DNF&Y [19]

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

by Erika L. Sanchez

Narrated by Kyla Garcia

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family.

But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role.

Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way Julia has failed.

But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. With the help of her best friend Lorena, and her first kiss, first love, first everything boyfriend Connor, Julia is determined to find out. Was Olga really what she seemed? Or was there more to her sister’s story? And either way, how can Julia even attempt to live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?

DNF at 19%

I decided to try I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter when it was one of the few audiobooks available at my library (my library is small, and I have to request most of what I want). I didn't know much about the book going into it, and that's my fault, but I could not connect with the main character. She's so negative about everything, and while that might be a realistic portrayal of some teenagers, it wasn't for me. She comments on a friend's makeup, and how a dress looks bad on that same friend's mom, and it just felt unnecessary. Additionally, the story starts off really slow, and I tend to prefer books with a quicker pace.

⳼

Ever Alice by H.J. Ramsay 

Expected publication: August 1st 2019

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Alice’s stories of Wonderland did more than raise a few eyebrows—it landed her in an asylum. Now at 15 years of age, she’s willing to do anything to leave, which includes agreeing to an experimental procedure. When Alice decides at the last minute not to go through with it, she escapes with the White Rabbit to Wonderland and trades one mad house for another: the court of the Queen of Hearts. Only this time, she is under orders to take out the Queen. When love, scandal, and intrigue begin to muddle her mission, Alice finds herself on the wrong side of the chopping block.

DNF at 5%

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Ever Alice made my head hurt. The language was confusing, and the content didn't always make sense. I know that Wonderland is a magical place, and not everything is supposed to be logical, but readers still need some backstory and context to understand what's going on. Rosalind (I believe that's the queen's name) is bananas, and I think she's supposed to be, but her perspective only made things more difficult to follow. The phrasing and wording were weird, which also made the story a challenge to read. “'Only the most unimportant news,' he said with his tongue sticking out of his mouth." After awhile I stopped reading, because I didn't want to force myself to stick with something I couldn't get into.

⳼

Finale (Caraval, #3) by Stephanie Garber

Narrated by Rebecca Soler

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A love worth fighting for. A dream worth dying for. An ending worth waiting for.

It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.

With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time—only those who will win, and those who will lose everything.

Welcome, welcome to Finale. All games must come to an end…

DNF at 7%

I tried and failed to get through this one. I was hesitant to start it at all, because I didn't love the first two. However, I was curious about the Fates, Jacks, and their mother, which is why I decided to give it a go. Tella is still obnoxious and always playing games. Why?? Who makes the rules?? She and Legend are dancing around each other, and it's so frustrating. I prefer characters that are more direct and less childish. Also, why is Scarlett still wearing that dress? She never takes it off, and I know it changes to reflect her emotions, but doesn't she bathe?? Magical dress or no, a person still needs to get naked and soapy every once in awhile. 

*Share your DNF&Y post! Please leave the direct link to your DNF&Y post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!