What's the most disappointing book you've read in 2017? I just realized I should have included two more... Jane Eyre (how is that romantic?!) and And Then There Were None (bored..)! PS. I know my auto focus was being a biatch, I'm pretty sure it's due to the cover of "IT"... another reason to hate covers with faces :P
Uprooted (the number 1 worst book I've ever read), The Lions of Al Rassan, A Gathering of Shadow, A Conjuring of Light, Night Circus, Sleeping Giants, Every Heart a Doorway. These are all the books that have so many praises and ended up disappointing me! Come to think of it.. almost all these books are on your list too.. xD great list, Emily! Also that IT scene.. yuck...
caroliinalopes: I have that one on my shelf! We'll see how I feel about it :S Petrik Leo: A few of these I did like but lots in common there! JAsmine Ong: Oh no! Oh come (no spoilers pls!) I'm planning on reading them next year!
BookswithEmilyFox That’s the thing. Sexists usually see their world as people (aka men) who read books + women. And a lot of them are so self-centred that they have no idea what offends women. They probably think that only terms like “saggy balls” are uncomfortable to read for all of “mankind” ;))
@@BookswithEmilyFox most of the women actually on goodreads didn’t have a problem like you, but yet you act like you’re a women advocate and that all women are looking for triggers in books to act offended. You automatically dismiss men’s opinions yet disable commenting on your review. It’s illogical how you think women being self conscious of their body is sexist, especially women who train a lot. There’s a reason King Rhagadul puts down Karris for her too masculine (for his tastes) body on his end while Gavin loves her body and her strength doubly so because of that. Just shows you know nothing about sports and mentality. I trained female kickboxers and they often had the same problems, even when they were extremely competitive and capable. People are self conscious and will always be. Doesn’t take from them being badass. If you think a woman needs to be Mary Sue and extremely confident to be realistic, you live in a YA fantasy world. Maybe Vampire Diaries would be more you style? Like any people who nitpick triggers to make a point, you continently avoid mentioning the “sexist” lore that women live longer, are better drafters and can draft more accurate because they are born with “better” eyes. That doesn’t make you twitch, but mentioning someone’s boobs does. Karris is badass and wonderful for 99%% readers. She is sometimes insufferable, but so is Gavin. She is flawed, he is doubly so. If you actually read the further books you would know why she is still hung up on Gavin (Dazen). To add further injury, you declare the author sexist. Following that logic, I declare you sexist too because if the author was a female there is no doubt in my mind you wouldn’t make that degratory accusation. Seems today it’s enough to be a sensitive reviewer looking for triggers to be found capable, not unlike the film industry I guess.
i also agree with lila being annoying...i can't handle her!!also agree that uprooted is boring probably one of the blandest books i've ever read and came so close to dnf-ing it
I’m happy you told about that ending of Stephen King’s “IT” because I only made it halfway through when I decided to DNF it. That scene would probably have traumatised me :-O I might do a video like this as well ;)
I’m so glad someone said that Lila is annoying. She’s always just randomly hating on women and thinks she’s just better than anyone and there is nothing behind her thinking. She doesn’t add anything to the plot besides stealing stuff and playing with peoples feelings ?? W hy do people like her
I'm not sure I want to read The Black Prism now. I feel like the sexism is so childish on the author's part. There are so many other high fantasy books that I need to read and I'm going to prioritize those over The Black Prism
It was childish!! That's why I did the air quotes when I said adult fantasy because I can't imagine the target audience to be anything than young teenage boys! I'm curious to see where the story is going but it's been months and I still haven't picked up the second book because I know I'll have to rant about it too 😂
If it had been a bad book overall I wouldn't have been this mad! It was just so much worse to want to love it and be interested in the story/magic system but having to deal with the rest 😂
It reminded me of Divergent for some reason. I couldn't stand the MC's point of view there, when she was constantly describing people and saying they would have been beautiful if it weren't for their wrinkles etc. :/
I think you should give it a try. I don't disagree with Emily but it was not so bad. I did not feel it as bad taking into consideration the time and set up. There 4 books and they are good....enjoyable read...
Don’t listen to her. Most women on goodreads don’t think even closely the same as her. Read the book and be your own judge. The only people seeing sexism is the sexists themselves. Notice how she doesn’t include how women are better and more capable drafters from the get go just because biology. That suits her agenda.
brave ? WTF ? if she feels like a certain book is sexist, she just voiced her opinion about it in her own channel... its her channel after all.. But thank god that this is not like Grace's movie review channel that she tries to push her politics in to every godamn review...
the most disappointing book i read this year was probably “ready player one” it wasnt bad but i had heard so much about it that my expectations were really high and it just wasnt at all what i had imagined, plus the romance thingy at the end was meh and the story over all wasnt for me
I don't know much about 80's video games, tv showw, ect but I still absolutely loved it! I would say it is my favorite book of the year. I got so caught up in the game!
I could not agree more about Artemis.. I kind of feel like Andy Weir was writing his fantasy girl or his opinion of what he wants a woman to be.. I REALLY didn't like it! I didn't feel like I had any reason to root for her or sympathize with her. She was just a terrible, unlikable character. So disappointing.
No idea! When people try to justify it as a "childhood to adulthood" I always roll my eyes... There are much better ways to do that... ways that don't include "that"
Stephen King is weird. That’s one of the reasons he makes unique, sometimes mind blowing stories. Is it unnecessary? Yes. Is it something only SK would think of? Also yes.
😂😂 I love you. Your rant on sexism made my day. Sometimes it’s hard for me to read books by men because I just constantly scratch my head at what they think women act like and talk like.
It can be quite frustrating! No matter how many examples and explanations I provide there are always a few people dismissing it too so it doesn't help!
BookswithEmilyFox The patriarchy is too embedded in some people. 😂 It’s easier just to believe people are being really sensitive and ridiculous than to realize that some of your thoughts may be a wrong. 🤷🏻♀️
Haha totally agree about the “manly shoulder”! I personally don’t have masculine shoulders but I do have really broad shoulders which I looove. It’s honestly my favourite thing about my entire physical body.
I was so eager to read The Raven Boys and began a couple of days ago without knowing much about it, and it’s not the epic fantasy adventure I was expecting so I guess I’m kind of disappointed but I don’t think it’s bad either
Camila Lecaros I'm currently struggling through the Raven Boys too! I was really looking forward to reading this one but so far I'm not getting the hype. Now that I'm halfway through it's starting to pick up a bit but I still find myself not wanting to read it... I'll finish it but as of now I'm not continuing the series. I've read so many books in a row that I really really liked so I feel like this one is putting me in a reading slump a bit.
I read it last year so it's not 100% clear anymore but does it feel like there are too many ideas being shoved all in one book? Because I remember being confused as to where this whole thing was going...
BookswithEmilyFox I have zero ideas where this book is going! And I have a bad feeling that things won't be even close to being resolved by the end of this book which is frustrating when it took so long to get started. Kind of like that extra long prologue thing you mentioned. I won't know until I actually finish it though which hopefully will be this year because I'm anxious to start something new! What should I read next? The Kiss of Deception or The Winner's Curse? I bet that's a tough one for you lol because they are both your recommendations 😜
Yes!!! It's also a book that felt like a prologue!! Oh my!! Well they're both good but keep in mind they are fantasy-romance... I think the Winner's Curse is more addictive though! 😂 There's more political intrigue and less war compare to Kiss of Deception (although the war stuff is more book 2-3) so it depends on your taste!
Stephen Kings IT is my favorite book that I have ever read. It was the first book I read by him and enjoyed it greatly. I can understand that it is not for everyone though.
Personally love a good book rant and its just as good to hear the bad as the good! I think you have saved me from some books and I agree with you on conjuring of light. It wasn't to my expectations either!
Some of these are still great but sometimes books get overhyped... I think I'll do a video about it because I feel like some solid series are being mentioned so much that now people are disappointed when they read them because they're good just not... life changing good!
Your vid came up on recommended and I subscribed after 2 minutes! How have I not found you until now?! You’re so natural and friendly in front of the camera and instead of just stating the criticism you actually give PROOF from parts of the book to support your argument! I’m loving it ❤️
I'm about 1/4 of the way through The Black Prism and was starting to notice not only the sexism, but also the ugly superiority complex and toxic-masculinity-fueled angst between Gavin and literally everyone else, and was looking for some insight on if it would ever get resolved. I hadn't seen anybody talk about any of these issues in the other reviews i've seen, and it's super disappointing that, knowing how rough the rest of the book is, I'll probably put it down. Thanks!
I really appreciate your points on the sexism. I'm not anti-sexist characters in books, that wouldn't be realistic, those people exist. However your examples prove that it's a problem when it's the author, the writing. And thanks for the heads up on the Sylvain audio book, I hope I remember this! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, good bad ugly and neutral. Thanks for sharing.
I love how true to your own taste you are, it makes your recommendations so easy to follow =D It takes balls to admit to not liking The Hobbit, I think a lot of people feel like they HAVE to love it. I personally love the low-action slow-paced Tolkien because I can drown in his descriptions of things and places and feel calm because of it, but I totally understand how it can be horribly boring for some!
Hi Emily! I read the Hobbit a couple of years ago and had the same opinion about it as you. Then I started reading Fellowship and couldn't even get into it, it was so slow. Does it get better? Would you recommend it if I didn't like the Hobbit?
The Night Circus is my favorite book. But I do understand what you said. ♥ Have you tried Stalking Jack The Ripper, Hunting Prince Dracula and Escaping from Houdini?
For me it was probably the second and third book in the His Dark Materials series. I absolutely loved the first one, and I feel like he kind of went off on a tangent and didn't really wrap up anything, too tied up in his theology to really have the characters make sense anymore. Then again I just adored the world building of the first book and Lyra's childlike perspektive on it, which both kinda... felt washed out after the first book. Still a good read, I just expected a lot more after the Golden Compass.
Started getting back into books, and hence booktube, after almost a year and damn Emily you've become so much more confident in presenting your opinions! Great to see you're still going strong :)
I was planning on buying black prism, and i'm so glad i checked out review beforehand! I knew i could count on you! I heard so many great reviews, but i would have hated the book because of the exact reasons you mentioned!
With A Conjuring of Light, Lila did have character development- her entire life she was running away from things rather than settling down because she was scared but she finally found a home on the sea with Kell and isn't running anymore.
Wow, I'm so glad I didn't buy Black Prism like I was going to. Honestly, being a woman in mid-20's, reading from a child's perspective is super hard. Especially if the characters are like 12-16 year old boys. Just, nope.
I've noticed a pattern for sure. Not all of them, for example a few of the YA Contemporary coming of age books I have read this year were perfectly fine, but now I'm realizing the characters were mostly bi or homosexual... I think it mostly has to do with the sexist attitude too often seen as "normal" or "normal for his age". The whole attitude of boys will be boys is just awful.
It's interesting and disappointing. And very rarely do young characters have anyone correcting them or teaching them about how to talk and think about girls their age. It's honestly so rare because most of the time in YA books the young main characters are described as superior to their parents or other adult characters and they are more of a side characters or hindrances for the main protagonist's story line. But then again there are also books where kids seem way older than they actually are and that's not pleasant to read either. For example, the Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I don't remember if you've read it. But I so wish I could find more books that tackle these topics differently. D: Although, I do get that as an adult it might just be hard to write from a kid's perspective. But it's super yikes if an author's own sexism and worldviews show in the behavior of their characters. Lol, sorry for the length of this response, I enjoy your channel a lot, by the way! :)
I read It for the first time this year and I’m with you. I was so disappointed, angry, and it brought about so many questions. Why did he think that was necessary? Why did he want to write about that? Why didn’t his editors omit it? Ugh. I was happy to not see it in the movie.
i dont understand how people give books like the black prism such high ratings and completely ignore the sexist parts. i understand the time is not the same as ours today, but there is a limit to how much the author shoves it in our faces. I found your channel just now and seriously preach!!! its so cheap!!! i cant ever read a book with a character who we're supposed to root for, or read about . .. Love the review, and thanks for saving me from continuing on with black prism!!
Amen on the women with muscle!!!!! 👏🏼 I'm in the exercise science realm & love to lift and the beauty of muscle....yep earned! 😊 Glad you stick up for women's vs men's standards of respect
Thank you so much for sharing that spoiler from the book “It.” I would have absolutely hated to read something so traumatizing. I can’t believe how popular that book is with a scene like that...
Emily,I'm delighted to have found you here! I have been subbed to your beauty channel for a couple years, but my interests have migrated more into art and science :) This video and topic are so relevant and helpful. I so appreciate your thoughts on why these books were disappointing!
BookswithEmilyFox I actually quite enjoyed reading it after I’ve watched the show! There isn’t much deviance from the books. Female lead is strong but yep it’s got a lot of romance lol!! I know you aren’t much into that. I love it though!
whutzat I did enjoy the first one the most, I’ve only reached the middle of the second book, and I really get annoyed at how the story progresses because I’ve caught up with the TV show, but I love characters so much I just can’t get enough. Emily you really should start because it will take you a while to get through them all because I definitely need breaks in between.
Emily I’ve been following your beauty channel for YEARS & I’m a voracious reader so I’m so excited to find this channel! I’ll be binging your videos for recommendations. 😊 PS you look so classically stunning in this video. Would you please do a tutorial on this hair on your beauty channel? This would become my gorgeous, professional work hair for 2018!
Girlll when you talked about uprooted I’m like “TRUEEEEEEEEE”🤣 I don’t really understand the hype about that book, the romance is a bit forced as well imo😤
I just found your channel yesterday and subscribed your videos are so awesome and I can tell we have similar tastes from all your mini reviews in your videos. And also you said English isn't your first language so where are you from?
Uprooted was... disappointing because it had promise. IMO. SPOILER WARNING!!! . . . I don't read stand-alone novels often, and this was one of the few I picked up out of desperation to read something. I liked the characters and the world they lived in, but dear gods did I really hate how that book was paced and how it ended... The last third was rushed and the plot points given there didn't have time to breath. You don't have time to care about the contrived and cliche characters and you don't want to. You just want the book to move on. And then so much promise with our main character not giving in to the pressures of everyone else to turn her into what she's not, and the down to earth way she handles things with compassion too. I really thought she was going to give up her heart to the Wood Spirit in a super poetic 'Your heart was poisoned by the hatred of man, let it be healed by womans' compassion" but nooooooooo ... Not that the ending was bad perse, just . . . lack-luster.
Thank you for bringing out the issues about The Black Prism! It's really important that people bring up issues like that and I'm definitely going to think twice about picking up the book!
It's unfortunate because the magic system and plot have some potential! When I continue I'll be able to reassess if I think the series is worth it even with all the sexism :/
A very useful observation and not one any other reviews that I have seen mention. Sounds like it's too late to clean this up in this series, but perhaps Weeks will improve in that aspect - in most everything else he seems to be very good.
One of my favorite videos of yours because I feel like so much more of your personality came out...and I loved it! Many of your thoughts is exactly why we need more female adult fantasy writers!
Artemis was a big disappointment for me as well! I was shocked by some of the things assumed about us readers. "Please don't read that out of context." Don't worry, Andy.... we didn't. Great video again, Emily! I always enjoy watching your channel.
I love that you are vocal about the sexism in popular books, because it is important to aknowledge that - and it does not mean that the book is bad - it just means that for future books we have to do better. Thank you for this video.
Thank you for brining up the sexism in Prism, unfortunetly I already got it based on other peoples recommandations, had I heard this first I would have skipped it though. And Artemis sounded all over the place, definetly not going anywhere near that. Love your reviews Xxx
The magic system is interesting and the plot has some potential... you might not be as bothered as I was but yeah... It was disappointing and I'm sad nobody had mentioned it!
damn...gonna miss out on one of the best fantasy series of this decade acording to many, because you'll get triggered ? sucks.. Then i bet you'll never touch the Firestaff series too. :D ... but I agree, that you'll not gonna enjoy it being angry on every supposed sexist incident in the series.. Thankfuly a lot of people didnt care about it or didn't go looking for it & liked the series a lot...
There is zero sexism there. Are you capable of your own opinion or do you base your life on a strangers opinions that differs from 99% other reviewsers? Please tell. Also, she’s the first reviewer I saw called the author himself sexist. She’s a heavy outliner. Look at that as you will. But it’s heavily disturbing you won’t read a great book because someone random on the internet got triggered by 0.01% of the book.
I totally agree about The Black Prism. I noticed the same thing about it. It's a bummer because some of it is so great but it's frustrating to see someone being so blatantly sexist in their writing. We should edit it with descriptors of men as having a saggy shaft resembling of a limp potato. Lol.
Yes girl let it out! Haha. I also didn't like The Hobbit! and Jane Eyre is the only classic I ever DNFed. I don't understand how people fall in love with Mr. Rochester...I just couldn't take the romance and I have no idea why he's so many people's "book boyfriend."
So agree with your thoughts on Artemis and The Black Prism. Sad to hear Gemina was disappointing. I just read Illuminae and loved it so I was hoping Gemina would be just as good. Great video. Love your hair!
I've been planning on reading The Night Circus, but I feel like I just got spoiled. Can someone who has read the book tell me if this is a spoiler? Because I feel like reading the book you don't already know that the big battle doesn't end up happening.
I don't consider it a spoiler since I technically there is a battle but not in the "epic battle to the death at the end" I was expecting which is why I was disappointed. It's a book people like for the world and the writing. Not the actual events.
Adding to say I didn't mention how the book actually finishes either. People can agree or disagree with the replies but I'm sticking to. No real spoilers here!
BookswithEmilyFox Okay thanks for letting me know! I had originally taken it as there's supposed to be a big battle, but the battle never actually happened in the book but I see what you're saying now thanks!
You should have read gemina. That climax was nerve wrecking. The number of times the authors used the same twist over and over again with such perfection is beyond me. It got me Everytime.
I haven't read most of these books, but I did read two: contrary to what you said, although I didn't really love The Night Circus, I absolutely adored Uprooted! Agreed, the "romance" is cringey as all hell and doesn't really make sense, but the story overall is so, so beautiful! It's a shame you didn't get to finish the book, towards the end it gets really good. I loved the metaphors and how the magic system works. I'm a bit of a nature's child myself, so I guess I was enchanted by Novik's story. :) Maybe you'll give it another go sometime soon.
Have you tried "The Loneliest Girl in the Universe"? I appreciate its YA but its about a young girl fighting to survive in space; sounds like something you might enjoy? Loved your video!
I felt the same way about the It scene since it was pretty disturbing, but enjoyed the rest of the book thoroughly. I've read several other of King's books since then and haven't been disappointed the same way since. Thanks for sharing all these, I've seen most of these and nobody ever discusses the flaws in some of these, and I appreciate your honesty.
If you don't like the ending of It, don't read Under the Dome. The book is so great until they reveal the reason behind the dome. I was so mad at stephen king for that ending. Until that the book is about a town under extreme circumstances and how cruel humans can be to each other in such situations. It was unsettling to read, because you know, that he could talk about a real scenario. Humans really behave like that. Until the ending i gave that book a solid 5/5, I LOVED it. But the ending... I read that book a few years ago and I'm still mad.
SPOILERS FOR NIGHT CIRCUS AND UPROOTED also read the night circus and uprooted this year, loved the night circus, really didn't like uprooted. in the night circus, it was mostly the rich setting that I enjoyed, it was more about enjoying the world and the circus that they built than the final conclusion to me, and I think that what the characters were doing as well.. the 2 main characters were reluctant to fight and that why they languished in the beauty of the circus. they had been raised to do one thing and they chose sacrifice for each other as opposed to continuing the feud between those that raised them. I can understand the disappointment at a less-than climax, but I rlly appreciate how that made this story stand out in comparison and didn't need a huge battle to still be a beautiful story. in uprooted, everything to me fell short... the relationships did not have chemistry, the magic of the woods sort of made sense, but still felt cheap, and believe me it was not worth finishing.. there just ended up being some lady in a tree that was trying to protect the woods or the trees around her but she was tainted and that was why it kept spreading???? seemed like it was just a shortcut to end the plot to me because the connections werent all that believable.
i totally agree with you on It, THAT scene was just not necessary at all, ew. i agree also on the night circus, everyone seems to love it, but i found it so pointless and disappointing. btw i love your videos, we have very similar taste :)
If you can I would recommend physically reading Gemina because it is a better physical and visual experience rather than the audio book, there are a lot of pictures and things that add to the novel and make it much less boring
I so agree with you about “It”. That did spoil the book for me....I did however after your review buy, read and loved Sleeping Beauties. I had not picked up a Stephen King book for years before these last two. I know this video was about disappointing books but my favourite I read this year was Lori Lansens “The Mountain Story”. Lori is a fantastic Canadian novelist. I’m a bit biased as I grew up with Lori and several of her books are set in the area of southwestern Ont. where we were from. I have loved this channel Em! I can’t wait to hear your reviews for 2018!
What's the most disappointing book you've read in 2017?
I just realized I should have included two more... Jane Eyre (how is that romantic?!) and And Then There Were None (bored..)!
PS. I know my auto focus was being a biatch, I'm pretty sure it's due to the cover of "IT"... another reason to hate covers with faces :P
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera had a great average rating, turns out it's the most annoying book I've ever read
Uprooted (the number 1 worst book I've ever read), The Lions of Al Rassan, A Gathering of Shadow, A Conjuring of Light, Night Circus, Sleeping Giants, Every Heart a Doorway. These are all the books that have so many praises and ended up disappointing me! Come to think of it.. almost all these books are on your list too.. xD great list, Emily! Also that IT scene.. yuck...
BookswithEmilyFox ReidIain. “I'm Thinking of Ending Things.”
Lingus by Mariana Zapata. Didn't even finish it.
caroliinalopes: I have that one on my shelf! We'll see how I feel about it :S
Petrik Leo: A few of these I did like but lots in common there!
JAsmine Ong: Oh no! Oh come (no spoilers pls!) I'm planning on reading them next year!
you are really my favorite booktuber I trust your taste
Mayo Massa I know, so funny!
WHAAAAT????? You have a BOOK CHANNEL??? I love your makeup channel, and this just made my day! Makeup and Books are my 2 great loves :)
Saggy balls, lmao. Love you, Emily😂😂😂
I mean what about the women that read his books?! We want to know!!
THINK ABOUT THE FEMAAAALES!!
BookswithEmilyFox That’s the thing. Sexists usually see their world as people (aka men) who read books + women. And a lot of them are so self-centred that they have no idea what offends women. They probably think that only terms like “saggy balls” are uncomfortable to read for all of “mankind” ;))
@@BookswithEmilyFox most of the women actually on goodreads didn’t have a problem like you, but yet you act like you’re a women advocate and that all women are looking for triggers in books to act offended. You automatically dismiss men’s opinions yet disable commenting on your review.
It’s illogical how you think women being self conscious of their body is sexist, especially women who train a lot. There’s a reason King Rhagadul puts down Karris for her too masculine (for his tastes) body on his end while Gavin loves her body and her strength doubly so because of that. Just shows you know nothing about sports and mentality. I trained female kickboxers and they often had the same problems, even when they were extremely competitive and capable. People are self conscious and will always be. Doesn’t take from them being badass. If you think a woman needs to be Mary Sue and extremely confident to be realistic, you live in a YA fantasy world. Maybe Vampire Diaries would be more you style? Like any people who nitpick triggers to make a point, you continently avoid mentioning the “sexist” lore that women live longer, are better drafters and can draft more accurate because they are born with “better” eyes. That doesn’t make you twitch, but mentioning someone’s boobs does. Karris is badass and wonderful for 99%% readers. She is sometimes insufferable, but so is Gavin. She is flawed, he is doubly so. If you actually read the further books you would know why she is still hung up on Gavin (Dazen).
To add further injury, you declare the author sexist. Following that logic, I declare you sexist too because if the author was a female there is no doubt in my mind you wouldn’t make that degratory accusation. Seems today it’s enough to be a sensitive reviewer looking for triggers to be found capable, not unlike the film industry I guess.
I read IT 3 years ago or so and I didn't even remember the gang bang until you mentioned it, I think my mind chose to erase that memory lol
THE WAY YOU BATTED YOUR EYELASHES IN IRRITATION is goals
i also agree with lila being annoying...i can't handle her!!also agree that uprooted is boring probably one of the blandest books i've ever read and came so close to dnf-ing it
I’m happy you told about that ending of Stephen King’s “IT” because I only made it halfway through when I decided to DNF it. That scene would probably have traumatised me :-O I might do a video like this as well ;)
please do :-)
I’m so glad someone said that Lila is annoying. She’s always just randomly hating on women and thinks she’s just better than anyone and there is nothing behind her thinking. She doesn’t add anything to the plot besides stealing stuff and playing with peoples feelings ?? W hy do people like her
I'm not sure I want to read The Black Prism now. I feel like the sexism is so childish on the author's part. There are so many other high fantasy books that I need to read and I'm going to prioritize those over The Black Prism
It was childish!! That's why I did the air quotes when I said adult fantasy because I can't imagine the target audience to be anything than young teenage boys!
I'm curious to see where the story is going but it's been months and I still haven't picked up the second book because I know I'll have to rant about it too 😂
If it had been a bad book overall I wouldn't have been this mad! It was just so much worse to want to love it and be interested in the story/magic system but having to deal with the rest 😂
It reminded me of Divergent for some reason. I couldn't stand the MC's point of view there, when she was constantly describing people and saying they would have been beautiful if it weren't for their wrinkles etc. :/
I think you should give it a try. I don't disagree with Emily but it was not so bad. I did not feel it as bad taking into consideration the time and set up. There 4 books and they are good....enjoyable read...
Don’t listen to her. Most women on goodreads don’t think even closely the same as her. Read the book and be your own judge. The only people seeing sexism is the sexists themselves. Notice how she doesn’t include how women are better and more capable drafters from the get go just because biology. That suits her agenda.
Go Emily! Being unafraid of standing up for women and feminism! Even awesome books have issues but not everyone can be brave enough to tell the truth.
brave ? WTF ? if she feels like a certain book is sexist, she just voiced her opinion about it in her own channel... its her channel after all.. But thank god that this is not like Grace's movie review channel that she tries to push her politics in to every godamn review...
I would really like a video of Audiobooks you would recommend.
I do want to do a video on them eventually but I need to listen to more before!
Yeah I was confused with that part too, cause what's the point xD right? (referring to IT)
the most disappointing book i read this year was probably “ready player one” it wasnt bad but i had heard so much about it that my expectations were really high and it just wasnt at all what i had imagined, plus the romance thingy at the end was meh and the story over all wasnt for me
I'm so sad you didn't like it! I absolutely adored this book!
Yeah I read it last year and I didn't love it. I think you need to know the 80s tv shows, movies and games to enjoy it but... meh
BookswithEmilyFox exactly! i think the added nostalgia mightve been what made some love it
I don't know much about 80's video games, tv showw, ect but I still absolutely loved it! I would say it is my favorite book of the year. I got so caught up in the game!
I could not agree more about Artemis.. I kind of feel like Andy Weir was writing his fantasy girl or his opinion of what he wants a woman to be.. I REALLY didn't like it! I didn't feel like I had any reason to root for her or sympathize with her. She was just a terrible, unlikable character. So disappointing.
I just don’t get why Stephen King would write that shit, that’s just disgusting
No idea! When people try to justify it as a "childhood to adulthood" I always roll my eyes... There are much better ways to do that... ways that don't include "that"
Hes pretty disgusting tbh
Adelina I think that I read somewhere that he was using heavily at the time and he said that he would never include that scene now.
Stephen King is weird. That’s one of the reasons he makes unique, sometimes mind blowing stories. Is it unnecessary? Yes. Is it something only SK would think of? Also yes.
😂😂 I love you. Your rant on sexism made my day. Sometimes it’s hard for me to read books by men because I just constantly scratch my head at what they think women act like and talk like.
It can be quite frustrating! No matter how many examples and explanations I provide there are always a few people dismissing it too so it doesn't help!
BookswithEmilyFox The patriarchy is too embedded in some people. 😂 It’s easier just to believe people are being really sensitive and ridiculous than to realize that some of your thoughts may be a wrong. 🤷🏻♀️
Haha totally agree about the “manly shoulder”! I personally don’t have masculine shoulders but I do have really broad shoulders which I looove. It’s honestly my favourite thing about my entire physical body.
And every woman is like you. Not. Most women who read the story don’t have a problem with Karris being self conscious. It’s human.
@@alanmatkovic3221 and wow you know most women.
Lol love the eye roll! Lol
Gotta use my skills :)
Oh my, that audiobook sounds terrible!!!!😲😲😂😂
It really was.. I don't understand how anyone could think it was a good idea! 😂
BookswithEmilyFox it really sounds like porn 😂
@@marystuart83 And to be honest it sounds like the kids voice is just a man doing a lil girl with an accent wth 🤦🏾♀️🤣🤣
you're so sassy omg i love it hahaahha
It's a whole year of frustration all in one video 😂
I was so eager to read The Raven Boys and began a couple of days ago without knowing much about it, and it’s not the epic fantasy adventure I was expecting so I guess I’m kind of disappointed but I don’t think it’s bad either
It was very different than what I expected too!
I need to continue the series but I don't get why (or how) people reread it so much... we'll see :/
Camila Lecaros I'm currently struggling through the Raven Boys too! I was really looking forward to reading this one but so far I'm not getting the hype. Now that I'm halfway through it's starting to pick up a bit but I still find myself not wanting to read it... I'll finish it but as of now I'm not continuing the series. I've read so many books in a row that I really really liked so I feel like this one is putting me in a reading slump a bit.
I read it last year so it's not 100% clear anymore but does it feel like there are too many ideas being shoved all in one book? Because I remember being confused as to where this whole thing was going...
BookswithEmilyFox I have zero ideas where this book is going! And I have a bad feeling that things won't be even close to being resolved by the end of this book which is frustrating when it took so long to get started. Kind of like that extra long prologue thing you mentioned. I won't know until I actually finish it though which hopefully will be this year because I'm anxious to start something new! What should I read next? The Kiss of Deception or The Winner's Curse? I bet that's a tough one for you lol because they are both your recommendations 😜
Yes!!! It's also a book that felt like a prologue!!
Oh my!! Well they're both good but keep in mind they are fantasy-romance... I think the Winner's Curse is more addictive though! 😂 There's more political intrigue and less war compare to Kiss of Deception (although the war stuff is more book 2-3) so it depends on your taste!
Incredible video! ☺️ I’m a young reader starting to get into reading, and I love your videos!
the way you were imitating the magic descriptions in uprooted😂😂. IM DYING
Stephen Kings IT is my favorite book that I have ever read. It was the first book I read by him and enjoyed it greatly. I can understand that it is not for everyone though.
It's one of my top reads as well. It goes deep and has big themes, it's definitely not for everyone.
Personally love a good book rant and its just as good to hear the bad as the good! I think you have saved me from some books and I agree with you on conjuring of light. It wasn't to my expectations either!
Some of these are still great but sometimes books get overhyped... I think I'll do a video about it because I feel like some solid series are being mentioned so much that now people are disappointed when they read them because they're good just not... life changing good!
Thank you for dragging the Black Prism! 😂 i almost spent my precious Barnes & Noble gift card on it!
Your vid came up on recommended and I subscribed after 2 minutes! How have I not found you until now?! You’re so natural and friendly in front of the camera and instead of just stating the criticism you actually give PROOF from parts of the book to support your argument! I’m loving it ❤️
Thank you!! ❤️
I'm about 1/4 of the way through The Black Prism and was starting to notice not only the sexism, but also the ugly superiority complex and toxic-masculinity-fueled angst between Gavin and literally everyone else, and was looking for some insight on if it would ever get resolved. I hadn't seen anybody talk about any of these issues in the other reviews i've seen, and it's super disappointing that, knowing how rough the rest of the book is, I'll probably put it down. Thanks!
It mostly only gets worse. I didn't mention half the issues I had with the book sadly :/
I really appreciate your points on the sexism. I'm not anti-sexist characters in books, that wouldn't be realistic, those people exist. However your examples prove that it's a problem when it's the author, the writing. And thanks for the heads up on the Sylvain audio book, I hope I remember this! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, good bad ugly and neutral. Thanks for sharing.
I love how true to your own taste you are, it makes your recommendations so easy to follow =D
It takes balls to admit to not liking The Hobbit, I think a lot of people feel like they HAVE to love it. I personally love the low-action slow-paced Tolkien because I can drown in his descriptions of things and places and feel calm because of it, but I totally understand how it can be horribly boring for some!
There is definitely pressure to like it... and all the very hyped books!
I wish I did like it! I loved LOTR but I just couldn't do it with this one :(
Hi Emily! I read the Hobbit a couple of years ago and had the same opinion about it as you. Then I started reading Fellowship and couldn't even get into it, it was so slow. Does it get better? Would you recommend it if I didn't like the Hobbit?
The Night Circus is my favorite book. But I do understand what you said. ♥
Have you tried Stalking Jack The Ripper, Hunting Prince Dracula and Escaping from Houdini?
For me it was probably the second and third book in the His Dark Materials series. I absolutely loved the first one, and I feel like he kind of went off on a tangent and didn't really wrap up anything, too tied up in his theology to really have the characters make sense anymore. Then again I just adored the world building of the first book and Lyra's childlike perspektive on it, which both kinda... felt washed out after the first book. Still a good read, I just expected a lot more after the Golden Compass.
what lipstick are you wearing?
Maybelline Matte Ink in Pioneer :)
Which serie would you suggest to start with from Brandon Sanderson?
Martine Guitard elantris! :D
roxemary Thank you!!!!
Martine Guitard you're welcome :)
Started getting back into books, and hence booktube, after almost a year and damn Emily you've become so much more confident in presenting your opinions! Great to see you're still going strong :)
Your are my favourite booktuber! Also, this is your best video so far in my opinion.
I am glad you mentioned the ending of IT. I was going to read it but now I know to pass.
It's sad because some of the parts in the beginning are really good!
I was planning on buying black prism, and i'm so glad i checked out review beforehand! I knew i could count on you! I heard so many great reviews, but i would have hated the book because of the exact reasons you mentioned!
It sucks because there was potential there but.. come on :/
Hook and sinker. Keep swimming little fishie.
With A Conjuring of Light, Lila did have character development- her entire life she was running away from things rather than settling down because she was scared but she finally found a home on the sea with Kell and isn't running anymore.
Wow, I'm so glad I didn't buy Black Prism like I was going to. Honestly, being a woman in mid-20's, reading from a child's perspective is super hard. Especially if the characters are like 12-16 year old boys. Just, nope.
I've noticed a pattern for sure. Not all of them, for example a few of the YA Contemporary coming of age books I have read this year were perfectly fine, but now I'm realizing the characters were mostly bi or homosexual... I think it mostly has to do with the sexist attitude too often seen as "normal" or "normal for his age".
The whole attitude of boys will be boys is just awful.
It's interesting and disappointing. And very rarely do young characters have anyone correcting them or teaching them about how to talk and think about girls their age. It's honestly so rare because most of the time in YA books the young main characters are described as superior to their parents or other adult characters and they are more of a side characters or hindrances for the main protagonist's story line. But then again there are also books where kids seem way older than they actually are and that's not pleasant to read either. For example, the Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I don't remember if you've read it. But I so wish I could find more books that tackle these topics differently. D: Although, I do get that as an adult it might just be hard to write from a kid's perspective. But it's super yikes if an author's own sexism and worldviews show in the behavior of their characters. Lol, sorry for the length of this response, I enjoy your channel a lot, by the way! :)
I read It for the first time this year and I’m with you. I was so disappointed, angry, and it brought about so many questions. Why did he think that was necessary? Why did he want to write about that? Why didn’t his editors omit it? Ugh. I was happy to not see it in the movie.
Can you imagine if it had been in the movie? The uproar 😂
I really love this video and your very thorough thoughts and opinions!
I can't wait for the other 2 videos in this series!
Thank you! I decided to add one more so 5 videos total now! :D
IT is the only one of those books I have read and when _that_ scene came I swear I wanted to throw away the book.
The Night Circus was one off my favorites books of this year, really is a little hard to read, but I loved so much and recomend to everyone ❤
Just found your channel today and I've watched three of your videos already. Love how honest and funny you are! :)
It's best to enter with very low expectations so you know your right or you could be suprise you like it
Where did you get your earrings?
i dont understand how people give books like the black prism such high ratings and completely ignore the sexist parts. i understand the time is not the same as ours today, but there is a limit to how much the author shoves it in our faces. I found your channel just now and seriously preach!!! its so cheap!!! i cant ever read a book with a character who we're supposed to root for, or read about . ..
Love the review, and thanks for saving me from continuing on with black prism!!
This is the first video I watched by this channel, and I will subscribe myself now!
I think you really fun!
Instantly fell in love with you, this is the first video I'm seeing of yours. Subscribed! :)
❤️
Amen on the women with muscle!!!!! 👏🏼 I'm in the exercise science realm & love to lift and the beauty of muscle....yep earned! 😊 Glad you stick up for women's vs men's standards of respect
oh god some male writers have reeeeally never had 1 conversation with a woman and it shows
What is that gorgeous book cover on the shelf behind you, one level above Children of Time, with what seems to be a phoenix?? I need to know.
It's "Harry Potter A History of Magic"!
BookswithEmilyFox Thank you so much! It's beautiful, how I did not find it earlier considering it's a major part of Potter lore is beyond me haha
I just subscribed! I am currently reading It so thanks for the heads up! Where are you from if I may ask?
Thank you so much for sharing that spoiler from the book “It.” I would have absolutely hated to read something so traumatizing. I can’t believe how popular that book is with a scene like that...
great video! quick question--what lip product do you use?! flawless!
Maybelline Matte Ink in Pioneer :)
Emily,I'm delighted to have found you here! I have been subbed to your beauty channel for a couple years, but my interests have migrated more into art and science :)
This video and topic are so relevant and helpful. I so appreciate your thoughts on why these books were disappointing!
First video I've watched of yours and I love your energy! Subscribed!
5:58 I laughed out loud! You are hilarious 😂😂😂 Looking forward to the best, the worst and the most surprising ones!
Keep going with Ursula K Le Guin. She’s so good. She gets better with her later books. And I love the Tombs by her.
Please tell me you’ve started the outlander series!!! I’m so curious on your thoughts!!!
I haven't read it yet... I'm afraid of what I'll think lol
BookswithEmilyFox I actually quite enjoyed reading it after I’ve watched the show! There isn’t much deviance from the books. Female lead is strong but yep it’s got a lot of romance lol!! I know you aren’t much into that. I love it though!
whutzat I did enjoy the first one the most, I’ve only reached the middle of the second book, and I really get annoyed at how the story progresses because I’ve caught up with the TV show, but I love characters so much I just can’t get enough. Emily you really should start because it will take you a while to get through them all because I definitely need breaks in between.
Emily I’ve been following your beauty channel for YEARS & I’m a voracious reader so I’m so excited to find this channel! I’ll be binging your videos for recommendations. 😊 PS you look so classically stunning in this video. Would you please do a tutorial on this hair on your beauty channel? This would become my gorgeous, professional work hair for 2018!
Girlll when you talked about uprooted I’m like “TRUEEEEEEEEE”🤣 I don’t really understand the hype about that book, the romance is a bit forced as well imo😤
I waana buy a book by Stephen King, what do you suggest?
I just found your channel yesterday and subscribed your videos are so awesome and I can tell we have similar tastes from all your mini reviews in your videos. And also you said English isn't your first language so where are you from?
Uprooted was... disappointing because it had promise. IMO. SPOILER WARNING!!!
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I don't read stand-alone novels often, and this was one of the few I picked up out of desperation to read something. I liked the characters and the world they lived in, but dear gods did I really hate how that book was paced and how it ended... The last third was rushed and the plot points given there didn't have time to breath. You don't have time to care about the contrived and cliche characters and you don't want to. You just want the book to move on. And then so much promise with our main character not giving in to the pressures of everyone else to turn her into what she's not, and the down to earth way she handles things with compassion too. I really thought she was going to give up her heart to the Wood Spirit in a super poetic 'Your heart was poisoned by the hatred of man, let it be healed by womans' compassion" but nooooooooo ... Not that the ending was bad perse, just . . . lack-luster.
Thank you for bringing out the issues about The Black Prism! It's really important that people bring up issues like that and I'm definitely going to think twice about picking up the book!
I couldn't believe I had heard 0 mentions about all of this! NONE!
Everyone was giving it 4 or 5 stars so I was so excited...
You didn’t like The Hobbit? I’m so sad! Was one of my favorites of the year. It felt so cozy. Thorin and Bilbo are everything to me.
How do you read all those?! It's impossible. I'm still reading Carrie from like October.
It's totally possible! I've read 120 books this year - I just read 100 pages on average every day :)
Love your reviews! And your nail polish! What is the color?
Essie Without a Stich!
Black Prism was on my short-list, but your comments pushed it off. Thanks.
It's unfortunate because the magic system and plot have some potential! When I continue I'll be able to reassess if I think the series is worth it even with all the sexism :/
A very useful observation and not one any other reviews that I have seen mention. Sounds like it's too late to clean this up in this series, but perhaps Weeks will improve in that aspect - in most everything else he seems to be very good.
Omg i didn’t know you did booktube too!! I love your makeup channel and recently discovered this channel !!
i returned the hobbit audiobook, the one from the library , and i love lord of the rings
One of my favorite videos of yours because I feel like so much more of your personality came out...and I loved it! Many of your thoughts is exactly why we need more female adult fantasy writers!
Artemis was a big disappointment for me as well! I was shocked by some of the things assumed about us readers. "Please don't read that out of context." Don't worry, Andy.... we didn't. Great video again, Emily! I always enjoy watching your channel.
Oh my I had forgotten about that... yep no one has that humor Andy lol
I love that you are vocal about the sexism in popular books, because it is important to aknowledge that - and it does not mean that the book is bad - it just means that for future books we have to do better. Thank you for this video.
Thank you for brining up the sexism in Prism, unfortunetly I already got it based on other peoples recommandations, had I heard this first I would have skipped it though. And Artemis sounded all over the place, definetly not going anywhere near that. Love your reviews Xxx
The magic system is interesting and the plot has some potential... you might not be as bothered as I was but yeah... It was disappointing and I'm sad nobody had mentioned it!
damn...gonna miss out on one of the best fantasy series of this decade acording to many, because you'll get triggered ? sucks.. Then i bet you'll never touch the Firestaff series too. :D ... but I agree, that you'll not gonna enjoy it being angry on every supposed sexist incident in the series.. Thankfuly a lot of people didnt care about it or didn't go looking for it & liked the series a lot...
There is zero sexism there. Are you capable of your own opinion or do you base your life on a strangers opinions that differs from 99% other reviewsers? Please tell. Also, she’s the first reviewer I saw called the author himself sexist. She’s a heavy outliner. Look at that as you will. But it’s heavily disturbing you won’t read a great book because someone random on the internet got triggered by 0.01% of the book.
The scene in "It" you are talking about completely ruined the book for me. It was so unnessary.
I didn't even want to finish the book...
I totally agree about The Black Prism. I noticed the same thing about it. It's a bummer because some of it is so great but it's frustrating to see someone being so blatantly sexist in their writing. We should edit it with descriptors of men as having a saggy shaft resembling of a limp potato. Lol.
Yes girl let it out! Haha. I also didn't like The Hobbit! and Jane Eyre is the only classic I ever DNFed. I don't understand how people fall in love with Mr. Rochester...I just couldn't take the romance and I have no idea why he's so many people's "book boyfriend."
OMG Mr Rochester annoyed me so much!! People always compare Jane Eyre to Pride and Prejudice and... no. Just no.
Great video!! I planned on reading a few of them and now I know what to expect, more or less. Pretty helpful! 👍
So agree with your thoughts on Artemis and The Black Prism. Sad to hear Gemina was disappointing. I just read Illuminae and loved it so I was hoping Gemina would be just as good. Great video. Love your hair!
I don't know if it's because of the audiobook but I just didn't feel attached to the characters at all. There were some good elements but... meh :/
I've been planning on reading The Night Circus, but I feel like I just got spoiled. Can someone who has read the book tell me if this is a spoiler? Because I feel like reading the book you don't already know that the big battle doesn't end up happening.
I don't consider it a spoiler since I technically there is a battle but not in the "epic battle to the death at the end" I was expecting which is why I was disappointed.
It's a book people like for the world and the writing. Not the actual events.
Adding to say I didn't mention how the book actually finishes either. People can agree or disagree with the replies but I'm sticking to.
No real spoilers here!
BookswithEmilyFox Okay thanks for letting me know! I had originally taken it as there's supposed to be a big battle, but the battle never actually happened in the book but I see what you're saying now thanks!
This is off topic but what lipstick are you wearing? It's gorgeous!
I HATED "The Power" by by Naomi Alderman. I really don't get the hype about it. I only read 63 pages, the writing style was SO sloppy
Love your videos ❤️
You should have read gemina. That climax was nerve wrecking. The number of times the authors used the same twist over and over again with such perfection is beyond me. It got me Everytime.
can i just say that your eyeliner is so good its inspiring
I haven't read most of these books, but I did read two: contrary to what you said, although I didn't really love The Night Circus, I absolutely adored Uprooted! Agreed, the "romance" is cringey as all hell and doesn't really make sense, but the story overall is so, so beautiful! It's a shame you didn't get to finish the book, towards the end it gets really good. I loved the metaphors and how the magic system works. I'm a bit of a nature's child myself, so I guess I was enchanted by Novik's story. :) Maybe you'll give it another go sometime soon.
Out of curiosity, have you read Neil Gaiman "The Ocean at the End of the Lane"? I feel like the magic system is similar so you might like it too!
Have you tried "The Loneliest Girl in the Universe"? I appreciate its YA but its about a young girl fighting to survive in space; sounds like something you might enjoy? Loved your video!
I felt the same way about the It scene since it was pretty disturbing, but enjoyed the rest of the book thoroughly. I've read several other of King's books since then and haven't been disappointed the same way since. Thanks for sharing all these, I've seen most of these and nobody ever discusses the flaws in some of these, and I appreciate your honesty.
If you don't like the ending of It, don't read Under the Dome. The book is so great until they reveal the reason behind the dome. I was so mad at stephen king for that ending. Until that the book is about a town under extreme circumstances and how cruel humans can be to each other in such situations. It was unsettling to read, because you know, that he could talk about a real scenario. Humans really behave like that. Until the ending i gave that book a solid 5/5, I LOVED it. But the ending... I read that book a few years ago and I'm still mad.
I've been told exactly that!! I'm kinda curious and since I know his endings suck I'll be prepared haha
i love your lipstick! what brand is it
I was so disappointed with uprooted too
SPOILERS FOR NIGHT CIRCUS AND UPROOTED
also read the night circus and uprooted this year, loved the night circus, really didn't like uprooted. in the night circus, it was mostly the rich setting that I enjoyed, it was more about enjoying the world and the circus that they built than the final conclusion to me, and I think that what the characters were doing as well.. the 2 main characters were reluctant to fight and that why they languished in the beauty of the circus. they had been raised to do one thing and they chose sacrifice for each other as opposed to continuing the feud between those that raised them. I can understand the disappointment at a less-than climax, but I rlly appreciate how that made this story stand out in comparison and didn't need a huge battle to still be a beautiful story.
in uprooted, everything to me fell short... the relationships did not have chemistry, the magic of the woods sort of made sense, but still felt cheap, and believe me it was not worth finishing.. there just ended up being some lady in a tree that was trying to protect the woods or the trees around her but she was tainted and that was why it kept spreading???? seemed like it was just a shortcut to end the plot to me because the connections werent all that believable.
i totally agree with you on It, THAT scene was just not necessary at all, ew. i agree also on the night circus, everyone seems to love it, but i found it so pointless and disappointing. btw i love your videos, we have very similar taste :)
Yea, "It" turns yucky. But first half or so pretty good.
If you can I would recommend physically reading Gemina because it is a better physical and visual experience rather than the audio book, there are a lot of pictures and things that add to the novel and make it much less boring
I so agree with you about “It”. That did spoil the book for me....I did however after your review buy, read and loved Sleeping Beauties. I had not picked up a Stephen King book for years before these last two. I know this video was about disappointing books but my favourite I read this year was Lori Lansens “The Mountain Story”. Lori is a fantastic Canadian novelist. I’m a bit biased as I grew up with Lori and several of her books are set in the area of southwestern Ont. where we were from. I have loved this channel Em! I can’t wait to hear your reviews for 2018!