2024 DNFs: Part 4
The summer slump may be over, but its end did come with a few more abandoned books for the DNF pile. Hopefully I can make it to the end of the year without making another one of these posts.
Once more, the usual caveat: just because I DNFed a book doesn’t mean it was bad, just that, for whatever reason, I wasn’t feeling it and saw no compelling reason to continue. But what doesn’t work for me might work for others; hopefully my perspective can assist you in determining whether you’ll enjoy it or not.
I received review copies from the publisher(s). This does not affect the contents of my reviews and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Witch’s Compendium of Monsters
Publisher: Tor Books (June 25, 2024)
Length: 359 pages
For many of the same reasons I abandoned The Famliar, the story and characters of Foul Days did not stand out for me. Currently my shelves are saturated with fantasy novels inspired by Slavic folklore, and even after giving this book more than a hundred pages to grab me, nothing in it convinced me there was anything too new or exciting. The world and its concepts were quite fascinating, but the main character was rather bland and too much time spent on trivial details about her backstory also made me feel unenthusiastic about continuing her tale.
The Scarlet Throne by Amy Leow
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The False Goddess
Publisher: Orbit (September 1o, 2024)
Length: 432 pages
I really wish this had worked for me. I wanted originality and freshnes, and this book had it in spades. Plus, I love a morally gray protagonist. Sadly though, I was not a fan of the writing style or the main character’s voice. And for a story with such complex themes and consequences, the narrative tone felt all wrong–flippant, shallow, and juvenile. The majority of readers seemed to enjoy it though, so it’s most likely just a case of “It’s not the book, it’s me.” You’ll have a much better time if you aren’t easily put off by YA vibes.
The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Hollow Covenant
Publisher: Orbit (September 3, 2024)
Length: 528 pages
It’s hard to believe this is the same author of The Bone Shard Daughter, a book I loved. However, The Gods Below lacked the same interest, charm, and drive. I read more than half of this in the hopes the story or the characters would eventually win me over, but it did not. The plot went nowhere fast, the characters were difficult to connect with, and the pacing felt flat. I really tried, but in the end, I cut my losses. The novel just didn’t have the depth or intrigue to keep me invested.
The BiblioSanctum 
I found The Gods Below hard going too and if I hadn’t enjoyed the previous trilogy so much, I don’t think that I would have persevered. I did enjoy it in the end but am not sure if I will bother to read the next one.
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Uh oh, are your fantasy days in their twilight years? 😉
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“I really tried, but in the end, I cut my losses.” I think that’s a very good skill to have, difficult though it may be.
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I’m sorry to see that these books didn’t work for you. I really enjoyed The Gods Below as the world fascinated me although I did still prefer the Bone Shard series. The Scarlet Throne is on my TBR and based on what you’ve said I may check the writing style out with Amazon’s First Read option later to see how I find it. As I adored The Familiar I hope I’d be okay with Foul Days though 🤞hopefully you won’t find anymore DNFs this year.
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Yeh, any “adult” fantasy that gives off YA vibes will trigger dark things in me hahaha As for Andrea Stewart’s latest book, it does sound like it’s not a very good new series to check out…
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Damn Mogsy! The Scarlet Throne and Gods Below is on my list!
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Aww, sorry these didn’t work. It’s really sucky too when the story is interesting but the writing or narrative voice is what doesn’t work. It makes it hard to continue going despite your interest.
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It has been ages since I did a dnf post, I should do it
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I’ve also stuttered to a stop with Gods Below. I’d like to give it another try but not at the moment. I need a different mindset.
Lynn 😀
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