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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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?