Hello bookworms! One of my goals this month is to clear out my drafts and boy do I have a lot of tags. I think I might make it a weekly post until I’m caught up. First up is this Halloween inspired tag that the lovely Bookish Pisces created where you basically rate a few books as tricks (didn’t enjoy) or treats (enjoyed). For this, I selected a couple of books that were high on TBR this year. Let’s find out if these books lived up to my expectation or not.
Verdict: Trick
A Gathering of Shadows broke me. That may sound like an exaggeration, but I’m not kidding. I was so excited to read this book but found it rather disappointing for a sequel. The story dragged and nothing happened for over 400 pages. And don’t get me started on Lila Bard. I gave up on the Shades of Magic trilogy after I finished AGOS. I even took a break from book series after reading this. The only good thing that came out of this was my Twitter thread with reaction memes.
Verdict: Treat
First time reading Jane Eyre and I truly enjoyed it. Rochester is trash, but Jane is an incredible character and I understand the hype behind this classic.
Verdict: Trick
I honestly don’t remember what happened in this book.
Verdict: Treat
If you listen closely you can still hear me crying over The Serpent King. My bookstagram friend, Cory, talked about this book often because it’s her all-time favorite. I didn’t expect to be hit with so many emotions reading this. I was so emotional that I sat in my car and cried after I was done. I’m so heartbroken, Jeff Zentner.
Verdict: Trick
I like to think of Red Rising as The Hunger Games on Mars. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I enjoyed The Hunger Games. I was bored and I wasn’t very fond of the protagonist. His name escapes me because he wasn’t that interesting.
What books would consider trick or treats? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
Merline Reads 
I have so many tags to do too haha. Jane Eyre is a book I’m planning to read before the year ends and I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it. I actually really loved Red Rising and I do think one of the blurbs compared it to the Hunger Games actually. Great post!!
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Hahaha! Drowning in TBRs and in tags. I’m going to read Golden Son before the year ends because a couple people told me it gets better.
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Oh no! So sad to see that you didn’t enjoy A Gathering of Shadows or Red Rising! Both are on my tbr!
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I hope you enjoy both! Especially A Gathering of Shadows. I’m sad that I didn’t love it because I loved the first book.
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Oooh, fun list! I’m sad that you didn’t enjoy AGOS, though I can see how it isn’t for everyone. I just love that series so much!
Red Rising is one that’s been on my TBR for ages but I seem to keep avoiding because, in my gut, I don’t think I’m going to like it lol. Whoops…
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I’m sad I didn’t enjoy it too. I was really looking forward to it because I loved A Darker Shade of Magic so much. I have very fond memories of staying up into the wee hours reading ADSOM. I’m going to hold on that.
A couple of people told me the series gets better so I might try the sequel to see if that’s the case. It wasn’t bad, but it was pretty “meh”
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I loooove Jane Eyre too. The writing is just so atmospheric and I do agree, Jane is an amazing woman and character.
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She’s a women of integrity and is incredibly resilient. Amazing.
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I did not enjoy Red Rising, I can’t even finish it. Jane Eyre was a struggle for me, that book really creeps me! I don’t like Lila either, there’s a difference between being brave and stupidly reckless
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I know what you mean about struggling to finish books. I listened to the audiobook for Jane Eyre and buddy read it with someone who already loves the story. I think that’s what helped me. It felt like the writing kept hitting me over the head with “badass thief” trope with very little development.
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Ooh I hate it when I can’t remember a character’s name. That’s usually a sign that it probably wasn’t that great of a book.
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😂😂😂 😂 it really is. I could’ve looked it up on Goodreads, but I didn’t even bother.
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