2024 DNFs: Part 2
This year I made the resolution to stop treating DNF like a bad word, setting aside books just aren’t grabbing me because life is too short and the TBR is too long. Now that the first quarter of the year is behind us, I have another handful of books that I had decided to set aside.
Keep in mind though, just because I DNF a book doesn’t mean it’s bad. It means that, for whatever reason, I just wasn’t feeling it and saw no compelling reason to continue. For most books, that determination was made at around 25-33%, enough to safely say I gave it a fair shot. That said, my commentary is meant to provide feedback because even though I may have given up on a book, others might find that it works for them. Perhaps my perspectives can assist you in determining whether you’ll enjoy it or not.
I received review copies from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my reviews and all opinions are my own.
Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: McElderry Books (February 27, 2024)
Length: 336 pages
I was actually quite sorry to DNF this one. Beautifully written, Where the Dark Stands Still is about a young girl seeking a way to be rid of her magical curse. Venturing into forest, she encounters a powerful demon who can give her what she wants, but only if she agrees to give him one year of servitude. Lately, I feel that the fantasy genre has been inundated with fairy tale and folklore inspired stories, and had I not already read the Winternight trilogy or books like Uprooted and Spinning Silver, I might have been more motivated to read to the end. Still, if you love Slavic mythology inspired novels, defifnitely check it out. On the flip side, if you happen to read a lot of the genre, I doubt you’ll find much new in this one. A romance was also clearly brewing between the characters, but I didn’t feel a strong connection to either of them, which led to my lack of emotional investment in their relationship, not to mention plotting was a bit slow.
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Nightfire | Macmillan Audio (April 30, 2024)
Length: 384 pages | 15 hrs and 21 mins
What a disappointment! I loved the author’s Hex which I guess was the first novel to feature Robert Grim, who returns in Oracle to investigate the sudden and inexplicable appearance of an eighteenth-century sailing ship in the middle of a Dutch flower field. The ship seems to swallow up anyone who goes in it to explore, and soon, eleven people have disappeared. This novel had an amazing premise, but unfortunately never reaches its full potential. After the initial creepfest, the story veers off into tangents and goes nowhere fast with unnecessary whining and handwringing from the characters. Plus, I thought I was signing up for horror, but instead what I got was the drama of internal conspiracy theory politics. Admittedly, a part of me desperately wanted to know the ending, but ultimately I couldn’t find it in myself to slog it out.
Someone You Can Build A Nest In by John Wiswell
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Series: Book 1 of Frontlines: Evolution
Publisher: Tantor Audio (April 2, 2024)
Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
Unpopular opinion time! While there’s a lot to love about this story featuring a monster falling in love with a human, it just didn’t work for me. The concept was unconventional and a breath of fresh air, which I enjoyed, but the erractic pacing led to many instances of my mind wandering and my focus to falter. Part of this is due to the complexity of the story, which goes deeper than its quirky and somewhat humorous premise, delving into darker issues like abuse and trauma. Surprisingly though, the two main characters Shesheshen and Homily felt comparativey flat and shallow, which lessened the story’s impact. After setting this one aside to continue at a later date and not feeling the urge to pick it back up, I marked it as abandoned.
The BiblioSanctum 
~does a happy dance
Dnf those suckers!
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Hahaha! Already got a couple more queued up for an upcoming part 3!
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I just decided to DNF a review book, something I try to avoid since I feel compelled to finish books I specifically requested, but the story was not working for me, so I choose to turn my energy somewhere else… 😉
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I try not to DNF review books either, but you’re right, sometimes it’s just no use forcing it. I’m so glad I finally learned that!
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I’m surprised Oracle was a DNF! I always hear raves about his books, although I’ve never read any myself.
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I was quite surprised it turned out to be a DNF too, I had such high hopes! But honestly, after a while it just didn’t feel like a horror novel anymore.
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I always feel guilty about DNF ing ARCs but I guess that I shouldn’t. If Ii had been sent a real book, then I might feel differently but it doesn’t cost the publishers to send me an ebook. Hopefully you are enjoying your current reading.
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Yes, it definitely feels a little easier to DNF if it’s a digital ARC or audio!
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Only three! That’s not too bad. So… what do you do with them when you DNF them? I’m picturing… a book-run heating system for the house;)
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Haha I’m going to review DNFs in groups of three. I already have part 3 started!
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How long have you been giving them before DNFing?
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Depends. Usually I bail around 20-25% when I really question if I’m actually enjoying myself and the answer is no. This last one I stopped at around 50% when I realized I was lacking any motivation in picking it back up.
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Good for you for DNF-ing! I am also a recovering finish reader learning to DNF. Nowadays I DNF books that I buy or check out from the library, but I have a hard time DNF-ing ARC’s. Great reviews on the DNF’s, too!
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Yay, recovering finish readers unite! I don’t know why it took me so long, but I just had such a hard time letting go of books even when I know I’m not enjoying them. Now that I’ve learned to DNF it feels so freeing.
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I am SUPER disappointed to see Oracle on here! Hex was so cool and I was looking forward to the sequel.
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Hex is a favorite of mine! So I was so disappointed when Oracle fell flat!
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I am also a committed DNFer. Mostly because I have FAR too many lovely books on my Kindle clamouring to be read and as reading is my chief hobby and recently, also a very important escapist lifeline – then I’m not going to waste effort and time trudging through something I’m not thoroughly enjoying. And, like you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad book:).
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You are right, and really I think it was a schedule change in the past year that really forced me to face reality – there are just too many books and like you said if escapism is the goal here then there is no point forcing myself to read something I’m not enjoying!
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Thankfully none of these were on my list to read, though I did like the title for Someone You Can Build a Nest In.
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Haha I thought that was a great title too, I was disappointed it didn’t work for me.
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omg Nest was probably one of my fav books of the year. And that is why we all are different 😊
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Exactly! I did read your review and I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much!
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You have to DNF some. and Oracle, it was a bit disappointing – too busy.
Lynn 😀
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Good on you for DNFing, Mogsy! I was burned so badly by some of the books I was given in exchange for review that I almost stopped requesting anything, simply to avoid feeling the obligation to read and review.
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