alwaysbeenasmiler | (no subject)

We won't talk about work-- we just won't, because that is when I get angry and then I want to punch people in the face

Instead I will talk about how much I am enjoying "A Court of Wings and Ruin" by Sarah J. Maas.

I like her Aelin Galithenius series alright, I suppose; though some (most) of the characters don't resonate with me like the Court series. And I actually hated the first book when I read it, A Court of Thorns and Roses was not my most favorite because I didn't care for Tamlin, I didn't like Feyre (until things happened that made her a more interesting character) but I read the next book, and Sarah J. Maas rained down on me a sea of INTERESTING CHARACTERS (tm). I adored Mor, Amren, Cassian, Azriel and Rhysand, they were my squad goals right there, and then you got to see more of Feyre's sisters (whom also A++++), and that is quite simply a recipe for epic.

The Throne of Glass series was interesting but the characters for the most part-- Caleana was too cocky, I didn't really like Chaol, I didn't like her other significant other, her mate-- I did like Lysandra but only because I have a big fondness for bitchy bitches (*waves the Team Nesta flag*), and yeah, I did like the Blackbeaks, my favorite part of the entire book was that coven of witches.

But for me, a book hinges on interesting characters-- if a book doesn't have characters that I like (or enough of them), it falls flat.

Rome was saved for good characterizations.

Look at Twilight-- I disliked the main couple, but I did like the side characters and they were the only reason I kept listening to the audiobook when otherwise I would of been like "KILL THE BOOK WITH FIRE"-- so yes, I can say that Twilight has 'some' merit, not a lot but some; certainly not enough to think that a 20 year old werewolf imprinting on a 5 year old is fine-- ewww Stephanie Meyers, EWWWW!)

Now to start making some Sarah J. Maas icons!

How is everyone's week going?

Hopefully well!

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I love stories that have interesting characters too! :) This was a really neat entry for me to read over, as I have been rather curious about books by Sarah J. Maas ever since I've seen them while working at the library--I might just have to give a few of her stories a try! ♥

I don't think you'd be disappointed by her books, I really think you'd adore them! Strong women abound!

I totally understand about not wanting to talk about work.

It's nice to find someone else that enjoyed Twilight's side characters. I never got into the main couple but I kept up with the series because I liked the minor characters. I'm not sure a book succeeds that well in a literary sense when the minor characters are more interesting than the protagonists. :)

Yeah! The main trio; Edward, Bella and Jacob, I was ambivalent toward but every one else were awesome and I just don't understand how you could make side characters more likeable-- it just made me go 'what?'

I'm actually a huge fan of Rosalie and Leah. I thought they were so under appreciated, and Rosalie was vilified to make Bella look better. I thought they were so much more complex women and could have been better portrayed had Meyer's writing been a bit more polished.

Rosalie is actually one of my favorite characters in that series-- I think that she did what she had to in the books, it was self protection, and she stepped up when it mattered. I definitely think that she is very underappreciated

And Leah, what a strong woman-- she wasn't a favorite but she held her own in that tribe and that was what I loved about her

Ha. I totally understand the work thing. For a while I was literally popping pills (with a prescription) just to keep going.

Yeah, I've thrown away books if I couldn't stand the characters. I'll usually give a couple chapters to convince me, but if there isn't good characterization, or if the characters are bland/fucking annoying, I have to put it in the "donate" pile. The occasional book has landed in the trash if I hate it enough. I read romance novels, so it's really less about the story (we all know romance novels aren't generally the most original/clever stories in the world) and all about the characters.

I read romance novels too! and yes, the characters have to do some bit of convincing-- I have a 'donate' pile, and then a 'keep' pile, and then yeah, some books have landed into the trash-- because I felt like I couldn't inflict those characters on anyone else and live with myself.

I think you'd like A Court of Thorns and Roses series, I really do- I can't recommend that book series enough!

I gotta keep track of the romance readers on my list. Ha.

I try to keep my "keep" pile on shelves, but somehow a large pile have ended up in and around one of the cat trees. Poor cats. My dirty laundry is also currently landing there. I should be a better housekeeper.

I'll look into that series.