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The Novel Hermit

daydreaming about books

Discussion

ARCS ON THE VERGE OF DNF | {1}

November 21, 2014 Comments : 8

Sometimes, when you read a book or an ARC, it just doesn’t click. I receive some ARCs that are essentially that. Two things happen: 1. I am not interested in the story at all or 2. I’m super excited but as soon as I read the first few pages, I instantly regret it because I failed to click with the book. When either of that happens, I am straddling the line of DNFing. (And you know how I feel about DNF-ing. It’s serious when I don’t even consider using words that I usually use like “hiatus” and when I don’t feel uncomfortable using DNF for these particular books.)

Here are five books I’ve received and am seriously considering stamping DNF on them.

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The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson

I’m not exactly sure what this book is about? I read the synopsis multiple times, but I got more and more confused with each reading. It’s such a generic plot that doesn’t make me excited to read about this ~mystery.

Is it told from the point of view a non-corporeal being? Or one of the main characters? Is there an urban legend?

I’m not very interested in the story. From what I’ve read and what I’ve been told, I know this book isn’t a one that I’d enjoy very much. It’s not like I asked for the ARC anyways; it was an extra surprise that Epic Reads sent me when I won one of their tote bag giveaways.

Will I DNF? Yes, especially since I was told to stay away from this book since it’s boring with a capital B.

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Sekret by Lindsay Smith

“Russia? KGB? Read people’s mind? Can you sign me up?” That was my initial thought when I read the synopsis. Who doesn’t find Russia culture fascinating? I know I did.

However, when I attempted to read this book, I found myself staring and rereading the first few pages over and over again. What happened? Well, the story didn’t click at all. I felt like the writing was stilted and emotionless; there wasn’t a natural flow in the narration. And I felt like I was being stopped after every sentence as if there was a traffic light, telling me to go and stop.

I want to keep reading, but I keep encountering roadblocks after every sentence. Maybe if I read on, I’ll find the connection? But alas, I abandoned the book, unsure whether to cast it out of my sight forever.

Will I DNF? Not entirely sure because KGB, dudes! I want to know!

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Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Snow White? Sci-fi? I like those things! At least I think I do?

Wait, maybe I don’t. Huh. I guess I’m a bit tired of fairytales being retold with a sci-fi spin. It gets really boring.

When I read the first two chapters, I kept comparing it to The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. And that, to me, is a bad sign. My mind should be focusing on this book, not drift off and compare it to a totally different book series. I want to give Stitching Snow a chance, but in my head, I keep thinking, “this book cannot compete with the awesomeness of Marissa Meyer’s series.” It also doesn’t help that the main character is a mechanic (sort of). Just another reminder of The Lunar Chronicles. :\ Very baddddddd.

Will I DNF? Leaning towards DNF.

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The Walled City by Ryan Graudin

Kowloon Walled City? Oh my godddddd, yessssssssss. (Fun fact: I was going to write my history pre-thesis on it, but decided against it on my professor’s advice since there was a lack of primary sources.)

I just couldn’t get through this book. Let’s talk about that beginning. The book started out with one of the main characters running. How about: NO. Not the best way to start a book since it’s sooo overused. You want to capture my attention? Don’t start with a run sequence. It doesn’t make a book stand out. The opposite, really. It’s not exciting.

The writing was awkward. The book relied a lot on stereotypes and awkward metaphors that weren’t lyrical at all. I was cringing through the chapters I read.

Will I DNF? Most likely. I can’t with what I read.

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Zodiac by Romina Russell

I don’t know, guys. I don’t know.

This book is a very Cee book. Sci-fi and space and stuff are things I love. And throw in zodiacs? How does that not make a cool premise?

But when I look at this book, visually…well, I am put off by it. It’s not the greatest. I get a headache when I look at the cover or read the first few lines. (I know, it’s weird.) I think it’s because the cover looks dated, and I just can’t read books that look or feels dated.

Plus, the text in the ARC is tiny. Really small. I get sooo lost in the sea of the tiny text size. I’m pretty sure I’m straining my eyes, trying to read this.

I want to read this, but if every time I open the book, I get a headache…well…it may be a no-go DNF. :(

Will I DNF? Still up in the air.

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Are there ARCs here that I should give a chance? Tell me why I should. What ARCs do you have that you are considering DNF-ing?

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Comments

  1. Ashley says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:32 am

    I put down Stitching Snow really quickly. I don’t think I got more than 20 pages in. I honestly wasn’t even that bothered by the Lunar Chronicles comparison, I was mostly just BORED! There was nothing pulling me into the book at all. I felt no attachment, no excitement, nothing. I had a hard time visualizing anything in the book and just couldn’t get into it. >_<

    Reply
  2. Dragana says

    November 21, 2014 at 10:21 am

    I read about 40% of ‘The Vanishing Season’. It is boring with a capital B. :/

    Reply
  3. Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl says

    November 21, 2014 at 10:24 am

    I DNF’ed Sekret. I was very unhappy with the story, and I could tell it was going in a direction I would be even more unhappy about.

    Reply
  4. Claire says

    November 21, 2014 at 11:25 am

    The thing is all of the books sound cool in premise but fall apart elsewhere..

    Reply
  5. Mel@thedailyprophecy says

    November 21, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    Bummer, I’m really excited for Stitching Snow. The vanishing season was hard, especially after I fell in looooooove with Tiger Lily. The ending kinda made up for it though.

    Reply
  6. Kayla @ The Thousand Lives says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    I wish I had DNFed Stitching Snow – it doesn’t really get any better in the end! I’m really excited for Zodiac, but a tiny font would make my eyes hurt too :/

    Reply
  7. Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books says

    November 26, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Wow I had no idea that Stitching Snow was so similar to the Lunar Chronicles. I hate when a book comes out that kicks ass and there have to be a million copy cat books in it’s wake. YAWN!!! Be original!!

    Reply
  8. josy herrera says

    November 28, 2014 at 1:19 am

    I hate when I DFN books but sometimes I just leave them for a few days and try it again later on, but if it’s not meant to be it just isn’t lol

    Reply

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I’m Cee. Lover of books + comics. Bookseller. Former teen witch.

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