The DNF Report #2 – March and April 2020

Posted May 17, 2020 by Lisa Mandina in discussion post, The DNF Report / 4 Comments

I’ve seen a few people doing DNF posts, and I’ve mentioned the books in my own monthly wrap-up posts, but now that I’m actually giving up on more books much quicker, I thought maybe it would be good to go ahead and do posts about them, maybe monthly, just to talk about ARCs I may have received and give them some promo for the publishers who were nice enough to send them to me, even if they didn’t work for me. I mean, just because I didn’t care for something doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be the book someone else loves. I’m going to just post a picture, the blurb, and then a sentence or two explaining why I didn’t finish. I think every other month is working because I only have 4 to talk about this time.

Wicked as You Wish by Rin Chupeco:

When a hidden prince, a girl with secrets, a ragtag group of unlikely heroes, and a legendary firebird come together…something wicked is going down.

Many years ago, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left encased in ice when the Snow Queen waged war. Its former citizens are now refugees in a world mostly devoid of magic. Which is why the crown prince and his protectors are stuck in…Arizona. 

Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Avalon royal family, is hiding in a town so boring, magic doesn’t even work there. Few know his secret identity, but his friend Tala is one of them. 

A new hope for their abandoned homeland reignites when a famous creature of legend, the Firebird, appears for the first time in decades. Alex and Tala must unite with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon for a showdown that will change the world as they know it.

My thoughts: So, the publisher sent me this awesome package, and even though I couldn’t get into the last book they sent me by this author, I thought I’d give this one another chance. And it wasn’t horrible. It just couldn’t keep my attention. It’s in third person, and so many different characters that it was really hard to keep them all straight. So I had to pass on it. I really did give it quite a try though. Got over 100 pages read before I finally just knew I wasn’t going to be finishing it.

Let Me Stay by MK Moore:

Brendan
The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew I needed her. Her beauty and grace took me by surprise and beckoned to my soul.

Now that I finally have her, I will do anything to keep her.

Letting her stay will be the easiest decision I’ve ever made. 

Brynn
He was just another customer until he wasn’t. His presence called to me like nothing else ever has. 

He wants to keep me, and I want to let him, but there are things he doesn’t know about me. 

Will he let me stay when he finds out the truth? There’s only one way to find out…

After all, 425 Madison Ave is the perfect place to fall in love!

My thoughts: So, I didn’t read the book by this author in the first round of books in this series, but this one sounded like one I’d really be interested in. Unfortunately it wasn’t easy for me to read. The author did one of my pet peeves, in not using contractions when the characters were speaking or even thinking, something that doesn’t really sound natural as I am reading the words in my head. So I had to quit.

The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown:

Sydney’s dad is the only psychiatrist for miles around their small Ohio town.

He is also unexpectedly dead.

Is Sydney crazy, or is it kind of weird that her dad-a guy whose entire job revolved around other peoples’ secrets-crashed alone, with no explanation?

And why is June Copeland, homecoming queen and the town’s golden child, at his funeral?

As the two girls grow closer in the wake of the accident, it’s clear that not everyone is happy about their new friendship.

But what is picture perfect June still hiding? And does Sydney even want to know? 

THE TRUTH ABOUT KEEPING SECRETS is a page-turning, voice led, high school thriller.

My thoughts: Another book I was lucky enough to receive from the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, but I just couldn’t get into it. I tried several times, but I was too bored to keep going. Just wasn’t for me.

Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova:

I am Renata Convida.
I have lived a hundred stolen lives.
Now I live my own.

Renata Convida was only a child when she was kidnapped by the King’s Justice and brought to the luxurious palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata’s ability to steal memories from royal enemies enabled the King’s Wrath, a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people.

Now Renata is one of the Whispers, rebel spies working against the crown and helping the remaining Moria escape the kingdom bent on their destruction. The Whispers may have rescued Renata from the palace years ago, but she cannot escape their mistrust and hatred–or the overpowering memories of the hundreds of souls she turned “hollow” during her time in the palace.

When Dez, the commander of her unit, is taken captive by the notorious Sangrado Prince, Renata will do anything to save the boy whose love makes her place among the Whispers bearable. But a disastrous rescue attempt means Renata must return to the palace under cover and complete Dez’s top secret mission. Can Renata convince her former captors that she remains loyal, even as she burns for vengeance against the brutal, enigmatic prince? Her life and the fate of the Moria depend on it.

But returning to the palace stirs childhood memories long locked away. As Renata grows more deeply embedded in the politics of the royal court, she uncovers a secret in her past that could change the entire fate of the kingdom–and end the war that has cost her everything.

My thoughts: I love the Brooklyn Bruja series by this author, in face I wish I had an ARC of the final book in that series instead of this one, but I was lucky enough to get this through a Twitter books for trade type of deal thinking I would like this as well. Unfortunately I don’t know if it is just how things are right now or what, but I couldn’t keep my mind on the story. Mostly right now I can speed through contemporaries, but anything requiring a bit more suspense of belief for fantastical elements or seriousness and I just zone out. Disappointed, but still looking forward to reading the e-galley I have of Wayward Witch.

Final Thoughts:

My plan to do once a month will probably just change to every other month, just easier. I used to feel guilty for DNFing, but I’ve realized if I don’t enjoy a book, it’s okay to move on. It doesn’t mean the book is bad, or that I’m a bad reader, it just means it’s not for me. And that all fits perfectly with my favorite poem/quote by Robert Louis Stevenson:

“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”

And while you’re here, if you have time, stop by my April Wrap-Up post and enter my giveaway for either a book from my giveaway stack if you’re in the US, or a book from The Book Depository for my international followers.

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4 responses to “The DNF Report #2 – March and April 2020

  1. Huh. This is an interesting idea. I’ve never heard of writing DNF posts before. Hope you find some more attention-grabbing reads next. 🙂

    • Lisa Mandina

      I saw it on some other blogs and wanted to do one myself. I think it holds me accountable. Thanks for visiting!

  2. shooting

    I like Cordova’s Brooklyn Bruja series too, and I’m curious about the next book. Not really interested in this one – sorry to hear it didn’t work for you! I like hearing a bit about why bloggers DNF books. 🙂

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

    • Lisa Mandina

      Yeah, I thought I’d try it since I liked the other series so much but it just didn’t work for me. I like hearing why too. Thanks for stopping by!

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