A discussion between Mari and P.E.

We talk a lot about books we love on TSC. That's wonderful and we should keep it that way because talking about good books makes us happy. However, it's healthy to take a break sometimes and go against the norm. Today, lets talk about some books that other liked and we utterly despised. P.E?

I don't feel comfortable saying I've ever despised a book, except for that one book that killed off one of my favourite characters (but most people weren't into that book either). I will say that some books have not lived up to the hype. One that comes straight to mind is one I recently read, and a book I know you won't like hearing this about: Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols. I couldn't get into it, and I honestly don't understand the hype it gets. (Sorry, Mari.)

I feel like you're going to be stuck on that one for a long time. Honestly, I think it was more your fault (dragged it out too long) than the book but you're not the only one who didn't like it so no worries. Since we're going head on, I'm going to mention The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (ohhh ya). I was so crazy about this book, always ogling at it in the book stores until I finally got it from the library and it disappointed me. I know you're going to argue that the book was supposed to be slow and sensual with fantastic writing. I'll give in, the writing was great but I wanted more, some action, some relationships, anything to move the plot forward.

Oh snap, you did NOT go there. The Scorpio Races was subtle and gorgeous! And the characters were fantastic, how could you not like it?! Speaking of books we disagree on, how about Throne of Glass? I was expecting a badass read but I thought the book was all talk without much action. Celaena spent more time fawning over boys then really being the kickass heroine she was supposed to be. I was actually pretty disappointed in that one. 

Oh yes I did! I read to save myself from boredom and TSR didn't help at all. As for Throne of Glass, I completely agree. Celaena, a starved assassin turned prisoner is released and instead of exacting revenge she jumps around looking at dresses and shaking in her corset every time she sees the king. But, I'm going to writing it off as a human flaw. You for one should understand her predicament. Everyone see's her as tough, or super studious in your case, but when exposed to frilly dresses you both melt. 

No I don't- *looks at tweets about Oscar dresses* *shuts up* Regardless, I didn't think her characterization was consistent. You'll chalk it up as a human flaw, and I'll see it as a flaw in the story. I'm going to bring up another book that everyone seems to adore but me. I'm not that into Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. The story is so slow and the writing is interesting, but I get bored of it pretty quickly because the characters don't interest me either. What did you think of that one?

I actually really enjoyed Shatter Me when I read it but it's been a few years now and it really didn't leave a lasting impression. I don't feel like reading the next books so it has been put to the side for me. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's the back story which I found weak. I do really like Warner though.

I think I didn't mind Shatter Me too much, but the sequel really let me down. I guess I'm not that into Warner and I didn't like Juliet's flip flopping between Adam and Warner. Any other book that comes to mind?

This one I've been confused over for a while. Glass Houses, the first book in the Morganville Vampire series. I plain did not like it. The characters were nothing special, the vampire town was weird and her parents were never around. Who sends there kid to a backwater town to study at a community college rather than Princeton, Harvard etc, especially when they are a genius. No, the excuse of her being too young does not suffice.

At this point you have to be trolling me. I enjoyed that series. The dynamic between the vampires and the humans, the danger, poor little Claire slowly growing up and proving people wrong... it was lots of fun. I don't have an explanation for your complaint (I read that book years ago) but I remember being completely okay with the bizarre world and the fascinating characters. Another book for me that would make this list is The Tyrant's Daughter. My review is upcoming for it so I won't say too much besides that it disappointed me so much, and I'm honestly shocked that I seem to be alone in that regard. I even scoured Goodreads searching for a low star reviews but I couldn't find any. 

I think I might have been impressed if I had read it when I was 14 or something, but by 16 I had already outgrown the plot and characters. 

What Do You Think?

We are all cover lovers here. It's like the icing on top of the cake to have a pretty cover along with an awesome book. But the cherry on top of the icing is when a cover not only has a great cover in your region but also international ones. I love icing and cherries on top of my cake. (I know, I'm a cheese ball.)

Some awesome international cover of books we know and love:

Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

This is the more well known cover, I believe it's the North American cover. I really like this one. It's interesting to both genders and it tells you that it's set in Russia with the russian architecture on the cover

German                               United Kingdom

As for the German one, I like how it's like a water painted canvas. I'm not too fond of the colour though and I wouldn't have minded if there was more going on around the borders or in the background. The cover is pretty minimalistic.

Winner: North American

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I don't actually like the North American cover for this one. It just doesn't do anything to make me want to read the book. Apparently she is the daughter of smoke and bone, but neither are present.

UK                                    German

I like these too cover much more.The UK cover is very bright with the red arch door. I love the handprint on the wall and how the base of the door the colour is going off. It's a cover that makes you want to stop and study it closely.

The German cover much more preferable over the NA one. I like the city being show in the bottom, the colours are more vibrant, and the girls face is nice with some mysterious white blue eyes and blue hair.

Winner: UK

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

This cover is breathtaking. I love how the eye is decorated with trees and a waterfall, very creative and captivating.

Polish                                      Czech

Tahereh Mafi is one lucky girls. Not only does she have some an epic North American cover but she is multiple fantastic international cover. Ahh! I chose these two from an initial 6 or so covers.

Lets start with the Polish cover. 

Likes: 

• Font: It's big, it's attractive and it meshes well with the cover.
• The girls hand on the glass, shattering it. This is probably the first cover that is more relevant to the book, as those of you who have read the book would know. I like that in a cover.

Dislikes:

• Her face. Putting models faces into covers is a risk as they tend to clash with our pre-imagined image of the character. This one clashes with mine and I don't like it.

Czech Cover

Likes:

• The girls face. Yes, thank you it looks much better. I kind of imagined Julia to look like Tahereh kind of and that model looks like Tahereh to me, I like it.
• Colour scheme, it's nothing special but I like it.
• The diamond thing-a-majig. 

Dislikes: NOTHING

Winner: Czech, I just like that model way better!

I wish I could speak all these languages so I could justify buying these beautiful editions. But alas, I cannot so I'll settle with sharing them with you!

Which Are Your Favourites?

-MARI