WANT to experience this, EVER. Ufhhh. That would be enough reason for me to drop that book.

[@arksine]

Never read nevernight, never going to. Merphy disliked Strange the Dreamer, which I actually enjoyed (yes it wasn't perfect especially the pacing in the first book), so I thought maybe nevernight would also be a difference of opinion between me and Merph but what smile is supposed to look like suicide? Nope, not for me.

[@cpasta517]

"Silverware smile." Me: *immediately pictures someone with a mouthful of spoons and forks*

[@VrgLauraivett]

There is that scene in Disney's Hercules where he trains with Phil and he ends up with a spoon in his mouth. I can't help it but that picture pops up in my mind from this metaphor xDDDD

[@JustADudeDoingSomething]

Exactly 🤣🤣🤣

[@eleanor7]

For some reason I see the character with a bunch of food stuck in their teeth now.

[@sagitswag1785]

Ive always immediately thought that it meant his teeth were polished, like how you polish silverware so it remains shiny.

[@sourabh3811]

Now it seems like a Stephen King villian .

[@symoneontheinternet]

I watched Brigerton without realizing that it was an adaptation of "The Duke and I"...but when the show got to THAT SCENE...I remembered this video...😳

[@elizaboyanton2081]

MEE TOO!! I am glad they like, kinda didn’t make it as terrible as it’s described in the book - but this immediately came to mind. But still it’s wild

[@LibraryofKatie]

“70 pages. 70 PAGES. THERE WERE 70 OF THEM” loved this reaction

[@khamul29]

Same reaction I got when I finished it. So much wasted time on damned Felurian.

[@dennisvargas6421]

I was gonna like your comment. But I’m not. Cause there’s 70 Edit: ITS RUINED! Guess you can have my like.

[@nickdriscoll6131]

Is this for real? Why would anyone want to read a seventy page rape scene???

[@MrOverHeels]

@@nickdriscoll6131 My question is 'how'. How the hell can one write a rape scene for 70 pages???

[@froggyfun1830]

When she said that I verbally exclaimed “the W H A T”

[@JohnBradford14]

>"Silverware smile" I guess one could say he had a "forked tongue"!

[@VicRibeiro777]

uhm.... silverware smile and suicide smile is not that bad... I mean, don't you see the metaphor used? It may not be great, but i've seen worse... lol. (have not read the book though, so maybe it sucks)

[@howaboutno.01]

John Bradford This pun is under-appreciated.

[@irong.4625]

Hey yo!

[@maxcorben5274]

John Bradford are you proud of what you have said

[@estellesmith4118]

*Get out!*

[@MaryAmongStories]

yup, I definitely will not read that last book.....

[@arielreads]

that last book tho, omg. at first i was like “oh okay, that’s not so bad” to “OH MY GOD NO WHAT STOP.”

[@partyontheobjective]

That's what the duke said.

[@pippaschroeder9660]

@@partyontheobjectivewow

[@yapdog]

I swear I could listen to a whole video of you dragging Jay Kristoff's writing style! :^D

[@raiinefall]

Same

[@emtims1670]

Nope at a 70 page rape scene and nope at a rapemance. Those are definitely two books that I won't be reading.

[@floodedcarb7028]

It's actually not a 70 page rape scene in the slightest. She doesn't really know what she is talking about. He gets lured by a fae with seductive powers, ends up resisting it. Then spends time with her learning stuff.

[@ShadefixTheone]

@@floodedcarb7028 i actually don't understand any of her problems with the 2th book of the kingkiller series... also this is a "WORST books of 2019" video and that's on her list... are you kidding me...

[@floodedcarb7028]

@@ShadefixTheone Honestly I think her reading comprehension must really suck lol

[@NapaCat]

@@floodedcarb7028 I think you just don't agree. It's an OPINION video so opinions are you know... kinda implied.

[@hiigghhggg9150]

@@floodedcarb7028 you literally described rape. Kvothe is lured by the ferulian, he tries to resist, then they basically drug him with magic so he is not in control of his own mind and have sex with him. That’s rape buddy, I love both Kingkiller books (and the novella), but she is not wrong about that part in book 2.

[@McMerlin11]

The heck is a “silverware” and “suicide” smile?

[@mariac.v4435]

Who knows. Not me. Not you. Not even the author

[@moonstonepearl21]

He obviously had shiny sliver teeth you can see your reflection in. For the second one; I can't even come up with a sarcastic comment for that one. It just makes no sense, as well as being offensive.

[@McMerlin11]

MoonstonePearl21 😂

[@pippaschroeder9660]

I just picture actual silverware for teeth lol

[@FreggFaerie]

I watched the first season of Bridgerton on Netflix recently, not realizing it was based on The Duke and I. I really REALLY enjoyed the first five episodes, which takes you up to their marriage and first time having sex, which was a bit awkward, but could have been worse. After that, I feel out of love with the couple. Watching the girl rape Simon devastated me. And watching him not react the way he should have, doubled down on that. And then at the end they just have a baby, and like, what??? I hated it. I just hated it. I was in love with them, I even re watched all their scenes from the first five episodes, but I didn't continue after that. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the series as it comes out, but I won't ever get over how that story wrapped up. Absolutely awful.

[@maliahjoy2959]

Yeah, I only watched a few episodes

[@erminea9176]

I hated most of the books in this series. I read 5 or 6. Some of the story might be a bit cute, but so much of it is bad and made me not like the couples. The rape in the Duke and me was way worse in the book, I really hate these books.

[@astellus]

Wah! Hard pass on The Duke and I. That's a very giant red flag of a nope from me too. I'd love romance recs where couples respect each other from the start and encourage each other...but they seem to be few and far between.

[@merphynapier42]

I'd love those recs too. I've read a few and loved them but man it's a bummer when you find one like The Duke and I

[@johnsparegrave5996]

You're right about the suicide smile, very bad simile lol

[@therenegadebard3971]

This is in no way a reflection on you, but....damn. I stopped the video during the description of The Duke and I. It wasn't because you were doing a bad job. On, no. It was that you were doing such a good job, I simply couldn't hear any more of that shitty story.

[@merphynapier42]

it was rough. I don't blame you

[@SK22520]

So now The Duke & I is retold in the form of the immense popular netflix series Bridgerton... what do you think about that? Have you watched it? I’m curious to know

[@amusicalbookworm]

I have not read The Duke and I but I really enjoyed your rant about it 😂 “women know how babies are made” 😂😂

[@jordanem8903]

Thank you, it makes me so uncomfortable when rape is portrayed as "not that bad" or romantic "if done for the right reasons" in so many stories!

[@pippaschroeder9660]

And it’s only that way if a woman does it to a man

[@ACourtofHooksAndBooks]

Oof I had to get the library copy of nevernight after buying the kindle version because the kindle format is so screwed up due to the footnotes

[@atella394]

I hate that they didnt try to reformat it for kindle. It's lazy.

[@JessWest118]

*Starts watching the Worst Books of 2019 List* The Duke and I is going to be on the list... *Finds out there’s only one 1 star book* I’m certain it’s going to be The Duke and I... *I’m going to rant* Yep it’s going to be The Duke and I... *It’s The Duke and I* Knew it! This book sounds awful! How is that even considered a romance. Like I get it, romances are not perfect, but romances are supposed to be about love not manipulation.

[@rema9975]

"silverware smile" well, I'm never sleeping again. That's a horrifying image.

[@qine6559]

I actually hate silverware smell

[@naomitachi88]

From someone who LOVES historical romance, The Duke and I sounds completely awful. It is deserving of every 1 star review and rant it gets.

[@mossonthenorthside]

OMG THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP JAY KRISTOFF'S FOOTNOTES!! I COULDN'T EVEN GET A 100 PAGES IN! Honestly, I hated the fact that the footnotes made me feel like Kristoff thought that I was an idiot but also that it just felt lazy, like he just didn't want to weave in world building so he just tacked it on... I'm so glad it's not just me!

[@merphynapier42]

it was ROUGH

[@תהלהקאופמן]

There's a new Netflix show on the duke and I. It took me two three episodes to understand why everything feels familiar. I just got to the first problematic part

[@molliehaines]

My professor highly praised a short story called One of Star Wars, One of Doom while I was in college, so when I graduated, I picked it up and gave it a go. It's only 40 pages, so no big deal right? Wrong. This was the worst thing I have ever read. Ever. It took me two hours to slog through because I kept putting it down. The characters were disgusting and horrendous, even the ones we were supposed to support and cheer for. I have been questioning my former ENGLISH professor's taste and advice ever since.

[@DeGraaf0043]

Maybe you would like the author Georgette Heyer, she wrote over 30 historical romances, regency era. Her writing style is often compared to Jane Austen. I read Black Sheep by her this year and really loved it, it has zero sex in it, I don’t think any of her books have it, much like Jane Austen.

[@maria1060-f1q]

I've read some of hers. I like that they are usually funny aswell.

[@elizabethholeman7796]

Yes! She's amazing, her book The Grand Sophy is really well done!

[@CoraFoerstner]

Her books are excellent and fun. You're right. Like Austen, the humor adds to the overall appeal of her books.

[@loverofbooksandmusic]

@@elizabethholeman7796 loved the Grand Sophie! Was the first book I read of hers. Now i have a collection of Heyer.

[@megdragon5191]

Georgette Heyer is the bomb-diggety. I love Fridays Child and Sylvester

[@keren4804]

Wow, I am still shocked by what you said about The Duke and I. Jesus, talk about a disaster!! I am not big on romances anyways but I am going to stir away from that one.

[@starxmon]

i gasped out loud when you talked about the duke and i because i had no idea that the story went in such a disturbing direction

[@merphynapier42]

disturbing is correct!

[@julianhenderson7628]

I have to defend flowery writing, as I am a flowery writer...but..."silverware" and "suicide" aren't flowery. I still may read it...just to see what you mean. I love that you're willing to fade the public.

[@RaleighBecketGipsyPilot]

I remember growing up in the 90's and taking out a lot of romance books from the library. I don't know why I kept reading them because their plots were so similar to "The Duke and I" that every one of them made me gut-wrenchingly angry and I was only 14. So much rape, throwing around of women, men acting as if women were their property and had to do what they said. I get it, there is a market for women who actually enjoy being treated like this, but come on now. There is a point where it goes too far.

[@jemmagomez8923]

The Duke and I sounds horrible!!!😣 When I read regancy romance I read prouper romance they are good, short, clean romance and that's how I like them :) Hope that horrible book didn't get you off regancy romances. There are good ones out there❤

[@WisecrackJax]

Rothfuss knows he can’t finish it all in one book. That’s why it’s taking so long.

[@thelasthandbook6704]

We'll see. I'm skeptical he's even working on it at this point. WMF came out March 1, 2011. Think Doors of Stone will be out before the ten year anniversary? I don't.

[@leonardoiaccovazzo7709]

Actually he already said that the biggest secret in the Kingkiller trilogy is that he's making us read a two thousand page long prologue It's obvious that not all of the loose ends will be worked out, cause there's still a lot to come

[@RosieSquall]

It's like GRR Martin. He only has 2 books left and has TONS of unanswered questions and plotlines. Like, how are you even intending to wrap it all up in 2 books?

[@thegombie]

Curse of the gardener writer. He wrote himself into a corner by just writing events because they would be cool, not for plot.

[@chadelder]

If you don't like meaningless, boring footnotes, really looking forward to your impressions of House of Leaves. FYI, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell has a ton of footnotes too; but I still recommend it.

[@dedasab]

Yeah, I really hated the footnotes of House of Leaves, it made a good story dull and boring. Don't come after me if you liked that book though, to each their own opinion😊.

[@booknerdwithlipstick]

I don't think it compares since Nevernight's footnotes were used to give more informations, while House of Leaves' footnotes were a whole character's voice / point of view / history.

[@mattkean1128]

I treated a lot of House of Leaves as window dressing. I recognize it's there, that's neat, but my real focus was on the main storylines. Particularly the family in the house, which I thought had a great payoff.

[@booknerdwithlipstick]

@@mattkean1128 Interesting !! Like you I preferred that part of the story, but I found that the most chilling part of it was the slow descent into madness of the reader, that is both us and not us (reflected in the character of Johnny) with the help of all the extra information that made it real.

[@iwannawatchDavid]

Another set of books that are footnoteful (new word :D) are by an author that you (Merphy) have said you're planning on reading. Pratchetts Discworld collection are full of them and are all pretty much hilarious. I hope he changes your mind on Footnotes ;)

[@jredwood16]

A beta reader told me once to put any backstory in footnotes or an appendix or index instead of weaving it into the story. I immediately stopped taking of of their advice seriously and never asked them to read my story again.

[@Cassia_L]

The Duke and I sounds horrible, probably written by someone who think men can't get raped, that's disgusting My worst one this year: Sharp Objects, it was just so disturbing and I didn't rate it because I had no idea how to. I mean it's a thriller, so it was supposed to be disturbing, but still it just made me uncomfortable the whole time. I also really hated Marie Lu's Legend trilogy, read the second only because I was mildly curious about the plot but nothing would convince me to read the third! The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer was sooooo bad, which is a shame cuz I really like Artemis Fowl.

[@kayleighbrown459]

I'm not sure it's even than because apparently the character was aware that she raped him, admitted that she shouldn't have, and also that she doesn't care....and he's the same. Was rape, didn't like it, but not too bothered. It....It's SO weird.

[@rae6075]

Cassia L I have actually read the Marie Lu series, and I’ll give you some reasons why it’s was great you stopped. To me, the first 2 books were... okay. The romance in it was eh and I didn’t care about it (especially because both of them kind of suck as people, forming a toxic relationship), but the third book was absolutely horrendous. I didn’t like at all how Day and whatever her name is (I forgot her name because it’s been a while), communicated. I hated how much stupid drama there was in this book, and I mostly hated the ending. I won’t spoil for anyone reading it but let me tell you the ending is unsatisfying and horrible. Thanks for reading my rant.

[@sparklyunicorn5431]

The Duke and I sounds just, ew!😬

[@NaeOnYT]

I'm not interested in "Nevernight" for all of the reasons you mentioned. I find books about assassins so intriguing, but the assassin school subgenre is just...so frustrating and samey to me. I avoid YA treatments of assassins or any other adult-ish subject matter for that reason: they always want to stick people in school to make it "relatable" to the target audience.

[@dcaf94]

Have you tried The Acts of Caine by Matthew Stover? Probably the best assassin series I've ever encountered, and its very much not YA.

[@JeantheSecond]

You might want to check out The Emperor’s Edge by Lindsay Buroker. I enjoy a good assassin character and the assassin in this series is my favorite. There’s also a bunch of books in the series and spin-offs, so if you like the character, you’ll be entertained for awhile.

[@TheJak121212]

Well not gonna lie, I am glad I haven't read any of these because I'm certain I'd hate them all.

[@tbone6924]

why, lol, they are all actually really awesome books.

[@amandadorini9652]

OMG!! I’m so glad to find someone who agrees with me when it comes to The Duke and I. I get so angry when I see people praising it, I’m like NOOOOO

[@MicahMicahel]

My Swiss mother-in-law didn’t know what periods were until after she had one. Some cultures did seem to keep people in the dark about how babies were made

[@EvaraLia]

Nutsilica: Renaissance moving comix my great grandmother didn’t know how babies were made until she was giving birth to my grandma and the doctors had to explain how it happened. She knew she had sex with her husband but she didn’t know that was how she got pregnant or how conception happened. It boggles my mind that she was not educated on that before she was in delivery of her first born.

[@MicahMicahel]

where was she from?

[@EvaraLia]

Nutsilica: Renaissance moving comix a remote town in southern Utah, United States.

[@joex1084]

The last book is now on Netflix! Bridgerton!!

[@mayissalty6279]

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the adaptation of the duke and I for the bridgerton series!

[@azurastar3223]

The wise man's fear is my favorite book. I have read it many times. While it may not answer alot of questions, it sets up so much. Someone sensoring books in the library, Puppet. The king he kills, Jakis moves up in the line for the throne. If you read between the lines, so much is revealed.

[@Boxghost102]

"His smile was like a fresh suicide." If I were a creative writing professor and a student wrote that, I would have made them take a course on suicide prevention if they wanted to continue in my class/major. Really terrible in ways that go beyond bad prose.

[@TinyMartina]

Nevernight was the best book of 2019 for me :D But you are right nothing is for everybody...

[@crazeekids9744]

Life is too short to finish a bad book.

[@MartaU1123]

Because of the hype I read the whole Nevernight trilogy waiting for it to get good, but it never does. And I liked the concept (assassin school, dark magic...), it should've been right up my alley! Damn, I should've trusted your opinion. Everytime I read about that silverware smile... Argh

[@julianamendes8802]

Awesome rant! 😁😁 F-ing tiered of authors either romanticising or completely bushing of abuse. 🙄🙄

[@marianaamoedo5942]

I am amazed at how you manage to do so much! You manage your channel, read, reread, tape audiobooks, write... I want to do so much!

[@onlyonGraceXM]

I Am Immensely, Tremendously, Extraordinarily Curious about what you think of Bridgerton 😂😂😂 I remembered that “The Duke and I” was one of your least favorite books and then color me shocked when I found out what Bridgerton was adapted from lol

[@oana-mariauliu5828]

I remember having read romance novels that are much better. Still including sex scenes because certain publishers require them, but with much better stories and interesting characters. The problem is that I don't know them by title and I donated the whole lot to the local library, so I no longer own them and I can't check in order to make recommendations. If I happen to remember at least the authors, I'll let you know.

[@redforrori]

Ah, no worries. PR is never going to write book 3 any way. I loved the first one SO much, and I've been putting off book 2--now I won't even bother. Oof.

[@lovelight6973]

Thanks for the heads up on the Duke book. I would have been pissed off wasting my time reading that. I know I would have hated it!

[@GreywolfConstruction]

I would love it if you did a “subscribers published works review” I have a couple of short stories published on amazon. Getting a scathing, or raving review from you would really allow me as a writer to feel accomplished. Plus I’m sure everyone one of us “little fish” would love to hear from a well read vlogger like yourself.

[@tommymarx391]

No judgements, obviously, but "The Shining" was one of my all-time King favorites. I have to wonder if part of the problem is that the book is 45 years old or so, and a lot of the ideas and scares that King introduced have now been imitated to such an extent that what was new almost five decades ago is now extremely old hat to fresh readers. About the main character, however: if you don't like the main character for one reason or another, it's almost impossible to get past that. I've experienced that myself in books and movies (the first novel in "The Magicians" series is a good example - I couldn't stand the main character and never read the other books in the series, although I ended up LOVING the television series based on the books, LOL).

[@LenaJohnsCobain]

I wanted to stop by and say I’ve watched most of your videos this year (they’re a blast, thank you for your work!!), which means I’ve seen you talk about Nevernight and its footnotes and bad metaphors probably 3-4 times. It NEVER gets old! Hahaha! I love the mini rants and would watch you go through them another 4 times for just as much entertainment value! ;)

[@manaalsidd]

You should do a fav books of the decade video...would love to see that video. Like you could pick up a book that you read recently but got published maybe in 2012...like so. 😊

[@TheInvisibleFan80]

Wow! The way you ranted about The Duke and I makes me want to avoid it at all costs.

[@mayren1313]

Where are any of the links she promised? where?

[@Hadrian1616]

My new favourite thing is binging new videos each morning by my favourite holy trinity booktubers. Daniel, Merphy, Elliot. Thanks for making my mornings worth waking. ❤😃👍☕

[@noua8086]

I totally agree with your "let down" by the wise man's fear. In addition it's been already 9 years now since it first came out (I looked it up in the booklet of the one I have at home) and there is no word on book three for now whatsoever. So my guess is, we will be even more disappointed with the third one, because as you said, there are so many loose ends now I don't really see him getting them wrapped up nicely. So either it will be a let down once again or we won't get the final book in the end anyway... which is truly sad because the series started so damn promising T_T

[@vint-zent]

You totally managed to put how I've been feeling about the Kingkiller Chronicles into words. Gonna use your fav books video as recs now :>

[@ellianamaselli7267]

When I started the video and you weren’t wearing the sweater from the thumbnail I got so shook.

[@merphynapier42]

hahaha! I've been waiting for someone to point it out!

[@CimoreneTheRebel]

I haven't read the Wise Man's Fear yet but I keep seeing the most common criticism of it is that the third book will have to traverse so much time in order for it to catch up to Kvothe in the present. I'm super curious how small a time this second book covers because Kvothe is only like.... 25 and I'm pretty sure he ends book 1 at 15 or so. I really should read book 2 soon, but I'm a binge reader with series and the unknown release of the final book is a hurdle I haven't been able to surpass yet.

[@leadinglady]

I am so glad I am not alone with my feelings of Nevernight. It's so hard to find other people who don't care for it on booktube. It is a lonely world not liking this book, haha.

[@Lunaishtar]

I love historical romance but that book sounds really problematic, to be honest a lot of book in this genre has consent issues as well. For that reason I love how Tessa Dare writes and I'd recommend he newest series "Girl meets Duke" for anyone wanting to try the genre. They're lighthearted and I really like how she writes the leads even though it's a bit tropey, and you don't need to read in order since each book follows a different protagonist.

[@micheleann1737]

The Duke and I really seems like a not so great book. I think it would be interesting if someone wrote an alternative ending or actually made it so that the two main characters weren't "okay" with each other. (I haven't read the book)

[@couch.patati-patata]

Review the Temeraire Series by Naomi Novik. Also the Bartimaeus Trilogy of Phillip Pullman. The Mariah Mundi series. Lockwood and Co series of Phillip Pullman again. Alcatraz Smedry series of Brian Sanderson.

[@jmhaces]

The Kingkiller Chronicles are exactly like their main character Kvothe: everybody talks about how epic and awesome they are and we're supposed to accept it despite the lack of evidence in the actual books to support those claims. They're great because people say they're great, and people say they're great because they're great.

[@taylortalkstales8106]

I've had Nevernight on my TBR for quite awhile, but I've seen some negative reviews lately that have convinced me to bump it way down my list. It sounds cringey to me now.

[@emikm5356]

I remember reading and loving the name of the wind and then immediately going to Wise mans fear and loving it. . . But since then now that Ive gotten distance and started writing Ive realized more and more issues with it. Tried to reread it with my partner and we got stuck at the Felurian stuff and havent gone back.

[@atella394]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who loves rereading its the best

[@nickolasdiamond5619]

Tbh I detest rereading books I've already read because the tension they have for the first time around isn't there anymore, the only books I've reread are the harry potter books, skulduggery pleasant series, and the king killer chronicles, and occasionally those books that I've largely forgotten due to having read them years ago.

[@atella394]

@@nickolasdiamond5619 I get that and like, I don't go to re-read a thriller, but I actually enjoy the lessened tension of a second read. I get to sit back and see the story as a whole from all points. But I mean, there's hardly a drought for good books so no need to reread if you don't enjoy it.

[@nickolasdiamond5619]

@@atella394 exactly, though as you grow as a reader you become more critical of the book reading, this is usually the time you consider of writing a book yourself.

[@danielelliott95]

Nick Diamond I think the point of a reread is to notice hints that you didn’t notice before. It also helps with memory and retention of the story.

[@Themoment888]

I wait years sometimes to reread so I forget most the plot and the thrill is there again

[@kisscass9348]

When you mentioned that the one star book was a historical romance I got nervous - historical romance is, next to fantasy, my favourite genre. So I had a quick look on goodreads to see if I'd read this one and, lo and behold, I had - but I couldn't remember why I hadn't given it a rating...until I did. Boy did you sum it up perfectly. I can still feel the pure rage that I felt when finishing this book and realising that there were no consequences for the characters - particularly Daphne who RAPED her husband. Great video, by the way. Also, I know you're not a huge romance lover, but if you want to give historical romances another shot, I promise there are MUCH better ones out there. I recommend Katharine Ashe, Julie Anne Long, and some Lisa Kleypas. Happy reading! ;)

[@sopwithsnoopy8779]

9:01 The Duck And I..."Duke, Little Bill"... (an Unforgiven /Clint Eastwood reference). A couple of books I finished but were 'bleh' on were The Poppy War - R.F. Kuang, and The Shadow Of What Was Lost - James Islington

[@eleanor7]

I love the Bridgerton series as a whole, a friend suggested them (the other books do get better after this one) but I do hate the Duke and I. Especially for the relationship between Daphne and Simon and a few of the scenes later in the book. Which is funny since it's the start of the series, why JQ thought to use a book as bad as this one to start a series I will never know. I mean the main reason I give this book two stars is because I love the world that JQ writes for this series and the other characters. But the two mains, just no, they're both just so toxic and taking advantage of each other for their own selfish interest. The insta love/insta lust is boring and annoying. Violet being fine with pairing Daphne up with such a rake even knowing his reputation and her oldest son Anthony who is friends with Simon. Anthony knows all what Simon's gotten up to because they would go out being rakes together and Anthony is against the union. Violet simply ignores her son's opinion and input because Simon is a Duke. Even though Violet knows that Anthony wouldn't just go against this union for silly reasons and that Anthony takes his role of head of the family serious and genuinely cares for his sisters happiness/futures. He wouldn't be against something if he thought it made his sister truly happy. Then there is the ignorance of Daphne when it comes to sex and baby making, she comes from a family of eight kids. And women weren't that stupid about the ways of the world, plus Daphne has four brothers, at least two of them are rakes. Daphne would know such things, especially since in that time, rake meant players of women. Also Violet gives Daphne one of the worst wedding night talks ever, she's the mother of eight children, you would think she could get over her fluster on the subject. Simon lying and manipulating Daphne instead of being upfront with her about his reasons for not having children. Basing all of his marriage on a selfish lie. Simon keeping Daphne in the dark because of the major chip on his shoulder thanks to his asshole father and taking advantage of her not knowing the ways of the world and not communicating with her about his past and his feelings on his past. And then the most vile scene happens, where Daphne rapes him and then she's just ok with what she's done, maybe even a little proud. Because getting pregnant and being a mother is more important than respecting someone body and boundaries. She has no regrets about having sex with him, while he's still drunk, they're fighting, he tells verbally tells her no, and since she's on top she has the leverage. She would probably do it all the same if she could go back. Instead of talking to him and trying to work on why he doesn't want children and has been lying/manipulating her the whole time. Simon isn't even mad or hurt by her raping him. There are no real consequences or actually addressing what she's done or them dealing with what she's done. She ignores his tragic backstory with a crap father because her family was wonderful and she doesn't understand how some scars, especially from childhood can run deep. Plus he doesn't need to be hurting about his past anymore, since he has her, he doesn't need to be weighed down by his years of hurt, pain, and humiliations. Cause nope all of that just needs to be forgotten and glossed over because now they can have lots of sex and babies. Since the whole series is going to be a Netflix show, I wonder what their plan with the rape scene, the aftermath, and outcome of the rape scene will be? I hope the show is better than the book, addressing what she did was not ok and never will be.

[@MrKnight19971]

70 pages devoted to fairy r@pe? What!?

[@Malthan]

I have pretty similar thoughts about Wise Man's Fear - the first book was a nice setup for the world, but the follow up didn't deliver on any of the promises from the first book. Lot's of pages spent on fluff with barely anything moving the story forward. It got rid of some of my most disliked features of Name of the wind (like running an excel spreadsheet of Kvothe's finances at any given moment) but added plenty of new low points. I also don't believe the 3rd book will give us the resolution we hope for - it will either be an extended series like Game of Thrones, or a dissapointment.

[@JashanaC]

In regards to that Duke & I book... whaaaaatttttt theeeeeeee ffffriiiiccccckkkkkk?!??!

[@Wirrn]

What in gods name is that suicide simile? I don't....what? HOW IS THAT OKAY?

[@joze838]

What do you mean with intentional? Like natural without feeling constructed?

[@ZRTMWA]

Did you talk about Where the Crawdads Sing in 2018 or this year at all? My mom and brother read it and both did not enjoy it to say the least.

[@merphynapier42]

I did! I have a dedicated review for it :)

[@ZRTMWA]

@@merphynapier42 Oh cool, I was wondering after I saw how many vids you put out if I should just search your name plus the Crawdads review but I was like "There's no way". Tried to look at your Goodreads too. About to watch it now. Edit: Good video. Glad I didn't read it tbh. Maybe I'll give it a shot at some point but meh...not my cup of tea.

[@kytesandfaeries]

I got so confused for a second... I was like, “Wow, how many ARCs have you gone through?” 🤣

[@natasagajic1061]

My least favorite book of the year is probably going to be "Making Faces" by Amy Harmon. I was promised a lot of feels and characters struggling to overcome tragedy, traumas & deep depression. I was promised "make you bawl" level on pulling on the heartstrings story of unrequited love. Instead I got, to me, highly unlikable & unrealistic characters and worst of all, war propaganda being painted as a heroic feat (again, that's how I saw the things). Bailey was the only reason I kept reading this book. His story was so raw and tragic and had me screaming "This is so unfair!" at pretty much each one of his scenes. He's brave, intelligent and the true hero of this story. He's also the only reason I didn't give this book a one star. But his story wrenched my heart in a way that I didn't want it to be wrenched and I couldn't enjoy it at all.

[@SunriseFireberry]

What are the odds that GRR Martin, S Lynch, & P Rothfuss are all going to finish their respective book series in the 2020s?

[@merphynapier42]

I think Lynch has several more books to go so his def isn't going to be completed in 2020 but fingers crossed about the other two lol!

[@TheRuthPo]

GRR Martin has two more books promised

[@ownitervi241]

What exactly does "flowery" writing mean?

[@kayleighbrown459]

Overly detailed, high use of metaphor to make the language sound pretty....I think.

[@blackclue1778]

I think that the shining is more of an intro book to the Doctor Sleep book that he made. *note* I have not read the Doctor Sleep book but I was told by a fellow book worm that if I didn't read the Shining I would have no idea what is happening in the Doctor Sleep book. I think that is why it is made with little horror and more things about the family.

[@trueromance300]

Thank goodness for this review I recalled it and the found out it was the new Netflix series everyone was raving about

[@trueromance300]

Now I don’t need to watch thus attrocity

[@Iza56]

Agree on everything you said about nevernight plus I was expecting a lot of school insides, classes descriptions if it's so prestigious and hard to get in, instead we got few lines here and there and lot of wandering around hallways and two sex scenes (that were hyped a lot too but we're meh )

[@noodlekatz4449]

Merphy rant time is my favorite because I enjoy how you speak and discuss books!

[@kazzified29]

I totally agree with you about ‘A Wise Man’s Fear’. I listened to the audiobook and it went on and on and on and I haaaaaaated the fairy realm part. Hated. That. Part.

[@TylerStout35]

Seriously! It was couple hours and was so pointless. It could've been explored and wrapped up in a couple of pages to accomplish the actual important stuff that happened there happened there.

[@TheAdarkerglow]

How does a rape scene go for 70 pages? I'm confused by this.

[@ellianamaselli7267]

Semantic Dragon Aren’t we all?

[@MeTaLISaWeSoMe95]

@@TheAdarkerglow it's not really a rape scene per se... It's a succubus sort of situation and the section does have some good points (the tree and the Ctheah are great). Still it does drag on for way too long

[@TheAdarkerglow]

@@MeTaLISaWeSoMe95 Well, first off, if you have to say 'per se' it probably would be rape. If by 'a succubus sort of situation' you mean a sort of magical seduction or coercion, where in the person does not possess the means to deny sex, then it definitely is, by legal definition, Rape. I get how there is some potential 'gray area', especially if magic were to be involved, but 'magical seduction' would probably fall under the same guidelines as drugging someone, since the intent and ends are the same; having sex with someone against their will.

[@janecrest8142]

Well. Who cares that I have crap to do tomorrow and that I should go to sleep ten minutes ago. Merphy uploaded. My priorities are done okay. Leave me alone.

[@merphynapier42]

I hope it was worth the lack of sleep :P

[@Neverrgreen]

The editing was awesome in this vid!

[@hallesdad]

“ and she usually did, until she didn’t ... than MAN, didn’t she. “ love the exasperation in your voice

[@witchf4ce310]

Nevernight is a series though!! The other books in the series aren’t school settings. I personally fell in love with Kristoff’s writing and the foot notes brought so much to the story 😁 it became my other favorite series of all time this year, along with Mistborn!

[@netilenva]

Oh my God, I'm so glad someone else hated Nevernight, this book nearly killed me, and not in a good way!

[@ZwischenTausendZeilen]

Merphy from the future 😂😊

[@g.chatterjee2296]

Who else knew Duke was gonna top the list?🤣😂😋

[@Pontifax]

New to your channel. Completely agree about Wise Man's Fear. Just didn't feel the same after he left University. HATED the Felurian section, but I thought the chapter with the Cthaeh was the most well-written and bone-chilling part of the entire book.

[@TheEmmaHouli]

5:44 Fun story about my great grandmother when she was pregnant (bare in mind I am from small town Ireland) - when she was pregnant she spoke to her sister about her excitement to have a baby but "what I am unsure about is where the baby comes out" Her sister is shocked and replies (the very memeable line in our family) "Sure it comes out the same route it got in!" My great granny damn near fainted - too late to back out now :D To be fair to your point I think my GG was just a little too neieve rather than a representation of ignorance

[@user-N20]

6:24 Merlin. Anyone who has watched the show Merlin and gotten to the ending will understand. I love the series so much, but that ending....

[@timothywinters2357]

I was disappointed with the black prism. I couldn't even pick up book two. You just sold me on not waisting my time.